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upgrading mac mini ram question

D

dazed

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 23, 2007
911
211
Hi,

Loving my new 2gz mac mini but need to upgrade my ram as id like to use photoshop and lightroom as well as run some xp programs in vmware fusion.

My question is, would I be better off getting 3gb and running them unmatched or getting 4gb and running matched but obviously not being able to access the full 4gb?

would installing the ram myself void my applecare warranty ?


Thanks
 
Matched pairs usually outperform unmatched pairs, so I'd go for the 4GB.
You can check out this article.
On the Mac OS X, you'll be able to access the full 4GB, but in XP it will just say 3.xGB, but that doesn't cause any problems in XP.

When your ready to upgrade, check out my tutorial :D

From what I've heard, it can void the warranty if you open the mini, but I'm not sure.
 
dazed said:
Hi,

Loving my new 2gz mac mini but need to upgrade my ram as id like to use photoshop and lightroom as well as run some xp programs in vmware fusion.

My question is, would I be better off getting 3gb and running them unmatched or getting 4gb and running matched but obviously not being able to access the full 4gb?

would installing the ram myself void my applecare warranty ?


Thanks
Click to expand...

The Mini will NOT recognize the 4 GB of RAM, but you will get the benefit of 128 bit addressing by putting in the 2x2 GB modules. That gives about a 3% boost in performance over the 3 GB config. The extra 1 GB will only run your about $30... so it is worth it (IMO). Mainly because that extra GB might become useable with a firmware update some day. OWC did some tests on this very subject... you can see the results here http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/apple/memory/Mini_Intel_Memory_Benchmarks...

Oh... you won't void your warranty by replacing your RAM yourself. But if you are nervous about cracking open your Mini, an authorized Apple service center can do it for around $25 (my closest Apple store's price).

Cheers
 
I stand corrected on both things.
The Mac mini will not recognize 4GB of RAM, and you won't void your warranty by replacing your RAM yourself.

Thanks :)
 
smee said:
I stand corrected on both things.
The Mac mini will not recognize 4GB of RAM, and you won't void your warranty by replacing your RAM yourself.

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Someday maybe it'll recognize the last 1 GB. :D...

I can't remember which computer went through this very same thing... but they eventually released a firmware upgrade that allowed the last 1 GB to be seen.

BTW... Smee... nice tutorial on replacing the RAM! The procedure sounds scarier than it really is.
 
kermit4161 said:
BTW... Smee... nice tutorial on replacing the RAM! The procedure sounds scarier than it really is.
Click to expand...

Lol thanks!

Maybe 10.5.2 will have the firmware update?
That would be awesome... :cool:
You never know about Steve........
 
Opening the mini was a terrible experience for me.

It is smooth sailing once you get that outer shell off, but the putty knife I got was a bit too flexible, so it was difficult to get enough leverage to pop the plastic catches inside the case.

I never want to open this little guy again haha
 
Lol, :rolleyes:

I've heard that theres a company who makes different color cases for the mini....
 
CanadaRAM said:
Won't happen. The limitation is built into the Intel hardware
MR Guide to Understanding Intel Mac RAM
Click to expand...

Oh well... that, just... sucks :p

On opening Minis... I was pleasantly surprised that my new Mini opened really easy. The older 1.66 CDs all put up a fight (I got to upgrade RAM on six of them one night). I was prepared for a fight with my 2.0 C2D... putty knife freshly cleaned... cut up credit card pieces handy... dog sent to bed early...

I didn't even need my credit card pieces to hold open the tabs after applying the putty knife (works great once you get one side released and need to move the putty knife to the other side). I popped the left side... popped the right side... then top and the base slid right off!! Wow (I said to myself)... that was easier than it should have been :D It was the fastest RAM upgrade on a Mini I've ever done.
 
Rigid putty knife= too thick,:eek:
Thinner cheap putty knife= too flimsy,:(
One good ole fashion utility razor blade.... works like a charm and wedges directly between the seam of the upper and lower case without leaving any trace that you separated the two....:cool:
 
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