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Need help on ram upgrade

If you are in any doubt about what the RAM specification of your Mac is, and whether a particular RAM module will work: go to a reputable memory supply company such as Crucial that sells you RAM specifically for your model of computer.

If it is described and sold as "RAM for 2012 Mac Mini", then it should work fine and if it doesn't you can return it.
 
benwiggy said:
If you are in any doubt about what the RAM specification of your Mac is, and whether a particular RAM module will work: go to a reputable memory supply company such as Crucial that sells you RAM specifically for your model of computer.

If it is described and sold as "RAM for 2012 Mac Mini", then it should work fine and if it doesn't you can return it.
Click to expand...

Actually, those Crucial kits are for all Macs, not just for the Mac Mini:
2012: 16GB 1600MHz kit
2010+2011: 16GB 1333MHz kit
2009: 8GB 1066MHz kit

Crucial doesn't publish the SPD tables, but the 1600MHz might as well work in at least the 2011, downclocked to 1333MHz.
 
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Giuly said:
Actually, those Crucial kits are for all Macs, not just for the Mac Mini.
Click to expand...
Yes, the same RAM may well fit in several Macs; and a given Mac may well take a range of different memory types.

My point is that if anyone is unsure of the specs and what to buy, they should buy RAM described as for their model, rather than for a particular spec. The fact that the RAM can fit other Macs is nether here nor there.
 
Giuly said:
You'll have a hard time buying RAM advertised for a specific Mac model, as it's too versatile to be advertised in that way.
Click to expand...
So, when Crucial, Kingston and other memory suppliers have web interfaces where you can type in your Mac model, and they provide you with RAM on that basis, with your model described in the confirmation email, and when the RAM arrives it has a sticker on the module stating your MODEL of Mac -- that's a hard time, is it?

All I'm doing is advising anyone who is unsure of the specification required that they can purchase RAM specified for their model of Mac. The OP was asking "is this the right sort of RAM for my Mac?" There are many such threads.

I fail to see why this point should be disputed.
 
GALAGA said:
Ok so I went to crucial.com and scanned my mini.

Here`s another dumb question. I have x2 2g ram on my mini now.
I saw a single 8g. Can I remove one of my 2g and add the 8g? and in the future get another 8g? I`m on a budget and I`m not sure if you can mix and match the ram on macs. I`m still a newbie, sorry.:(

http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=9545129DA5CA7304
Click to expand...

you can buy 1 stick of 8gb and mix it. but I suggest buying 2 sticks of this ram(wait for link)

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Modu...63008595&sr=8-1&keywords=kingston+plug+n+play


this is the best ram for a 2012 mac mini.

why it works all the time and it is the fastest comes in 2x 4gb = 8gb total and 2x 8gb = 16gb sizes.

I suggest the 8gb kit rather then buying the single 8gb stick from crucial.

Kingston play n play is faster then any other ram. It also works I have yet to find any evidence of it not working in a mac mini. since you would be pairing a 2gb and a 8gb stick you would have 10gb total. my way you have 8gb total. your 10gb would run slower then my 8gb. think of a van vs a fast four door car. yeah the van can carry 10 people (10gb ram) the four door carries 8 (8gb ram ) but in most cases the 4 door is faster. just don't move 9 or 10 people and the 4 door always wins.
 
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I am not a fan of mixing brands of RAM. Dual memory kits are the way to go. My first choice would probably be 16GB (2 x 8GB) of 1600Mhz DDR3 PC12800 Kingston HyperX CL9 but it is the most expensive.

Kingston on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008H7IGGI/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_ST1_dp_1


If you must save money then my next choice which is also an excellent choice would be the Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) 1600Mhz DDR3 PC12800 CL11 dual kit that you provided the link for in your original post.

Crucial on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...D333DHM4UIO&coliid=I2JAZFG3H6LZB7&me=&seller=

I have purchased dual memory kits directly from Crucial in the past. I believe they fully guarantee them to work with your model of Mini for life. I can't say if their are any differences between their direct sold kits and the ones sold on Amazon but buying direct from them is more expensive.

Crucial direct: http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=FFD020F5A5CA7304

I prefer going with 16GB but if saving money is critical then the 8GB (2 x 4GB) Kingston HyperX dual kit mentioned by Philipma1957 would be the other option I would consider at this time for a late-2012 model Mini. The newer Intel chip set based boards are suppose to auto compensate for different types of memory but I wouldn't recommend buying only a single 8GB stick since you risk having issues with memory timing and voltage compatibility issues if you mix it with other memory in the future even if it is of the same brand. It's usually best to install memory sticks that are sold as matched pairs. Also, traditionally the Intel multi-core HT CPUs perform best when they have access to matched memory in dual memory banks.
 
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philipma1957 said:
you can buy 1 stick of 8gb and mix it. but I suggest buying 2 sticks of this ram(wait for link)

http://www.amazon.com/Kingston-Modu...63008595&sr=8-1&keywords=kingston+plug+n+play


this is the best ram for a 2012 mac mini.

why it works all the time and it is the fastest comes in 2x 4gb = 8gb total and 2x 8gb = 16gb sizes.

I suggest the 8gb kit rather then buying the single 8gb stick from crucial.

Kingston play n play is faster then any other ram. It also works I have yet to find any evidence of it not working in a mac mini. since you would be pairing a 2gb and a 8gb stick you would have 10gb total. my way you have 8gb total. your 10gb would run slower then my 8gb. think of a van vs a fast four door car. yeah the van can carry 10 people (10gb ram) the four door carries 8 (8gb ram ) but in most cases the 4 door is faster. just don't move 9 or 10 people and the 4 door always wins.
Click to expand...

WOW! this is the best way to explain it, thank you so much!:)

----------
SoCalReviews said:
I am not a fan of mixing brands of RAM. Dual memory kits are the way to go. My first choice would probably be 16GB (2 x 8GB) of 1600Mhz DDR3 PC12800 Kingston HyperX CL9 but it is the most expensive.

Kingston on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008H7IGGI/ref=pe_175190_21431760_M3T1_ST1_dp_1


If you must save money then my next choice which is also an excellent choice would be the Crucial 16GB (2 x 8GB) 1600Mhz DDR3 PC12800 CL11 dual kit that you provided the link for in your original post.

Crucial on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...D333DHM4UIO&coliid=I2JAZFG3H6LZB7&me=&seller=

I have purchased dual memory kits directly from Crucial in the past. I believe they fully guarantee them to work with your model of Mini for life. I can't say if their are any differences between their direct sold kits and the ones sold on Amazon but buying direct from them is more expensive.

Crucial direct: http://www.crucial.com/store/mpartspecs.aspx?mtbpoid=FFD020F5A5CA7304

I prefer going with 16GB but if saving money is critical then the 8GB (2 x 4GB) Kingston HyperX dual kit mentioned by Philipma1957 would be the other option I would consider at this time for a late-2012 model Mini. The newer Intel chip set based boards are suppose to auto compensate for different types of memory but I wouldn't recommend buying only a single 8GB stick since you risk having issues with memory timing and voltage compatibility issues if you mix it with other memory in the future even if it is of the same brand. It's usually best to install memory sticks that are sold as matched pairs. Also, traditionally the Intel multi-core HT CPUs perform best when they have access to matched memory in dual memory banks.
Click to expand...


man! I can`t thank you guys enough, this is by far the best forum I`ve been on and not treat me like an idiot. You guys are very helpful.
 
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