Running 2010 2.4 Intel Mini on 5GB Memory?

[MetalGeek]

I've been trying to upgrade my memory in my 2010 Intel 2.4 Mini several times with no luck, I keep having to return the chips.

I bought a pair of 4GB Centon 1333GHz that say "Mac Ready" on the package for $50 at Tiger Direct and when trying to install them I got the 3 beeps of death!!!

Just for fun I put in one 4GB module and one of the original Samsung 1GB modules and it turned on, showed 5GB of memory on About This Mac! I tried switching the memory from top to bottom slots and still works with 5GB, but no matter which slot I use it won't boot with both new 4GB modules?

I tried the SMC like the Genius at the Apple Store suggested but still won't recognize both 4GB's?

Is it safe to run a Mini of 5GB...so far no problems but I'm curious because the manual clearly states that you need to have matching memory sizes?

Thanks

 

[Mr. Retrofire]

I've been trying to upgrade my memory in my 2010 Intel 2.4 Mini several times with no luck, I keep having to return the chips. I bought a pair of 4GB Centon 1333GHz that say "Mac Ready" on the package for $50 at Tiger Direct and when trying to install them I got the 3 beeps of death!!!

Centon? Buy Kingston, Samsung or Crucial (no Corsair) RAM, if possible!

You need two 1066 MHz modules. Either 2x4 GB (8 GB) or 1x4 GB and 1x1 GB (5 GB). See also:
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_mini/specs/mac-mini-core-2-duo-2.4-mid-2010-specs.html
and
http://manuals.info.apple.com/en_US/Mac_mini_Mid2010_User_Guide.pdf
(Chapter: Boost Your Memory)

Kingston & Crucial have a memory search function, which you can use to find the right RAM for your Mac:
http://www.kingston.com/us/memory/search?DeviceType=2&Mfr=APP&Line=Mac mini (DDR3)&Model=64063
and
http://www.crucial.com/store/listpa...el Core 2 Duo 2.4GHz) DDR3 - Mid 2010&Cat=RAM

Just for fun I put in one 4GB module and one of the original Samsung 1GB modules and it turned on, showed 5GB of memory on About This Mac! I tried switching the memory from top to bottom slots and still works with 5GB, but no matter which slot I use it won't boot with both new 4GB modules?

It is very likely, that the newer modules do not support 1066 MHz.

Is it safe to run a Mini of 5GB...so far no problems but I'm curious because the manual clearly states that you need to have matching memory sizes?

No problem, if at least one module supports the 1066 MHz speed. In this case the EFI enforces the 1066 MHz speed.

 

[philipma1957]

I've been trying to upgrade my memory in my 2010 Intel 2.4 Mini several times with no luck, I keep having to return the chips.

I bought a pair of 4GB Centon 1333GHz that say "Mac Ready" on the package for $50 at Tiger Direct and when trying to install them I got the 3 beeps of death!!!

Just for fun I put in one 4GB module and one of the original Samsung 1GB modules and it turned on, showed 5GB of memory on About This Mac! I tried switching the memory from top to bottom slots and still works with 5GB, but no matter which slot I use it won't boot with both new 4GB modules?

I tried the SMC like the Genius at the Apple Store suggested but still won't recognize both 4GB's?

Is it safe to run a Mini of 5GB...so far no problems but I'm curious because the manual clearly states that you need to have matching memory sizes?

Thanks

2010 mac minis use 1066 ram and not 1333 ram.


2010 mac minis are picky picky picky with ram. you can run 1 stick of 1333 4gb ram and 1 stick of 1066 1gb ram is very lucky. Never never never buy ram in the usa from tiger direct as they won't take a return from you since you purchased the wrong ram . Mac ready does not mean every mac. it means every mac that uses 1333 ram. I have done hundreds of 2010 mac minis. if you really need 8gb this is your best choice



http://www.amazon.com/PNY-PC3-8500-...8&qid=1346903347&sr=8-1&keywords=pny+1066+ram



I have purchased 30 -40 pairs of this ram it works 90% of the time. and if it does not amazon takes a return with free shipping.



The genius at the apple store is a moron. His first question should be what year is your mac mini. when you say a 2010 he should know how picky the machine is and that not only do you need 1066 ram but even then it does not always work.

 

[Micky Do]

1GB + 4GB = 5GB of RAM; Sweet as....

I have an early 2009 Mac Mini that came with 1GB of RAM and Leopard. I upgraded to Snow Leopard, and kept all the software up dates up to date. I guess some of it is quite memory hungry because the computer was getting quite slow. It came to a head when I got a camera. Simple editing of photos was taking forever.

I noticed that in use the available HDD space was going down by a GB or two when in use. I guessed I didn't have enough RAM, so the HDD was taking up the slack.

I figured it was time the Mini had a mid-life tickle up so popped it in to have the shop install 4GB of RAM, check the HDD and install Mountain Lion (I don't have a credit card so don't have an App Store a/c)

The tech just installed 4 GB of Ram along side the 1 GB already there, so now I have 5 GB. Along with OS X 10.8, it is running sweet as..... it is like having a new computer (for a fraction of the cost). It should be good for another few years.

What RAM did they use? Dunno, don't care. It just works, which is one of the reasons I went Mac.

 

[MetalGeek]

Update to my original post

So far so good with the 5GB of memory! It takes a little longer to boot but programs seem to fly, especially opening up Finder and running videos in QT. I also noticed that when I transfer files to my portable hard drive it's much faster. I have about 50% of my HD in use so I'm moving things off of it.

One curious thing is in my Mac manual it states that I need 1066 memory but in About This Mac it shows 1067? In Onyx it also shows the 5GB.

If this is working I'm fine with just having 5GB instead of 8GB, just the frustration of having to drive all over the place and return things was getting really old. I'd do mail order except that I don't have a credit card (I'm 17).

I think the big test will come when I decide down the road to upgrade to Mountain Lion, right now I want to see if the bugs get worked out first before getting it.

Thanks to everyone here for your awesome feedback!

 

[dolphin842]

I'd do mail order except that I don't have a credit card (I'm 17)

Most banks offer debit cards with checking accounts, which could be used at Amazon and the like.

As for the RAM, if the mini ever starts acting up again run Rember and it'll check your RAM for errors.

 

[Omnius]

If you have trouble purchasing, do what every other young person does. Pay cash to a family member to order on their card. They will get rewards points on their plastic, and you get what you want. It's win/win.

 

[philipma1957]

So far so good with the 5GB of memory! It takes a little longer to boot but programs seem to fly, especially opening up Finder and running videos in QT. I also noticed that when I transfer files to my portable hard drive it's much faster. I have about 50% of my HD in use so I'm moving things off of it.

One curious thing is in my Mac manual it states that I need 1066 memory but in About This Mac it shows 1067? In Onyx it also shows the 5GB.

If this is working I'm fine with just having 5GB instead of 8GB, just the frustration of having to drive all over the place and return things was getting really old. I'd do mail order except that I don't have a credit card (I'm 17).

I think the big test will come when I decide down the road to upgrade to Mountain Lion, right now I want to see if the bugs get worked out first before getting it.

Thanks to everyone here for your awesome feedback!

1066 is the same as 1067 it is a rounding issue.

 

[js81]

Centon? Buy Kingston, Samsung or Crucial (no Corsair) RAM, if possible!

I have had NOTHING but good luck with Corsair over the years, in both PCs and Macs. As a matter of fact, I will always pick Corsair over the other brands (as long as the prices are the same). I've had good luck with Crucial and Kingston, too. PNY - not so much...

@ the OP: Just make sure to get 1066 RAM from a MAJOR MANUFACTURER. My MBP doesn't like 1333 RAM either. I'm running 6GB of RAM in it (same story as your 5GB Mini - but mine's the 2GB and the 4GB). The 5GB won't HURT the Mini in any way, but I would definitely take the memory back. No need to pay for 2 sticks when one is all you can use. Did you try using each of the new 4GB sticks individually, with one of the 1GB or alone? Need to determine if its an uber-picky Mini or a bad stick of RAM...

If ordering memory is an option, I would recommend this one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233080

(And if you want Crucial, they have it for $1 more)