best/fastest/bangforbuck processor upgrade to mac mini?

[whyrichard]

Hello,

thinking of getting an old core solo mac mini, maxing the ram and dropping in a core duo proc of higher speed.


which processor is needed/recommended?


thanks,
r.

 

[gormond]

I think the MacMini will take any of the Socket M (667 MT/s) Core2Duo Chips such as

T5500 - 1667 MHz
T5600 - 1833 MHz (Used in current bottom end MacMini)
T7200 - 2000 MHz (Used in current top end MacMini)
T7400 - 2166 MHz
T7600 - 2333 MHz

It won't take the Socket P (800 MT/s) chips that you see in the iMac as they are for the Santa Rosa platform.

 

[Jimmdean]

Unfortunately, since Intel moved from socket M (Mini) to socket P (Santa Rosa-spec), the retail prices of the mini-compatible processors never came down. Therefor, you'll find your plan isn't very cost-efficient and you may as well buy a new Mini instead.

However, if you can get a good deal on a socket M chip off ebay, then go for it!!!

 

[fishkorp]

refurb CoreDuos are cheaper than CoreSolos from apple, so unless you know someone that's going to give you a killer deal, it's not worth buying a solo and upgrading. i got a 1.67ghz CoreDuo Mini refurb for $429. add another ~$150 for a C2D CPU and you're up to the price of just buying a new one. So unless you can get a first gen Mini for around $300 or so, it's probably not worth the money for a CPU upgrade.

 

[flopticalcube]

As an added bonus the new ones will go to 3GB max RAM vs 2GB on the older models.

 

[Eidorian]

I second getting a refurbished Core 2 Duo mini Vs. upgrading an older one.

 

[~J~]

Keep checking the refurb site (on a DAILY basis). I just picked up a mini from there for $479 (original price was $799).

1.8GHz CD
512MB RAM
80GB HD

I checked for about 2 weeks... and it was worth it - now I have my encoding machine! Its definitely worth getting a newer refurb than upgrading an older one.

 

[whyrichard]

even if a core solo is runing for about $200?


-just want it for a media machine...


r.

 

[~J~]

even if a core solo is runing for about $200?


-just want it for a media machine...


r.

Well that all depends on what exactly you intend to use it for. If you want to encode videos, that is very processor intensive... i would NOT recommend a core solo for that (takes WAAAY too long). If you want to use it like an TV and a little more (basically a media player)... then heck yeah! Grab that thing up!

 

[Jimmdean]

I'm using a core solo for media-center duty, so I can recommend it for standard-definition fare. Like ~J~ said though, it is not suitable for the encoding portion by itself...

 

[disconap]

What kind of media? The solo mini in and of itself may be enough for what you're looking for...

 

[netdog]

Oh yeah, great refurb prices on the Mini here in the UK.

While new Minis are £399 for the current 1.83 C2D/1GB/80GB/Combo and £499 for the 2.0 C2D/1GB/120GB/Super, the refurb store has a 1.83 CD/1GB/80GB/Super for only £499. Can't figure out why nobody has bought it.