Upgrade older Mac Mini video card? GMA950 to Nvidia GeForce?

Pigumon · Mar 18, 2009, 05:49 PM

Now that the 2009 Mini's have a decent video card, is there any way to put one in the previous model?

Intel GMA 950 to NVIDIA GeForce 9400M

Tallest Skil · Mar 18, 2009, 05:49 PM

There is no card. This is impossible.

Pigumon · Mar 18, 2009, 05:54 PM

ah, so it's part of the motherboard?

oh well, figured it wouldn't happen.

thanks!

kurosov · Mar 18, 2009, 05:58 PM

it pretty much IS the motherboard. The 9400m machines use a full nvidia chipset i believe.

Tallest Skil · Mar 18, 2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurosov

it pretty much IS the motherboard. The 9400m machines use a full nvidia chipset i believe.

That, and the chips are soldered, so if your CPU or GPU breaks, the entire board must be replaced, a la the 8600M GT MacBook Pros.

MasterNile · Mar 18, 2009, 06:04 PM

Just out of curiosity if you took a motherboard from the new Mac Mini and put it in the old Mac Mini would it work properly and have updated graphics (I realize how in reality this would seem kind of stupid I'm just wondering if in theory it would work)

kurosov · Mar 18, 2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterNile

Just out of curiosity if you took a motherboard from the new Mac Mini and put it in the old Mac Mini would it work properly and have updated graphics (I realize how in reality this would seem kind of stupid I'm just wondering if in theory it would work)

I guess thats possible, afterall the rest is just a case, standard slot loading drive and hdd. But for the cost of a new logic board it might just eb better to sell old mini and buy new one.

Tallest Skil · Mar 18, 2009, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MasterNile

Just out of curiosity if you took a motherboard from the new Mac Mini and put it in the old Mac Mini would it work properly and have updated graphics (I realize how in reality this would seem kind of stupid I'm just wondering if in theory it would work)

You'd also need the new back panel, but theoretically it would work, yes.

However, you'd be bordering on the cost of a new Mac Mini entirely, so it may be more prudent to just get that.

MasterNile · Mar 18, 2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kurosov

I guess thats possible, afterall the rest is just a case, standard slot loading drive and hdd. But for the cost of a new logic board it might just eb better to sell old mini and buy new one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tallest Skil

You'd also need the new back panel, but theoretically it would work, yes.

However, you'd be bordering on the cost of a new Mac Mini entirely, so it may be more prudent to just get that.

Yeah it doesn't seem like it makes any financial sense, I'm just a curious person.

old-wiz · Mar 18, 2009, 07:46 PM

If it were possible to buy the boards in open market it would be doable, but these are the Apple specific boards and I doubt apple sells them.

Mar 18, 2009, 05:49 PM	#1
Pigumon macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2004	Upgrade older Mac Mini video card? GMA950 to Nvidia GeForce? Now that the 2009 Mini's have a decent video card, is there any way to put one in the previous model? Intel GMA 950 to NVIDIA GeForce 9400M __________________ IT'S = contraction of IT IS It's nice. ITS = Possessive Its color... YOU'RE = contraction of YOU ARE You're nice! YOUR = Possessive Your Mac is..
	0

Mar 18, 2009, 05:54 PM	#3
Pigumon Thread Starter macrumors 6502 Join Date: Aug 2004	ah, so it's part of the motherboard? oh well, figured it wouldn't happen. thanks! __________________ IT'S = contraction of IT IS It's nice. ITS = Possessive Its color... YOU'RE = contraction of YOU ARE You're nice! YOUR = Possessive Your Mac is..
	0

Mar 18, 2009, 06:04 PM	#6
MasterNile macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: San Antonio, TX	Just out of curiosity if you took a motherboard from the new Mac Mini and put it in the old Mac Mini would it work properly and have updated graphics (I realize how in reality this would seem kind of stupid I'm just wondering if in theory it would work) __________________ 24" Alu iMac, 2.8GHz C2D, 320GB 7200RPM HDD, 2GB RAM; White MacBook, 2.0GHz C2D, 500GB 5400RPM HDD, 4GB RAM; Jailbroken 32GB 2nd Gen iPod Touch
	0

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Best video card upgrade for PCI-E G5?	ozziesironman	PowerPC Macs	16	Aug 1, 2011 09:02 AM
Replacing MacPro Video Card	RogersDA	Mac Pro	15	Apr 11, 2011 07:15 PM
Video Card For Streaming	turbobass	Digital Video	6	Mar 5, 2011 07:46 PM
nVidia GeForce 7800 GS?	maximo	Buying Tips and Advice	3	Nov 21, 2010 11:40 AM

Mar 18, 2009, 05:49 PM	#2
Tallest Skil Banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: 1 Geostationary Tower Plaza	There is no card. This is impossible.
	0

Mar 18, 2009, 05:58 PM	#4
kurosov macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jan 2009	it pretty much IS the motherboard. The 9400m machines use a full nvidia chipset i believe.
	0

Mar 18, 2009, 07:46 PM	#10
old-wiz macrumors 603 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: West Suburban Boston Ma	If it were possible to buy the boards in open market it would be doable, but these are the Apple specific boards and I doubt apple sells them.
	0