As mentioned in one of my blog posts last Friday, we’ve been busy testing the limits of the 2009 Mac mini models. In late August, Apple released Mac mini EFI Firmware Update 1.2 which improves compatibility with the latest Apple memory kits on Mac mini computers.
It did a little more than that though. It improved compatibility of OWC brand memory as well. As all of our memory meets or exceeds Apple’s requirements for RAM, it’s no surprise that, yet again, OWC can support memory expansion beyond the maximum installed amount suggested by Apple.
We have fully tested all 2009 release date Mac mini computers with both Leopard and Snow Leopard and found no issues regarding which OS was used for testing a full 8.0GB of RAM installed. Under both operating systems, the memory was fully utilized and no system detriment in speed was observed.
Keep in mind, this information is for Mac mini model identifier macmini3,1. Intel Mac mini machines released prior to 2009 (macmini1,1 or macmini2,1) have hardware limitations that only allow those machines to max out RAM at 2.0GB and 3.0GB respectively.
Want to take your mini to the maximum? OWC has the Mac mini upgrades you need to make your machine screaming fast.
got a mac mini 3,1 late 2009 model. This didn’t need the firmware update. Im running snow leopard 10.6.8. Even though apple says this machine will only take a maximum of 4GB ram, thanks to the advice from the guys at OWC i purchased the 8GB pack, installed & it works. All 8 gigs are being fully utilized!
Will this work on my Mac Mini (3,1) with a Boot ROM of MM31.0081.B06?
MM31.0081.B06 is the most current EFI Boot ROM version and will allow you to use the full 8GB of memory.
I am totally interested in the upgrade to my MacMini3,1, from 4 to 8 GB. However, I am now living in India, quite happily with my MacMini!!, and so hope you can send the upgrade by registered mail or another secure method. I have usa credit card so payment is not a problem. After installing 10.6.8 I see a definite slow down. Please reply about this.
thanks so much. Francis
The memory you’re looking for is located here. Orders made with a credit card can be placed via our website and we do ship worldwide. Alternate payment options are available by contacting our sales department directly.
As of 11/2011, Apple’s EFI updater app will not let me install the 1.2 firmware in my 3,1 mini (2009). Unless there is some way to force the firmware upgrade via commands in terminal, I don’t see how it matters at this point. The two 4GB sticks OWC sold me fit the slots, but the mini only sees 4GB!
It is entirely possible that the EFI was already up-to-date, Software Update usually takes care of that automatically. Unfortunately, Apple’s KB page for the updater doesn’t mention what the revision numbers are, so we can’t compare to be sure.
It is also possible that maybe one of the RAM modules themselves has an issue. Have you tried swapping which slots the modules are in? It’s a simple way of checking whether it’s a single module that’s off or possibly another problem. Check System Profiler to see which module is not being recognized. Then, switch the slots the modules are in, and check System Profiler again. If the problem follows a single module, then it may be just a matter of getting a replacement. If it’s following the slot, then there may be something else going on with your Mac mini.
Either way, contacting our Tech Support crew will probably be your next logical step after that.
I am thinking about the 8gb upgrade. My mini is the Macmini3.1 with ROM MM31.00AD.B00 but after trying to apply the Mac mini EFI Firmware Update 1.2 it says the mini doesn’t need the update. Is it because the rom I have is even a later update thus doesn’t need the suggested update and I can safely buy the memories?
Your Boot ROM should be MB31.008E.B02 after the update.
MM31.00AD.B00 is a prior version of the EFI firmware.
Try installing the update again by opening the Firmware Updater application first, which is located under /Applications/Utilities.
Hi, I downloaded the EFI Firmware Update 1.2. opened it, clicked on the .pkg file and a few seconds later a message saying “This computer does not need this update.”. So The software did’t even install the update Firmware Updater application on the /Applications/Utilities folder for me to run it as you suggested. :(
I realize now my Macmini is a late 2009 model so the EFI Firmware Update 1.2 is not necessary as it is intended for the early2009 model.
Thanks anyway!
Hi!
So, did your machine supported the 8Gb without updated of the firmware?
I am thinking about the upgrade also, after lion my machine kind a slow.
Thanks on advance,
Without the updated firmware, the Mac mini did not effectively address a full 8.0GB of memory and experienced slowdowns when addressing more than 6.0GB of memory in the system. However, updating your mini to the latest firmware revision alleviates the issue and allows all 8.0GB to be used.
I installed the OWC 4GB upgrade in a MacMini 2,1 and although it is supposedly only able to use 3GB, it shows all 4GB and all of it works fine. I think Apple must have fixed that restriction in a later update.
Hello Randy,
The original issue we found with this model wasn’t that the 4GB wasn’t showing up, but that it offered no performance difference between 3GB and 4GB. When 4GB was installed, only 3GB was physically addressed in actual usage. We’ve forwarded your findings onto our product development team to test again for any changes based on your findings, but have you checked in activity monitor that the final GB of memory is actually being used?
Hello Randy,
We had a chance to re-test this out and are still coming up with the same results. 4GB can be installed, but only 3GB is addressed. It does show that 4GB is installed in the machine under system profiler, but when you open Activity Monitor and go to the System Memory tab – only 3GB shows as available memory.
Using all 8 gigs and everything works fine and is fully used.
The extra 4GB of RAM is utilized without the speed detriment that we found with many memory modules prior to Apple’s release of the EFI firmware update. This is exactly why it is so exiting that OWC can now support up to 8.0GB of memory in the Mac mini.
I encourage you to check out our benchmarks of the Mac mini, especially the “RAM Hog I Test” showing just how much quicker the additional memory can make the mini run.
“no system detriment in speed was observed” means no speed improvement was observed? Perhaps the extra 4 GB of RAM are not utilized?
Wasn’t that just a limitation of OSX at the time?
Now it should address 4GB….
Cheers
I thought the Mac mini 2007 model could use the full 4GB and wasn’t limited to just 3GB.
Apple factory specification maximum is 2.0GB in those machines. OWC tested to support 3.0GB maximum RAM. 4.0GB can be installed, but only 3.0GB will be addressed.
Hey,
nice to here that! Do you happen to know whether something has change in the recent Snowy 10.6.1 or .2 and Macbook 5,1 Unibody Intel Core 2 Duo will support 8GB of RAM? I am really curious!