Intel Mac mini Upgraded to 2.16GHz Core Duo

[MacBoobsPro]

What about the extra heat thats generated. This could eventually damage the CPU over time! Maybe thats why Apple only offer it at CD1.6ghz?

EDIT: Ok forget my post I didnt see page 3... DOH!

 

[ro2nie]

If the Mac mini Intel processor is socketed like the Intel iMac,
Would it be possible to upgrade the iMac's processor to 2.16Ghz too?

 

[segundo]

Is the surface of the mini non-stick? I hate having to apply butter for my eggs. (Unhealthy.)

There's nothing unhealthy about butter. Now about that thermal paste . . .

 

[alexstein]

That is great news. Like people said before it does not make to much sense to upgrade right know since the processor cost is still a little high. But lets talk about this in a couple of months.

It's another step towards the future now even the low-end mac's are somewhat upgradeable. This alone is Good news.

 

[bokdol]

PC mini

at least now we can do some comparisons between a 569 mini style pc to a mac mini




http://www.excaliberpc.com/EXPC_Aop...es/EXPC-Pandora-Value/partinfo-id-563760.html


even though the rest of it sucks i like the way it pops open.

 

[scottlinux]

Re: iMac upgrade

Yes, the new intel iMac CPU can pop out of the socket also. So you can replace the CPU.

I think apple should sell a 'barebones' model of the mini. No CPU, no memory, no hard drive, no optical drive. Then let hardware enthusiasts build their own specs for cheaper.

 

[DTphonehome]

at least now we can do some comparisons between a 569 mini style pc to a mac mini




http://www.excaliberpc.com/EXPC_Aop...es/EXPC-Pandora-Value/partinfo-id-563760.html


even though the rest of it sucks i like the way it pops open.

That PC has far worse specs, and costs almost as much as the base mini. It's got no wireless of any sort, only 256 MB RAM, a smaller HD, slower proc, and no OS

I know you're not comparing the two, I'm just pointing out what a value the mini is.

 

[bokdol]

That PC has far worse specs, and costs almost as much as the base mini. It's got no wireless of any sort, only 256 MB RAM, a smaller HD, slower proc, and no OS

I know you're not comparing the two, I'm just pointing out what a value the mini is.

so am i ...

 

[neonart]

Re: iMac upgrade

Yes, the new intel iMac CPU can pop out of the socket also. So you can replace the CPU.

I think apple should sell a 'barebones' model of the mini. No CPU, no memory, no hard drive, no optical drive. Then let hardware enthusiasts build their own specs for cheaper.

Im with you all the way, but fear that it'll be a very very hot day in Antarctica before that happens.

That PC has far worse specs, and costs almost as much as the base mini. It's got no wireless of any sort, only 256 MB RAM, a smaller HD, slower proc, and no OS

I know you're not comparing the two, I'm just pointing out what a value the mini is.

Yeah, when you see what the PC world can do with a similar package, you realize that Apple is not overcharging. They have a very competitive, full featured product, but very few in the PC industry can even attempt to try and copy it.

 

[powerbook911]

You can buy the T2500 (2.0GHz) from Newegg for $421. Not exactly the 2.16GHz but certainly much cheaper

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819111178

Well, taking the price of the Solo model, $421 to move to a 2 GHZ Core Duo isn't that bad. Plus, in a few months, you could do this a lot cheaper.

Very exciting that all this is possible.

 

[whooleytoo]

Actually, what I read is that the GPU uses a minimum of 80MB with a max of 224MB for the video. That's based off of intel's spec sheet for the GPU.

From Apple's iMac page:

"Memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs. Minimum graphics memory usage is 80MB, resulting in 432MB of system memory available."

 

[C00rDiNaT0r]

Wow thats amazing, So you can get MacBook Pros power for about 1/2 the price. (Just guessing on that, I have no idea how much the 2.16 chips cost)

You forgot to count in the fact that MBP has a RADEON X1600 GPU with 128MB dedicated VRAM, while the new Mac Mini has the Intel's integrated GMA950 chipset with 64MB SHARED RAM... And there are other "minor" things like Combo/Super Drive, Hard Drive spaces, etc.

 

[FarSide]

Future Core Duo Pricing Thread

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/184825/

 

[jacobj]

From Apple's iMac page:

"Memory available to Mac OS X may vary depending on graphics needs. Minimum graphics memory usage is 80MB, resulting in 432MB of system memory available."

You mean mac mini page

point 1 at the bottom of the page.

 

[whooleytoo]

You mean mac mini page

point 1 at the bottom of the page.

Um... that too...

 

[PDubNYC]

Thanks for nuttin'

Quote:
Originally Posted by runninmac
Wow thats amazing, So you can get MacBook Pros power for about 1/2 the price. (Just guessing on that, I have no idea how much the 2.16 chips cost)

Abstract's reply:
You can't upgrade the procs in the MBPs, only in the new iMacs and Minis.

No sh*t. No one was talking about upgrading the MBP's. He/she meant you get the equivalent power for 1/2 the price.

 

[mrman5917]

From what I understand Yonah (core duo) is pin compatible with the upcoming Merom, but not with previous Pentium M ( Banias and Dothan)

Yes, I was mistaken. For some reason I was confusing Dothan/Napa with Merom. My bad

 

[scottlinux]

It's actually not an Intel mobo -- it's Apple's motherboard with an Intel 945 chipset on it, similar to what other mobo companies put out.

Apple doesn't make motherboards. Asus makes their iBook boards, and the 12" powerbook boards, and some other motherboards/logic boards for them.

http://www.nforcershq.com/article3242.html

 

[jabooth]

Ease of upgrading?

Wow - this is great news!

Anyone know how easy it is to upgrade the iMac's CPU? I seem to remember reading that the inteliMac wasn't as easy to get into... I'd hate to buy one now and then bust it up 6 months down the line trying to make it even more powerful!

 

[milo]

Very cool, but by the time you've bought a mini, and then gone and bought another CPU, you've suddenly spent an awful lot on a Mini. Add a display and you might as well have bought an iMac...

True, if you replace the CPU today. But you could get the mini today, then in a few months you'll be able to upgrade the CPU to a much faster one for dirt cheap. That's what I'm planning on.

nobody would spend that type of money to get a 2.16 GHz Core Duo Mac Mini, since buying that chip separate would cost a fortune.

True. But the other benefit of intel is frequent price drops. Before long, that 2.15 (or higher) will be way cheaper. It's GREAT to have that as an option down the road.

User-upgradeable GPU won't happen in a computer this size

It already has. Shuttle has a box this size with GPU on a daughtercard (linked in an earlier post). But I haven't seen pricing, I wouldn't be surprised if it's more expensive than the mini, like the MiniPC is.

Actually, what I read is that the GPU uses a minimum of 80MB with a max of 224MB for the video.

Someone from apple cleared this up, they have the GPU hacked so it won't use more than 80 meg.

If the Mac mini Intel processor is socketed like the Intel iMac,
Would it be possible to upgrade the iMac's processor to 2.16Ghz too?

Somebody did an iMac chip swap weeks ago. It worked fine.

I seem to remember reading that the inteliMac wasn't as easy to get into...

Not really true. It IS hard to get into. But it's been that way for the last two generations, the last version of G5 iMac is just as hard to open up. You have to go back to the first or second generation G5's to get the easy layout.

 

[jaydub]

this sorta reminds me of overclocking the old PowerPC chips in the G3 machines by playing with the jumpers!

 

[skershaw]

Future Limitations? Bus Speeds?

I was wondering if:

a) There was any chance Apple could limit this upgrading via software down the road? (I suppose anything's possible)

b) If future Yonahs or Meroms will require faster bus speeds thus making the mac mini motherboard incompatible?

This sounds like a great idea but I would like to be a little more sure about the feasability of these upgrades down the road!

EDIT: From this article

Shmuel Eden said that the world’s largest chipmaker intends to launch Merom as pin-to-pin compatible with Yonah, which may mean that systems originally designed for Yonah may be upgraded to support the future chips by installing a new BIOS. Provided that code-named Napa platform intended for Yonah also supports Merom, the latter should operate using 667MHz Quad Pumped Bus. Besides, Merom is expected to have a bit more advanced techniques to preserve power.

Any thoughts?

 

[milo]

b) If future Yonahs or Meroms will require faster bus speeds thus making the mac mini motherboard incompatible?

The first gen meroms will be at the same bus speed, later ones will be at a faster bus speed. But they should still work on the lower bus, their bus speed will just be limited.

 

[laidbackliam]

Actually you're wrong. Intel has already announced that the current Core Duos (Yonah) successor (Merom) will be pin-for pin compatible, and around 30% faster clock for clock. Yonah and Merom are pin-compatible, and Presler and Conroe are pin-compatible. Unless Intel has changed their minds, I believe this is still the case.

i remember reading on here that they will be pin compatible, but would be different enough not to work. so maybe merom gets a modified chipset?

 

[mdavey]

I think apple should sell a 'barebones' model of the mini. No CPU, no memory, no hard drive, no optical drive. Then let hardware enthusiasts build their own specs for cheaper.

It would be an excellent way to get rid of the PPC motherboards+cases. Perhaps they'll do it when the rev.B motherboard comes out with UWB and PCIe support. Hmm, time for a new thread!