Future GPU Swap Out?

[spcdust]

With the 27 Inch iMac could you theoretically swap out the ATI Radeon 4850 GPU for a newer ATI GPU (5xxx series) at a future date - I'm talking 2-3 years down the line. From what I understand the GPU's are no longer soldered onto the motherboard but socketed - if that's the case will the 5xxx series mobility chips share the same socket configuration.

 

[Tastannin]

The key word here is "theoretically". The iMacs have used industry standard MXM form factor for their video cards (a miniaturized version of PCI Express if I understand correctly) for some time now.

The problem will be the Mac ROM on the card. If you upgrade, how will you be able to get it to be recognized by the iMac? People have had success in flashing regular PCI Express video cards, but MXM is a whole different beast I think. MXM is in there for Apple's convenience not yours.

 

[spcdust]

The key word here is "theoretically". The iMacs have used industry standard MXM form factor for their video cards (a miniaturized version of PCI Express if I understand correctly) for some time now.

The problem will be the Mac ROM on the card. If you upgrade, how will you be able to get it to be recognized by the iMac? People have had success in flashing regular PCI Express video cards, but MXM is a whole different beast I think. MXM is in there for Apple's convenience not yours.

So that sounds like a negative then

It was a nice thought.

 

[gjw4u]

spcdust, if you wanter better GPU, wait until Apple releases the iMac that fits the bill.

 

[spcdust]

spcdust, if you wanter better GPU, wait until Apple releases the iMac that fits the bill.

I was talking a future GPU swap out - in two or three years time. One could keep waiting for "the perfect iMac" but there's always something bigger and better around the corner so I've bitten the bullet now.

 

[300D]

Tastannin has it. The GPU is on a separate card so Apple can offer multiple configurations without the need for different logic boards for each.

 

[Badger^2]

the iMac is designed to be replaced every 2 years

or so -- IF you want cutting edge stuff

so get the most iMac you can for your dollar, then start saving $50 a month for the next 2 years -- you will have $1200 + whatever you sell your used mac for = the latest and greatest imac

rinse and repeat...

they will put the 5XXX series card in the next rev and you will just start asking when the 6XXX card will be put in it, and so on and so on...

 

[Badger^2]

the iMac is designed to be replaced every 2 years

duplicate posts...