Early 08 MacBook Board Upgrade?

[Gamer9430]

SEE UPDATED THREAD HERE: https://forums.macrumors.com/index.php?threads/My-Upcoming-MacBook-Project.1898633/

I'm about to acquire an early 08 white MacBook, and because of the limitations of the processor and GPU, I'm stuck on 10.7.5. Someone on eBay is selling early 09 logic boards for $30. Can I install the newer 09 board without any issues? I know with the 07s and below the wiring is different, but I'm not sure about the early 08s.

Thanks in advance!

 

[logana]

You will need a new bottom case, heatsink and a new optical drive - the 09 boards use a SATA version with a different connector. Everything else can be swopped over to the new bottomcase.......

 

[Gamer9430]

You will need a new bottom case, heatsink and a new optical drive - the 09 boards use a SATA version with a different connector. Everything else can be swopped over to the new bottomcase.......

Thanks, I appreciate you compiling this list. I figured I needed all of the above, but thanks for confirming. Do you know if I can reuse screws from an early 08 heatsink?

 

[surroundfan]

A less expensive solution may be to follow the instructions for unsupported installs of a later version of OSX. For example https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/os-x-yosemite-on-unsupported-macs-guide.1761432/ for Yosemite...

 

[Gamer9430]

A less expensive solution may be to follow the instructions for unsupported installs of a later version of OSX. For example https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/os-x-yosemite-on-unsupported-macs-guide.1761432/ for Yosemite...

Na, I love doing this kind of stuff. And besides, it'd kinda want it to be usable. It would be pretty slow with the older generation C2D and that poor GMA will probably fry itself under all the pressure. But thanks for the suggestion and the link!

 

[Gamer9430]

Besides, in that thread, it states that my GPU won't work;

Please note that older GPU (GMA 950, X3100, X1600, X1300, X1900, 7300gt, etc.) Graphics Acceleration on Mavericks and Yosemite is not supported yet.

 

[surroundfan]

Besides, in that thread, it states that my GPU won't work;

Not supporting hardware acceleration is not the same as not working...

 

[Gamer9430]

Not supporting hardware acceleration is not the same as not working...

Oops, I didn't read that right. I though it said I couldn't install Yosemite/Mavericks, not use hardware acceleration. Thanks for pointing that out.

 

[logana]

Thanks, I appreciate you compiling this list. I figured I needed all of the above, but thanks for confirming. Do you know if I can reuse screws from an early 08 heatsink?

Yes - you can reuse the screws - they have a small amount of studlock/Loctite on them (the blue stuff) - if you are really fussy you can add some more but if not they will be fine......