On GameSpot:
Wii Fit tells 10-year-old she's fat
15% off XPS M1330 & M1530 laptopsAlpha authors
- Dan Ackerman
- Rich Brown
- David Carnoy
- Bonnie Cha
- Brian Cooley
- Wayne Cunningham
- Robert Dubbin
- Matthew Elliott
- John Falcone
- Jasmine France
- Kent German
- Will Greenwald
- Lori Grunin
- Justin Jaffe
- David Katzmaier
- James Kim
- Nicole Lee
- Lara Luepke
- Kevin Massy
- Tom Merritt
- Tim Moynihan
- Rafe Needleman
- David Rudden
- Philip Ryan
- Michelle Thatcher
- Robert Vamosi
- Elsa Wenzel
- Molly Wood
- Felisa Yang
September 08, 2006, 8:05 AM PDT
24-inch iMac not as 3D-upgradable as you might think Posted by: Rich Brown
)
Nope, not DIY 3D upgradable.
[+] Enlarge photo
[+] Enlarge photo
First, Apple confirmed for us that the new 24-inch iMac does use Nvidia's MXM mobile graphics chip interface, which means that the graphics chips are technically swappable. This is a cool feature that's popped up in a few laptops already, and it's beneficial because it gives system vendors an easy way to add different graphics chips to mobile and mobile chip-based (such as the iMac) systems. If you upgrade the 24-inch iMac's default GeForce 7300 GT chip to the more powerful GeForce 7600 GT, the MXM interface makes it simpler for Apple to make that change at the factory.
But MXM doesn't mean that you can upgrade the iMac's 3D chip on your own the way you might on a desktop. For one, Apple doesn't provide access to the slot. We haven't seen a 24-inch iMac ourselves yet (soon), but Apple told us that, unlike upgrading the memory, which is easy on an iMac thanks to a small hatch on the bottom of the unit, there is no external access to the iMac's MXM slot.
And while we concede that such a limitation might not stop a determined hacker, even if you could access the MXM slot without damaging the system, you'd be foolish to try. The reason is that there are no MXM-based chips for you to purchase to upgrade to. You can upgrade the 3D chip on Apple's site prior to purchase, but NewEgg isn't selling a stand-alone, MXM-based GeForce 7800 GT card. Nvidia told us that it hopes a mobile 3D chip upgrade market will emerge eventually, but it's not there yet. For now, MXM is really only a direct benefit for system builders.
So, sorry, would-be iMac 3D chip upgraders. You might be able to swap out MXM chips at home someday, but not now, and not on this iMac.
TalkBack
16 messages
I also heard...
Apparently, you cannot replace the motherboard in the new iMacs (not that you could before). On top of that, there's no option to install your own water cooling system...
Honestly, do the people buying iMacs, a consumer level computer, care about upgrading the graphics chip? Mac Pro customers might, but it's irrelevant to the iMac.
Honestly, do the people buying iMacs, a consumer level computer, care about upgrading the graphics chip? Mac Pro customers might, but it's irrelevant to the iMac.
by cpearson (See profile) - September 17, 2006 6:07 PM PDT
The Apple iMac isn't a gaming machine
None of the Apple iMac's including the 24-inch iMac were designed to be fully upgradeable gaming machines. They were designed to be very compact and elegant, all in one machines.
They are very well engineered computers that take up only a bit more space than a standard LCD display. With that said, it's no surprise that you can't just throw a PCI-Express video card into the system. Apple had to use laptop grade components to make the iMac possible in the first place. Having the graphics chip user upgradeable would open up a whole can of worms in terms of tech support and possible damage to the iMac by nontechnical users. Most people will find the built in video card more than adequate for general use and light gaming.
On the other hand there are definitely people out there that would like to be able to put in a new video card if they chose to, to increase gaming performance. If you're one of those people, then have a look at the Apple Mac Pro desktop system. It is high-end, fully upgradeable computer. It is a bit pricey, but the system is well designed and worth every penny. And the system can run Windows XP as well as OSX. I will agree with anyone that says that they can built a PC with a better video card for less money than an equivalent Mac Pro. While that is true, you won't find a PC as beautifully designed and engineered as the any of Apple's systems.
They are very well engineered computers that take up only a bit more space than a standard LCD display. With that said, it's no surprise that you can't just throw a PCI-Express video card into the system. Apple had to use laptop grade components to make the iMac possible in the first place. Having the graphics chip user upgradeable would open up a whole can of worms in terms of tech support and possible damage to the iMac by nontechnical users. Most people will find the built in video card more than adequate for general use and light gaming.
On the other hand there are definitely people out there that would like to be able to put in a new video card if they chose to, to increase gaming performance. If you're one of those people, then have a look at the Apple Mac Pro desktop system. It is high-end, fully upgradeable computer. It is a bit pricey, but the system is well designed and worth every penny. And the system can run Windows XP as well as OSX. I will agree with anyone that says that they can built a PC with a better video card for less money than an equivalent Mac Pro. While that is true, you won't find a PC as beautifully designed and engineered as the any of Apple's systems.
by shadowcomputer (See profile) - September 17, 2006 11:13 AM PDT
5 out of 5
users
found this comment helpful
Who's to say...
that an Apple/Mac customer buys their iMac for gaming, or that Apple markets their computers to folks that actually care to upgrade their computers beyond the RAM?
Any educated PC gamer would immediately scoff at the idea of using any Mac for their gaming; they'd happily configure their own system for the task. Casual gamers could really care less that the hardware really isn't the best configuration and would likely be satisfied with the iMac's 3D gaming performance.
Any educated PC gamer would immediately scoff at the idea of using any Mac for their gaming; they'd happily configure their own system for the task. Casual gamers could really care less that the hardware really isn't the best configuration and would likely be satisfied with the iMac's 3D gaming performance.
by slyseeker (See profile) - September 17, 2006 10:22 AM PDT
Why does anyone buy "first generation" products?
Just wait, Leopard will be out and ALL the Macs will have many NEW things added! at the SAME price!!!
worth the wait!
Anyone that MUST have the newest stuff, will cry a month later when the newer stuff updates you recent purchase! Just try becoming something a tad more than what you own! Just try...
worth the wait!
Anyone that MUST have the newest stuff, will cry a month later when the newer stuff updates you recent purchase! Just try becoming something a tad more than what you own! Just try...
by gary85739 (See profile) - September 17, 2006 8:08 AM PDT
0 out of 5
users
found this comment helpful
Misleading title
I have always found cnet to be somewhat biases against mac computing products, whether it be slamming the macbook pro on reviews for things that aren't related to the computer itself (i.e. lack of universal software) or this case, where it casts a negative shadow on the 24inch imac. the title should be, 24 inch imac is not as 3d upgradable as people on a french website think.
by tyecies (See profile) - September 17, 2006 12:06 AM PDT
5 out of 10
users
found this comment helpful
No claim by Apple that GPU is CIP
As you indicated, Apple offers the upgrade as a Configure-To-Order option.
They never indicate that it's a Customer-Installable-Part (CIP). Besides the
nascent MXM upgrade market, the iMac isn't exactly targeted for the modders
market. I suspect that those that try, accept the risk of voiding the warranty.
Hmm, a real deal-breaker. Right...
I guess the Mac will always be "half-empty" to somebody.
They never indicate that it's a Customer-Installable-Part (CIP). Besides the
nascent MXM upgrade market, the iMac isn't exactly targeted for the modders
market. I suspect that those that try, accept the risk of voiding the warranty.
Hmm, a real deal-breaker. Right...
I guess the Mac will always be "half-empty" to somebody.
by conform-mac (See profile) - September 11, 2006 10:31 AM PDT
0 out of 5
users
found this comment helpful
So sick of ultra-defensive Mac-heads
God forbid anyone should print one negative word about a Mac.
CNet is simply passing along some very useful information. Many people upgrade video cards. Maybe you don't, but gamers often do!
You'd realize this if you removed your Mac-colored glasses.
CNet is simply passing along some very useful information. Many people upgrade video cards. Maybe you don't, but gamers often do!
You'd realize this if you removed your Mac-colored glasses.
by dfichtner (See profile) - September 11, 2006 5:40 AM PDT
25 out of 35
users
found this comment helpful
|
6
comments
Gee I Don't Think I'll Buy One Now.... NOT
The misleading headline is an example of nitpicking where there's not nit.
Who the heck changes their video chip anyway? Anyone? Hello?
99% of people don't even change their memory, which is almost as easy as swapping cd's. Even fewer people change or add hard drives... So give me/us a break with such an article, give some numbers as to how many people would turn down buying this computer because they can't change the video chip...numbers please.
Next time write an article that is relevant to 99.9% of users.
Who the heck changes their video chip anyway? Anyone? Hello?
99% of people don't even change their memory, which is almost as easy as swapping cd's. Even fewer people change or add hard drives... So give me/us a break with such an article, give some numbers as to how many people would turn down buying this computer because they can't change the video chip...numbers please.
Next time write an article that is relevant to 99.9% of users.
by geomguy (See profile) - September 9, 2006 9:15 AM PDT
5 out of 10
users
found this comment helpful
|
2
comments
