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Can you replace the mother board on an iMac?

S

sam3612

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Aug 18, 2014
11
0
Hi there ,

I have a 2007 2ghz intel core duo iMac with 6gb of RAM
Is it possible to replace the motherboard on it to a newer one?
I ask because I want more RAM and know this iMac cant support anymore, and I am assuming its attache to the motheboard?
I would really like to avoid buying a whole new computer and want to just upgrade the parts inside, even if im just left with the original shell.
Is it possible to upgrade the actual RAM slots so that the iMac can take DDR3 RAM not DDR2?

Thank you for any help
Sam
 
I'd say the form factor has changed enough that it won't fit. Given the computer is 7 years old, I'd look to buy a brand new one then pour any money into it.
 
thanks for the advice.
Is there any more economically efficient and environmentally efficient ideas on how to get more RAM in my iMac than just dump the computer and buy a new one?
Although it is 7 years old, I just replace the HD with a big new one, and everything else about the computer is working perfectly so there is really no need to trash it.. I just want to upgrade it any way I can.
 
sam3612 said:
thanks for the advice.
Is there any more economically efficient and environmentally efficient ideas on how to get more RAM in my iMac than just dump the computer and buy a new one?
Although it is 7 years old, I just replace the HD with a big new one, and everything else about the computer is working perfectly so there is really no need to trash it.. I just want to upgrade it any way I can.
Click to expand...

If you've maxed out the RAM and you're encountering issues due to the RAM then your best bet would be to upgrade to an SSD. The reason being that when OS X runs out of RAM it writes to the HDD as virtual memory which severely slows down the system.

If you upgrade to an SSD then writing to the SSD won't have anywhere near the performance impact due to the speeds that SSDs run at.

Hope this helps.
 
Thanks, thats a good idea!
Only problem is that I JUST replaced my HDD with a new 2TB one
 
OP asks:
[[ Is there any more economically efficient and environmentally efficient ideas on how to get more RAM in my iMac than just dump the computer and buy a new one? ]]

Quite frankly, the answer is simply, "no".

The old iMac's RAM "maximum" is it's max -- it was "born that way", and that way it shall remain.

If you need more RAM, time to look for something new (or at least "newer").

How much RAM do you need?
 
No need to dump it per se. You can sell it on eBay or Craigslist - someone will buy it and put it to use!
 
I would just like at least 8gb of RAM. But cant afford a new 2 grand iMac, plus I think its a waste of materials. I was thinking to replace the RAM slots on my iMac with ones from a newer one
 
sam3612 said:
I would just like at least 8gb of RAM. But cant afford a new 2 grand iMac, plus I think its a waste of materials. I was thinking to replace the RAM slots on my iMac with ones from a newer one
Click to expand...
I guess if you were into extreme modding you could strip the internals you could install a newer logic board...
 
p3ntyne said:
I guess if you were into extreme modding you could strip the internals you could install a newer logic board...
Click to expand...

Yeah! That's what I'm thinking! So are the RAM slots part of the Logic Board? If I replace the Logic Board of my old iMac with the Logic Board of a new one would my iMac have the RAM capacity of a new one?
 
sam3612 said:
Yeah! That's what I'm thinking! So are the RAM slots part of the Logic Board? If I replace the Logic Board of my old iMac with the Logic Board of a new one would my iMac have the RAM capacity of a new one?
Click to expand...

The new logic board doesn't fit. You'll be spend more money trying to mod it then just selling and buying a new one.
 
alphaod said:
The new logic board doesn't fit. You'll be spend more money trying to mod it then just selling and buying a new one.
Click to expand...

I find that very frustrating. All I need is more RAM on my computer. Why should I buy a whole new computer when my screen, cpu, hard-drive, video-card, mouse, keyboard, CD drive all work PERFECTLY well.

But I have to spend $2000 on a whole new computer just because I want more RAM? What I waste of my money and a waste of all the working parts in my computer.

Don't you agree?
 
sam3612 said:
I find that very frustrating. All I need is more RAM on my computer. Why should I buy a whole new computer when my screen, cpu, hard-drive, video-card, mouse, keyboard, CD drive all work PERFECTLY well.

But I have to spend $2000 on a whole new computer just because I want more RAM? What I waste of my money and a waste of all the working parts in my computer.

Don't you agree?
Click to expand...

Agree Sam, but it's a 7-year-old, all-in-one computer. We have to be a little realistic here.

If I may raise a few points:

- You can't switch Logic Boards with a later model due to the screw layouts. It's not going to work. Not now, not ever.
- Your RAM is maxed out, and you can't put any more in.
- You haven't mentioned why you need more RAM.
- I mentioned earlier that if you're seeing poor performance due to RAM, upgrading to an SSD will somewhat offset this bottleneck (but you've already upgraded to a 2TB HDD).

Unfortunately if you can't justify an upgrade to an SSD, and you desperately need more RAM, then it's time for a new computer. I know you're looking for somebody to tell you that you can put a later Logic Board in, but you can't. You just can't.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
 
keysofanxiety said:
Agree Sam, but it's a 7-year-old, all-in-one computer. We have to be a little realistic here.

If I may raise a few points:

- You can't switch Logic Boards with a later model due to the screw layouts. It's not going to work. Not now, not ever.
- Your RAM is maxed out, and you can't put any more in.
- You haven't mentioned why you need more RAM.
- I mentioned earlier that if you're seeing poor performance due to RAM, upgrading to an SSD will somewhat offset this bottleneck (but you've already upgraded to a 2TB HDD).

Unfortunately if you can't justify an upgrade to an SSD, and you desperately need more RAM, then it's time for a new computer. I know you're looking for somebody to tell you that you can put a later Logic Board in, but you can't. You just can't.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your honesty.

I use my computer for video editing (special effects etc), and music production. So I feel like I need more than 4GB of RAM.

Thanks for the SSD tip, however my hard-drive is 2TB anyway (which I need) and I couldn't find any SSD that is more than 1TB.

And in regards to the "7 year-old computer thing", I'm aware that seems like an old computer. But part of me is suspicious that that way of thinking is exactly how Apple (and most other corporations) want us to think, because obviously it is how they make their business, which is totally fair enough.

So any advice where to go from here? Just buy a new iMac, and upgrade it from there? Really, no more savvy method?
 
sam3612 said:
So any advice where to go from here? Just buy a new iMac, and upgrade it from there? Really, no more savvy method?
Click to expand...

Nothing more savvy I'm afraid. :( You'd be best off getting a new one.

However if you're looking for easy upgradability in the future, potentially getting a 2013 Mac Pro and using your iMac as an external monitor (depending if your model is compatible, somebody else will have to confirm this).

It's confirmed that the 2013 Mac Pro's RAM, GPU, CPU and SSD can be easily upgraded -- and although some of those components are proprietary, it wouldn't be too difficult sourcing them.

Alternatively if you're looking for even more upgradability, getting the last-gen Mac Pro might be a good way forward.
 
keysofanxiety said:
Nothing more savvy I'm afraid. :( You'd be best off getting a new one.

However if you're looking for easy upgradability in the future, potentially getting a 2013 Mac Pro and using your iMac as an external monitor (depending if your model is compatible, somebody else will have to confirm this).

It's confirmed that the 2013 Mac Pro's RAM, GPU, CPU and SSD can be easily upgraded -- and although some of those components are proprietary, it wouldn't be too difficult sourcing them.

Alternatively if you're looking for even more upgradability, getting the last-gen Mac Pro might be a good way forward.
Click to expand...

A Mac Pro would be great, however they are so pricey!! What do you think would be a great move forward.. that is not too expensive? I wish I could exchange the parts in my iMac or something.

Thank you again for all your help.
 
sam3612 said:
A Mac Pro would be great, however they are so pricey!! What do you think would be a great move forward.. that is not too expensive? I wish I could exchange the parts in my iMac or something.

Thank you again for all your help.
Click to expand...

Hmm, well you can potentially get a '10 or '12 Mac Pro for less than a new iMac, and that gives you the comfort of being able to upgrade whatever you need to in future.

However a cheaper, better bet might be to wait holding out for the new Mac Mini. The current Mini can support 16GB RAM (2x8GB DDR3 1600MHz) and its CPU is likely to have similar or better performance than your iMac. Even if they don't make the new mini upgradable, the price for the current gen would plummet with the new model being out, meaning you can snag yourself a bargain. If you can't afford to wait then I'm sure you can pick up a second-hand one for around £350-400.

How would you feel about a Mac Mini (iMac as its monitor)?
 
keysofanxiety said:
Hmm, well you can potentially get a '10 or '12 Mac Pro for less than a new iMac, and that gives you the comfort of being able to upgrade whatever you need to in future.

However a cheaper, better bet might be to wait holding out for the new Mac Mini. The current Mini can support 16GB RAM (2x8GB DDR3 1600MHz) and its CPU is likely to have similar or better performance than your iMac. Even if they don't make the new mini upgradable, the price for the current gen would plummet with the new model being out, meaning you can snag yourself a bargain. If you can't afford to wait then I'm sure you can pick up a second-hand one for around £350-400.

How would you feel about a Mac Mini (iMac as its monitor)?
Click to expand...

Yeah these are great ideas.
In the mean-time, have a look at this.
Take the time to watch this short video, it really exemplifies well what I'm saying about the frustration about not being able to upgrade my iMac
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTdseBKbW
 
If you don't feel like spending the money for a new iMac, have you considered something like a "late-2012" 2.3ghz i7 Mac Mini?

They are modestly powerful and very affordable, especially if you keep your eyes open and grab an Apple-refurbished model when one becomes available.

Then add RAM (max for these is 16gb), and an SSD (can be either internal or external, there will be little difference in speed during normal operations).

For a monitor, you can get a "mid-rez" (1920x1080) IPS screen in the $250+/- price range. A good place to start looking would be this page:
http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/s-ips-lcd-list.php

As I mentioned above, and as another poster mentioned above, there is no way you can upgrade your existing iMac to handle more RAM than it was capable of "out-of-the-factory". It simply cannot be done.
 
sam3612 said:
Hi there ,

I have a 2007 2ghz intel core duo iMac with 6gb of RAM
Is it possible to replace the motherboard on it to a newer one?
I ask because I want more RAM and know this iMac cant support anymore, and I am assuming its attache to the motheboard?
I would really like to avoid buying a whole new computer and want to just upgrade the parts inside, even if im just left with the original shell.
Is it possible to upgrade the actual RAM slots so that the iMac can take DDR3 RAM not DDR2?

Thank you for any help
Sam
Click to expand...

Sorry, but in a word no you cannot. It would be MUCH MUCH wiser to buy an Apple Refurbished machine. You can find current 21.5 & 27" models for substantial discounts and they are virtually identical to new machines. In addition they are also eligible for AppleCare extended warranty and carry the same warranty as a new machine.
 
rkaufmann87 said:
Sorry, but in a word no you cannot. It would be MUCH MUCH wiser to buy an Apple Refurbished machine. You can find current 21.5 & 27" models for substantial discounts and they are virtually identical to new machines. In addition they are also eligible for AppleCare extended warranty and carry the same warranty as a new machine.
Click to expand...
Fishrrman said:
If you don't feel like spending the money for a new iMac, have you considered something like a "late-2012" 2.3ghz i7 Mac Mini?

They are modestly powerful and very affordable, especially if you keep your eyes open and grab an Apple-refurbished model when one becomes available.

Then add RAM (max for these is 16gb), and an SSD (can be either internal or external, there will be little difference in speed during normal operations).

For a monitor, you can get a "mid-rez" (1920x1080) IPS screen in the $250+/- price range. A good place to start looking would be this page:
http://www.pchardwarehelp.com/guides/s-ips-lcd-list.php

As I mentioned above, and as another poster mentioned above, there is no way you can upgrade your existing iMac to handle more RAM than it was capable of "out-of-the-factory". It simply cannot be done.
Click to expand...
These both sound like great ideas!! Thank you for your help!
Any idea where the best place to start looking for these are though? I am in Australia, should I just be using gumtree/ebay? There are plenty of old computers there but I'm not sure how to find these cheap apple refurbished ones..
 
Go to apple.com and check out the refurb store - apple sells 1-2 generation old machines as refurbs

You get full warranty and can buy apple care to get 3 years on them.
 
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