More RAM make a significant difference on Mac Mini 2.7ghz i7 dual core has 4GB RAM

[pRICE cUBE]

I have had this 2011 Mini since 2013 and it has been attached to my TV for most of its' life. It has 4GB of RAM and even when I am not running anything, I get the rainbow wheel here and there for a few seconds. This has happened with all iterations of OS I have installed on it including the newest one.

I originally bought it as a backup Pshop machine but it is too slow to handle even 12mp images let alone the 36mp from my current camera.

Is investing about $130 in RAM to take it to 16GB max going to significantly (rid of rainbow wheel and sluggishness) make this machine useable or is it just destined to be slow no matter what?

[Bernie]

Maybe.
Maybe not.
Just do it.

[ztirffritz]

I just upgraded mine a few days ago. Seems snappier without a doubt.

[jdc]

Ram might help with the pshop files, but a SSD would help more.

[hal]

I use a base 2012 mini as my TV mac and it's just fine with 8GB (it boots from a USB3 SSD)

[GuyGene]

That's a good question. If possible, I'd do RAM and SSD.

[anonymouse1]

SSD for sure.

[MrNoBody]

Crucial CT2K8G3S160BM 16GB Kit is $103 @ amz

Just need to find a SSD on sale :thumbsup:

[AllGold]

I think there would be a bigger difference between 4GB and 8GB than between 8GB and 16GB.

Yeah, the price difference between 8 and 16 is not that big but if you're not really going to be using it for much, I would save some money and go with 8GB. If you're actually going to use it a lot then sure, max it out.

[mikebw]

4 really is not enough for anything these days.