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you know the higher GB, more hot it runs right? also it cost much more than 8gb(2x4)
Not much. The temperature of the RAM increases if the RAM runs at higher speed. Some cheaper RAM modules can overheat (Corsair). That is the reason why i buy only Samsung or Elpida RAM. Apple uses this memory in older and newer machines.
 
You better upgrade to 16GB

You always maximize memory. Always.

System Monitor cannot be trusted. If you have 2GB, it will use below 2GB. If you have 4GB, it will use below 4GB. But trust me, if you go 8GB, it will use more then 5GB

4GB is "enough". But "enough" is WRONG. You have to go beyond enough. I have 8GB (max 2010-mini) and I usually saty around 5GB/6GB with eveyrhitng I want going on. Vuze downloads, Firefox broswing, iTunes playing, iMovie working in background.

I got amazed that one day I did hit 8GB, so memory should always be maximized, so you can rest at night and never worry about it again.
 
You always maximize memory. Always.

System Monitor cannot be trusted. If you have 2GB, it will use below 2GB. If you have 4GB, it will use below 4GB. But trust me, if you go 8GB, it will use more then 5GB

4GB is "enough". But "enough" is WRONG. You have to go beyond enough. I have 8GB (max 2010-mini) and I usually saty around 5GB/6GB with eveyrhitng I want going on. Vuze downloads, Firefox broswing, iTunes playing, iMovie working in background.

I got amazed that one day I did hit 8GB, so memory should always be maximized, so you can rest at night and never worry about it again.

Osx uses more memory than windows. :(
 
I have tried back and fourth between 16GB and 8GB and 8GB is horrible in comparison.

My 2015 13" rMBP with 8GB is good for Safari, Email and iMessage.

My 2012 mini with 16GB just works.. :)

(Of course the 2x CPU performance helps but it´s mostly running out of memory that slows everything down on the rMBP.)
 
I went from 4 to 8 then to 16. I wanted the 8 for a Macbook Pro. 8 to 16 I did not notice any difference in my use. Typical use for me averages 5GB used so 8 would have been fine. Still, the cost difference was very little so why not go with 16 and be done with it was my thinking.
 
2012 mini? Easy: 16GB RAM, Replace HD spinner with an 250GB or 500GB SSD. It will change your computing life.
Last year I updated to 16GB Ram my i5 MM(Late 2012), 2.5 GHz and will be replacing the 500GB HD in the near future. I have not decided if it will be a internal or external 250GB SSD and if it will be a Crucial or Samsung brand???
 
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Last year I updated to 16GB Ram my i5 MM(Late 2012), 2.5 GHz and will be replacing the 500GB HD in the near future. I have not decided if it will be a internal or external 250GB SSD and if it will be a Crucial or Samsung brand???
Internal. Its an easy job. I installed a data doubler from OWC, placed the SSD in the upper bay and reused the original 500GB drive. Setup fusion and as it sits now runs great. External is indeed easy but so is duct tape.
 
I just removed my data-doubler. I'm using that extra airspace to keep the machine a little cooler and the fan running a little bit slower; and so I've stashed the extra media SSD. Now that I'm using a BMD Multidock, I don't need two internal drives. I just use one internal SSD and sometimes 3 Media SSDs via Thunderbolt with the BMD unit.
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Last year I updated to 16GB Ram my i5 MM(Late 2012), 2.5 GHz and will be replacing the 500GB HD in the near future. I have not decided if it will be a internal or external 250GB SSD and if it will be a Crucial or Samsung brand???

Put the SSD (not an 840 EVO) inside the Mini. If you are going to be purchasing spinning drives in the future, get one of those Apricorn drive enclosures http://www.apricorn.com/products/notebook-hard-drive-upgrade-kits/ez-upgrade-3-0.html (you can ignore the CD and half the steps that come with it, just use the USB 3 cable.) -and stick the 500GB spinner in the Apricorn. When it dies (and it will) you can swap-out the spinner with another 2.5" in about 3 minutes.
 
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