27" iMac.. Change graphics card?

picky88 · 05:40 PM

Hi there, new to the forums and to Mac.

I have up till now always bought cheap budget PC's... and had all the usual problems. I am considering one of the new iMacs, but I'm wondering if the graphics card can be changed? I do alot of rendering, and a quadro fx graphics card from Nvidia is the way to go. They make a mac version for the Mac Pro, so the software/drivers situation is covered, but with the specs that the IMac has now I'm wondering if I can fit a quadro fx graphics card in the iMac? if you look here http://gizmodo.com/5388225/ifixit-im...ery//gallery/1 you can see a small seperate board, which I assume is the graphics card seperate from the mainboard. Are there any better photos that ive missed?

robbieduncan · Nov 7, 2009, 04:28 PM

Basically no. It's not a standard PCIe card. It's an MXM card. And it has to be one with an Apple BIOS on it at that.

Hellhammer · Nov 7, 2009, 04:30 PM

It can be changed but that's not for average Joe. Also iMac uses mobile GPUs and OS X and firmware limits the possible GPUs a lot. So, generally it's not possible and not worth it because there are like 5 possible GPUs you can use

picky88 · Nov 7, 2009, 05:06 PM

Well I am quite good with computer hardware, and they do make MXM versions of the quadro fx cards for PC based laptops, but without the correct bios or drivers I guess its a dead end. A few more questions on the iMac though:

I notice on the apple store you can only have 4, 8 or 16GB of RAM. why not anything inbetween? I would like to go for 6GB or so, and upgrade to 8GB+ later on when needed. Is there any reason why I cant add one 2GB ram module bought elsewhere to bring it to 6GB?

Also, what is the current education discount for a university student?

Hellhammer · Nov 7, 2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picky88

I notice on the apple store you can only have 4, 8 or 16GB of RAM. why not anything inbetween? I would like to go for 6GB or so, and upgrade to 8GB+ later on when needed. Is there any reason why I cant add one 2GB ram module bought elsewhere to bring it to 6GB?

Also, what is the current education discount for a university student?

Yes, you can add one 2GB or 2x1GB if you want. If Apple would offer all possible RAM configurations, it would be too much hassle and nobody would really buy other than 8GB or 16GB.

Buzz Bumble · Nov 7, 2009, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picky88

Also, what is the current education discount for a university student?

Go to your country's Apple online webstore and there's an option to switch to the Education store, then you can see the educaional prices for everything: hardware and software (although some things don't actually have an educational price).

Goldie009 · Nov 7, 2009, 06:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buzz Bumble

Go to your country's Apple online webstore and there's an option to switch to the Education store, then you can see the educaional prices for everything: hardware and software (although some things don't actually have an educational price).

You maaay find that you have to log in from your educational institutions network. In Glasgow University you have to be logged in to their wireless network before you can see the educational store and associated prices.

Buzz Bumble · Nov 9, 2009, 01:19 AM

You're right. The UK Education store does say:

*Note: You can only use our University (HE) or College (FE) stores when connected via your campus network. If you are off campus you can still order by calling 0800 072 1154.

You could try the bottom "Schools" option, but I don't know how different the pricing is.

TDHXXX · Nov 9, 2009, 11:15 PM

Do you think it will be possible for a Genius to upgrade the GPU at a later date?

Badger^2 · Nov 10, 2009, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDHXXX

Do you think it will be possible for a Genius to upgrade the GPU at a later date?

and i dont think anyone will be able to update the GPU, regardless of whats been posted in this thread

robbieduncan · Nov 10, 2009, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TDHXXX

Do you think it will be possible for a Genius to upgrade the GPU at a later date?

Possible? Yes. Will they (will Apple sell the cards and allow them to do it). No.

alphaod · Nov 10, 2009, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robbieduncan

Possible? Yes. Will they (will Apple sell the cards and allow them to do it). No.

If they do, it will be a prices only a select few would pay (AKA expensive).

picky88 · Nov 10, 2009, 02:51 PM

Ive looked into this a little bit. It would be great if it was possible to upgrade the graphics card, as to me it looks like the weakest point of the new imac spec. A quadro fx card, even a lower end one, would transform it into a real monster of a cad design computer...

The Quadro FX4800 (very high end and expensive) is mac compatible, only its PCI-e so will only physically fit in a Mac pro. But the mac drivers are free to download.

One of nividias notebook range of graphics cards will physically fit, but the bios will be incompatible and the drivers are not available for mac. What if I booted into windows, with the windows drivers installed? would the mac still reject the graphics card at boot time? What has to be done with the bios of a graphics card to make it accepted in a mac? Ive heard that you can fit a non mac approved graphics card into a Mac Pro, and this situation is not far different from that.

Please share your thoughts. Im sure this can be done!

300D · Nov 10, 2009, 04:45 PM

The card is upgradable, good luck finding any compatible upgrade though! A mac-proprietary slot is used. Nothing else in the computer market uses it.

The iMac will never see a quadro card.

neilw · Nov 10, 2009, 05:12 PM

I do not recall reading of a single instance of this having been done successfully. I personally would not invest upwards of $2K for a quad-equipped iMac based on the assumption that this operation will succeed.

If you really need the Quadro, you're gonna need to go Mac Pro, which starts at $2149 on the refurb store right now.

Seriously, this is not like Hackintoshing, which requires some effort but is well documented, proven, and non-destructive.

picky88 · Nov 11, 2009, 05:27 AM

that is dissapointing. I suppose I dont really need the quadro card, but I would have fitted one if it was not too complicated. but as neilw pointed out its a risky thing to attempt on such an expensive piece of equipment!

I wont need this computer until I start uni in september, I wonder if SSD and or better installed graphics will have come to the 27 imac by then? usb 3.0 maybe aswell?? what would be the best time to buy between now and september?

robbieduncan · Nov 11, 2009, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by picky88

that is dissapointing. I suppose I dont really need the quadro card, but I would have fitted one if it was not too complicated. but as neilw pointed out its a risky thing to attempt on such an expensive piece of equipment!

I wont need this computer until I start uni in september, I wonder if SSD and or better installed graphics will have come to the 27 imac by then? usb 3.0 maybe aswell?? what would be the best time to buy between now and september?

There will certainly be a revision between now and next September. The best time to buy will be next year sometime (unless you need the machine now).

peskaa · Nov 11, 2009, 03:36 PM

Basically, buy a Mac Pro. If you can't stretch to an '09 model, buy a second-hand '08 Octo (I'm selling mine actually). You can then add in a proper Quadro card and not have these problems.

Basically, iMacs are not designed for upgrades.

Nov 7, 2009, 04:26 PM	#1
picky88 macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK	27" iMac.. Change graphics card? Hi there, new to the forums and to Mac. I have up till now always bought cheap budget PC's... and had all the usual problems. I am considering one of the new iMacs, but I'm wondering if the graphics card can be changed? I do alot of rendering, and a quadro fx graphics card from Nvidia is the way to go. They make a mac version for the Mac Pro, so the software/drivers situation is covered, but with the specs that the IMac has now I'm wondering if I can fit a quadro fx graphics card in the iMac? if you look here http://gizmodo.com/5388225/ifixit-im...ery//gallery/1 you can see a small seperate board, which I assume is the graphics card seperate from the mainboard. Are there any better photos that ive missed? Last edited by picky88 : Nov 7, 2009 at 05:40 PM. Reason: url typo

Nov 7, 2009, 04:28 PM	#2
robbieduncan macrumors Demi-God Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: London	Basically no. It's not a standard PCIe card. It's an MXM card. And it has to be one with an Apple BIOS on it at that. __________________ My App Store Apps: DLR Times

Nov 7, 2009, 04:30 PM	#3
Hellhammer macrumors 68040 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Helsinki, Finland	It can be changed but that's not for average Joe. Also iMac uses mobile GPUs and OS X and firmware limits the possible GPUs a lot. So, generally it's not possible and not worth it because there are like 5 possible GPUs you can use __________________ iMac 24" 2.93GHz, 4GB DDR3, 640GB HD, GT130 512MB GDDR3 MacSecrets is now online! Please register to forums!

Nov 9, 2009, 01:19 AM	#8
Buzz Bumble macrumors 6502a Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: New Zealand	You're right. The UK Education store does say: *Note: You can only use our University (HE) or College (FE) stores when connected via your campus network. If you are off campus you can still order by calling 0800 072 1154. You could try the bottom "Schools" option, but I don't know how different the pricing is.

Nov 10, 2009, 04:45 PM	#14
300D macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2009 Location: Tulsa	The card is upgradable, good luck finding any compatible upgrade though! A mac-proprietary slot is used. Nothing else in the computer market uses it. The iMac will never see a quadro card. __________________ PMG5 2.3GHz Dual Core, 9GB ram Mini G4 1.5GHz, 1GB ram iPhone 2G, 8GB iPod Classic, 160GB

Nov 7, 2009, 05:06 PM	#4
picky88 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK	Well I am quite good with computer hardware, and they do make MXM versions of the quadro fx cards for PC based laptops, but without the correct bios or drivers I guess its a dead end. A few more questions on the iMac though: I notice on the apple store you can only have 4, 8 or 16GB of RAM. why not anything inbetween? I would like to go for 6GB or so, and upgrade to 8GB+ later on when needed. Is there any reason why I cant add one 2GB ram module bought elsewhere to bring it to 6GB? Also, what is the current education discount for a university student?

Nov 9, 2009, 11:15 PM	#9
TDHXXX macrumors member Join Date: Jul 2009	Do you think it will be possible for a Genius to upgrade the GPU at a later date?

Nov 10, 2009, 02:51 PM	#13
picky88 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK	Ive looked into this a little bit. It would be great if it was possible to upgrade the graphics card, as to me it looks like the weakest point of the new imac spec. A quadro fx card, even a lower end one, would transform it into a real monster of a cad design computer... The Quadro FX4800 (very high end and expensive) is mac compatible, only its PCI-e so will only physically fit in a Mac pro. But the mac drivers are free to download. One of nividias notebook range of graphics cards will physically fit, but the bios will be incompatible and the drivers are not available for mac. What if I booted into windows, with the windows drivers installed? would the mac still reject the graphics card at boot time? What has to be done with the bios of a graphics card to make it accepted in a mac? Ive heard that you can fit a non mac approved graphics card into a Mac Pro, and this situation is not far different from that. Please share your thoughts. Im sure this can be done!

Nov 10, 2009, 05:12 PM	#15
neilw macrumors member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New Jersey	I do not recall reading of a single instance of this having been done successfully. I personally would not invest upwards of $2K for a quad-equipped iMac based on the assumption that this operation will succeed. If you really need the Quadro, you're gonna need to go Mac Pro, which starts at $2149 on the refurb store right now. Seriously, this is not like Hackintoshing, which requires some effort but is well documented, proven, and non-destructive.

Nov 11, 2009, 05:27 AM	#16
picky88 Thread Starter macrumors newbie Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: UK	that is dissapointing. I suppose I dont really need the quadro card, but I would have fitted one if it was not too complicated. but as neilw pointed out its a risky thing to attempt on such an expensive piece of equipment! I wont need this computer until I start uni in september, I wonder if SSD and or better installed graphics will have come to the 27 imac by then? usb 3.0 maybe aswell?? what would be the best time to buy between now and september?

Nov 11, 2009, 03:36 PM	#18
peskaa macrumors 6502a Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Oxford, UK	Basically, buy a Mac Pro. If you can't stretch to an '09 model, buy a second-hand '08 Octo (I'm selling mine actually). You can then add in a proper Quadro card and not have these problems. Basically, iMacs are not designed for upgrades. __________________ iMac 27"(2009), i7, 2TB, 8GB, 4850 - On Order! MacBook Pro(2008) 2.53 \| 9600 512 \| 4GB \| 320GB 7,200rpm

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