Can user upgrade to VEGA 48 in 2019-2020 iMac 27?

[ObliviousFool]

Searched around a bunch and couldn't find the answer. Sorry if I missed it.

I don't really need it but out of curiosity Ive been keeping an eye out for someone selling the VEGA 48 that apple used in the 2019 27 inch for the last couple months and have not been able to find one.

Is that because they are still a bit too recent or because they can not be removed? Might there be another outlet for acquiring one if the upgrade is actually possible? Again just curious and wouldn't be interested in spending that much considering 2022 iMac Pro refresh right around the corner and from how the M1 Pro and Max chips are performing in the MacBook Pros, should be a next level update.

Thanks.

 

[TwoH]

Hey, GPU can’t be swapped in iMacs - they’re soldered to the logic board. Last iMac to have a replaceable GPU would be the 2011 model.

 

[CWallace]

The Radeon Pro and Vega GPU have different pin configurations so they use unique system boards and it would be necessary to replace the existing Radeon system board with a Vega system board.

 

[chrisdazzo]

Couldn't you just use an eGPU?

 

[briloronmacrumo]

I don't really need it

...wouldn't be interested in spending that much considering 2022 iMac Pro refresh right around the corner

Other posters have supplied answers to your questions but given your comments quoted above ( no immediate need and the larger iMac coming relatively soon ), waiting seems to offer less pain( technical skills and willingness to do the hardware update weren't mentioned in the post ) and most likely a better outcome.