Am thinking of buying a new mac (not sure what model yet) to replace my old G4 Quicksilver and wanted to know if anyone has tried to change out the current video card for another...i know the hott one now is the GeForce 8800GTX and not being to savy with what fits and what doesnt, i was wondering if anyone has tried this. What works, difficulty, ect. The rest of the specs with the new models look fine and can buy upgrades if i need them, but have heard complaints about the graphics cards. Any help would be great.
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Changing out Mac video card
- Thread starter cave12man
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I read these forums every day, never really had much to reply to until this thread.
I have a 24" White iMac, originally came w/ a 7300GT, and is now upgraded to a 7600GT (the Apple part). I did attempt to try other MXM (yes, the White 24" iMac IS an MXM type II) cards, however, none will load w/ OSX. This is widely known to even those with Mac Pros, that you can use non-Mac video cards to load into Bootcamp, but not OSX, this is due to PC video cards not being compatible w/ EFI.
Unless somebody amazingly skilled can come up with a modified BIOS to flash onto PC cards, there's really no hope of putting new or non-apple supported video cards in these system.
It's a true shame too, cause I'd love nothing more than to throw a new video card in here. Not even sure why, but Apple is damn insistent on putting in subpar inadequate video cards in their cutting edge machines. I've been sitting here on a hope, that Apple were to release an upgrade option to the new iMacs allowing an 8800GTX (or comparable ATI part) since based on known specs it would technically meet the thermal and power requirements of the iMacs.
But, even if such an upgrade were to happen, it will undoubtably happen when the 8800GTX (or comparable ATI Part) is old news. Until then, I'm stuck having 2 computers, simply because Apple won't get caught up in the graphics department.
I have a 24" White iMac, originally came w/ a 7300GT, and is now upgraded to a 7600GT (the Apple part). I did attempt to try other MXM (yes, the White 24" iMac IS an MXM type II) cards, however, none will load w/ OSX. This is widely known to even those with Mac Pros, that you can use non-Mac video cards to load into Bootcamp, but not OSX, this is due to PC video cards not being compatible w/ EFI.
Unless somebody amazingly skilled can come up with a modified BIOS to flash onto PC cards, there's really no hope of putting new or non-apple supported video cards in these system.
It's a true shame too, cause I'd love nothing more than to throw a new video card in here. Not even sure why, but Apple is damn insistent on putting in subpar inadequate video cards in their cutting edge machines. I've been sitting here on a hope, that Apple were to release an upgrade option to the new iMacs allowing an 8800GTX (or comparable ATI part) since based on known specs it would technically meet the thermal and power requirements of the iMacs.
But, even if such an upgrade were to happen, it will undoubtably happen when the 8800GTX (or comparable ATI Part) is old news. Until then, I'm stuck having 2 computers, simply because Apple won't get caught up in the graphics department.
The modified BIOS will help turn the iMac into another PC, but kill OS X without a Mac driver.
So without a hackintosh driver in addition to the MXM hack -- it'll be difficult. While rendering the warranty void.
Basically leaving the Mac Pro for those that want to play with the video cards, and it isn't like it is too much easier over on that side.
So without a hackintosh driver in addition to the MXM hack -- it'll be difficult. While rendering the warranty void.
Basically leaving the Mac Pro for those that want to play with the video cards, and it isn't like it is too much easier over on that side.
Right, drivers are also an issue.
At least one thing is for sure, Mac Pro users have it a little easier if they wish the option of swapping video cards!
Considering massive iMac Surgery is required to even access and remove the video card, that option, while fun when I tried it, is certainly a one time endeavor.
At least one thing is for sure, Mac Pro users have it a little easier if they wish the option of swapping video cards!
Considering massive iMac Surgery is required to even access and remove the video card, that option, while fun when I tried it, is certainly a one time endeavor.