mac mini ram upgrade

Question

Level 1

34 points

mac mini ram upgrade

I have a 2020 Mac Mini (Intel processor). After reading articles on the web I decided to buy it with 8 gigs of RAM and install additional RAM myself. I bought 64 gigs of RAM from Crucial and installed it.

Everything seemed to work, but I started getting weird problems. I installed the RAM right after I bought the machine, so I didn't associate these problems with the RAM. At random times the screen would go completely dark, and my Apple watch had trouble unlocking the computer. As I said, I didn't link these with RAM; why should I?

Then I tried to upgrade to Big Sur and after multiple attempts I still could not get it to upgrade. So, I took it to the Apple Store and after a couple of weeks, they got back to me and said the RAM failed their diagnostics. They put the original RAM back and they were able to upgrade. Since then these other weird problems are gone.

Crucial replaced the RAM with two new sticks, which I have not yet installed.

What should I do?

How likely is the new RAM to work?
Why would RAM from Crucial fail Apple's diagnostics? Does Apple have any specific requirements for RAM? I have upgraded RAM in other macs with no problems.
Are there any other options? 8 gigs is not enough.

Mac mini, macOS 11.3

Posted on Jun 14, 2021 12:52 PM

Reply

Answer 1

den.thed

Level 10

91,732 points

Jun 14, 2021 1:30 PM in response to Bob Elmore

I only see two options,

test the Crucial replacements.
return the Crucial and test an OWC kit.

FWIW I upgraded my 2018 Intel Mac Mini using the OWC 32GB kit and have not had any issues.

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

Reply

Answer 2

MrHoffman

Level 10

146,719 points

Jun 14, 2021 1:09 PM in response to Bob Elmore

Parts are not always as interchangeable as we might all want.

Whether you hit a bad batch of RAM, or whether the Crucial specs are off slightly? RAM can also be static sensitive.

I usually use OWC: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/owc/apple-mac-mini/2018

This whole problem goes away with the Apple silicon M1 Macs, though not in the way that some here might prefer.

Reply

Answer 3

Bob Elmore Author

Level 1

34 points

Jul 1, 2021 6:15 PM in response to tturivera

Check the “About this Mac” and see what it says for RAM.

Reply

Answer 4

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Jul 25, 2021 1:48 PM in response to Bob Elmore

The last Mac mini model with an Intel processor was the 2018 model. The 2020 Mac mini has a M1 processor. The year is the year of the model's introduction, not the year of your purchase.

Reply

Answer 5

Jul 1, 2021 5:21 PM in response to Bob Elmore

I have a 2018 Mac mini 3.2 ghz i7 and did the same thing and within a week swapped for a 32GB kit (2x16) from crucial. I have always had issues with skipping/lag/applewatch unlocking and never associated it with my RAM. It finally got so bad that I couldn't work on it and brought it into apple who found a bad gpu and said my RAM was good. They replaced the logic board and put my memory back in. Got home with a fresh install and it was slow as molasses. Now I suspected the RAM and swapped for the 8GB of Apple RAM and the problem went away. Strange, right? Now I'm dealing with Crucial support to get my sticks replaced. I wonder if we got a bad batch.....I got mine in spring 2020.

Reply

Answer 6

Bob Elmore Author

Level 1

34 points

Jul 24, 2021 7:54 PM in response to tturivera

I installed the new RAM (Crucial replaced the memory Apple said was bad) and everything is working fine.

Maybe I just go some bad RAM.

Reply

Answer 7

Lanny

Level 6

13,225 points

Jul 25, 2021 4:52 PM in response to Bob Elmore

That's because it was a new 2018 model. The model year has always been that of the model's year of introduction. The 2018 is still current model and can still be purchased as new today.

If you purchased the 2020 model today, it would not be a 2021 model.

Your only disappointment should be in your not knowing how Apple names its models.

Reply

Answer 8

Bob Elmore Author

Level 1

34 points

Jun 14, 2021 1:31 PM in response to MrHoffman

Yes, though the new Macs don't have many memory options, yet.

Reply

Answer 9

Bob Elmore Author

Level 1

34 points

Jun 14, 2021 1:32 PM in response to den.thed

Thanks. I have always thought Crucial was the best. Though I would expect any reputable brand to work.

Reply

Answer 10

MrHoffman

Level 10

146,719 points

Jun 14, 2021 1:43 PM in response to Bob Elmore

Bob Elmore wrote:

Yes, though the new Macs don't have many memory options, yet.

There are no memory options for the current M1-class Macs. Aftermarket upgrades have gone away.

Reply

Answer 11

den.thed

Level 10

91,732 points

Jun 14, 2021 2:14 PM in response to Bob Elmore

They are and I’ve purchased from both over the last 20 years.

Mac’s are picky and always have been.

Reply

Answer 12

Bob Elmore Author

Level 1

34 points

Jul 1, 2021 6:32 PM in response to Bob Elmore

I have replaced RAM in several macs with no problems but maybe things have changed.

8 gigs does not work for me so there has to be a solution. I don’t think Apple will sell us their RAM. Why not?

Reply

Answer 13

Bob Elmore Author

Level 1

34 points

Jul 1, 2021 6:50 PM in response to MrHoffman

Yes the Intel version is the 2018 Mac Mini, but I bought it in 2020 and it was advertised as a new version.

Reply

Answer 14

Bob Elmore Author

Level 1

34 points

Jul 25, 2021 3:40 PM in response to Lanny

Correct.

But when I bought it in 2020 Apple listed it as a new model. After I bought it and checked “About this Mac” I saw that it was listed as a 2018 model.

My first disappointment.

Reply

Answer 15

MrHoffman

Level 10

146,719 points

Jul 1, 2021 6:47 PM in response to Bob Elmore

Apple does not offer their parts for sale outside of Apple authorized repair providers. Why Apple choses not to sell parts more generally has not been stated by Apple; we do not know.

Mac mini 2020 (from the original post) is M1, not Intel. Mac mini 2020 cannot be upgraded, and has either 8 or 16 GB. If buying, best order 16 GB.

Mac mini 2018 is Intel. The Mac mini 2018 Intel model can be upgraded to 64 GB, and has two 260-pin PC4-21300 (2666 MHz) DDR4 SO-DIMM sockets.

I’ve used OWC memory in various projects. Here: https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/owc/apple-mac-mini/2018

Reply

mac mini ram upgrade

Similar questions