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Xenesis
May 12, 2010, 09:32 PM
I have an 06/07 model 24" iMac - I believe it was the only one of that make that had an internal PCI express slot...currently with an nvidia 7600GT in it.

If I were to get dirty with some screwdrivers, would it be possible to upgrade my graphics card to something compatible with MacSteam? (Nvidia 8 series+)


Hellhammer
May 13, 2010, 03:11 AM
8800GS uses the same PCIe but I don't know does it fit nor does the firmware support it
Xenesis
May 13, 2010, 03:59 AM
I guess in theory if I could get a 'replacement' MXM-PCIe from one of the newer apple laptops, I could slot it in there?
Hellhammer
May 13, 2010, 04:01 AM
I guess in theory if I could get a 'replacement' MXM-PCIe from one of the newer apple laptops, I could slot it in there?

AFAIK the GPUs in MBPs are soldered. 8800GS or ATI 4850 might work
seb-opp
May 13, 2010, 04:27 AM
I have an 06/07 model 24" iMac - I believe it was the only one of that make that had an internal PCI express slot...currently with an nvidia 7600GT in it.

If I were to get dirty with some screwdrivers, would it be possible to upgrade my graphics card to something compatible with MacSteam? (Nvidia 8 series+)

Even if it was possible, it would be expensive to get a new GPU, as they aren't sold usually on their own. Also it might have to be one of the other GPUs that shipped with that generation of iMac, so that limits your choice
Xenesis
May 13, 2010, 04:29 AM
Yeah, I'm well aware it wouldn't be cheap.

In doing some google searching, it seems that the only issue with replacing it with an alternate MXM card is simply a lack of EFI firmware - in THEORY another MXM-EFI card SHOULD work, but that limits it to the cards in Macbook Pros and iMacs.
cluthz
May 13, 2010, 10:36 AM
Yeah, I'm well aware it wouldn't be cheap.

In doing some google searching, it seems that the only issue with replacing it with an alternate MXM card is simply a lack of EFI firmware - in THEORY another MXM-EFI card SHOULD work, but that limits it to the cards in Macbook Pros and iMacs.

The macbook pros are all soldered.
I guess apple regret that decision when the 8600m GTs started failing :D

I think the easiest, safest, and perhaps even cheapest, is to sell your iMac and get a new one.
666sheep
May 13, 2010, 10:59 AM
OP, no good news for you. According to this thread: http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=719155 there is no possibility to upgrade your model with any better GPU. You got max that you can with this iMac.