Mid 2010 Mac Mini RAM Upgrade Frustration

Question

Mid 2010 Mac Mini RAM Upgrade Frustration

I am having trouble upgrading my RAM from the original 4GBx1GB (total 5GB) to the max for this model, which is 8GB (4GBx4GB). I have read that upgrading RAM for the Mac Minis can be an issue, but I want to make sure that I have done everything I can before taking my mac to the shop.

Here are the specs for my Mid-2010 mac mini:

Mac mini (Mid 2010)

Processor 2.4 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo

Memory 5 GB 1067 MHz DDR3

Startup Disk Macintosh HD

Graphics NVIDIA GeForce 320M 256 MB

OS: OS X El Capitan Version 10.11.4 (< I Hate El Capitan. Upgrading to El Capitan is what started this RAM upgrade problem).

I bought 2x 4GB RAM Modules. Here are the specs for that new RAM:

Corsair Apple 8 GB Dual Channel Kit DDR3 1066 (PC3 8500) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM Memory CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7

I tried all suggested ways to make this RAM work- no go.

I took it out and put the original RAM back. It works with the old RAM.

Here is the only thing that looks odd to me:

The new 8GB RAM is 1066 MHz The original 1GBx4GB RAM is 1067 MHz (this RAM works)

My original 1GBx4GB RAM looks like this:

ECC: Disabled

Upgradeable Memory: Yes

BANK 0/DIMM0:

Size: 4 GB

Type: DDR3

Speed: 1067 MHz

Status: OK

Manufacturer: 0x0198

Part Number: 0x393930353432382D3032302E4130304C4620

Serial Number: 0x9E1202D2

BANK 1/DIMM0:

Size: 1 GB

Type: DDR3

Speed: 1067 MHz

Status: OK

Manufacturer: 0x80AD

Part Number: 0x484D54313132533654465238432D47372020

Serial Number: 0x0465A1FA

I'm grasping at straws here. I have read through all of the threads on here about the problem. I have done everything suggested on the forums. I have talked to Apple Support (they say it should work).

If you all think I should try another brand of RAM, can you suggest a reliable manufacturer and a reputable place to buy it?

Thank you very much!

-Ann

Posted on Apr 18, 2016 9:42 PM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Apr 19, 2016 12:38 AM in response to Distractogram

The 201o Min actually support 16 GB (2x8 GB).

The difference between the 1067 and 1066 is just round off. Not a real difference.

Macs are picky about memory. So only get memory from a place like OWC/MacSales

http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/memory/Apple_Mac_mini/DDR3

or Crucial or other place that guarantees it will work with your Mac or money back.

Are you saying you installed the new memory and it did not work?

Who manufactured the memory?

What happened when you installed it? One beeps when you started up?

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Answer 2

Nov 18, 2016 2:57 PM in response to Distractogram

So I too have a very similar vexing problem. I have a mid-2010 mini and want to go from 2 GB to 16 Gb, I am currently running El Capitan. So I've been mixing and matching modules and can make any combination of 1 GB and one 8GB modules work, but not both 16GB modules together. It makes no difference which 8 GB module I use (I have two from Memory America) with which 1GB, and I can put any of the combinations in either slot. whenever I use the two 8 GB modules I get a single beep. So it looks like 9 GB is the best I can do. Tried resetting the PRAM and pulling the plug and restarting it. So I'm at a loss for ideas, but at least I can use a big and a little together. My daughter has a white Macbook that has the same memory so I'm thinking I'll give one of the big modules to her unless I get some new suggestions.

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Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Nov 18, 2016 3:04 PM in response to 5StringTom

Does the manufacturer specifically say they will work with your mode Mini?

Macs are picking about memory and just meeting the specs Apple publishes does not mean they will work

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Answer 4

Nov 18, 2016 3:07 PM in response to lllaass

Yes, I purchased it as a 16 GB (2x8 GB) kit for mid-2010 mini. Either of the modules work with either of the 1 GB I'm replacing in either slot.

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Answer 5

lllaass

Level 10

210,513 points

Nov 18, 2016 3:12 PM in response to 5StringTom

But did the manufacturer specifically says they will work and were tested in a 2010 Mini.

Can you provide a link to where the manufacturer said that?

Places that guarantee their memory will work are Crucial, OWC/MacSales and Kingston

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Answer 6

Nov 18, 2016 3:56 PM in response to lllaass

I used their "shop by manufacturer" menu on the main page.

http://www.memoryamerica.com/

I drilled down to this page

http://www.memoryamerica.com/16gb-memory-ram-upgrade-kit-2x8gb-ddr3-1066mhz-pc3- 8500-for-notebook-laptops-sodimm-k2sd38g…

I returned the first kit they sent me. They knew what machine I have so I'm assuming between

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Answer 7

Nov 18, 2016 3:57 PM in response to 5StringTom

oops - assuming they know that it works.

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Answer 8

Nov 18, 2016 8:20 PM in response to Distractogram

I have used Data Memory Systems for over ten years...

http://www.datamemorysystems.com/apple-mac-mini-memory-upgrades/

In order to run 16 gigs memory on Mini 4.1, a firmware update is needed...

About EFI and SMC firmware updates for Intel-based Mac computers - Apple Support

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Answer 9

Nov 19, 2016 6:58 AM in response to mattwithcats

My system info:

Model Name: Mac mini

Model Identifier: Macmini4,1

Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo Processor

Processor Speed: 2.4 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 2

L2 Cache: 3 MB

Memory: 9 GB

Bus Speed: 1.07 GHz

Boot ROM Version: MM41.0042.B03

SMC Version (system): 1.65f2

Serial Number (system): C07DM400DD6H

Hardware UUID: 25DA2CA3-F65A-542A-9850-9DBD59022AB7

The boot ROM info is up to date according to the referenced support page (where would I download a newer one?), and there is no SMC version referenced on the support page.

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Answer 10

Nov 19, 2016 9:46 AM in response to Distractogram

If you look close, the OWC and Data Memory Systems have CL7 speed,

the Corsair memory you bought has CL9...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CAS_latency

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Answer 11

Nov 19, 2016 10:08 AM in response to Distractogram

Crucial is CL7

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/compatible-upgrade-for/Apple/mac-mini-%28intel-cor e-2-duo-2*4ghz%29-ddr3---mid-2010

Stick with OWC (loved by many) or Data Memory Systems (loved by me)

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Other%20World%20Computing/8566DDR3S16P/

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Answer 12

Nov 19, 2016 10:14 AM in response to Distractogram

And look what I found...

mbp990 and corsair 2x4gb ( CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7 )

"Corsair support said CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7 comes in two configurations, one of which is the older kind: the ones that have 8 chips on each side (256x8), and the newer config ones with 4 chips on each side (512x8). The 512x8 config is too high-density for this model of iMac. The "8 chips on each side" ones are the ones I need. Corsair said they'd exchange these through RMA (Express RMA,they'd ship out the modules before they get mine back from me). If you haven't called them already, Corsair's support # is 888-222-4346."

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