2018 Mac Mini allowable memory configurations

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2018 Mac Mini allowable memory configurations

I have a 2018 mac mini and want to upgrade the ram. It has two slots populated with 4Gb sodimms. If I want to go to 16 or possibly 32 Gb, I need to throw out the existing memory and Buy two 8s or if that is not enough throw out the two 8s and buy two 16s. I can find no data anywhere that tells me if I can use say one 16Gb sodimm in one slot instead of the the two 8s, and whether this results in a performance hit. If I can do that, then going to 32 just means buying one more 16Gb sodimm. Historically, different macs had different requirements about the populating of memory slots and I cannot find this information for the current mac mini. Anybody know or have a link to a data sheet that will tell me?

Thanks!

Posted on Apr 27, 2020 3:34 AM

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Answer 1

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padams35

Level 4

3,619 points

Apr 27, 2020 4:20 AM in response to fred242

I am currently running my mini with a 4GB+16GB installed configuration (1x original, 1x new). There is a ~33% memory bandwidth penalty running in single channel with mismatched sizes, but only a 5% overall CPU/iGPU penalty observed by benchmarking software.

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Answer 2

den.thed

Level 10

93,616 points

Apr 27, 2020 6:41 AM in response to fred242

Mac's are about RAM spec's and as mentioned, upgrading does require some disassembly.

For a good idea of what is available, what actually works, plus a video for the 2018 Mac Mini,

see > https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/owc/apple-mac-mini/2018

edit: the 32GB kit could be over kill, but better than wasting money on the 16GB kit.

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Answer 3

Apr 27, 2020 10:32 AM in response to fred242

Ok, by the looks of it, I feel like you're going to approach the DIY route to upgrade your rams. I hope this finds you well, I went with OWC route, they've been trialed and tested with most Mac products. SO you could check this out for more information for your version of the MacMini at https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/owc/apple-mac-mini/2018. It will be slightly difficult to take out just to swap rams (and even CPU if you're willing to go the extra mile lol). But I'll always recommend trying to get a pair of RAM Kits, so that you'll not risk coming into issues with kernal panics or other unnecessary mumbojumbo issues. So far I've loaded my iMac 2019-2020 with their ram Kits, and it's perfectly fine. :)

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Answer 4

Apr 27, 2020 4:17 AM in response to fred242

First, I need to say that RAM in the 2018 Mini is not "user upgradable" and

any damage incurred while updating the RAM will void the warranty

and the upgrade itself "may" void the warranty.

Now, from what I understand, in the 2018 Minis the RAM needs to be replaced

in pairs and FWIW, I would just get the 16 GB kit and if finances permit, just

go to 32 GB and be done with it.

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Answer 5

padams35

Level 4

3,619 points

Apr 27, 2020 9:34 AM in response to fred242

I don't know about 50x configs but here are my before/after geekbench results for 4x2 and 4+16:

https://browser.geekbench.com/v4/cpu/10925733 (4+4)

https://browser.geekbench.com/v4/cpu/10949017 (4+16)

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Answer 6

fred242 Author

Level 1

37 points

Apr 27, 2020 5:41 AM in response to woodmeister50

Thank you both with your quick responses! Both are valid, and hugely more useful than the response I got from a well known memory supplier who just quoted me what Apple say about allowable memory configurations!

I'll wait a little longer to see what other's might add to this and just bite the bullet. The ideal solution would be to run geekbench with all the different permutations but life is too short unless you wanted to modify 50 macminis in which case doing the experiment could potentially save you a lot of money

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Answer 7

fred242 Author

Level 1

37 points

Apr 27, 2020 10:25 AM in response to padams35

Thank you for that, it's really interesting! In single core there is a small (and once or twice not so small) but palpable hit in every metric except two where in one case both values are the same (SGEMM) and one case where more memory wins (LVMM). In multicore there are a few more reversals but by very small margins. I think you're right to live with it but I know that just the thought of it would drive me nuts So I've decided to go for the 'full fat' configuration and just forget about the issue. It gives some insight into which processes are bound by the processor and which by memory size.

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2018 Mac Mini allowable memory configurations

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