Mac Mini Upgrade help

[DelboyJay]

Hi People,

After 10 years of microsoft hell, Vista finally pushed me over the edge and I have just bought a mac mini on ebay However I have never used a Mac before so I'm a total noob.

I have bought an older 2006 version with the following specs:

Intel Core solo 1.5Ghz
512 Mb memory
60GB 5400-rpm Serial ATA

I want to upgrade it and I really need your help to ensure I don't buy the wrong stuff. I want to upgrade to the maximum the mobo will support so I'm assuming the following is just that so please correct me if it's not the best component or the info I have given completely wrong (most is sourced from Wikipedia).

1. 2X1Gb PC2-5300 NON-ECC 667MHz DDR2 SO-DIMM 200-Pin
1.1 I assume there are 2 DIMM sockets and both have to be populated?

2. 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo (T2300)

2.1 Can I go better than this like a Core Duo T2700? As this has a 667Mhz FSB and the same specs as the T2300 except its 2333 MHz instead

2.2 Will I have any problems with the built in fan if I change the CPU?

3. Samsung 500GB SATA 5400rpm 8MB Cache Laptop Hard Drive

3.1 Is 500Gb too big?

Any help you can give will contribute to popping that MAC cherry! ;-)

Thanks,

Delboy

 

[michael.lauden]

http://www.google.com/search?client...pgrading+core+solo+mac+mini&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8

you can drop in a max of a 2.33 C2D

but if you add it up

100-135 for HDD
100-250 for Processor (depending on what you get)
50 for RAM


you might just be better off upgrading to a newer system. you can find 1.66GHz mini's like mine for less than 300 on craigslist/eBay - and you can find the 2.26's around in the 400's

 

[applehappy]

use OtherWorldComputing also called www.macsales.com and you can't go wrong, they will tell you what will work and provide instructions.

 

[flopticalcube]

If you wanted to max it out: T7600 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo ($230 eBay), 2GB RAM ($30), 500GB 7200RPM drive ($200)

Total: $460.

If you wanted to max the value: T7200 2.0GHz C2D (off eBay $130), 2GB RAM ($30), any $50 5400 or 7200RPM drive.

Total $210.

Even a used 1.66CD for $60 would more than double your processing speed.

 

[michael.lauden]

If you wanted to max it out: T7600 2.33GHz Core 2 Duo ($230 eBay), 2GB RAM ($30), 500GB 7200RPM drive ($200)

Total: $460.

If you wanted to max the value: T7200 2.0GHz C2D (off eBay $130), 2GB RAM ($30), any $50 5400 or 7200RPM drive.

Total $210.

Even a used 1.66CD for $60 would more than double your processing speed.

yep - i love my 1.66CD, it can play HD movies and run anything i need it to. of course i wish it was a C2D - especially a 2.33 C2D. but i am completely fine with the 1.66, and honestly... it doesn't need to be upgraded IMO (or at least for my use)

 

[DelboyJay]

Thanks for the input guys, I have bought the HD and memory as a start and I am trying to get that installed now.

Cheers,

Delboy