graphics card upgrade?

[BigJohn7407]

i got my 24" Intel iMac a little over a month ago and i love everything about it. Now i know you cant upgrade the graphics card above 256MB on the apple website or anywhere else you make your purchase... however, is it possible to purchase a 512MB nVidia card and throw it in this beast? I know the way these computers are made on the inside is quite different then normal thats why i am wondering if it is indeed possible. Thank you!

 

[symphonix]

No, I'm afraid not. The graphics card is integrated, and there is no slot in which to put in another graphics card. The Mac Pro and PowerMac are the only models Apple makes with upgradable graphics.

 

[nixgeek]

Am I mistaken, or is the video on the 24" iMac on one of those ExpressCard slots that were meant to be somewhat upgradeable? I remember reading about this interface some time in 2006, but I don't know if any manufacturers are making any hardware for it. I haven't heard much of it since then. I remember that it was supposed to be a way to upgrade stuff like video on laptops, and I vaguely remember Apple including this only on the 25" iMac.

Here's more on the technology...

http://www.expresscard.org/web/site/

EDIT:

My mistake.....it's actually a Mobile PCI Express Module, aka "MXM" that apparently makes up the video on the iMac 24".

http://www.macsimumnews.com/index.p...d_in_24_inch_imac_are_apparently_upgradeable/

 

[DeltaMac]

No, I'm afraid not. The graphics card is integrated, and there is no slot in which to put in another graphics card. The Mac Pro and PowerMac are the only models Apple makes with upgradable graphics.

Symphonix is mostly wrong on this one.... (sorry ) The 24-inch is unique on this point, and does not have intergrated video.

The Nvidia graphics card fits in a Mobile PCI eXpress Module (MXM) type II slot on the back side of the logic board. Good luck in finding a different card that fits in that slot. The 24-inch iMac uses a special configuration with an attached heat sink, and other MXM type-II vid cards likely won't fit. And, replacing the existing vid card would be a big challenge, as the 24-inch has to be completely disassembled. Not simple....
I think it is likely that the next release for the 24-inch will have at least a 512MB option available.

 

[nixgeek]

Symphonix is mostly wrong on this one.... (sorry ) The 24-inch is unique on this point, and does not have intergrated video.

The Nvidia graphics card fits in a Mobile PCI eXpress Module (MXM) type II slot on the back side of the logic board. Good luck in finding a different card that fits in that slot. The 24-inch iMac uses a special configuration with an attached heat sink, and other MXM type-II vid cards likely won't fit. And, replacing the existing vid card would be a big challenge, as the 24-inch has to be completely disassembled. Not simple....
I think it is likely that the next release for the 24-inch will have at least a 512MB option available.

Uhh...yeah, what he said....

 

[BigJohn7407]

haha thanks alot for all the fast replies. i knew the entire thing had to come apart to do it i just wanted to know if it was integrated or not or if it was possible. Again, much thanks!

 

[Qion]

This thread is makin' me so fat.

Like the time I watched an obese person eat a Double Whopper w/ Cheese and my cholesterol went up 30 points.

 

[fryke]

I guess right now, the verdict is you _can't_ upgrade the graphics in intel iMacs. These slots are meant to make it easier for the hardware developers to change/upgrade graphics, not for end-users.

 

[Qion]

I guess right now, the verdict is you _can't_ upgrade the graphics in intel iMacs. These slots are meant to make it easier for the hardware developers to change/upgrade graphics, not for end-users.

So I'm guessing that in time there will be 3rd parties with access to chips that fit the 24" iMac's slot. I don't think it'll be doomed forever, like the MacBooks are.

 

[nixgeek]

This sure reminds me of the Mezzanine slot that was in some of the first generation iMacs. Of course, I don't think any third-party devices came out for that even though I remember hearing that it was just a glorified PCI slot. However, since MXM seems to be a standard found on most all new portable computers it's possible that we might see the support from third parties, although we'll have to hope they include the Mac in those plans.