6630M Teardown?

[FrancoisC]

Hi all!

Has anybody who has a mini with a 6630M made a "teardown" yet?

I've seen the iFixit one with the Intel HD3000, but I'm curious to see the difference in logic board/motherboard between the 2.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

I'm guessing it would be roughly the same due to the fact the CPU and GPU are soldered to the mainboard...

 

[FrancoisC]

It must be almost the same, but the HD3000 is integrated with the CPU, the 6630M is not. And on the i3/HD3000 board, there's no space for an additional chip, so there must be some difference.

Anyway, I'm just curious, when I get my tools I'll probably check on mine.

 

[ezekielrage_99]

It must be almost the same, but the HD3000 is integrated with the CPU, the 6630M is not. And on the i3/HD3000 board, there's no space for an additional chip, so there must be some difference.

Anyway, I'm just curious, when I get my tools I'll probably check on mine.

It's soldered to the mainboard not the CPU, the though did cross my mind to upgrade the GPU but it wont be possible.

 

[FrancoisC]

I'll say it again, with a link this time, Intel's HD3000 GPU is "soldered" within the processor:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/sb/CS-031174.htm#1

I know the 6630M is not upgradeable, but obviously there are 2 different logic board for the new mini.

In fact, even the i5 and i7 version have the HD3000, but it's not activated



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[Bearxor]

It's soldered to the mainboard not the CPU, the though did cross my mind to upgrade the GPU but it wont be possible.

Actually, for Sandy Bridge processors, the Intel graphics chips are on-die with the processor, not a separate chip nor integrated in to the Northbridge any longer. You could say they are "on-cpu", though technically they're still separate from the CPU. I think Ivy Bridge integrates graphics more in to the CPU itself.

Here are some pics from TechRepublic of the ATi chipset:

http://www.techrepublic.com/photos/...52&tag=thumbnail-view-selector;get-photo-roto

 

[Westyfield2]

I'll say it again, with a link this time, Intel's HD3000 GPU is "soldered" within the processor

I know the 6630M is not upgradeable, but obviously there are 2 different logic board for the new mini.

In fact, even the i5 and i7 version have the HD3000, but it's not activated

What chipset does the Mac Mini use?

As on PC with the Intel Z68 chipset and a good motherboard you can use Lucid Virtu for simultaneous Integrated/Discrete GPU on Sandy Bridge platforms...

 

[japtor]

I think it (non Radeon one at least) has a HM65 chipset, but I couldn't find anything about using it with Quick Sync and a discrete GPU.

And I think Virtu is for pre-Z68 systems.

 

[thedenethor]

Looks like Intel BD82HM65 is used in Radeon version. According to above link from tech republic.