Mac Mini Ram Questions

[ikonia]

Hi,

I picked up a refurb intel mac mini for some home recording. The home recording kit says I need a minimum of 512 ram - which I do have, however I hate running on the minimum and to be honest would like to make sure I've got plenty of ram spare.

questions:

1.) what is the maximum ram the mac mini will take
2.) what type (speed / spec) ram should the mac mini use
3.) suggest a good name/brand to use on these mini's
4.) suggest a good place to buy.

thanks

[muddyfox470]

Is this an intel mac mini or one of the original G4 minis? (EDIT re=read you have an intel mac )

The former uses DDR2 Sodimm modules iirc but the G4 uses DDR PC2700 standard PC ram.

Go to crucial and see what they recommend - then you know what you're looking for

Ian

hopefully this link will work and get you where you want a bit quicker: http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/list...mini&submit=Go

[ikonia]

big help - thank you.

[Nick F]

Your have to get yourself a putty knife to change over the ram, search on Google and someone has put together a video walking you through the stages.

[muddyfox470]

i was able to do it without a putty knife - i used wire

i took apart a cat cable (as it is quite strong - and not as flexible as string etc) and then hooked it underneath the clips and it came away pretty easily without any marking whatsoever

a search on google should bring it up

ian

[ikonia]

that was going to be my next question. I wanted to see if I had 2 x 256 or 1 x 512 sim before ordering.

When I turned the mini upside down expecting to see a pannel for ram - I was just presented with a flat surface.

I'll google for it.

thanks guys,

[muddyfox470]

normally it is 2*256 which makes it harder for us upgraders.

so you will probably need to buy 1*1gb (which leaves room for a future upgrade) or 2*512mb (tbh dual channel doesnt really give that much of a speed boost anyway)

heres the no putty knife method: http://www.macminihacks.org/viewtopic.php?t=12

It worked on my mac mini g4, I assume the basic shell design hasn't changed - it takes a bit to get the hang of bending around the wires but it becomes really simple

Ian

[Nick F]

Plz let us know how you got on with this upgrade.

[trashcanmonkey]

i just used a thin kitchen knife myself...

[ikonia]

Ram arrives tommorow so I'll be doing the upgrade then.

I will feedback when this arrives.

Thanks for all the info.

[ikonia]

well, so far this is going "ok"

i've got the lid off ok, but in the forum thread you suggest the ram slot is sticking out at the side.

On the intel Mac Mini's the ram appears to be hidden.

I'm searching the net for where it is now.

[Gordy]

The intel ones have the ram under the optical and hard drive right down inside.

Vid here http://media.macsales.com/videos/min...l/highres.html

[ikonia]

thank you gordy.....stupid Apples........I knew there was a reason I never used them....

[Gordy]

To be fair the mini is the hardest of the lot to get open. the others are far easier. heck apple invented quick upgrades with the g3/g4 cases having a handle to drop open the sides

[ikonia]

I can't get the airport antenna off yet !!

I'm getting there though...

[ikonia]

has anyone got a trick to getting the antenna off easy.

It doesn't just "pop off" like in Gordy's video