HT205041: Mac mini: How to remove or install memory
Learn about Mac mini: How to remove or install memory
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Helpful answers
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Oct 30, 2014 7:39 PM in response to xice101by Kappy,Adding RAM only makes it possible to run more programs concurrently. It doesn't speed up the computer nor make games run faster. What it can do is prevent the system from having to use disk-based VM when it runs out of RAM because you are trying to run too many applications concurrently or using applications that are extremely RAM dependent. It will improve the performance of applications that run mostly in RAM or when loading programs.
A Fusion Drive is a joining of an SSD of low capacity with an HDD of high capacity such that the SSD is used for files that are frequently accessed so that they are found and loaded quicker than if they were on an HDD. This is handled automatically by the Fusion Drive. The overall impact is that data is handled faster by a Fusion Drive than by an HDD alone. A Fusion Drive is made possible by the use of Core Storage technology that is part of OS X.
If you do some Google searching you will quickly find how one can create a Fusion Drive if you have an SSD and HDD that you can use together. But you can't simply go out and get one unless you buy a Mac that has it included in its original factory configuration.
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Oct 30, 2014 7:50 PM in response to Kappyby xice101,Thank you Kappy,
So seem to be very knowledgeable . I guess my real concern is, how do i get more speed on my (late 2012) mac mini?
I have:
Your Mac contains 2 memory slots, each of which accepts
a 1600 MHz DDR3 memory module.
2.5 GHz Intel Core i5
4 GB 1600 MHz DDR3
IF I INSTALL 16GB (2X8GB), will that give me a noticeable speed differance? And avoid the spinning beach ball?
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Oct 30, 2014 7:57 PM in response to xice101by Kappy,Reread my first paragraph from the earlier reply. More memory is not a speed increase unless you are running out of memory now. You can test for that as follows:
Understanding top output in the Terminal
To use top open the Terminal in the Utilities folder. Enter top at the prompt and press RETURN. The amount of available RAM for applications is the sum of Free RAM and Inactive RAM. This will change as applications are opened and closed or change from active to inactive status. The Swap figure represents an estimate of the total amount of swap space required for VM if used, but does not necessarily indicate the actual size of the existing swap file. If you are really in need of more RAM that would be indicated by how frequently the system uses VM. If you open the Terminal and run the top command at the prompt you will find information reported on Pageins () and Pageouts (). Pageouts () is the important figure. If the value in the parentheses is 0 (zero) then OS X is not making instantaneous use of VM which means you have adequate physical RAM for the system with the applications you have loaded. If the figure in parentheses is running positive and your hard drive is constantly being used (thrashing) then you need more physical RAM.
Your Mini's RAM requirements are:
Maximum Memory 16 GB Memory Slots 2 - 204-pin PC3-12800 (1600 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM You can't hurt by putting in 16 GBs of RAM, although 8 GBs is probably adequate. Got the max if you can afford it.