Reddit mentions of Patriot Mac Series 16GB Apple SODIMM Kit (2X8GB) DDR3 1333 PC3 10600 204-Pin SO-DIMM PSA316G1333SK

As for the RAM:

The Mac mini 2011 supports up to 16 GB RAM (2 x 8 GB RAM modules). It has two RAM slots, meaning two RAM modules in total will fit in. A higher total amount than 16 GB RAM won't work due to a limitation in the logic board.

The Mac mini 2011 needs RAM that matches the following specification:

PC3-10600 DDR3 1333 MHz, 204-pin

Here are some examples of RAM modules that work flawlessly in the Mac mini:

• https://www.amazon.com/Corsair-Certified-Laptop-Memory-CMSA16GX3M2A1333C9/dp/B006ON5KZC/
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Timetec-1333MHz-PC3-10600-Upgrade-21-5-inch/dp/B00SNM1LHS/
  
• https://www.amazon.com/SAMSUNG-10600-SODIMM-LAPTOP-MEMORY/dp/B0067GGPXC/
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Patriot-SODIMM-204-Pin-SO-DIMM-PSA316G1333SK/dp/B006BMBUAA/
  
  You may find information online which states that your Mac Mini 2011 only supports up to 8 GB RAM (2 x 4 GB RAM modules), but this is outdated information! As 8 GB RAM modules were not commonly available back in 2012, Apple could only test with 2 x 4 GB RAM = 8 GB RAM. When 8 GB RAM modules became available, users found out that the actual maximum RAM capacity this machine supports is 16 GB RAM, this is also being confirmed by the Amazon reviews of the modules I suggested. Apple never went back to update their info, so the wrong 8 GB RAM figure still swirls around.
  
  Before you upgrade the RAM, check how much RAM is already inside of the machine via the Apple menu at the top left corner of the screen -> "About This Mac".
  
  -----
  
  As for the SSD:
  
  Your Mac mini 2011 supports any SSD that matches the following requirements:
  
  
• 2.5" form factor
  
• SATA3-compatible
  
  Here are some examples of such SSDs:
  
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-860-EVO-500GB-SSD/dp/B07937HDJM/
  
• https://www.amazon.com/SanDisk-Ultra-Solid-State-SDSSDH3-2TOO-G25/dp/B071KGRXRH/
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Crucial-MX500-500GB-NAND-Internal/dp/B0784SLQM6/
  
• https://www.amazon.com/Blue-NAND-500GB-SSD-WDS500G2B0A/dp/B073SBZ8YH/
  
  Choose a capacity that meets your needs. If you want to keep any of the data that is currently stored on your HDD, I suggest you create a Time Machine backup to some external drive. Once the SSD is in, macOS can be restored via Internet Recovery:
  
  
• http://osxdaily.com/2018/10/10/how-reinstall-macos-mojave/
  
  Once macOS is reinstalled, you will be asked whether or not you want to restore from a Time Machine backup during the setup procedure.
  
  -----
  
  This video shows you both the RAM and SSD upgrade procedure, but the iFixit text guide /u/mayhem-8 has linked to is also very good:
  
  
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymGnXdwvabg

Thanks for your help!

I watched a few videos on replacing RAM and it looked easy enough.

Before I pull the trigger, does this look like a good match for my computer?
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006BMBUAA/ref=psdc_172500_t1_B005LAYH3K

An SSD is something I will highly consider. I currently only have a a 500gb hard drive, but a basically full 2tb external.

hey i actually just upgraded the FACKKK outta my 2011 MBP.. it runs like a fucking genius right now.. i'll tell u what i got and then why i got it..

Memory: 2x 8GB = 16GB

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006BMBUAA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

OWC Data Doubler (so I could remove SuperDrive and replace w/2nd SSD

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00724W0N2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

OWC SuperDrive Enclosure (piece of shit, don't buy, didn't work, feels super cheap

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00724YQSY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

SSD: These are the best available on the market, literally, the best.. no, I'm not kidding, they're actually the BEST available.. 2x 512GB

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00LF10KTO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1


1st, don't do anything til you've found your model on:

http://www.everymac.com/

once you've found your model, read through everything CAREFULLY.. they will give u full compatibility reports, known issues, specification maximums, etc.

instructional:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZ9YkkJRN5c

https://fstoppers.com/video/dont-upgrade-your-macbook-pro-until-you-see-2909

http://blog.macsales.com/18244-owc-diys-wont-void-your-macs-warranty

http://blog.macsales.com/18749-scare-tactics-aside-upgrades-do-not-void-your-warranty

I suggest becoming familiar especially w/those last 2 links.. Apple has serviced my MBP a few times since doing my upgrades (non-related logic board problem), and not for a second did they ever try to void my 3-yr extended applecare plan for me doing those upgrades..

Next you will want to BUY:

http://www.cindori.org/software/trimenabler/

if you don't know what TRIM is, read about it on their site.. very important to have/use w/SSD's that are purchased thru 3rd party suppliers (since apple are assholes and don't like to provide support)

those SSD's i listed are the most cutting edge technology available in the SSD market.. I do not suggest RAID'ing them.. i did this 3x already, i am a computer nerd, i know what i am doing, and every time the RAID had practically failed.. see my thread:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1826359

also, make sure that your MBP supports SATA-III in both drive bays (assuming you want to install 2 SSD's), otherwise you will not get full speed capacity.

check out these speeds w/those Samsung 850 Pro 512gb's:

http://imgur.com/mbxFOVz

basically, i've found that they don't handle RAID-0 well, and their support as well as apple's will provide you no support on that subject either.. i've essentially doubled those benchmarks on both ends by trying RAID-0 on them, but 3x reformatting and trying again, they will ALWAYS revert to a massively terrible write speed (see my macrumors link above).. best to leave them as they are.. they are still blazing fast off the bat.

Finally, I had to ditch Yosemite and stick w/Mavericks for this reason..
very important, do not skip this article:

http://www.cindori.org/trim-enabler-and-yosemite/

also, i'm just waking up so sorry if this is sloppy haha