RAM Compatibility Question

[DTphonehome]

Hi all,
I am trying to upgrade the RAM in my early 2009 Mac Mini. The standard memory is PC3-8500. Knowing that you can usually use faster RAM (although at lower clock speed), I saw a deal on PC3-12800 RAM, so I tried to use that. After the installation was completed, upon booting up I got an error of three loud beeps. Apparently, this indicates a RAM issue.
So, is my new RAM incompatible with the early 2009 Mac Mini? In my experience, it's okay to use faster clock speed RAM in a slower system. So why isn't it working here?
Thanks for any help!

 

[philipma1957]

Hi all,
I am trying to upgrade the RAM in my early 2009 Mac Mini. The standard memory is PC3-8500. Knowing that you can usually use faster RAM (although at lower clock speed), I saw a deal on PC3-12800 RAM, so I tried to use that. After the installation was completed, upon booting up I got an error of three loud beeps. Apparently, this indicates a RAM issue.
So, is my new RAM incompatible with the early 2009 Mac Mini? In my experience, it's okay to use faster clock speed RAM in a slower system. So why isn't it working here?
Thanks for any help!

what size are your sticks 4gb or 8gb each?

 

[DTphonehome]

what size are your sticks 4gb or 8gb each?

They're 4GB each.

 

[philipma1957]

They're 4GB each.

well they could work but they don't. it is a risk to put in out of spec ram. did you try just one stick? I ask this because the 2009 minis can't always handle more then 4gb ram. apple had an efi for them to go to 8gb ram. so your problem could be your machine did not get that update.


this is the 2009 mac mini firmware update


http://support.apple.com/kb/DL888

your mini needs this to run 8gb. now if you have this then the sticks just do not work.

 

[DTphonehome]

I tried using just one module, but that didn't work. I also tried resetting the PMU; no luck. I just decided to replace the 4 GB of RAM that were already in the Mac Mini, and send back the new RAM.