I've got an interesting question for y'all, and I figured I'd ask before I tore two iMacs apart. I've got a 24" 2008 iMac that I use in my classroom. It runs all day, every day, usually showing a PowerPoint for seating charts and announcements. It's a great machine that works well for my needs, but the only objection that I have to it is that it runs hot. It sits in a little cubby on a table by my classroom door that honestly isn't super well ventilated. It has a 2.8GHz C2D, 4GB of RAM, a 256MB Radeon HD 2600 Pro, and a 64GB SSD.
I also have a 20" 2008 iMac at home that I use on my tech workbench. Again, great machine. However, it runs significantly cooler than the 24". It has a 2.4GHz C2D, 6GB of RAM, 128MB Radeon HD 2400 XT, and a 256GB SSD. I was debating swapping the core removable components (CPU & GPU) between the two in order for the 24" to put out less heat.
I know it's a downgrade for the 24", but given that it shows a PowerPoint, it doesn't need to be particularly beefcake. It would also be a nice upgrade for the 20" that does get used actively as a regular computer. I know the CPUs use the same socket and have the same TDP, but does anyone know about compatibility between the GPUs? So far as I can tell, they use the same MXM socket, and given that they're both Apple-shipped cards, EFI weirdness shouldn't be an issue. Any opinions on whether this would cut down on the heat the 24" pumps out, and whether the 20" chassis could handle the extra? Thanks y'all
I also have a 20" 2008 iMac at home that I use on my tech workbench. Again, great machine. However, it runs significantly cooler than the 24". It has a 2.4GHz C2D, 6GB of RAM, 128MB Radeon HD 2400 XT, and a 256GB SSD. I was debating swapping the core removable components (CPU & GPU) between the two in order for the 24" to put out less heat.
I know it's a downgrade for the 24", but given that it shows a PowerPoint, it doesn't need to be particularly beefcake. It would also be a nice upgrade for the 20" that does get used actively as a regular computer. I know the CPUs use the same socket and have the same TDP, but does anyone know about compatibility between the GPUs? So far as I can tell, they use the same MXM socket, and given that they're both Apple-shipped cards, EFI weirdness shouldn't be an issue. Any opinions on whether this would cut down on the heat the 24" pumps out, and whether the 20" chassis could handle the extra? Thanks y'all
Last edited: