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Upgrading old 2,8ghz 2600 hd pro iMac to new 2,8ghz 8800 gs iMac?

chaosbunny

chaosbunny

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Mar 11, 2005
2,119
518
down to earth, far away from any clouds
Hi everybody!

I'm a graphic designer happily working with his mid 2007 2,8 ghz iMac. In the evenings or weekends however I like to play some games. A little World of Warcraft in OS X and Bioshock, Medal of Honor Airborne etc. via Bootcamp. I hope to play Starcraft 2 once it's released, and whatever seems interesting in the months ahead.

I upgraded my iMac to 4 gb ram and have the 3 years warranty.

Now my question is, should I sell this machine for exactly the same new one for the 8800 gs gfx card?

The base 2,8 ghz iMac is now 1600 € in Europe, with the 2600 hd pro and a 320 gb hd. My machine would have a 500gb hd + the 3 years warranty, so I guess I could get at least 1550 € for it. It's condition is like brand new, I always treat my babies well. :) The new 2,8 ghz model with the 8800 gs and a 500gb hd would cost me 1750 €, so I imagine it would be something around 200 € to upgrade.

Obviosly I could use 4gb ram in my new machine too. The difficult part could be to find a local buyer so I could keep my present machine to do my work until the new one arrives, and maybe get some money in advance. But I'm sure I'll find a sollution if I look around.

Please don't suggest a Mac Pro, it was and is out of my budget since I'm also saving for a new mbp to replace my powerbook next year.

Thanks for any comments!
 
I am about to purchase the new imac; however, I cannot decide between the 20 inch 2.66 or the 24 inch 3.06. I really only play WoW, and I am only worried about the graphics card difference (20 vs. 24 inch is not as big a deal to me). Does anyone have any recommendations. Obviously, I want to be sure before I drop $700 more on the better graphics.
 
I'm sort of surprised that I've seen so many posts (not just on this board) by people who believe that the 8800 GS is only available in the 2200 dollar model.

THAT'S NOT TRUE.

To be fair, Apples web site isn't really that clear about it, but the low-end 24" can also be configured with the 8800 GS (for an additional $150). That should make it comparable to the high-end 24" but with a slower processor and a smaller hard drive. So it'll still be more expensive... but it'll be $300 dollars over the 20", rather than $700.

And as always, www.dealram.com for the RAM (you'll have to search by RAM model for now though, because they haven't included the new iMac model in their "search by computer model" list yet)
Upgrading the stock 2 gigs to 4 gigs costs you $200 from Apple. That does NOT mean apple's charging $200 for the RAM. It's actually more - it's just that you're getting a discount on the 2 gigs that were gonna be in your computer by default.
So 4 gigs - rebate for 2 gigs = $200.
http://dealnews.com/memory/prices/PC2-6400-DDR2-800-MHz/64/2GBx2.html gives you 4 gigs starting at $70. And if you really want name-brand stuff, for just $80 you can get the Corsair RAM.

I never actually realized that until I purchased an iBook G4 from an Apple Store several years ago. I was purchasing it with a RAM upgrade (640 megs instead of the stock 256), and they wanted to charge me MORE than the price quoted on Apple's site. They told me that the price on Apple's site accounted for the savings from "selling" the stock RAM back to apple... whereas in their store, they couldn't take off the money for the stock RAM.

Eventually he honored the online store price though.
 
To be fair, Apples web site isn't really that clear about it, but the low-end 24" can also be configured with the 8800 GS (for an additional $150). That should make it comparable to the high-end 24" but with a slower processor and a smaller hard drive. So it'll still be more expensive... but it'll be $300 dollars over the 20", rather than $700.

Thanks so much for pointing that out. I was not aware of it.
 
mikeyman13 said:
To be fair, Apples web site isn't really that clear about it, but the low-end 24" can also be configured with the 8800 GS (for an additional $150). That should make it comparable to the high-end 24" but with a slower processor and a smaller hard drive. So it'll still be more expensive... but it'll be $300 dollars over the 20", rather than $700.

Thanks so much for pointing that out. I was not aware of it.
Click to expand...

That's the way I would go too, if you are gaming and even if it's only WoW and nothing else I guess it's definitely worth it to get the low end 24" iMac with the 8800 gs if you buy now.

Guess it's time for some research for me, if anybody knows any interesting links regarding benchmarks etc. please let me know.
 
I'm in a similar situation as the OP.

I have an aging Powermac G5 that is still chugging along, but I'm pretty sure it will not meet the minimum system requirements for Starcraft 2. I'm mainly interested in pre-emptively upgrading my computer to run Starcraft 2. The sooner I upgrade my computer, the sooner I can sell the G5 on ebay for more money.

I mainly just do internet, lots of digial photo editing, downloading, video converison using Visualhub, Office, email, etc. But I also want the computer to be able to run Starcraft II on max (or close to max) settings when it comes out. I dont' really play any other computer games (right now).

These are the two options I'm weighing:

Option 1: Refurb previous generation iMac 24" 2.8GHz (slower front side bus), 2GB, 500GB, ATI 2600 for $1599

Option 2: New iMac 24" 2.8GHz (faster front side bus), 2GB, 500GB, NVIDIA 8800 for $1879 with edu discount

Is Option 2 worth the additional $280 just to get the front side bus increase + NVIDIA graphics card? Or would the previous generation model described above be able to run Starcraft II very well?

Thanks
 
anubis said:
I'm in a similar situation as the OP.

I have an aging Powermac G5 that is still chugging along, but I'm pretty sure it will not meet the minimum system requirements for Starcraft 2. I'm mainly interested in pre-emptively upgrading my computer to run Starcraft 2. The sooner I upgrade my computer, the sooner I can sell the G5 on ebay for more money.

I mainly just do internet, lots of digial photo editing, downloading, video converison using Visualhub, Office, email, etc. But I also want the computer to be able to run Starcraft II on max (or close to max) settings when it comes out. I dont' really play any other computer games (right now).

These are the two options I'm weighing:

Option 1: Refurb previous generation iMac 24" 2.8GHz (slower front side bus), 2GB, 500GB, ATI 2600 for $1599

Option 2: New iMac 24" 2.8GHz (faster front side bus), 2GB, 500GB, NVIDIA 8800 for $1879 with edu discount

Is Option 2 worth the additional $280 just to get the front side bus increase + NVIDIA graphics card? Or would the previous generation model described above be able to run Starcraft II very well?

Thanks
Click to expand...

Some preliminary benchmarks suggest that the 8800 GS is 2.2x faster than the 2600
 
chaosbunny said:
That's the way I would go too, if you are gaming and even if it's only WoW and nothing else I guess it's definitely worth it to get the low end 24" iMac with the 8800 gs if you buy now.
Click to expand...

But WoW should (and Starcraft II probably will) run so well on the 2600 that I don't see the point. I mean, aren't you already getting good framerates with high settings? What more do you hope to gain?
 
Jack Flash said:
Some preliminary benchmarks suggest that the 8800 GS is 2.2x faster than the 2600
Click to expand...

Probably cause it is. HD2600 wasn't ever a great card.

But yeah, I remember the old imacs with the 7600 had a graphics 'card'. Reckon the new imacs still use replaceable graphics cards? I wonder if it would be possible to grab an apple imac 8800gs and chuck it into the previous 2007 imac.
 
QCassidy352 said:
But WoW should (and Starcraft II probably will) run so well on the 2600 that I don't see the point. I mean, aren't you already getting good framerates with high settings? What more do you hope to gain?
Click to expand...

You are right, and I have decided to keep my current machine. It runs WoW great and even if it won't run Starcraft 2 well, next years mbp will. :D

I guess I was just overwhelmed by the iMac finally getting a decent gpu. :)
 
There's no real reason to upgrade to the consecutive generation, unless you're crazy of course :)

Wait till your current iMac is at least 2-3 generations old and then upgrade if you really want to.

I usually keep my computers for 3 years.
 
eXan said:
There's no real reason to upgrade to the consecutive generation, unless you're crazy of course :)

Wait till your current iMac is at least 2-3 generations old and then upgrade if you really want to.

I usually keep my computers for 3 years.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I did, I just upgraded my 17 inch iMac G5 2.0 to the 24 inch 3.06 4 gb ram 8800 gs video. The difference is unspeakable. I have the G5 now in a spare bedroom and it never looked better.
 
Hooka said:
That is exactly what I did, I just upgraded my 17 inch iMac G5 2.0 to the 24 inch 3.06 4 gb ram 8800 gs video. The difference is unspeakable. I have the G5 now in a spare bedroom and it never looked better.
Click to expand...

I have the same G5 as you and while its definitely showing its age I have a MacBook to hold me over till I upgrade it sometime in late Fall/early winter.

MacBook is ok for stuff like Handbrake, but small (and bad) screen, the lack of video card and noise prevent it from being used as main machine.
 
For gaming it would be a pretty nice upgrade, the 8800GS is a LOT better than the HD 2600 Pro, stupidly better.

You don't need to wait for benchmarks, just search for 8800GS reviews, the card has been out for months.

If you game then I say it's quite worth it if you can swing the extra 200 euros.
 
mikeyman13 said:
I am about to purchase the new imac; however, I cannot decide between the 20 inch 2.66 or the 24 inch 3.06. I really only play WoW, and I am only worried about the graphics card difference (20 vs. 24 inch is not as big a deal to me). Does anyone have any recommendations. Obviously, I want to be sure before I drop $700 more on the better graphics.
Click to expand...

Ring an apple store the day before and get them to install WoW trial the day before you come in . This would be the only way of really checking. Or just get a cheap gaming box pc like I have. Use your mac for all of the stuff you are using now and then the PC for games.

aussie_geek
 
booksacool1 said:
But yeah, I remember the old imacs with the 7600 had a graphics 'card'. Reckon the new imacs still use replaceable graphics cards? I wonder if it would be possible to grab an apple imac 8800gs and chuck it into the previous 2007 imac.
Click to expand...

What alien iMacs are YOU talking about? Replaceable graphics cards?
 
Choices, choices

To the OP,

If I were you, I'd sell your current iMac and upgrade to the new 3.06 with 'proper' graphics card. It'll last you 3 years at least, and don't forget that WotLK will probably be more graphically intensive - you'll need all the horsepower you can get.

Just my two euro cents worth.

Razzerman
 
redsteven said:
What alien iMacs are YOU talking about? Replaceable graphics cards?
Click to expand...

What am I talking about? Well apple seemed to use MXM modules on their more recent imac's cards. I.e. not soldered onto the motherboard. This was news about a year and a half ago, before they changed to the aluminum form factor imacs.

Disassembly of the mid 2007 (aluminum) imacs seemed to show removable graphics modules too. http://210.157.201.118/~kodawarisan/imac_2007_mid/imac_2007_mid_02.html

But now this imac has received a minor update with much faster graphics cards (albeit not 'newer'), it begs the question, can they be interchanged with the previous mid 2007 imac?

While obviously the availability of mxm graphics cards from apple is probably zero (bastards!), the rest of the machine hasn't changed substantially. I'm waiting on someone to try this out.
 
that workds and has been done by the french

you need to put your hands on an apple 8800 gs card , not less than 600 euros ...
 
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