OK, I know you can buy the 128 or 256mb (video RAM) cards when you buy a 20" iMac, and my plan is to buy the higher end card. What I am wondering is, can you special order an iMac 20 with say the video card from an iMac 24? I am thinking that the answer is no, so my next question is, can the video card be updated later? I would love to have the high end video card of the 24", but my budget can't tolerate the cost of the 24" and I don't have the space for a 24" either. I don't play games very much anymore, but I have been known to upgrade my video cards on my PCs over the years.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Can you upgrade the iMac 20" video card?
- Thread starter KevKaos
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
since it is modeled after a mobile computer it will not allow u to upgrade the card.
u also can not upgrade it with the 24" nvidia cards.
sincerely speaking, the 24" with the 7600 GT and 2gb ram is roughly 500 bucks more total. so work another week or so and just get the 24 for the future. i am sure u could find a way to put a 24".
if u can't ur only option is to upgrade to 256 mb X1600
u also can not upgrade it with the 24" nvidia cards.
sincerely speaking, the 24" with the 7600 GT and 2gb ram is roughly 500 bucks more total. so work another week or so and just get the 24 for the future. i am sure u could find a way to put a 24".
if u can't ur only option is to upgrade to 256 mb X1600
I appreciate your advice, and I thank you for it, but I just don't see myself buying a 24". I would definetely have to buy a new computer desk if I bought a 24", and I already know my better half would be on the verge of having me committed. 
I originally started out thinking that I was going to buy a Mac Mini, but I have weasled my way up to an iMac 20", but pretty much fully loaded.
I originally started out thinking that I was going to buy a Mac Mini, but I have weasled my way up to an iMac 20", but pretty much fully loaded.Just get the spec that I have, it's fine for all the games I've tried it with (UT2004, Sims 2, Half Life 2)
tomimacg5 said:
Thanks Tomimacg5, that's really good to know. Sorta makes me feel more at ease. Your's is actually the same config I have been looking at myself. The games you mentioned are at the way upper end of any current game I might have or play.
Hey, while I got ya here, do you leave your Mac turned on or do you shut it down when you are finished with it say for the night? If you leave it on, do you turn off your keyboard and mouse? Can you even turn your keyboard and mouse off? Trying to get an idea of battery life or if I need to change my habits. Currently, I leave my PC on all the time so i can get my automatic updates, and because it takes so darn long to boot up. May not have the same needs with a Mac, so maybe I will be turning it off for the night.
wchong said:
Just make sure to get the 7600GT card.. That's the fast one! The standard 20" gpu is better than the standard 24" gpu
For your concern, it takes more gpu-juice to handle the 24" resolution.
I wouldn't concider the 24" due to much better performerance. it's all about the extra 4 inches. Don't count on any drastic performerance boosts..