iMac 24" 2.8ghz C2D using Socket P or M?

[jeznav]

Hello,

I'm waiting for Macworld '08 to release new info about the use of mobile Penryn chips on the macs, and I'm still doubting that there will be any changes on the new iMac. But, I'm aiming for an iMac instead of the Mac Pro(even if it gets the new chips) because I have a limited budget.

Anyways, I want to be able to upgrade the CPU on the iMac, but after some research, the mainboard uses Socket M. And the Penryn mobiles uses Socket P. However, if I decide to buy the 24-inch 2.8 C2D Extreme, the mainboard will come with Socket P.

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Eidorian]

Socket P and you're probably not going to be able to drop Penryn into an older Santa Rosa motherboard.

Intel specifies that you need a new VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) for mobile Penryn chips.

 

[Techguy172]

I Thought the chips were nearly impossible to replace or even to remove.

 

[Eidorian]

I Thought the chips were nearly impossible to replace or even to remove.

It's a pain to open an Intel iMac but it can and has been done.

 

[jeznav]

Socket P and you're probably not going to be able to drop Penryn into an older Santa Rosa motherboard.

Intel specifies that you need a new VRM (Voltage Regulator Module) for mobile Penryn chips.

But can't the voltage be addressed in the EFI (bios)? I don't want to wait for the Montevina platform.

 

[Eidorian]

But can't the voltage be addressed in the EFI (bios)? I don't want to wait for the Montevina platform.

There's a Santa Rosa Refresh planned. The VRM is a hardware thing.

 

[Techguy172]

Your going to have to wait intel has changed things quite a bit this time.

 

[jeznav]

The Santa Rosa Refresh will be around 1Q 2008. I don't think the iMacs will have it till late of 2Q. I was looking forward using Penryn.

My recent computer is almost 8 years old, which I dedicated for post processing and compositing. I don't want to be stuck with something that has limited upgrade for several years. In the other hand, I could always sell when time arrives. Does Apple offer any trade-ins?

 

[Eidorian]

Apple doesn't offer trade-ins. At this point you might want to look at a Mac Pro.