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[mstan]

I am replacing my '09 Mac Mini because the fan or something is failing making lots of noise.  So do I need the quad core model for MC19 Red October HQ?   I have been able to run everything on current Mini except for RO HQ mode and a few interlaced videos under regular mode.

[jtwrace]

I am replacing my '09 Mac Mini because the fan or something is failing making lots of noise. 

Just so you know, most parts are available.  Not that expensive either.

[mstan]

Just so you know, most parts are available.  Not that expensive either.

I hear they are hard to open up especially the model I have.  I had this problem a month ago, took it to the Apple store where they found nothing; since then it has run fine 'til now.

[6233638]

The older Macs were certainly a pain to get into, but there's no need to replace the system over a cheap part like that.
 
iFixit has clear step-by-step guides for each model.

[mstan]

Ok, I'll take a stab at fixing it.  But if I were to get a new one would the quad core be necessary to run MC19 to the max?

[freddie40]

Here are the differences between the 2009 and the new model.

The new model has the power supply built into the computer.  Bad Bad Bad.  This really affects the quality of the sound.  The faster processor does not help, nor more than 8GB of RAM.

The 2009 Mac mini has an external power supply that you can move far from the computer.  Good, good, good.  Maxing it out to 8GB of RAM and putting in a SSD will make the an excellent Music server.  Opening up the computer is fairly easy with a 4" putty knife.  When you do it make sure that you have 8GB of RAM installed, maybe pop in the SSD.  With the RAM ($80), Fan ($50) and the SSD ($99) you will be very happy and will have saved a bunch of money.  You will also have replaced many of the parts that fail.

Dave

[jtwrace]

I hear they are hard to open up especially the model I have.  I had this problem a month ago, took it to the Apple store where they found nothing; since then it has run fine 'til now.

Nah.  I get them open in 30 seconds.  Seriously.

[freddie40]

Nah.  I get them open in 30 seconds.  Seriously.

I totally agree.  On a Mac that has never been opened by an inexperienced user maybe a few minutes.  Still very easy.  Using a 4" putty knife makes it easier.

Dave

[mstan]

Where do you get the parts?

[jtwrace]

Where do you get the parts?

Many places but this is an option.  

http://www.ifixit.com/Store/Mac/Mac-mini-Intel

http://www.powerbookmedic.com/Mac-Mini-p-1-c-436.html

[jtwrace]

So for the OP this is the fan that you're probably talking about.  http://www.powerbookmedic.com/Intel-Mac-Mini-Fan-p-17673.html

[mstan]

Here are the differences between the 2009 and the new model.

The new model has the power supply built into the computer.  Bad Bad Bad.  This really affects the quality of the sound.  The faster processor does not help, nor more than 8GB of RAM.

How would the power supply affect the sound if I am using the USB digital output?  I could understand a possible  effect on the analog output but I will never use that.

[6233638]

Where do you get the parts?

Once you know the model of Mac that you're looking for, I generally find that it's cheapest to source the parts off eBay. I've had to do that a couple of times to fix an older MacBook rather than replace it.
 
The instructions for how to replace the fan will be here: http://www.ifixit.com/Device/Mac_Mini (you probably have an A1283?)