How To: Mac Mini RAM Upgrade, Pictures Inside!

[Jshwon]

So the question I have is that if you upgrade to 2x2gigs (4gig total) will it still utilize dual channel speedup even if it is only able to use 3 gigs? I get my mini today and will be upgrading the RAM shortly. Unless I'm surprised with 2gigs already from the refurb.

 

[fhall1]

So the question I have is that if you upgrade to 2x2gigs (4gig total) will it still utilize dual channel speedup even if it is only able to use 3 gigs? I get my mini today and will be upgrading the RAM shortly. Unless I'm surprised with 2gigs already from the refurb.

From everything I've read on other sites/forum posts, yes, if you install matched 2G modules you'll get dual channel speed even though only 3G of RAM is used.

 

[GyOzA]

I have bought exactly the same RAMs from Newegg.com.
Very nice RAMs at reasonable price.

 

[TheNorthWaves]

I used your tutorial last night - worked brilliantly. One thing I noted was that one of the front screws is larger than the other. Haven't looked to see if that's in an edit or not, you may want to mention that. I played around for about 10 mins figuring out which screw was the larger one.
I installed 2x1gig from OWC - so far, so good.

 

[robrose20]

Can the mac mini address 4 gb of memory?

 

[Yvan256]

Any good place to buy 2 x 2GB RAM for us Canadian users who don't want to be hit with a customs charge and overpay for shipping?

 

[OllyW]

Some Mac mini memory benchmarks.

 

[maggot1]

What's so complicated? It's really easy: Install RAM modules in matched pairs.

Fry's online had 2GB modules from Corsair on rebate for $35 last week, so my MacBook and iMac now both sport 4GB. Well, 3.5GB of usable RAM, but there is 4GB in there...

Do you have the Corsair P/N for the 2G module?

Does anyone has P/N for Kingston or other brand?

I am looking to upgrade my Mac Mini to 4G.

 

[drewdeezee]

Success!

My Mac Mini now has 2GB RAM thanks to the pics in this thread.

Things to note from my attempt:

1. A pizza slicer (turnwheel) worked better than my plastic putty knife.

2. I tested the Mini before putting the outer case back on. When the fans turned on at full blast, I realized that I forgot to plug in the little black wire.

It's now running with 2GB glory!

Thanks!

 

[Yvan256]

I will be upgrading my Core 2 Duo to 4GB in the near future, however I'd like to also replace the Combo Drive with a LightScribe DVD burner. I also plan on doing the external 3.5" SATA drive trick, to make opening the case completely worthwhile.

I know that laptop slot-load LightScribe drives exist because I've seen HP laptops with such drives. The question is, where do I get one, and which model will work in the Mac mini?

Any help appreciated, especially if I can order both the 2x2GB and the LightScribe DVD burner from the same place, with a bonus point if I can buy that in Canada for about the same price as in the USA.

edit: bought an internal LG Dual-Layer DVD burner which has LightScribe too, for 40$ CAD. I love after-holiday specials!

Now, if only I had some LightScribe discs.... hehehe

 

[smee]

Thanks guys for all the comments on this thread!!!
I'm glad to hear that all your upgrades went well too

I haven't been on the forums lately due to the holidays, sorry

I'm not sure if the blue ray drive is compatible, but you can probably find an answer on Google

 

[Jshwon]

Thanks for putting this thread together! I have it bookmarked for when I get my RAM to upgrade. A question though, my 2.0 C2D mini has 1gig and I think I'll be bumping that to two. Is it better to keep the one stick in and buy another 1gig stick? Or should I just buy a 2gig kit for OWC? The point is I want to take advantage of dual channel speed up and wasnt sure if that is dictated by just having the same amount in each slot or do they have to be matching brands.

 

[Yvan256]

Thanks for putting this thread together! I have it bookmarked for when I get my RAM to upgrade. A question though, my 2.0 C2D mini has 1gig and I think I'll be bumping that to two. Is it better to keep the one stick in and buy another 1gig stick? Or should I just buy a 2gig kit for OWC? The point is I want to take advantage of dual channel speed up and wasnt sure if that is dictated by just having the same amount in each slot or do they have to be matching brands.

Your Mac mini should have two 512MB sticks, so if you only buy one 1GB stick you will end up without dual channel and only 1.5GB.

 

[Jshwon]

Ahh thanks.

 

[MonolithTMA]

Awesome tutorial! I was scared to death about halfway through. Word of warning, if you suck at Operation then don't try this! I do now have 2 gigs of ram though. Thanks!

 

[PDACPA]

Great thread and instructions. One Item that maybe I missed was on the back side above the USB area, there is a openning. If you push your screw driver in there, it releases a silver aluminium/metal clip that will help.

I have the 1.66 so I had read I could only go to 2g which is what I did. Newegg.com has the best price and had it in like 3 days.

 

[sgluke]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has a video or more in-depth description of how I get the case open. I don't know if i'm just too afraid of breaking something, but I can't get the case to open. Although I guess the easiest point of clarification is do you move the handle so it's moving toward the center of the computer, or away from it?

 

[Courtaj]

Hey guys, I was wondering if anyone has a video or more in-depth description of how I get the case open. I don't know if i'm just too afraid of breaking something, but I can't get the case to open. Although I guess the easiest point of clarification is do you move the handle so it's moving toward the center of the computer, or away from it?

YouTube + search function = your prayers answered.

Andrew.

 

[PDACPA]

I know your frustration. It was a pain and the you tube videos I found did not focus on the area's where you need to apply the pressure. I did mine a number of months ago and will tell you I have some scratches on the plastic case (nothing broke, but you can tell I openned it).

 

[Hugh]

I know your frustration. It was a pain and the you tube videos I found did not focus on the area's where you need to apply the pressure. I did mine a number of months ago and will tell you I have some scratches on the plastic case (nothing broke, but you can tell I openned it).

OWC has some great videos on how to upgrade the memory in the MacMini. Here's the link to it http://eshop.macsales.com/tech_center/installation.cfm Then just pick the MacMini, and pick what size you want to watch the video in.

I think the OP did a great job in posting how to upgrade RAM, I am just posting the video link to help.

Hugh

 

[macwatt]

Mac mini memory upgrade

One thing I noted was that one of the front screws is larger than the other. Haven't looked to see if that's in an edit or not, you may want to mention that.

I agree It's screw number 3, large head, smaller thread, an edit would be handy, thanks for an excellent demonstration.

 

[softweyr]

Scratches?

I know your frustration. It was a pain and the you tube videos I found did not focus on the area's where you need to apply the pressure. I did mine a number of months ago and will tell you I have some scratches on the plastic case (nothing broke, but you can tell I openned it).

What part of the case did you scratch, the bottom foot? I just (finally) did my G4 mini last night, and had no trouble at all. I used a 3" putty knife, placing the blade at the edge of the aluminum where it meets the plastic foot, then have a helper push the bottom of the computer against the opposite side of the case while you try to wriggle the putty knife in. Once you have it in, flex the knife handle out away from the computer to pop the prongs out while having the helper lift the bottom of the computer away from the case. Do the front next, then the opposite side. Then the case should simply slide up.

The RAM stick on the G4 is along one side of the motherboard, trivial to replace. While still not a speed demon, my original 1.25 GHz G4 is still usable as a web surfing and email machine, and I do small OS X software development projects on it daily. Still a joy of a computer, after all these years.