Guide to replacing RAM in a 2018 Mac Mini

[Loukas Stavrou Tsiaili]

It's basically as difficult as the hard drive was in the 2012. Maybe a bit easier since you had to take out the power supply on the 2012s right (it's been ages since I did it). The only "risky" thing is pulling it apart too fast and forgetting to unplug one of the smaller cables (antenna, fan, front LED). I'd say a 4/10.



I've generally tried sticking to Crucial, but I dont see any reason why another brand wouldn't work. These shipped with Micron modules (manufactures Crucial), but they used to use Hynix. I wouldn't be surprised if a couple of brands didn't work for some odd reason though. I'm sure that info will surface since a lot of people are picking up Patriot Viper, G.Skill Ripjaws, and Corsair Vengence sticks since they're a bit cheaper than these Crucial Ballistix. I figured I'd spring a bit more for the ever so slightly faster CL timings (even though I won't even notice)

Hi im looking to do what you said get the ballistix but they are 3200 not 2666 will the work? Please let me know thank you

 

[dogslobber]

$189 on Amazon now.

$136 today. I bought for 94$ late last year. Crazy prices.

 

[Susurs]

Can anyone who has been using this upgraded RAM for a while confirm that Corsair Vengeance 2666Mhz CL18 RAM, or some other RAM which is lower than CL19 does not produce any instability issues like random restarts or freezes? +What are the reported timings in case you use BootCamp?

Respecticely, I’d like to know a stable CL18 or lower RAM models which are safe to upgrade.

Also, I was wondering what would be the benefit for GPU and system when using 2666Mhz CL18 instead of CL19. I know it’s marginal, however in case we can push max performance out of the machine, why not...

...What would happen in case I use 3200Mhz CL19 RAM for upgrade? Would it work with more tight timings in Mac Mini. Windows users probably can tell it.

 

[Susurs]

I went with Corsair Vengeance CMSX32GX4M2A2666C18 2X16GB and it’s working great for me.

System definitely feels more responsive, and judging by benchmarks, tests - it gained around 15-20% performance in adittion to having more ram itself.

I was concerned a bit that CL18 ram would have some stability issues, however, after initial stress tests it seems to be working fine.

Geekbench 4:

With 8GB
SC ~5700 MC~23450
Open CL - 20800


With 32GB
SC ~5900 MC~27000
Open CL - 23490

Geekbench 5:

8GB:
SC ~1200 MC~5400
OpenCL - 5199

32GB
SC~1263 MC~6300
OpenCL - 5471. (This also lets me ‘worry less’ regarding new M1 Mac Mini and it’s 7000 MC score) https://www.macrumors.com/guide/apple-silicon-mac-mini-vs-intel-mac-mini/

In Novabench RAM score went up around 1/3 from 217 to 320.

My Topaz Sharpen sample test with 180MB TIF file (Stabilize) previously completed in 4.50min, with 32GB it took 4.06minutes.

Even Unigine Heaven went from 613 / 24.3fps to 761 / 30.2fps.

I would definitely conclude that 8GB of ram was not enough to unleash full potential of my i7 MM 2018.

Previously I experienced some slight general slowness with Luna display on 8GB. With 32Gb I am very happy with it.

 

[radus]

I went with Corsair Vengeance CMSX32GX4M2A2666C18 2X16GB and it’s working great for me.

System definitely feels more responsive, and judging by benchmarks, tests - it gained around 15-20% performance in adittion to having more ram itself.

I was concerned a bit that CL18 ram would have some stability issues, however, after initial stress tests it seems to be working fine.

Geekbench 4:

With 8GB
SC ~5700 MC~23450
Open CL - 20800


With 32GB
SC ~5900 MC~27000
Open CL - 23490

Geekbench 5:

8GB:
SC ~1200 MC~5400
OpenCL - 5199

I went with Corsair Vengeance CMSX32GX4M2A2666C18 2X16GB and it’s working great for me.

System definitely feels more responsive, and judging by benchmarks, tests - it gained around 15-20% performance in adittion to having more ram itself.

I was concerned a bit that CL18 ram would have some stability issues, however, after initial stress tests it seems to be working fine.

Geekbench 4:

With 8GB
SC ~5700 MC~23450
Open CL - 20800


With 32GB
SC ~5900 MC~27000
Open CL - 23490

Geekbench 5:

8GB:
SC ~1200 MC~5400
OpenCL - 5199

32GB
SC~1263 MC~6300

SC~1263 MC~6300 not far away from the M1 Mac Mini

 

[Susurs]

SC~1263 MC~6300 not far away from the M1 Mac Mini

Yes, good to know it. GPU is probably not up on par but anyway - CPU scores are great.

Is it possible to compare Novabench scores with you and some other users as well? I would like to know how different brands of ram / timings impact the performance. Specifically interested in RAM speed and OpenCL GFLOPS.

This is Corsair Vengeance CL18 kit tested on 10.15.7 (Working great and no stability issues encountered):

 

[IowaLynn]

so I'm not sure if I messed my Wifi up when installing the RAM or if my router/modem is flaky?

Wifi says I have full strength in my office. Modem is in the adjacent room. I'm getting at best 5 Mbps in the office. If I move the Mini right next to the router, it's fast... like 50 Mbps.

My phone in the office is kind of all over the place. One run will give me 25 Mbps... next one 10. It's kinda random. But never as slow as the Mini.

I just reopened the case and the wifi cable is snugly attached.

I'm thinking if it WASN'T snug or I strained the cable and pulled it out on the other end possibly, it wouldn't be showing me full Wifi strength in the office, right?

I guess I'm going to take my Mini into work tomorrow and see what happens when I connect to my work's Wifi.
[doublepost=1542778758][/doublepost]If I turn bluetooth off I'm getting slightly faster speeds. Not crazy faster but like 7 Mbps compared to 1 or less typically with it on...

Interference? Also, installed a new wifi 6 router and finally have solid performance thru the whole house and none of problems I use to have for years. And getting what I pay for. My first wifi 6 from a year ago was buggy, my older router worked but got half what I get now.

I were 2.5x reading glasses when I have to work inside pc or mac.

 

[IowaLynn]

One thing about buying IWC is they will buy back your Apple memory. They give you a month to do so. Very trustworthy.