Help me tear apart my iMac!

[harveypooka]

Nothing violent I'm afraid, just a few questions....

I bought STALKER last week and it crawls on my iMac 2GHZ Core Duo. I exceed the minimum specs, but don't meet the recommended. So! How about upgrading my iMac? I read about a year ago that it was possible to crack open your iMac and replace the processor as it's socketed on? Has anyone tried this? Also, is the graphics card (X1600 mobility) soldered onto the motherboard? I wouldn't expect to get the thing back into the case, but if I could pull it all apart, add some stuff and make a custom case maybe I could extend the life of it.

I don't seriously think I have the skill or patience to do this, but indulge me! I want to think my computer can play next gen games....

 

[Jasonbot]

For the processor you can get up to a 2.33 Ghz Core 2 Duo which will just slot in. You will need the laptop T7x00 model for this.
RAM, up to 3Gb.
Graphics is sadly a NO since yes, it's soldered on.

 

[harveypooka]

For the processor you can get up to a 2.33 Ghz Core 2 Duo which will just slot in. You will need the laptop T7x00 model for this.
RAM, up to 3Gb.
Graphics is sadly a NO since yes, it's soldered on.

What sort of performance increase is possible with the Core 2 Duo? It's more energy efficient but actual performance? Without the graphics, I think it's a new machine then...

 

[Eidorian]

You'll get faster video encoding but only 1-2 frames per second more in a game.

You're going to be getting a new machine.

 

[harveypooka]

You'll get faster video encoding but only 1-2 frames per second more in a game.

You're going to be getting a new machine.

Fack. I'd love to lay down £2000 for a new machine, but I really can't afford it and it's pointless to buy it just for games...or is it?!

 

[Eidorian]

In all honesty, wait a year to buy a new Mac. If you can sell your current one for a reasonable price then wait for the next revision at least.

 

[harveypooka]

In all honesty, wait a year to buy a new Mac. If you can sell your current one for a reasonable price then wait for the next revision at least.

I usually try and wait for a new product to be announced so I get the best deal. And there is a small chance Apple will introduce a mid-range Mac Pro, or a small(er) form factor Mac.

 

[XIII]

Can you really put 3GB of RAM in the Core Duo's? I thought it was only the Core 2 Duo's?

 

[harveypooka]

Can you really put 3GB of RAM in the Core Duo's? I thought it was only the Core 2 Duo's?

Article on Ars:

"512MB PC2-5300 DDR2 (2 slots, 2GB max)"

That's for the 17", but I'd imagine it's the same for my 20".

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/imac-coreduo.ars

 

[XIII]

Article on Ars:

"512MB PC2-5300 DDR2 (2 slots, 2GB max)"

That's for the 17", but I'd imagine it's the same for my 20".

http://arstechnica.com/reviews/hardware/imac-coreduo.ars

Yeah. That's what I thought - just checking. Cheers.

 

[mrgreen4242]

I usually try and wait for a new product to be announced so I get the best deal. And there is a small chance Apple will introduce a mid-range Mac Pro, or a small(er) form factor Mac.

One can hope... looking at the buyers guide makes me cry. 200 days since the last iMac/mini updates! 150+ for the laptops? I thought the Intel switch was going to mean we'd get faster, more value added updates!

 

[harveypooka]

One can hope... looking at the buyers guide makes me cry. 200 days since the last iMac/mini updates! 150+ for the laptops? I thought the Intel switch was going to mean we'd get faster, more value added updates!

I didn't realise it'd been that long! Are you guys wanting a new form factor iMac (think, sleek, sexy and totally un-upgradeable!) or perhaps something more expandable?

 

[MacBass]

Probably something completely unupgradeable. I just opened up an iMac G5 today at work, the first model where Apple actually touted you could service and replace parts yourself. Then with the iSight models, taking the machine apart was a headache! I'm guessing that there won't be a mid-range Mac Pro, the iMac will be unupgradeable, and the mini might get a C2D.

 

[iW00t]

You should have bought a PeeCee.

What you need to play Stalker is a Mac Pro.

Most Mac users do not play games, your needs are definitely over and beyond that of an average user.

 

[ascender]

No point upgrading. I've got a C2D iMac with the upgraded Nvidia card and while it can play a lot of games in very high detail, Stalker is just too much for it. Having said that, Stalker is pushing a lot of the very latest gaming PCs, so its no surprise really that the iMac struggles with it.

If you're after a gaming Mac, it has to be a Mac Pro so that you can spec a high-end graphics card and change it regularly. Personally, I've given up with that sort of thing and do most of my gaming on the consoles now.

 

[ReanimationLP]

The problem with the iMacs is they're still shipping with the X1600.

I bought an X1600 to upgrade from my 9800XT (before I bought my 1950)

Lets just say this. The X1600 ended up being tossed back in the box and returned within a few hours. The 9800XT just performed much better.

And if this doesnt make sense to some of you :

Radeon 9800XT came out in late 2003.
Radeon X1600 came out in late/early 2005/06.

And here I thought technology was supposed to get better after a few years.

 

[GazzaMataz]

I know this is a Mac forum but this website might help when comparing GPUs either Mac or PC, I use it all the time.

GPU Review

The X1600 was never very well received on the PC and it is a bit lame on the Mac for games... The 7600GT is MUCH better.

It is a shame that you cannot put a 7600GT into an iMac even if it was expensive, I suppose you could persuade an engineer at a resellers to do it if you are very lucky.

 

[galstaph]

I know this is a Mac forum but this website might help when comparing GPUs either Mac or PC, I use it all the time.

GPU Review

The X1600 was never very well received on the PC and it is a bit lame on the Mac for games... The 7600GT is MUCH better.

It is a shame that you cannot put a 7600GT into an iMac even if it was expensive, I suppose you could persuade an engineer at a resellers to do it if you are very lucky.

nice site.... the x1600 is only WHAT 2x better then the 9550 in my iBook

I agree though that for SERIOUS mac gamers get a mac pro, OR take the extra $$ difference and buy yourself a nice new PS3 or xbox360
console gaming is better anyway IMO