I'm researching a memory upgrade for a 2018 Mac Mini (in advance of purchase). I thinking to buy it configured with the base 8GB and upgrade it to 32GB with aftermarket memory modules, at a savings of about 50% ($300) from the $600 extra of ordering it with 32GB.
The spec as far as DDR4 2666 MHz 260-pin SODIMM seems quite clear, but I haven't been able to find a CAS latency value for the RAM I'll find installed in the Mac mini. I wanted to get memory with a matching latency or perhaps something below. I'm not looking for extra performance; I just want to make sure it's as compatible as possible and not slow it down.
Here's the conundrum:
- The Kingston and Crucial memory selectors both lead to CL=19 modules for Mac Mini 2018.
- An offhand mention in an Amazon review stated that CAS latency for memory on iMac 2017 was CL=17.
- Kingston offers HyperX modules (targeted toward PC gaming) that have CL=14 at a comparable price to the CL=19 modules.
So I was hoping to find an authoritative source for what the original-equipment CAS latency was for the Mac Mini. If it's CL=19 I'll go with the Kingston-recommended modules, but if it were CL=17 I'd probably go for the HyperX modules. Unfortunately, an hour of Googling around has met with no joy on that count.
Is there some place I can find that spec online or does someone just happen to know and could share that?
Best Answer
Based on iFixit teardown which says these RAM pcs are Hynix model "HMA851S6CJR6N-VK" I'm assuming that they're the same as the ones you can find by browsing this model name (i.e. here) - and they're described as CL 19.
However, there's a video of this guy that switches his Mac Mini's RAM to CORSAIR "CMSX32GX4M2A2666C18" that has CL 18 and it seems to work fine.