Do 2009 (NVIDIA GeForce 9400M equipped) Mac mini models have a socketed CPU?

[Yebubbleman]

I know that the Mid 2010 Mac mini (i.e. the Mac mini with the drastically new enclosure) doesn't have a CPU socket and instead has the CPU integrated into the logic board. I know that the 2006-2007 models (i.e. Core Solo through Core 2 Duo with an Intel GMA 950 IGP for graphics) have a CPU socket. But do the models in-between that have the NVIDIA GeForce 9400M (Early and Late 2009) have a socketed CPU? I've got a fun science project up my sleeves and am curious as to the nature of the CPU in the 2009 models.

 

[philipma1957]

2009 are glued/expoxied/or soldered to the mb.

there is no known removal and upgrade of a cpu posted on the net.



BTW

if anyone has done it please post clear photos of the upgrade and a link to the better cpu that you used. tia phil

 

[Hellhammer]

if anyone has done it please post clear photos of the upgrade and a link to the better cpu that you used. tia phil

This might be your lucky day, see this thread. It does require some special equipment but it should be possible.

 

[philipma1957]

The thread shows it is possible to remove the 2009 mac mini cpu maybe.


Still if you have a 2.66ghz 2009 mac mini what would you put in?

 

[ActionableMango]

I have thought about this before and rejected it. Even though I have a socketed CPU in my mini, it's not worth the money to upgrade. The main problem is the fastest C2D available for THAT SOCKET are still very expensive.

It is more cost effective to sell the Mini on Ebay, and use the proceeds plus your upgrade budget to get a newer mini.

I did the math and it actually cost less money to get a newer model refurb with faster/better EVERYTHING, than it would cost to upgrade JUST THE CPU on my Mini.

The key factors were the high expense of the fast C2D mobile CPUs, and the high resale value of the Mini on Ebay.

 

[philipma1957]

it used to work for a while with the 2008 1.83ghz (put in a 2.33 t7600)

but now it does not pay as a 2.66 2009 or 2010 is better.

 

[Hellhammer]

Still if you have a 2.66ghz 2009 mac mini what would you put in?

T9900 (3.06GHz) is the best CPU for socket P. It's 35W which is 10W more than P8800 but it should work. P9700 (2.8GHz) has TDP of 28W so heat wise it might be a better choice. I doubt it's worth it but could be a nice experiment.

 

[philipma1957]

T9900 (3.06GHz) is the best CPU for socket P. It's 35W which is 10W more than P8800 but it should work. P9700 (2.8GHz) has TDP of 28W so heat wise it might be a better choice. I doubt it's worth it but could be a nice experiment.

well my dual esata hack has the dvd and the hdd pulled out of the mini so the extra 10 watts should not be a problem as the power for the hdd and the dvd is not being used. I would have to look and see what i could get a t9900 p socket for on the bay.

 

[Hellhammer]

well my dual esata hack has the dvd and the hdd pulled out of the mini so the extra 10 watts should not be a problem as the power for the hdd and the dvd is not being used. I would have to look and see what i could get a t9900 p socket for on the bay.

It can be a problem as the CPU cooling system is not designed to dissipate the extra 10W. In worst case, the fan will run at higher rpm when doing something heavy to cool down the CPU