Mini Upgrade

[cherry_bomb]

Hey all! I am thinking about upgrading my late model 2012 mini, 2.3GHz Intel i7 Quad-Core 1TB HDD 8 GB RAM. It's been an awesome system and I'm mostly still happy with it, I mainly use it for downloading (some net surfing) and to stream plex to our other TVs in the house. It's slow from time to time and it does cause Plex to buffer occasionally, which is a little aggravating. When it's downloading it sounds like it's working REALLY hard. Like I need to get it a cabana boy to keep it cool.

I'd like to also carry a decent sized library so that I'm not constantly deleting things in order to keep it from being bogged down.

I don't necessarily want to get rid of it as it's been an awesome investment, but think it's time for something with more RAM and a faster processor. I'm not opposed to buying a refurb, as the current one was and I've never had an issue with it. I'd like to NOT spend a boatload of money- under $1k is ideal.

What do you all suggest?


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[cherry_bomb]

Edited to add it's actually 8 GB RAM, sorry!


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[ferrarr]

You can always add an external drive (2TB+) to hold your media library. Since you have 16GB ram, that is the maximum your Late 2014 Mac Mini can use, since it is soldered in. You could invest in an SSD drive, to replace the internal and add some speed to it, that's what I did to mine.

Some of the slow downs could be caused by your home Wi-Fi network, or even through your internet provider?

 

[cherry_bomb]

You can always add an external drive (2TB+) to hold your media library. Since you have 16GB ram, that is the maximum your Late 2014 Mac Mini can use, since it is soldered in. You could invest in an SSD drive, to replace the internal and add some speed to it, that's what I did to mine.

Some of the slow downs could be caused by your home Wi-Fi network, or even through your internet provider?

Hey there! Thanks for responding. It's actually the late 2012 model and I just realized it's only 8GB RAM, which is the max it will take.

I've invested in a new nighthawk Netgear router and Motorola modem, speeds are hitting between 300-400 mbps. The slowness really seems to be stemming from the mini itself. If I go down below 200 GB of space it will move really slow.

I don't think there are really any updates I can do to make it faster, are there?


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[rachalmers]

I have a July 2012 Mac Monday mini and upgraded to 16gb and SSD early last year. Easy.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[pigoo3]

It's actually the late 2012 model and I just realized it's only 8GB RAM, which is the max it will take.

Not true. As member "rachalmers" mentioned...a 2012 Mac-Mini can be upgraded to 16gig of RAM.

The slowness really seems to be stemming from the mini itself. If I go down below 200 GB of space it will move really slow.

If this is the case...then the obvious solution is don't let the internal storage get below 200gig.

But...since your 2012 Mac-Mini is now around 7 years old...it's always possible that the internal hard drive is starting to fail...and it's time to replace it. This could be an opportunity to install a larger drive (if you need more storage)...or a great idea to speed things up is (as member "rachalmers" already mentioned)...install an internal SSD.

Installing an internal SSD could solve two issues:

- replace the possibly failing "spinner" internal HD
- make the computer feel faster

HTH,

- Nick

 

[cherry_bomb]

I have a July 2012 Mac Monday mini and upgraded to 16gb and SSD early last year. Easy.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

Seriously? That's friggin awesome! I upgraded the memory when I first got it to what I was told is the max. I could've sworn I'd looked over the years and was told that it couldn't go beyond that.

I'm comfortable doing the RAM upgrade, but how was it doing the SSD? Where did you buy your drive? Thank you!


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[cherry_bomb]

Not true. As member "rachalmers" mentioned...a 2012 Mac-Mini can be upgraded to 16gig of RAM.
If this is the case...then the obvious solution is don't let the internal storage get below 200gig.

But...since your 2012 Mac-Mini is now around 7 years old...it's always possible that the internal hard drive is starting to fail...and it's time to replace it. This could be an opportunity to install a larger drive (if you need more storage)...or a great idea to speed things up is (as member "rachalmers" already mentioned)...install an internal SSD.

Installing an internal SSD could solve two issues:

- replace the possibly failing "spinner" internal HD
- make the computer feel faster

HTH,

- Nick

This is is awesome. I'm excited now. it's 4:30am here and I just woke up briefly a checked my phone...now I want to go shopping for new memory etc while I should be going back to sleep! I would be very happy to have a larger drive. Would this also help with what feels like a constant rainbow wheel? While it is pretty, lol, I am somewhat impatient.

The only other issue it's ever had is occasionally (maybe 5 times in the last 2 yrs) is that it's turned pinkish purple on its output. It's definitely not my display (it runs to a Samsung smart tv and it only happens through the mini and nothing else), any thoughts on what this could be?

So do you think making those upgrades will make it work nearly as well as one if the newer minis? I understand the 2012s were a good model and more flexible when it comes to hardware upgrades, but assume the newer processors are faster.

I do I have a time capsule that I was using as a back up but over the last year it hasn't actually backed up. I moved a few months ago and used that as an opportunity to get some catch up done with the computer and I've yet to actually have a back up succeed. It's hardwired to my mini and each time I've run the back up over night it's still going the next day and not made much progress. I also have it set to exclude my videos so there isn't much it needs to back up. The time capsule is decently older, so I guess it's possible it might need to be replaced?

Would it be wise to look into purchasing another back up drive?

Thank you again for the help.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[rachalmers]

That’s right. I have 16GB RAM, and 2 x 1TB drives internal. The main drive is a 1TB SSD, the second drive is a 7200rpm HDD. Both internal.
I also have 3 x 1TB external drives attached with USB via a v.3 USB hub.
The instructions for doing the drives are online, which I could look for... also need something like carbon copy cloned.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[pigoo3]

Seriously? That's friggin awesome! I upgraded the memory when I first got it to what I was told is the max. I could've sworn I'd looked over the years and was told that it couldn't go beyond that.

Most definitely!

2012 Mac-Mini's were the first Mac-Mini that Apple OFFICIALLY said was upgradeable to 16gig of RAM. Before this...with 2010 & 2011 Mac-Mini's...officially (according to Apple)...2010 & 2011 Mac-Mini's could only be upgraded to 8gig of RAM. But users found that if 16gig of RAM was installed (in a 2010 or 2011 Mac-Mini) that it worked just fine.

Thus Mac-Mini's since 2010 could be upgraded to 16gig of RAM!

I'm comfortable doing the RAM upgrade, but how was it doing the SSD? Where did you buy your drive? Thank you!

- As far as where to buy...head over to OWC (www.macsales.com)...and check out what they have as far as SSD upgrades for Mac-Mini's.
- As far as the SSD install procedure itself...OWC may have a DIY video on this. Also...can visit www.ifixit.com...they have DIY procedures for just about anything.

HTH,

- Nick

p.s. Don't listen to that sub-standard RAM upgrade info you were being told...come to Mac-Forums for the best help/advice!!!

 

[rachalmers]

I bought my SSD on Amazon. Nice.

(outdated link removed)

Sent from my iPad using Mac-Forums

Yes, and the instructions I think were from iFixit

 

[cherry_bomb]

Ugh! I'm such a *******. I should've checked my specs before posting! Apparently I upgraded to the 16GB RAM when I first bought it. My memory is showing as 16GB 1600 MHz DDR3.

I was reading through a search on mini upgrades and I found my old posting talking about upgrading. such a blonde moment...

I'm sorry for giving incorrect info, so frustrating. So is there anything I can do RAM wise at this point? Since it's moving slow in the max upgrade of RAM? Is there a faster version of it? Lol


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[rachalmers]

Assuming you have a hdd in place, is that 5400rpm or 7200. 7200 is much faster. SSD is lightning fast.
Also, if you have a lot of cpu intensive stuff running... check Activity Monitor. Sort on high cpu usage. See what’s doing it.
Run a general cleanup in Onyx.


Sent from my iPad using Mac-Forums

 

[cherry_bomb]

That’s right. I have 16GB RAM, and 2 x 1TB drives internal. The main drive is a 1TB SSD, the second drive is a 7200rpm HDD. Both internal.
I also have 3 x 1TB external drives attached with USB via a v.3 USB hub.
The instructions for doing the drives are online, which I could look for... also need something like carbon copy cloned.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

Good to know. I just realized I had upgraded my RAM to the max when I initially bought it. Since it is running slow as it is with my current 1TB HDD, would it still run slow with a SSD? Or as suggested above could it be the hard drive is starting to fail which is why it's slowing down?

What do you suggest for internal SSD and HDD upgrades? Do you find the external drives slow your mini down?


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[cherry_bomb]

Most definitely!

2012 Mac-Mini's were the first Mac-Mini that Apple OFFICIALLY said was upgradeable to 16gig of RAM. Before this...with 2010 & 2011 Mac-Mini's...officially (according to Apple)...2010 & 2011 Mac-Mini's could only be upgraded to 8gig of RAM. But users found that if 16gig of RAM was installed (in a 2010 or 2011 Mac-Mini) that it worked just fine.

Thus Mac-Mini's since 2010 could be upgraded to 16gig of RAM!



- As far as where to buy...head over to OWC (www.macsales.com)...and check out what they have as far as SSD upgrades for Mac-Mini's.
- As far as the SSD install procedure itself...OWC may have a DIY video on this. Also...can visit www.ifixit.com...they have DIY procedures for just about anything.

HTH,

- Nick

p.s. Don't listen to that sub-standard RAM upgrade info you were being told...come to Mac-Forums for the best help/advice!!!

Soooooo any chance it can be upgraded past the 16GB? Lol See my recent post. ?*

Checking out the links now.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[cherry_bomb]

I bought my SSD on Amazon. Nice. (outdated link removed) Sent from my iPad using Mac-Forums

Yes, and the instructions I think were from iFixIt

Thank you! I'll take a look at that one. Was just looking at the ones on Mac Sales that Nick mentioned.


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[rachalmers]

If you are going to SSD internal, just do one drive, but make it as big as you can afford. I’ve got a 1TB installed, but now want to move it to 2, or 4 if I can justify the cost. If you want 2 internals, make them both SSD. The cost is coming down all the time.use Crucial SSD as they are very good.
If you are using HD’s for anything, make sure you use 7200rpm. Anything else will just be too slow.

If I could afford bigger ram chips I’d certainly experiment but hey, no need now, because the latest Mini is a real beast, and can be way upgraded. Just save up for one of them.start upgrading that. My next move

 

[cherry_bomb]

Assuming you have a hdd in place, is that 5400rpm or 7200. 7200 is much faster. SSD is lightning fast.
Also, if you have a lot of cpu intensive stuff running... check Activity Monitor. Sort on high cpu usage. See what’s doing it.
Run a general cleanup in Onyx.


Sent from my iPad using Mac-Forums

The hard drive is only 5400, so glad there is room for improvement.

Can I upgrade to two SSDs? Or is it better to do one HDD and one SSD?

As far as activity monitor goes, I know Plex Media Server and SABNZBD seem to be a bit hoggish when it comes to memory. I haven't used Onyx before. Should I download and run it?


Sent from my iPhone using Mac-Forums

 

[ferrarr]

No, 16GB is the max ram, for Mac mini models prior to the 2018 models. See here, Apple Mac mini Specs (All Mac mini Technical Specs): EveryMac.com

 

[pigoo3]

Soooooo any chance it can be upgraded past the 16GB? Lol See my recent post. 臘*

Nope...16gig of RAM is the max for a 2012 Mac-Mini. Even if the RAM could be increased...I doubt that it would speed things up. After a certain point...more RAM will not speed things up. If the apps you use on a regular basis have all the RAM they need...then having extra RAM will not help. I'm guessing with the 16gig of RAM currently installed...it's more than what's needed.

As far as a possible failing hard drive. Maybe it is...and maybe it isn't. It's a 7 year old computer...so slowness could be a sign of a failing hard drive. Can't really say unless a new HD is installed. And sometimes a hard drive that's too full will cause slowness.

On the other hand...maybe the computer needs some maintenance done on it. If no maintenance has been done on it lately (or ever)...this would be an easy (and free) thing to try first.

Installing an SSD will definitely make the computer feel faster...but you need to remember that the cost/gigabyte for HD's vs. SSD's is much different. For example...a 1TB HD and a 1TB SSD will be very different price. Basically it depends on your budget.

- Nick