Intel iMac CPU Swappable?

MacRumors · 02:17 PM

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif

Xlr8yourmac provides a reader report on a recent article in MacFan magazine (Japanese). According to the report, the Intel iMac Core Duo CPU is mounted in the standard Intel socket, making it replaceable. As a test, a 1.83GHz iMac's CPU was swapped out for a 2GHz one:

Quote:

However, the author is not sure that it will run completely normally with an upgraded CPU. The author purchased a 2GHz T2500 from a PC shop and installed it in the socket of a 17" iMac and it booted OK. There seemed to be no problems and the About this Mac pane reported a 2GHz duo chip.

The cost of such a minor upgrade ($480 for a 2GHz chip) doesn't make sense at this time but does offer more of a upgrade path than previously available on the iMac.

jacobj · Jan 31, 2006, 01:45 PM

The big question is whether this is true of the MacBook Pro? Well for me anyway.

Mord · Jan 31, 2006, 01:46 PM

all pentium m notebooks that i have peaked inside have sockets, it'd be sweet if you could buy an ibook/mini and upgrade it with a T2500 or something.

matthewHUB · Jan 31, 2006, 01:47 PM

Sounds interesting... not.

M

yg17 · Jan 31, 2006, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewHUB

Sounds interesting... not.

M

Considering how Macs have always had VERY limited support for processor upgrades, this is very interesting

The Red Wolf · Jan 31, 2006, 01:49 PM

Seems a good idea. But opening the G5 iMac as well as the iMac Duo is a level 3 task. They're not designed to be user friendly. Save for the "Hay if you can install ram and have a screwdriver, go for it!" slot on the bottom of the machine. The previous generation G5 iMac was quite lovely. The newer version is a bit of a hassle. The iMac Duo is hideous Intel Northbridge/Southbridge madness all shoved in and snapped inside the beautiful case.

Am I happy it's upgradable? Sure. Do I want to? No. And what happens when you install a chip with onboard memory rather than memory on the mainboard?

Le sigh.

Chaszmyr · Jan 31, 2006, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hector

all pentium m notebooks that i have peaked inside have sockets, it'd be sweet if you could buy an ibook/mini and upgrade it with a T2500 or something.

You couldn't. The version of the Yonah used in the iMac is higher voltage than the one in the MacBook Pro. Even if/when higher performance low voltage chips come out, I'm not sure I'd want to mess with the thermal management in the MacBook Pro.

Mord · Jan 31, 2006, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chaszmyr

You couldn't. The version of the Yonah used in the iMac is higher voltage than the one in the MacBook Pro. Even if/when higher performance low voltage chips come out, I'm not sure I'd want to mess with the thermal management in the MacBook Pro.

no both are T designated chips, if the ibook and mini use L designated chips you could still update them to L2400's

Detlev · Jan 31, 2006, 01:54 PM

Let the real rumors begin. Some companies do things like that as a strategic move. First, who thinks it's real? Second, who thinks it's a good move?

p0intblank · Jan 31, 2006, 01:55 PM

This is pretty cool for Mac users to hear. We have always been pretty limited when it comes to swapping CPUs. This may not have been a big swap, but it's a start.

GFLPraxis · Jan 31, 2006, 01:56 PM

This is great- we can upgrade an iMac for as long as Intel uses that socket.

Somehow, some way, somebody will rate this negative, however.

Multimedia · 02:12 PM

Thinking maybe when you put one in that's too fast - IE HOT for the slower cooling system, perhaps it will fry intself?

But maybe not as the processors may have "auto shut or slow down before frying myself" firmware built in. Anyone know?

Yvan256 · Jan 31, 2006, 01:58 PM

What I want is a swappable GPU/VRAM option for all computers. Isn't there some mini-PCI standard for videocards in laptops? Something invented by AMD?

AMD? Oh wait, they're not Intel... Never mind.

shamino · Jan 31, 2006, 01:59 PM

Sounds great. But I'd be a bit concerned about cooling issues. A faster chip means more heat. At the least, the fans would spin faster. In the worst case, you may get overhating and instability.

The 20" model, although with a faster processor, also has more room for airflow than a 17" model.

It will be interesting to see how these upgraded iMacs do after a few months of heavy use.

combatcolin · Jan 31, 2006, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewHUB

Sounds interesting... not.

M

You are very, very wrong here.

"Please Welcome the Apple Mac to the land of the inexpensive PC upgrade."

Very, very good news - hopefully.

shamino · Jan 31, 2006, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GFLPraxis

This is great- we can upgrade an iMac for as long as Intel uses that socket.

Of course, Intel is known for periodically changing sockets, even when it's not technically necessary. So this may not be the upgrade-path panacea you think.

nagromme · Jan 31, 2006, 02:02 PM

Cool!

I doubt you'll ever see official Apple support for an upgraded Mac, but you wouldn't need to do it during your warranty anyway.

And I think that any sales Apple loses this way (few: your everyday person doesn't DO CPU upgrades) will be minimal in the face of the coming surge in sales anyway.

Glen Quagmire · Jan 31, 2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Multimedia

Thinking maybe when you put one in that's too fast for the slower cooling system, perhaps it will fry intself?

Well, it's still a laptop chip, so it won't put out that much more heat. If Apple have built the thing properly, the iMac will have temperature sensitive fans to preclude this from being an issue.

t^3 · Jan 31, 2006, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shamino

Of course, Intel is known for periodically changing sockets, even when it's not technically necessary. So this may not be the upgrade-path panacea you think.

Yes, and also periodically requiring new chipsets or motherboard support for newer processors, even with the same sockets.

neonart · Jan 31, 2006, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Red Wolf

Seems a good idea. But opening the G5 iMac as well as the iMac Duo is a level 3 task. They're not designed to be user friendly. Save for the "Hay if you can install ram and have a screwdriver, go for it!" slot on the bottom of the machine. The previous generation G5 iMac was quite lovely. The newer version is a bit of a hassle. The iMac Duo is hideous Intel Northbridge/Southbridge madness all shoved in and snapped inside the beautiful case.

Am I happy it's upgradable? Sure. Do I want to? No. And what happens when you install a chip with onboard memory rather than memory on the mainboard?

Le sigh.

I totally understand Red Wolf here, but I think it's still great news. This means that for those of us who don't care how hard it is to open a machine, now it's actually doable.
I have 3 iMac 400's at my shop that would benefit from a speed bump for their basic tasks, but it's just not possible. If a processor upgrade was available I'd do it in a heartbeat. Same for my Powerbook and iBook.
Up to now only the G4 & G3 towers and old beige macs are upgradeable. Even at the relatively higher cost of those upgrades, they've allowed many to keep their G4's for half a decade running very well.
Once these chips make it to newegg.com, zipzoomfly.com, outpost.com, Fry's, Microcenter, etc., it's going to be more affordable (and yes easier) than ever to upgrade iMacs (and MacBooks I assume). Hopefully the rest of the Apple line goes this way!

And hopefully for others who feel like Red Wolf Apple makes the case designs a little easier to get into.

BTW, what if the new Mini's can be upgraded from a Core Solos to a Core Duos. Does anyone know if this is even a possibility?

Lord Blackadder · Jan 31, 2006, 02:09 PM

This might signal the beginning of the end of the specialist Mac CPU upgrade vendors like PowerLogix, Daystar, Sonnet and OWC...

But I'm not necessarily weeping. The thought of being able to upgrade my CPU with a selection of off-the-shelf processors is pretty exciting.

kwajo.com · Jan 31, 2006, 02:10 PM

great news, though I would rather hear that someone has come out with upgrades for G5 Powermacs

Macmaniac · Jan 31, 2006, 02:10 PM

Very excited about this! This is great news, I had a feeling as soon as I saw the first Intel iMacs I was sure that the proc was upgradable. This is cool, I hope the MacBook can be upgraded as well

asphalt-proof · Jan 31, 2006, 02:12 PM

The real advantage to this will be seen in a couple of years. When the first Macintel's get old and their AppleCare warranty is done. Pop in a new processor and you have a new machine!! Now if only the GPU were upgradeable. Seriously this is great news for people who like to keep ahold of their machines. Also, this could have the effect of lowering the prices of new macs. Why upgrade to a whole new machine every two or three years when you can pop in a $200 or so new CPU? Apple may need to lower prices of their machines in order to make it attractive to upgrade. Just my .02$

TheMasin9 · Jan 31, 2006, 02:13 PM

this is interesting, but i will have to see more proof that this is actually feasable, one user report is not entirely a stable basis of conclusion for me....

Jan 31, 2006, 01:45 PM	#2
jacobj macrumors 6502a Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Jersey	The big question is whether this is true of the MacBook Pro? Well for me anyway. __________________ "Insanity in individuals is something rare - but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule" - Friedrich Nietzsche

Jan 31, 2006, 01:46 PM	#3
Mord macrumors 601 Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: People's Republic of Yorkshire	all pentium m notebooks that i have peaked inside have sockets, it'd be sweet if you could buy an ibook/mini and upgrade it with a T2500 or something. __________________ Consider the lily.

Jan 31, 2006, 01:49 PM	#6
The Red Wolf macrumors regular Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Occi Dens Pacifica	Pity... Seems a good idea. But opening the G5 iMac as well as the iMac Duo is a level 3 task. They're not designed to be user friendly. Save for the "Hay if you can install ram and have a screwdriver, go for it!" slot on the bottom of the machine. The previous generation G5 iMac was quite lovely. The newer version is a bit of a hassle. The iMac Duo is hideous Intel Northbridge/Southbridge madness all shoved in and snapped inside the beautiful case. Am I happy it's upgradable? Sure. Do I want to? No. And what happens when you install a chip with onboard memory rather than memory on the mainboard? Le sigh. __________________ Grimorium_000.0 - 2.33 GHz 15" MacBook Pro System_000.0 - 2.26 GHz 3X GT120 + 1 X 4870 MacPro Demeter_000.0 - 8GB iPhone

Jan 31, 2006, 01:56 PM	#11
GFLPraxis macrumors 601 Join Date: Mar 2004	This is great- we can upgrade an iMac for as long as Intel uses that socket. Somehow, some way, somebody will rate this negative, however. __________________ Nintendo Players - the Ultimate Nintendo Resource MacBook CD/2GHz/2GB/160GB/SD Hackintosh Core 2 Quad/2.4 GHz/4GB/660GB/8800GT 16 GB iPhone

Jan 31, 2006, 01:57 PM	#12
Multimedia Banned Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Santa Cruz CA, Silicon Beach	I wonder about heat Thinking maybe when you put one in that's too fast - IE HOT for the slower cooling system, perhaps it will fry intself? But maybe not as the processors may have "auto shut or slow down before frying myself" firmware built in. Anyone know? Last edited by Multimedia : Jan 31, 2006 at 02:12 PM.

Jan 31, 2006, 01:47 PM	#4
matthewHUB macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2005	Sounds interesting... not. M

Jan 31, 2006, 01:54 PM	#9
Detlev macrumors 6502 Join Date: Sep 2003	Let the real rumors begin. Some companies do things like that as a strategic move. First, who thinks it's real? Second, who thinks it's a good move?

Jan 31, 2006, 01:55 PM	#10
p0intblank macrumors 68020 Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: New Jersey, USA	This is pretty cool for Mac users to hear. We have always been pretty limited when it comes to swapping CPUs. This may not have been a big swap, but it's a start.

Jan 31, 2006, 01:58 PM	#13
Yvan256 macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Canada	What I want is a swappable GPU/VRAM option for all computers. Isn't there some mini-PCI standard for videocards in laptops? Something invented by AMD? AMD? Oh wait, they're not Intel... Never mind. __________________ Mac mini Core 2 Duo 1.83 GHz/2.5 GiB, Mac mini G4 1.42 GHz/1 GiB, 12" PowerBook G4 1.5 GHz/512 MiB, iPod touch 16 GiB, silver iPod shuffle 1 GiB.

Jan 31, 2006, 01:59 PM	#14
shamino macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Vienna, VA	Sounds great. But I'd be a bit concerned about cooling issues. A faster chip means more heat. At the least, the fans would spin faster. In the worst case, you may get overhating and instability. The 20" model, although with a faster processor, also has more room for airflow than a 17" model. It will be interesting to see how these upgraded iMacs do after a few months of heavy use. __________________ In theory, theory is the same as practice. In practice, it isn't.

Jan 31, 2006, 02:02 PM	#17
nagromme macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2002 Location: Blinking blue dot	Cool! I doubt you'll ever see official Apple support for an upgraded Mac, but you wouldn't need to do it during your warranty anyway. And I think that any sales Apple loses this way (few: your everyday person doesn't DO CPU upgrades) will be minimal in the face of the coming surge in sales anyway. __________________ nagromme Would you like a treatment?

Jan 31, 2006, 02:09 PM	#21
Lord Blackadder macrumors 601 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Sod off	This might signal the beginning of the end of the specialist Mac CPU upgrade vendors like PowerLogix, Daystar, Sonnet and OWC... But I'm not necessarily weeping. The thought of being able to upgrade my CPU with a selection of off-the-shelf processors is pretty exciting. __________________ Digital Audio G4 w/OWC 1.4GHz/1GB/2x250GB SATA/Pioneer DVR-107D/GeForce6800GT/Panther/2005FPW 20.1" Oh, God, God, God! What on earth was I drinking last night? My head feels like there's a Frenchman living in it. - Edmund Blackadder

Jan 31, 2006, 02:10 PM	#22
kwajo.com macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Bay of Fundy	great news, though I would rather hear that someone has come out with upgrades for G5 Powermacs __________________ My Time on the Tropical Island of Newfoundland: http://gallery.mac.com/darkharbour/

Jan 31, 2006, 02:10 PM	#23
Macmaniac macrumors 68040 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: A tiny spec in the "Garden State", 1 square mile in area, somewhere on the outskirts of town by the railroad tracks	Very excited about this! This is great news, I had a feeling as soon as I saw the first Intel iMacs I was sure that the proc was upgradable. This is cool, I hope the MacBook can be upgraded as well __________________ The customer is NOT always right

Jan 31, 2006, 02:12 PM	#24
asphalt-proof macrumors 6502a Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Magrathea	The real advantage to this will be seen in a couple of years. When the first Macintel's get old and their AppleCare warranty is done. Pop in a new processor and you have a new machine!! Now if only the GPU were upgradeable. Seriously this is great news for people who like to keep ahold of their machines. Also, this could have the effect of lowering the prices of new macs. Why upgrade to a whole new machine every two or three years when you can pop in a $200 or so new CPU? Apple may need to lower prices of their machines in order to make it attractive to upgrade. Just my .02$ __________________ "Shoot the ones with swords first"

Jan 31, 2006, 02:13 PM	#25
TheMasin9 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Wright State University	hummm this is interesting, but i will have to see more proof that this is actually feasable, one user report is not entirely a stable basis of conclusion for me.... __________________ 15" Powerbook G4 1.5 ghz Mac Pro Dual Quad 2.8 ghz Nikon D50 PSWii60 on my 42" lcd

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