2GB or 3GB in 1.83GHz Mac Mini?

I'm intending to add memory to my Mac Mini. I know that doubling the memory to 2GB will increase performance, but will trebling it to 3GB provide a proportional increase in performance. 2GB RAM modules are a lot more expensive than 1GB.
Michael

Bearing in mind that system performance is affected by a number of factors, not just the amount of memory, it's worth noting that two apparently identical minis, with the same hard drives, same compliment of RAM, same software installed etc can actually perform rather differently. As such it has always been hard to really quantify what performance gains something like an added Gb at this level would give - particularly since it will vary also by software being used.
However, if you work on a rough rule of thumb that going from 1Gb to 2 might for the sake of comparison give you about 40% performance gain, going to 3Gb instead would be likely to give you 50 to 55. That assumes running concurrent applications with active processes, the figures would be lower if running single apps at a time. It must also be said that these are rough and ready numbers, no way to really quantify it more reliably.
In terms of my own view, email, web surfing, iTunes, DVD player (or VLC Player), and similar uses wouldn't really gain much noticeably from 3Gb as opposed to 2. If you are using multiple concurrent PPC apps or CPU/Drive intensive software such as Photoshop, then the benefits would be more noticeable.

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Understanding Specs: Mac Mini

First, let me apologize if this is the wrong thread; I am new to these forums.
I am currently using a MacBook as my primary computer (2.4 GHz / 2GB DDR2), and I am looking to purchase a new (or new to me) Mac Mini to use instead. Don't get me wrong - I love my MacBook, but I play a lot of games (WoW particularly = hot Mac), edit a lot of video and music, etc., basically I demand that my CPU runs hot probably more than I should and I feel I am flirting with death.
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Thanks for your suggestion, I cloned my 1.83GHZ Mac Mini's main drive with Carbon Copy Cloner and restored it onto a new 2.4GHZ Mac Mini. Since the new Mac was replacing the older one's mother ship role in my HTPC setup, this method would ensure the easiest transition. Everything works fine, except that ethernet wont work, it did before, but doesn't now. I already tried several confirmed-working-by-me cables and no luck.
I tried your step and understand the logic behind them, but as soon as I replaced my files with the ones you suggested from my 2.4GHZ Mac Install Disc, the system reports some conflicts. I repaired permissions after and before this happens (tried twice, once after successfully restoring via Tim Machine) and still it occurred. After reboot Ethernet was still dead and so was WiFi. Luckily I was able to get everything back to normal by replacing the entire Extensions folder with the one prior to the changes. Restoring the two files alone would not do it.
Any other suggestions?
Thanks.

My Mac mini starts up with a black screen and white writing.

Okay basically I purchased a Mac mini (Intel Core 2 Duo 1.8GHZ 1GB RAM model) in Feburay 2008, and in June 2008 i decieded to bring it to a store to get it upgraded to 2GB. At the store the guys told me my Mac mini wouldnt accept 2GB, they reckon it was 'cause of the logic board. So they put a new one in and was able to succesfully install 2GB.
Since that day my Mac mini stopped starting up with the apple logo. Now it starts up with the white/greyish background without the apple logo, then goes to a black screen and just runs pass loads of white text then its ready to use with no problems. It does this all the time.
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Restart the computer with the Option, Command, P, and R keys held down, and release them when you hear the second startup chime; this clears a setting which causes it to start up into verbose mode each time.
(35613)

Mac Mini Won't Start after RAM upgrade

Hi, I just tried upgrading my RAM from 1GB to 2GB on my Intel Core Solo Mac Mini. When i hooked everything back up it wouldn't start up. So I replaced the original RAM and the same thing happened. I get to the gray apple screen with the gray spinning wheel and then it just shuts off. What could be my problem? Are their any solutions?

Welcome to Apple Discussions, though I suspect the circumstances could be better!
It's not unusual for 'bad RAM' to cause a system to fail to boot, but the disturbing feature of your problem is that when the previous memory is reinserted, the system continues to fail. What makes it worse is that you describe the system shutting off after failing to boot - that is not a common symptom of something simple like bad memory, and may mean that in the initial upgrade, something was damaged or dislodged, or not reconnected correctly.
I would open up the system again, and disassemble it sufficiently that you can reseat the original RAM which was working correctly prior to the upgrade, then check that everything is connected correctly internally, and the CPU heatsink is firmly attached. If that doesn't result in the system working, or at least in different symptoms such as being stuck on the grey screen but no longer shutting down, then I would look for an Apple store in the area and make an appointment at the genius bar for them to have a look - that would not bear a cost in the first instance for them to give their opinion.

Mac mini boot problem

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I don't understand that, in your earlier post you said
It will see a remote hard drive through USB,and snow leopard install disc when powering up using option key
If you can get it to boot from either an external volume or disc then:
a) The motherboard is fine
b) You can re-install the OS and start over
If not then the visit is in order ...

Mac Mini Intel Duo or Imac g5

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I did the same, switched from a iMac G5 20" 1.8 GHz and 1.2 GB RAM to a Mac mini Core Duo 1.66 with 2 Gig RAM witch a 23" CD.
For me the Mac mini is quite faster then the iMac. Universal Binary Programms are as fast or faster as on the iMac. I only have a small amount of not so much used PowerPC Programms which are not available as Universal Binaries today (one of the is Photoshop Elements 4 and Office 2004). Office runs very well for me. Photoshop is slower as on the iMac. I do not make difficult stuff in Photoshop so Performance is for me still ok, but if you work the whole day with it I would wait for a UB Version.
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Regards,
Stefan
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This one
http://www.mediasonic.ca/product.php?id=1357292851
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Supporting OS
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Mediasonic Forum: http://forum.mediasonic.ca
Message was edited by: lllaass to add info from manufacturer's site

Can Lion run on Mac Mini with 1.83 GHz and 2GB RAM?

Hey guys!
at first, sorry for my may bad english.
After years of windows strangulation i want to upgrade to a mac. but, there is a tiny problem: i dont have enough money for a new mac mini cause i'm a student und things like that.
But i have enough money to buy me a mac on eBay . Maybe a "old" mac mini, but its a mac. On eBay germany (my homeland) i found a few mac mini's there in my budget. There's the Mac mini 2.1 with 1,83GHz and 1 GB RAM. So, i read that that dont work anyway because the RAM is to low.
Now my question: when i buy such a machine and upgrade the RAM to 2GB, would Lion run on it?
Sincere regards, Manuel from germany.
Oh and Steve, if you read that, that's fine by me if you want to donate me a old mac from you.

You are in luck. The Mac Mini 2,1 is the oldest Mac Mini that with an upgrade to 2GB or 3GB will run Lion. That said. you'll want to purchase Snow Leopard while it is still available, if the machine hasn't yet been upgraded to Snow Leopard, as that is your key to get Lion installed after the RAM is upgraded. This is a user to user forum, so it is unlikely "Steve" will be viewing your post.

Is it right to mix sizes of memory modules in a mac mini 2012? for example 2Gb 8Gb?

Is it right to mix sizes of memory modules in a mac mini 2012? for example 2Gb 8Gb?

Welcome to the Apple Support Communities
You can do that without any problem, always that the total amount of memory is less than the maximum memory your Mac mini supports. A Late 2012 Mac mini supports 16 GB of memory, and you can find in this site the steps to install more memory > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4432?viewlocale=en_US&locale=en_US#1

Can i use 2gb memory in one slot in my 2006 Mac mini as the 2 slots of 1gb only reports only 1gb memory, both memory work ok in the one slot

Can I use 2gb memory in one slot in my 2006 Mac mini as the 2 slots of 1gb only reports as 1gb memory, both memory work ok in the one slot as I have swapped them over

To my knowledge 1GB modules are the max. size for the 2006 Mini.
2GB modules are not recognized/useable.
Sorry
Stefan

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Why can't I install MacOSX Lion on a Mac Mini with 10.6.8, 2GB RAM, and CPU upgraded to Core2 Duo?

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Thanks.

It's not the graphics card it is the fact that it is an "upgraded"
system. Lion, as with any OSX install, is based on the
original computer ID. If the ID indicated that it was not
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4GB of RAM is supported for the Mac mini not 2GB

Hi everyone,
Its my first post and this is by no means the first one on this topic or with this finding, so your patience is appreciated.
I just wanted to tell everyone how happy I am that I put 4GB of DDR2 PC5300 RAM in my brand new Mac Mini and it works great. Apple say it only supports 2GB, why? The mac mini is not the easiest thing to upgrade I must admit. If you don't know your way around a PC then get a service centre to do it. But there is plenty on youtube etc to help you out.
Lots of people are only going up to 2GB as they do not want to risk paying for 2 x 2GB and it turns out not to work. It just so happened my Acer laptop had 4GB of the exact same RAM so I tried it out and it worked perfectly.
4GB in an Mac Mini is great as it means a fully functional mac for under £600 (inc RAM upgrade). I almost spent over twice that much on mac book pro and for my needs the mac mini matches it (any extra capacity the mac book pro has would go unused).
So I made the jump from PC to Mac and I am really happy. Macs are great esp for my creative needs. But they are generally tools and toys for rich people which is why I avoided them for so long.
Lets not forget guys if Apple supported the fact that 4GB works then why would you go out and spend all that money on a Mac that other than having a great screen (iMac) only offers 0.2-0.6Ghz more in power than a Mac mini that costs less than half the price.
iMacs are great as are mac books pros, but my Mac mini other than its graphics card offers me the same and looks great!!

No problem.
The mini is a steal and one of Apples best products I think. Design is great, value for money is great, features are great. It is a Mac for under £500! I have just purchased a RAID 1 based 800GB firewire drive for £130 from Amazon to make up for the small disk on this baby so my setup is even better. I have spent less than £700 and I am over the moon with my purchase. Find me another Mac or PC for that matter that provides me with so much for so little.
Oh and it also work great as a music player too. Comes with a remote for Front Row so when you are not using it as a computer it works amazing as a hi fi. It is amazing.
2.0ghz is more than enough juice for many things. I am running my Logic Studio and it is working very well and such an application requires above average juice. So for the average user who needs to pay twice as much for the extra .2 or .4 ghz.
I am going to get over this soon guys. Just happy thats all.

2GB or 3GB in 1.83GHz Mac Mini?

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