memory upgrade C2D mini

[penguy]

Hi all...was hoping for some advice. I have a a Mac Mini w/ C2D 2.0 and a Macbook C2D 2.0 (late 2008 all aluminum-picked up used for a great deal). They are virtually identical machines. My mini has 4 gb and an upgraded 320gb 7200 rpm drive.

In the interest of saving money, I was thinking of buying the 8gb memory kit and installing that in my Mini and pulling the 4gb from the mini and installing it in the Macbook. (I use Aperture, rip the occasional movie, etc), it's the workhorse for now until I can pick up an iMac or Mini server.

Do those of you using similar computers notice an improvement going from 4-8 gb? Is it worth it to upgrade both to 8 gb? The laptop is mostly for a high school student for word and powerpoint as well as email and browsing...

I was more or less convincing myself that the jump from 2-4gb will improve the laptop enough to keep him happy for a while.

 

[Intell]

Your Mini will not be able to use 8Gb of ram. 3.3 is the most it can use.

 

[penguy]

Your Mini will not be able to use 8Gb of ram. 3.3 is the most it can use.

that is not correct...I have 4 in my mini and it recognizes and uses all 4. It was the model advertised with 4gb as it's max. My understanding is that both the Macbook and the Mini can accept 8 gb. OWC also shows this as possible.

My question is about the performance difference between 4 and 8 gb

 

[surroundfan]

Your Mini will not be able to use 8Gb of ram. 3.3 is the most it can use.

Actually, probably best to clarify that it's the mid-2007 C2D 2.0GHz mini (4 USB ports; single DVI video; 3.3GB Max) or the early 2009 C2D 2.0GHz mini (5 USB ports; dual video out; 8GB Max with latest firmware)...

 

[Intell]

You failed to specify which Mini. I defaulted to the first Mini with a 2Ghz C2D, the mid-2007 one. Your Early 2009 Mini can take 8Gb of RAM as can your AL Macbook.

 

[penguy]

Actually, probably best to clarify that it's the mid-2007 C2D 2.0GHz mini (4 USB ports; single DVI video; 3.3GB Max) or the early 2009 C2D 2.0GHz mini (5 USB ports; dual video out; 8GB Max with latest firmware)...

I guess I should have clarified...I assumed because I stated that I was interested in the performance improvements going from 4 to 8 gb that this was implied.

So...to clarify, I have an early 2009 mini and a late 2008 aluminum macbook, both capable of handling 8 gb w/ the proper firmware.

 

[Wicked1]

Your Mini will not be able to use 8Gb of ram. 3.3 is the most it can use.

I have 4GB of Crucial 2X2GB sticks with no issues, however I think there is even a firmware update so you can stick 8GB or 2X4GB sticks in a C2D 2.0Ghz Mini.

I got mine in April of 2009 and it is still running today, love that little machine, even more so then my 2010 2.66 C2D Mini or even my 2011 Base i5 2.3 Mini.

The extra USB port is a bonus as well, but the one down side is lack of HDMI

 

[penguy]

Thanks everyone...what I am really looking for is an opinion related to performance improvements for these machines when going from 4 to 8 gb. I know there is a significant improvement when going from 2 to 4...

thanks

 

[Gav2k]

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On snow leopard no performance hike. In lion tho it makes a difference!