System requirements: Mavericks on (a bit) old Mac Mini

Question

System requirements: Mavericks on (a bit) old Mac Mini

Hi, I have an old Mac Mini Server, mid 2011. i7 2.0 GHz, 4 GB RAM, 2x500 GB HDD. I'm now running Mountain Lion. I'm not using RAID. I wonder if it will run slower with Mavericks. I read that it will require a minimum of 2 GB RAM, but I ask because I think my 4 GB seems a bit low for the tasks I'm running.

If it will be slow, I shall consider installing 8 GB RAM. It will cost about $120 here in my country, so I'm not sure that I will do this.

I'm not running games or do video editing, but I get a little impatient when the apps hangs.

I see from "Activity Monitor" that the tasks eat up all the memory and use above 1GB swap.

RAID striping the disks is a possible option if this is a bottle neck, but then I cannot use File Vault so I'm unsure.

Thanks!

Posted on Oct 9, 2013 8:37 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Oct 9, 2013 9:12 AM in response to Community User

4GB of RAM on an i5 or or i7 is marginal. I would upgrade to a min of 8 and maybe 16

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Answer 2

Oct 10, 2013 3:48 AM in response to Community User

Definately bump to 8gig, even if you don't ugrade to

Mavericks. I personally have 16gig installed on my

2011 Mini Server I use as a workstation, then again

I employ virtual machines quite a bit.

Go and spend the money for the RAM. It will be worth

it.

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Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Oct 10, 2013 6:22 AM in response to lllaass

.

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Answer 4

Oct 10, 2013 12:48 PM in response to Community User

Thanks! I think I will upgrade. According to this: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4805 , i cannot have more than 2x4 GB RAM.

Can I use this product?

http://www.corsair.com/value-select-8gb-ddr3-sodimm-memory-kit-cmso8gx3m1a1333c9 .html

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Oct 10, 2013 2:24 PM in response to Community User

The link says out of stock. Macs are picky about memory. I would get it from OCC

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/mac-mini/

or Crucial

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Answer 6

Oct 11, 2013 1:18 AM in response to Community User

I personally have Corsair memory installed on 3 Macs

and they work fine. However, I purchased their Mac

specific memory. Their general RAM may or may not

work. For a 2011 Mini Server get this 2x4 gig kit:

http://www.corsair.com/en/memory-by-product-family/mac-memory-upgrades/corsair-m ac-memory-8gb-ddr3-sodimm-memory-kit-cmsa8gx3m2a1333c9.html

It is Mac specific.

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Answer 7

Oct 23, 2013 11:44 AM in response to Community User

Hi! Sorry, been busy.

Can I use the Crucial module "CT2C4G3S1339MCEU"? The (Norwegian) shop say that it is Mac-compatible, but I wonder if there are differences between the Mac's - can I use it in Mac Mini Server mid 2011?

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