Possible to change graphics card in late 2012 iMac?

[Mac32]

Hi,

Is it possible to change the graphics card in the latest iMac design version (late 2012 and newer)? Say changing the 780M or 680MX with the new Maxwell graphics card next year, do anyone know if this is something Apple support would do? (Heatsink design and connection to mainboard?) Would be nice to know if this is a possibility or not.

Thanks!

 

[Arfdog]

Hi,

Is it possible to change the graphics card in the latest iMac design version (late 2012 and newer)? Say changing the 780M or 680MX with the new Maxwell graphics card next year, do anyone know if this is something Apple support would do? (Heatsink design and connection to mainboard?) Would be nice to know if this is a possibility or not.

Thanks!

No it's not.

 

[rkaufmann87]

Hi,

Is it possible to change the graphics card in the latest iMac design version (late 2012 and newer)? Say changing the 780M or 680MX with the new Maxwell graphics card next year, do anyone know if this is something Apple support would do? (Heatsink design and connection to mainboard?) Would be nice to know if this is a possibility or not.

Thanks!

Nope.

 

[Mac32]

Thanks, any specific reason why this isn't possible? Is the GPU soldered onto the mainboard? I'm talking about the next GPU card to be used in the mid/late 2014 iMac, that will most likely have the same design as my own late 2012 iMac. Another way would be to ask if it's possible to exchange my 680MX with a 780M in my iMac (not that I would want to..).

 

[Arfdog]

Thanks, any specific reason why this isn't possible? Is the GPU soldered onto the mainboard? I'm talking about the next GPU card to be used in the mid/late 2014 iMac, that will most likely have the same design as my own late 2012 iMac. Another way would be to ask if it's possible to exchange my 680MX with a 780M in my iMac (not that I would want to..).

Yes it's soldered. No it's not exchangeable.

 

[g4manimac]

So many different problems that you could encounter!

1.First you would have to have it de-soldered by an extremely skilled tech and the price would be high!

2.Soldering the part on would take an extremely skilled tech and the price would be high!

3.All of the above is only if it even fits

4.Say you get it soldered and it all fits then you realize that theres a complete incompatibility with the system

All around not worth it

 

[BillyTrimble]

So many different problems that you could encounter!

1.First you would have to have it de-soldered by an extremely skilled tech and the price would be high!

2.Soldering the part on would take an extremely skilled tech and the price would be high!

3.All of the above is only if it even fits

4.Say you get it soldered and it all fits then you realize that theres a complete incompatibility with the system

All around not worth it

In other words, NO.

 

[Mac32]

OK, I didn't know the GPU was soldered on the mainboard. That changes everything. Thanks for the replies!

 

[quagmire]

OK, I didn't know the GPU was soldered on the mainboard. That changes everything. Thanks for the replies!

The GPU isn't soldered on the 27" iMac. The Late 2013 21.5" does have the chips soldered though.

While it may be feasible to remove the GPU, who knows if the Maxwell GPU will be compatible with the iMac's socket. Also, it is probably not worth tearing apart the iMac either considering how hard it is,etc.

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Yes it's soldered. No it's not exchangeable.

The GPU isn't soldered. Only the Late 2013 21.5" iMac has the chips soldered. The 27" iMac's chips are not soldered.

 

[Mac32]

Yes, I know it's impractical and all that (probably wouldn't try to do it anyway), just curious to know... Thanks for the clarifaction.

 

[quagmire]

Yes, I know it's impractical and all that (probably wouldn't try to do it anyway), just curious to know... Thanks for the clarifaction.

Actually I may have to correct myself. Looking at the iFixit tear downs again, only the CPU is not soldered and GPU looks to be on the 27" iMac.

The Late 2009-Mid-2011 iMac's GPU's though were not soldered.

 

[Mac32]

Actually I may have to correct myself. Looking at the iFixit tear downs again, only the CPU is not soldered and GPU looks to be on the 27" iMac.

The Late 2009-Mid-2011 iMac's GPU's though were not soldered.

Yeah, I'm starting to contemplate buying a seperate gaming rig with a 4770K CPU and 780ti. When I have the money, why not? As practical and aestically pleasing as a simple AIO iMac system is, gaming in 1440p@60fps needs some pretty hefty GPU hardware.