Owc ram 4gb

[bama175]

This might be a dumb question, but wanted to confirm.

I just purchased the new Mac Mini base model with the i5. I didn't opt for the larger ram at purchase because of the cost for OWC Ram. Anyway, I was wondering if I could purchase 1 4GB stick of OWC Ram and use it with one of the 1GB sticks that comes with the machine, thus giving me 5GB total?


Thanks in adavance!

 

[philipma1957]

you could but I like to match the chips. your ram is most likely hynix I would want to put a hynix 4gb stick in, but owc's should work ( owc uses different chips micron hynix etc)

 

[JimDut]

Mixing two of the same Gb is one thing, but mixing a 1Gb with a 4Gb means it won't run dual channel because of the 1Gb stick... I'd go for buying x2 2Gb Sticks.

 

[bama175]

Thanks guys.

I ordered the 4gb stick of OWC today. Going to buy the 2nd in a few weeks. Just didn't know if I should wait until I get the 2nd or go ahead and put the 4GB stick in with one of the 1GB sticks.

I assume I could run the one 4GB stick by itself,?correct

 

[philipma1957]

yes it should run with 1 4gb ,

but a 4gb and a 1gb will do more.

A lot depends on what you run. I have found with all models That I tested 2006 to 2010 mac minis more is better . This was also true of the 2009 iMac I have. I used every possible combo of ram in its 4 slots more was best a 4 a 4 and a 1 were better then fours 2's in every test I did.

I have not fully tested the 2011 minis and they are a new cpu,it is supposed to hyperthread.

so a pair of 2's that total 4 may be better then a 1 and a 4 if you lose hyperthreading by having a 1 and a 4

this was not the case with 2010 mac minis or 2009 mac minis.

 

[haruspex]

i love OWC and whatever but i paid $5 more for 8GB RAM from Newegg than you did for 4GB from OWC (assuming you got OWC brand RAM).

 

[bama175]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate it.

haruspex, how is your mini running with that ram? Can you send to me a link to the exact one you purchased?