iMac video card upgrade.

[ltldrummerboy]

I have an early-2008 2.4Ghz iMac with an ATI Radeon 2400XT GPU. Since this card is pretty limited in it's gaming abilities, I would like to upgrade.

Now before anyone says that the iMac isn't meant to be upgraded, let me tell you some more. I have completely disassembled this machine already to replace the clutch mechanism (the hinge that attaches to the stand, part #922-8221). To do this I had to remove the screen, bezel, logic board, hard drive, a speaker, the power supply, and some other junk. Taking this iMac apart is not a problem for me.

The only difference between the early-2008 20" iMacs is the CPU and GPU (and the hard drive for you sticklers). I am simply wondering if installing the Radeon 2600XT (part #661-4672) will conflict with the 2.4Ghz processor that's in the computer. This may sound like a ridiculous question but I'd really rather not blow $250 on a part I can't use.

[an4rew]

while the card might be removable as it's on a separate slot, don't expect to find many alternatives.
there are currently no stand-alone MXM compatible graphics cards on the market

if you do manage to find one then i think its possible... i'd apply some thermal paste to the GPU just to be on the safe side as it might effect the CPU cooling.

[Outsider]

Since some laptops use MXM, i wonder if you can pop a 8800 GTX MXM card and replace the ROM with a Mac version of the ROM? I don't think it's ever been done. The only barrier I can think of is the ROM is too small to hold the Mac version.

Also, Apple makes a 8800 GS version (http://www.welovemacs.com/6614664.html) of the card. Can you get that one instead?

[ltldrummerboy]

The 8800 from the 24" model won't fit and I don't want to experiment with putting other cards in.

The only thing I need to know is if a card from the 2.66Ghz model iMac will work in the 2.4Ghz model. All I'm doing is upgrading from a Radeon 2400XT to a Radeon 2600XT.

If it works it will be far cheaper than buying a new iMac for gaming, even if the part is overpriced for the card I'm getting.