Mac mini 2008 CPU upgrade

[mac magnus]

hello i read online that the mac mini cpu before the 2009 model can be upgraded so i was wondering can i put an all new cpu in my mac mini from 2008 with intel iris pro 5200 and all that stuff, if yes do i have to upgrade other things too, i would appreciate it if you helped me

 

[chrfr]

hello i read online that the mac mini cpu before the 2009 model can be upgraded so i was wondering can i put an all new cpu in my mac mini from 2008 with intel iris pro 5200 and all that stuff

No, you can't change the graphics and there are only a few CPUs (they are all several years old now) which are compatible. What CPU is in your mini now?

 

[mac magnus]

No, you can't change the graphics and there are only a few CPUs (they are all several years old now) which are compatible. What CPU is in your mini now?

Intel core 2 duo T5600 1.83 GHz. Im a Big n00b with these things why is it imposible to upgrade the cpu to a new one

 

[chrfr]

Intel core 2 duo T5600 1.83 GHz. Im a Big n00b with these things why is it imposible to upgrade the cpu to a new one

The new processors use totally different memory, and aren't compatible at all. You can only go up to about a 2.2GHz with your mini so it's not even worth doing.

 

[mac magnus]

Is it possible for me to change that memory so i Will be able to use the processor

 

[cyber16]

You are limited by the Intel chipset that is on the logic-board.
The chipset only supports certain processors and ram.
This is the same with ANY Intel based computer be it Mac or PC
Your options are limited to the support of the chipset only
You can upgrade the CPU to the same vintage/generation and upgrade the ram to PC6400 800mhz from the pc5300 667 mhz.
Really not worth the cost or effort.

 

[mac magnus]

can i change the chipset then i don't see why intel would sell chipsets separately if your not able to upgrade the chipset

 

[chrfr]

can i change the chipset then i don't see why intel would sell chipsets separately if your not able to upgrade the chipset

You can't upgrade this computer. "Chipsets" are not sold separately. If you were building your own PC you could buy a new main board, processor, RAM, etc. and have a new computer. You can't do this with a Mini.

 

[js81]

Think of it this way: you can't (easily) put a Ford engine in a Chevy car, or a Honda transmission in a VW. They're simply not compatible. Now, you could (possibly) put a Ford V8 in a Ford truck that came with a Ford V6.

You can upgrade your Core 2 Duo with another Core 2 Duo of the same generation. You are stuck with DDR2 667MHz RAM. If I were you, here's what I'd do:
1) MAX the RAM. It'll take 4GB and show 4GB, but ~3.3GB is all you can actually use. Upgrade it to either 3 or 4GB of name brand DDR2 RAM.
2) Install an SSD. I wouldn't waste a ton on a super-speedy SSD; you're heavily limited by your mini's SATA I speed. Still worth it, though - I just priced a 240GB SSD for $90 for an upgrade project at church.
3) Leave the CPU alone. The upgrades are costly, complicated, and simply not worth the trouble - believe me, I've done it before (though that was an early Core Solo mini to a Core Duo - that WAS worth it, as it was faster AND added a CPU core. You can't make that big of an upgrade as you're already dual core and that's the most you can get, plus the highest speed available to you is ~2.2GHz and you're already at 1.8. Just not worth the trouble).

If you do these things, this mini will be a respectable performer. And IDK what OS you're running, but I'd probably stick with Snow Leopard for that machine. Personally, I have a 2009 mini and it's not much higher specced than yours - I have a 2.53GHz Core 2 Duo, 8GB of RAM, and a 120GB SSD. Very respectable machine with those upgrades.

You can upgrade the CPU to the same vintage/generation and upgrade the ram to PC6400 800mhz from the pc5300 667 mhz.

Can you? I didn't think the '08 supported 800MHz... but I could be wrong. It's not mentioned on everymac.com, either.