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You can now replace ur own GPU!! + links 2 buy

M

Mobius 1

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Feb 11, 2011
456
0
USEA
So with apple sucking money on ppl who wants a 6970m 2GB with a $2000 machine

it's not fair for ppl who wants a 21" cheaper with a 6970m

you can now replace ur 21" imac GPU with a 2GB 6970m


http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/Store_30.html


So boot to windaz and save ur GPU bios after u replace it. and then boot to OS X and flash ur GPU using dat ROM u saved from windaz. using "Zeus" tool
 
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Too bad if you stuck that in a 21.5 inch iMac it'd probably melt.
 
flopticalcube said:
Not sure if it would fit as the 6970 looks to be about an inch or so taller than the 6770. $430 ouch!
Click to expand...

you know u can just sand some parts off the imac
and that money isn't too bad compared to $2000

Glen Quagmire said:
Can anyone translate the "text speak" in the initial post to English? Me no understand.
Click to expand...

Mobius 1 said:
So with apple scamming on people who wants a 6970m 2GB, you have to get a $2000 machine

it's not fair for people who wants a 21" cheaper with a 6970m

you can now replace your 21" imac GPU with a 2GB 6970m


http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/Store_30.html


So boot to windows and save your GPU bios after you replace it. and then boot to OS X and flash your GPU using that ROM you saved from windows. using "Zeus" tool
Click to expand...
 
Mobius 1 said:
you know u can just sand some parts off the imac
and that money isn't too bad compared to $2000
Click to expand...

What kind of logic is that? The 6970m in the iMac isn't 2000 dollars, it's part of what makes up a 2000 dollar computer. If you try to say, put a 6970m in the basic iMac, you're looking at 1200 plus an additional 430 dollars, so at the end of the day you save 400 dollars compared to the top end 27 inch iMac, but you're also sacrificing on the 27 inch high resolution screen, and the 3.1ghz quad core. Your'e really coming out even, if not behind I say-- not even to mention you run the risk of damaging the computer or having the mxm card not even work in it.

Bottom line is that it's not worth it to upgrade those proprietary mxm cards because of their price point. If you really wanted a gaming machine with upgradeable cards, it's not like apple community would shun you if you got your own windows tower.
 
Or use the money to buy a xbox/ps3 and a pile of games and play with friends/family instead of sitting in your pit playing with graphics settings in terrible games like crysis 2 all night.
 
Mobius 1 said:
So with apple sucking money on ppl who wants a 6970m 2GB with a $2000 machine

it's not fair for ppl who wants a 21" cheaper with a 6970m

you can now replace ur 21" imac GPU with a 2GB 6970m


http://www.mxm-upgrade.com/Store_30.html


So boot to windaz and save ur GPU bios after u replace it. and then boot to OS X and flash ur GPU using dat ROM u saved from windaz. using "Zeus" tool
Click to expand...

You only think how to upgrade a GPU on iMac, but gives a laughable example. Fine, technically it's doable to replace GPU based on your theory. But can it run safely in long term usage? Would it melt inside? Would it overheated?

Your favorite Alienware has crazy fans and enough room to breathe, bigger heatsink and fan ... and the smallest laptop from them even thicker than 27" iMac, so plugging in quite good GPU on it won't bring problem.

A 21.5" iMac is already cramped as it is, no room for another hotter component, and you should know how hot 6970M is !! It has 3 pipeline connected to external heatsink, when other GPU has 2. And 27" has bigger GPU heatsink compared to 21.5"

You should dump your example, a better and logical example is you could replace 6970M in hi-end iMac with new 6990M. But even that, I don't think the difference between 2 is just that high, not worth enough to give it a shot and make the iMac out of warranty. And it could cost around $500!!

And also:

Basic 21.5" iMac : $1200
Radeon 6970M: $430
Tools and labour: $200, maybe more since it's not easy to deconstruct your Mac
Loss of warranty: Priceless

Being $200 cheaper, but a lot of hassle, I'd pick hi-end iMac with BIGGER SCREEN anyday, thank you. The cost you mentioned just can't justify it anymore. Not to mention I can't sell my genuine GPU on market easily to get a cash back on my effort.
 
Last edited:
smali said:
Or use the money to buy a xbox/ps3 and a pile of games and play with friends/family instead of sitting in your pit playing with graphics settings in terrible games like crysis 2 all night.
Click to expand...

xbox or ps3 cannot have cheats (well a jailbreaked ps3 can, but not fully)



iSayuSay said:
You only think how to upgrade a GPU on iMac, but gives a laughable example. Fine, technically it's doable to replace GPU based on your theory. But can it run safely in long term usage? Would it melt inside? Would it overheated?

Your favorite Alienware has crazy fans and enough room to breathe, bigger heatsink and fan ... and the smallest laptop from them even thicker than 27" iMac, so plugging in quite good GPU on it won't bring problem.

A 21.5" iMac is already cramped as it is, no room for another hotter component, and you should know how hot 6970M is !! It has 3 pipeline connected to external heatsink, when other GPU has 2. And 27" has bigger GPU heatsink compared to 21.5"

You should dump your example, a better and logical example is you could replace 6970M in hi-end iMac with new 6990M. But even that, I don't think the difference between 2 is just that high, not worth enough to give it a shot and make the iMac out of warranty. And it could cost around $500!!

And also:

Basic 21.5" iMac : $1200
Radeon 6970M: $430
Tools and labour: $200, maybe more since it's not easy to deconstruct your Mac
Loss of warranty: Priceless

Being $200 cheaper, but a lot of hassle, I'd pick hi-end iMac with BIGGER SCREEN anyday, thank you. The cost you mentioned just can't justify it anymore. Not to mention I can't sell my genuine GPU on market easily to get a cash back on my effort.
Click to expand...

well, you can now just buy a 27" low end and not modify anything


32gb3gwifi said:
what's "windaz"?
Click to expand...

windows 7
 
Mobius 1 said:
well, you can now just buy a 27" low end and not modify anything
Click to expand...

Yes, and what's the point then? Radeon 6970M won't fit on any other iMac, plain and simple. Not without increase PSU power, heatsink size, and mess around with firmware, BIOS or whatever. In total the cost would be higher than just buying hi-end 27" iMac and enjoy it.
 
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