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Mini core solo CPU upgrade - which CPU?

Giuanniello

Giuanniello

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Oct 21, 2012
780
214
Capri - Italy
Starting another thread so I can ask simple questions, my MacMini is a Core solo 1.83GHZ one, would like to start by upgrading the CPU, read that I can max it out with an Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33 GHz Dual-Core CPU, is that correct?

I dunno how many pins is the CPU and/or which other details to check before I buy one, can you please give me the details and, if possible, also sources where to buy online?

Grazie
 
Giuanniello said:
Starting another thread so I can ask simple questions, my MacMini is a Core solo 1.83GHZ one, would like to start by upgrading the CPU, read that I can max it out with an Intel Core 2 Duo T7600 2.33 GHz Dual-Core CPU, is that correct?

I dunno how many pins is the CPU and/or which other details to check before I buy one, can you please give me the details and, if possible, also sources where to buy online?

Grazie
Click to expand...

You can't upgrade the CPU. Besides it's not worth it.
 
CPU-Upgrade on MacMini 2006-2008

Yes, you can!

The 2006 to 2008 MacMinis had a socketed CPU and you can upgrade to C2D CPU. The 2.33 GHz 7600 sells for around $40 on a well know auction site and YES it is very well worth the upgrade. Add ,ore memory too, if you like and you get well running MacMini. Some newer software require a 64bit CPU and it will run with the C2D. I just upgraded two of them and have a third one in the making. Just search for: CPU upgrade Mac mini lots of good information out there
 
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U-Boot said:
Yes, you can!

The 2006 to 2008 MacMinis had a socketed CPU and you can upgrade to C2D CPU. The 2.33 GHz 7600 sells for around $40 on a well know auction site and YES it is very well worth the upgrade. Add ,ore memory too, if you like and you get well running MacMini. Some newer software require a 64bit CPU and it will run with the C2D. I just upgraded two of them and have a third one in the making. Just search for: CPU upgrade Mac mini lots of good information out there
Click to expand...

Thank you, I will look for the CPU as by your info and perform that as a first upgrade, then maybe RAM and HardDrive so that I can run a 64bit software I would like to install and a later version of OS X as to allow synching infos between my Macs.

Thank you
 
Giuanniello said:
Thank you, I will look for the CPU as by your info and perform that as a first upgrade, then maybe RAM and HardDrive so that I can run a 64bit software I would like to install and a later version of OS X as to allow synching infos between my Macs.

Thank you
Click to expand...

Just be aware anything past Lion no longer has GPU support, thus there will be no GPU acceleration.
 
Giuanniello said:
Thank you, I will look for the CPU as by your info and perform that as a first upgrade, then maybe RAM and HardDrive so that I can run a 64bit software I would like to install and a later version of OS X as to allow synching infos between my Macs.

Thank you
Click to expand...

First, your EFI has to support EFI64. Which it doesn't. So it can't run an OS that only has a 64-bit kernel. So the max it would go is only 10.6.8.

Some MMs like the mid-07 ones have a 64-bit processor but only with EFI32. So OSes with only a 64-bit kernel like Mountain Lion wouldn't work either.
 
yjchua95 said:
First, your EFI has to support EFI64. Which it doesn't. So it can't run an OS that only has a 64-bit kernel. So the max it would go is only 10.6.8.

Some MMs like the mid-07 ones have a 64-bit processor but only with EFI32. So OSes with only a 64-bit kernel like Mountain Lion wouldn't work either.
Click to expand...

Lion 10.7.5 was the last version to support a 32-bit EFI, Snow Leopard 10.6.8 was the last version to support a 32-bit CPU.

However, it is possible to install versions newer than Lion on a 32-bit EFI with a bootloader. This is where GPU support becomes an issue.
 
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yjchua95 said:
First, your EFI has to support EFI64. Which it doesn't. So it can't run an OS that only has a 64-bit kernel. So the max it would go is only 10.6.8.

Some MMs like the mid-07 ones have a 64-bit processor but only with EFI32. So OSes with only a 64-bit kernel like Mountain Lion wouldn't work either.
Click to expand...

Yeah I think you just need to exit this thread as your comments continue to be inaccurate....

Boot loaders my friend.... boot loaders.
 
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paulrbeers said:
Yeah I think you just need to exit this thread as your comments continue to be inaccurate....

Boot loaders my friend.... boot loaders.
Click to expand...

Give me a break, will you? I didn't get my current MR user title by giving wrong info all the time. We all make mistakes.

I stand corrected.

But even if he gets Lion it, he has no GPU support. Modding the boot loaders isn't an elegant option.
 
yjchua95 said:
But even if he gets Lion it, he has no GPU support. Modding the boot loaders isn't an elegant option.
Click to expand...

Lion works fine on the early Mac Mini if you disable the board check that prevents it from installing or booting. The Mid 2007 Mini is exactly the same hardware as the first generation Mini is (once the CPU is replaced) and Lion is officially supported on them. The Mac Mini 1,1 (early 2006) can even be flashed with the Mac Mini 2,1 (mid 2007) firmware, though this does not allow Lion to boot natively. It does, however, allow the use of 3GB of RAM, up from 2GB in the early 2006 Mini.
 
yjchua95 said:
Give me a break, will you? I didn't get my current MR user title by giving wrong info all the time. We all make mistakes.

I stand corrected.

But even if he gets Lion it, he has no GPU support. Modding the boot loaders isn't an elegant option.
Click to expand...

If you don't know, then you shouldn't offer advice....
 
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Giuanniello said:
So, by upgrading the CPU and EFI firmware would I be able to run, say, Adobe LightRoom which requires a 64 bit OS?

Grazie
Click to expand...

Requirements:


System requirements

• Processor: Multicore Intel® processor with 64-bit support
• OS: Mac OS X 10.7, 10.8, 10.9 or 10.10
• RAM: 2GB of RAM (4GB recommended)
• Hard Disk: 2GB of available hard-disk space
• Display: 1024x768 display resolution
• Internet connection required for Internet-based services**

So yes, you can run Lion 10.7 (with a very minor hack), will be running a 64bit processor (Core2duo) and if you do the EFI update you can even get to 3GB of RAM. With that said, it might not be the greatest experience with light room. It can be done, just might be a little slow.... I'm merely trying not to get your hopes up too high.
 
Giuanniello said:
So, by upgrading the CPU and EFI firmware would I be able to run, say, Adobe LightRoom which requires a 64 bit OS?

Grazie
Click to expand...

You can, but performance will be poor. The RAM constraint will most likely be a problem.
 
You do not need to flash the MacMini2,1 firmware to be able to use a 64-bit OS or newer CPU.
 
U-Boot said:
Yes, you can!



chrfr said:
You can, but performance will be poor. The RAM constraint will most likely be a problem.
Click to expand...

I have two Macs in use at this time, a MacBookPro 15 i7 with 16GB RAM as my main machine, then a tiny MacBookAir 11 i5 with 4GB which has been the LightRoom machine for a while during the time the 15" has been out for repair, the Mini would not be the machine deputed to handle the LightRoom catalogue but might get some use in that dept just in case of need, I would use it mainly to store a copy of the photo archive, documents and so on, the plan is to then get an SSD for the 15" MBPro and put the actual 500GB disk into the Mini, at that point I would also upgrade the RAM once I open the case again.

Thank you for your hints
Click to expand...
 
I have a 2006 Mini with C2D running Yosemite. Using the 64 bit kext from Snow Leopard makes the GPU semi-useable.

With an SSD the thing is useable but no speed demon.
 
There are no 64-bit Mac OS X kexts for the Intell GMA 950, only for the GMA X3100 even then they are unstable.
 
Hello,

I am going to resurrect this thread cos I decided to upgrade my Mini, I want to upgrade the CPU, the disk drive (I will soon change my MBPro 500GB HD with an SSD and move that drive to the Mini), the firmware and the OS to the latest version (no RAM upgrade, it's already 2GB, if I have some spare modules compatible I would bring it up to 3 otherwise not worth the pain, it will serve as an iTunes depository for movies and content to be streamed onto an Apple TV).

As far as I understand I need the CPU (the i7600), the heatsink, new screws, and thermal paste, is that correct?

Any reliable source or do I just eBay it all (I'm in Italy)?

Waiting to read from you and then go ahead with ordering and dismantling!!!

Grazie
 
Giuanniello said:
Hello,

I am going to resurrect this thread cos I decided to upgrade my Mini, I want to upgrade the CPU, the disk drive (I will soon change my MBPro 500GB HD with an SSD and move that drive to the Mini), the firmware and the OS to the latest version (no RAM upgrade, it's already 2GB, if I have some spare modules compatible I would bring it up to 3 otherwise not worth the pain, it will serve as an iTunes depository for movies and content to be streamed onto an Apple TV).

As far as I understand I need the CPU (the i7600), the heatsink, new screws, and thermal paste, is that correct?

Any reliable source or do I just eBay it all (I'm in Italy)?

Waiting to read from you and then go ahead with ordering and dismantling!!!

Grazie
Click to expand...


When I upgraded my 1,1's to Core2Duo's I only needed the new CPU and thermal paste. I was able to use the included heatsink and I was very careful with the plastic "clips" that hold the heatsink/fan to the CPU so that I didn't break them. If you do break one or more then you will need some nuts and bolts in its place.

I'm going to guess that Ebay will be your friend here. The T7600 (or T7400, T7200, T5600) hasn't been made in years so the chances you could walk into a store (even one that sells used computers/parts) is pretty minimal. Besides you are trying to upgrade a 9 year old machine. I'd try to do it as cheaply as possible since you never know when it just might give up!
 
The heatsink is compatible between the models. The little plastic stands that hold down the heatsink are reusable as well, but they are often broken off or damaged once the heatsink is removed.
 
Back on the thread, I had to already open the Mini cos the AirPort connector was detached so once figured it out how easy it is and since my son's old MBPro Core2 duo broke I have to get him a computer with a 64Bit capable cpu to run some software he needs, am gonna go for the T7600 CPU but I can't find the eBay link to the screws should they break, the ones to secure the heat sink. Already got thermal paste.

Another issue with regards to a post above, I did try to install 10.7 on the Mini but it refused to cos it needs a Core 2 duo cpu to install, just for the sake of personal experience.

If anybody could suggest links to read to perform the upgrade I'd be grateful.

Thank you
 
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