Upgrading HD4670 to HD5670 In 3.06 i3:

[Liquidus]

Well the title says it all so humor me.

I can get a brand new entry level iMac with the 3.06 i3 for about $950 in store. The hard drive size is a non-issue and neither is the slightly slower processor. What concerns me is the HD4670. I know that the iMacs have a special daughterboard for the GPU and I was wondering if somehow I managed to get my hands on a HD5670 daughterboard then would I be able to stick it in and it would work?

Personally I don't see why not as I'm assuming the 21.5 3.06, 21.5 3.2 and the 27 3.2 essentially have the same components sans the HDD/processor speeds.

 

[Rodus]

In a word, no. You'd need to find an MXM version of the GPU which are very rare and expensive, and that's assuming the card is slot based and not soldered (I'm not sure which in this model). Far cheaper and easier to buy the upgraded model.

 

[bolen]

In a word, no. You'd need to find an MXM version of the GPU which are very rare and expensive, and that's assuming the card is slot based and not soldered (I'm not sure which in this model). Far cheaper and easier to buy the upgraded model.

I agree.

 

[Liquidus]

So even if I managed to get my hands on a GPU from the 3.2 i3 it would be worth it?

I mean the $300 differance for .14 extra processing power, 500GB extra HD space and the GPU seems a bit much for tech that's worth about $150.

Damn you Apple.

*Goes and buys the 3.2 i3 iMac*

 

[TMRaven]

If you manage to find it and confirm the new graphics upgrade includes universal drivers for mobility 57** series, then it's very possible.


The card is an mxm mobility 5730.

 

[jailorjoe1978]

plausible?

If you manage to find it and confirm the new graphics upgrade includes universal drivers for mobility 57** series, then it's very possible.


The card is an mxm mobility 5730.

this slot type is common in higher end upgradable laptops like asus and sager. buying this slot type aftermarket would be difficult but you could maybe contact one of these manufacturers and buy a "replacement". The next problem is the OSX disk you got with your mac will only have drivers for the hardware it has installed (mobility 48XX HD) + drivers for previous releases. It will not have a driver for the mobility 5xxx series if im correct. An OSX disk for the newer 2010 imacs with the newer graphics would have the drivers if you could get your hands on one. One thing about apple is they are very specific about what drivers they include on each version.
Next make sure that both cards work at the same voltage. note that in order to open a newer imac you are going to need special and specific tools... tools that will not be in a typical computer repair kit to include antistatic bags large enough for the screen and lcd panel, suction cups, silicon roller to remove dust and lint prior to reassembly, specific size torx keys, plastic prying tools etc.
this will also certainly void any warranty. there are no "user servicable parts" inside a mac as far as apple is concerned.

All in All... no its not worth it. the extra 300 bucks is worth it. remember that $150 in pc standard tech is prolly worth closer to $300 once it meets apples standards and is utilized with a good unix based OS

 

[tsupra0927]

Hey, how are you getting the base level iMac for $950? Best I can get is $1,149 with education discount. Thanks.

 

[Liquidus]

It's $1299 at my local Futureshop plus an extra $100 off if I trade in an old PC plus the sales person is a friend of mine so he said he'll give me a discount of $250 due to no iPod Touch.

Haggle, Haggle, Haggle.

 

[tears2040]

It's $1299 at my local Futureshop plus an extra $100 off if I trade in an old PC plus the sales person is a friend of mine so he said he'll give me a discount of $250 due to no iPod Touch.

Haggle, Haggle, Haggle.

Seems like you need to include that kind of information in our first post. So if I buy a new Imac and trade in my old computer for $700 that means I got a new imac for

$499