Is it possible to replace GPU on IMAC 4k?

[Jamez199]

Hello,

Would like to know if it is possible to do a DIY replace of the native Intel GPU. And if so, what GPU's are compatible with the 4K IMAC?

I would like to do some gaming and don't think the intel will cut it.

Thanks guys!

Kind regards,

James

 

[blueeggs]

Hello,

Would like to know if it is possible to do a DIY replace of the native Intel GPU. And if so, what GPU's are compatible with the 4K IMAC?

I would like to do some gaming and don't think the intel will cut it.

Thanks guys!

Kind regards,

James

No. The gpu is integrated into the cpu itself.

 

[Jamez199]

No. The gpu is integrated into the cpu itself.

Thanks for the swift reply. That's unfortunate.

 

[Sirmausalot]

Thanks for the swift reply. That's unfortunate.

actually it's not unfortunate. macs work the way they do ebcause the design philosophy is to create an all in one machine that is not upgradable. it is somewhat expandable with storage and peripherials. if you buy a mac, you purchase for your needs. if you prefer upgradability, i'd suggest a hackintosh or windows computer.

 

[kødskjold]

actually it's not unfortunate. macs work the way they do ebcause the design philosophy is to create an all in one machine that is not upgradable. it is somewhat expandable with storage and peripherials. if you buy a mac, you purchase for your needs. if you prefer upgradability, i'd suggest a hackintosh or windows computer.

Needs change. It could be argued that true brilliance is a machine's ability to adapt and change with its owner, to meet those needs. That may not be the Apple philosophy, but that doesn't make it any less unfortunate for people with varied or growing uses.

 

[jerwin]

Perhaps you'll have success with eGPUs.

 

[Sirmausalot]

Perhaps you'll have success with eGPUs.

These don't work well on the current iMacs and they are far far too expensive to be practical. It could be argued that true brilliance is a machine that can't be f**ed up by end users. Or it could be argued that innovation (like the lack of a user replaceable battery in phones and laptops) pushed design forward to sleeker, slimmer devices. It's not a big deal to revel in an upgradable Windows or Hackintosh. But wishing an iMac were something different is simply 'counter-factual' it is what it is and acceptance will set you free.

 

[azure247]

I would build a secondary computer, a PC, for gaming. Even if you buy the top tier iMac, it gets throttled by heat -at some point- especially when the weather gets hot.

 

[Jamez199]

actually it's not unfortunate. macs work the way they do ebcause the design philosophy is to create an all in one machine that is not upgradable. it is somewhat expandable with storage and peripherials. if you buy a mac, you purchase for your needs. if you prefer upgradability, i'd suggest a hackintosh or windows computer.

Don't agree. Up to 6 months ago it was possible to configure the 4K Imac with a better GPU off the shelf. Apparently Apple decided that consumers needed an incentive to buy the more expensive 27 Imac and just removed this option. To me that is a d*ck move, purely based on revenue, to you it may be a "design philosophy".

 

[jerwin]

Up to 6 months ago it was possible to configure the 4K Imac with a better GPU off the shelf.

But it was not possible to configure the 4k imac with a 4k screen. Besides, the 4k imac only had a 750m in its top tier configuration.

 

[Sirmausalot]

Don't agree. Up to 6 months ago it was possible to configure the 4K Imac with a better GPU off the shelf. Apparently Apple decided that consumers needed an incentive to buy the more expensive 27 Imac and just removed this option. To me that is a d*ck move, purely based on revenue, to you it may be a "design philosophy".

Right. I thought you meant an after market upgrade. It is too bad they removed the option for a dGPU in the 21 iMac. I'm sure it was simply a numbers thing. There probably wasn't much demand for it and imagine how much simpler it is for their assembly line and manufacturing process not to have a dGPU option that may well have lost them money because of the low demand. Apple (and intel) have been moving steadily towards iGPUs and they have never catered to gamers and they have been moving away from the professional market. Most of the 27" iMacs next year will likely have iGPUs. The Skylake chips that have them simply aren't available yet.

But we can spend a lot of time wishing what Apple would and youll find some kindred spirits'd for our needs. Just look at the lengthy threads hoping they will bring back the 24" iMac (or 17" MBP for that matter).