Resolved Mac Mini 2012 - Bought 1066mhz memory by mistake, return or keep?

[Mortis360]

I bought more memory for my Mac Mini, but I accidentally ended up with 1066mhz instead of 1600mhz, will this make a big hit on performance, versus the 4GB 1600mhz that came shipped with it originally? Should I return it and get 1600mhz right away?

Corsair Mac Memory — 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SODIMM Memory Kit (CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7)

 

[harrisonw1998]

If their return policy allows it, definitely return/exchange it for 1600mhz IMO.

 

[eschw95458]

You did not say which model mini you have so I am assuming 2012 or later model

You should return it, It is definitely going to be slower. But if it were me I would max out the machine with 16gb

Look for this F3-1600C9D-16GRSL

or if you want something that is guaranteed compatible with your mini then
this FA-1600C11D-16GSQ slower than the first but is guaranteed to be compatible.

 

[Mortis360]

I got the 2012 model, I can return it and just pay the shipping back to the store, is it necessary with 16GB on a pure media centre/server? I´m pushing at 3 GB now with the default 4GB inclued and thought 8GB should be enough for these tasks? Here in Norway it´s almost double the price for 16GB versus 8GB.

Would I get a decrease in speed if i get a Crucial 8GB 1600mhz and use one of the already included 2GB sticks of memory, until I can get another Crucial 8GB 1600mhz?

 

[majkom]

8gb will be just fine, actually little overkill

 

[chrfr]

Would I get a decrease in speed if i get a Crucial 8GB 1600mhz and use one of the already included 2GB sticks of memory, until I can get another Crucial 8GB 1600mhz?

You won't notice a difference in speed compared to having matched pairs of RAM.

 

[Mortis360]

Then I´ll go with the 1x8GB Crucial 1600mhz stick, and have the option to upgrade later to 16GB instead of locking it all in with 2x4GB!

Thank you!

 

[scottsjack]

I bought more memory for my Mac Mini, but I accidentally ended up with 1066mhz instead of 1600mhz, will this make a big hit on performance, versus the 4GB 1600mhz that came shipped with it originally? Should I return it and get 1600mhz right away?

Corsair Mac Memory — 8GB Dual Channel DDR3 SODIMM Memory Kit (CMSA8GX3M2A1066C7)

Hey, I did almost the same thing. When I ordered my 2012 2.3 i7 from B&H I accidentally selected 16GB of Crucial 1333 RAM instead of 1600. I lived with the measly 4GB RAM while waiting for the 16GB 1600 MHz. My hopes for creating a mini with an SSD and maximum RAM the first evening after I received it were dashed.

I was so PO'd at myself that I ordered the correct RAM with overnight shipping then sent the mistake RAM back for credit a few days later.

 

[Mortis360]

Hey, I did almost the same thing. When I ordered my 2012 2.3 i7 from B&H I accidentally selected 16GB of Crucial 1333 RAM instead of 1600. I lived with the measly 4GB RAM while waiting for the 16GB 1600 MHz. My hopes for creating a mini with an SSD and maximum RAM the first evening after I received it were dashed.

I was so PO'd at myself that I ordered the correct RAM with overnight shipping then sent the mistake RAM back for credit a few days later.

It´s easy to do those mistakes, specially on the evening as I did! Just gonna return it, already have ordered one 8GB, and I´ll get another one later this year, dosen´t hurt to max it out, but I need to afford it too!