Upgrade Your iMac to a Core 2 Duo Processor

Yes Vince you can upgrade your Mac Mini depending on which one you have. Check out this link from Xlr8yourmac.com. It gives a pretty complete run down on how to do it and provides some links for additional info. Only question would be is the cost to do it may be as much or close to what you paid for your Mini if you got one of the higher speed CPU's

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems/mac_mini_core_2_duo_swaps.html#storytop

my nipples are exploding with pleasure

works lie a charm,replacing the CPU is easy,but
BEWARE the ribbon cable from interconnect to main board.
Had to spend an extra 40.00 to replace interconnect.
Origanal yonah 1.66 upgraded to Merom 2.o ghz.I have doubled level 2 cache.System is much more responsive and grades out about 20-25 per cent faster on most benchmarks.
If we could just do something about graphics.
My mini runs cooler and has the 64 bit azz to handle leopard.Runs 40 to 48 celcius.

Machine Name: Mac mini
Machine Model: Macmini1,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache (per processor): 4 MB
Memory: 2 GB
Bus Speed: 667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: MM11.0055.B08
SMC Version: 1.3f4

Simple Answer is... no. Your processor is not socketed, it's soldered onto the board. Sorry.

I read the "Simple Answer - No!" to the question. Which pseudo-logic tells me - could a 'complicate answer' be 'Yes'?

I understand that the the obstacle is the processor being soldered to the motherboard instead of socketed (as it is in the iMac). Well, soldering is cetainly not an undoable process - it's really just an application of appropriate heat with the right tool (gun) and precision. But with the delicate, highly compact, and genrally unmodifiable construction of most of the Powerbook/MacBook line I understand the "No" answer on the MacLife forum.

I've disassembled and assembled many many (not a double-typo) PBs, iBooks, Minis, installed DVD drives, HDs, among other replacements, and even rewired a PB-G4 (667MHz) whose main unit and LCD had become completely separated. That was quite the task, and involved adding/extending and 'soldering' a number of new wires to make up for the shortened length of the wiring (5 wires) after the separation. Funny thing is, it never stopped working after the separation. The main issues were a) it was no longer portable (as you might imagine in two pieces with dangling wires) and b) the LCD backlighting was shot due to the severed wire carrying that signal. Still, with some front light you could see the desktop. I used it with an external monitor for while befoee the 'operation'. But in the end I replaced the hinges (much cheaper on eBay), got it working, and my 5yr old is very happy since his MacMini's motherboard died (anyone know where to get one) and now uses the PB?

So, I guess my few questions are: just how precarious or dangerous (e.g. non-afterlife of the MacBookPro) would the de-soldering/resoldering process be? What could be damaged in the process? Would resoldering be absolutely necessary or could the thermal compound be used instead in the reconstruction, as in the iMac directions/process? Also, there are a few hardware and software based advantages and differences with the "Core 2 Duo " vs. "Core Duo" MacBook Pro. Anything lost or damaged in the process of such an upgrade? Finally, if you know, would I use the same Intel Core 2 Duo T5600 from NewEgg, or some other - possibly at a higher speed?

Grateful for all thoughts and input.

Dr. ALlan Zeldman
Senior Data Analyst
Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, Toronto, Canada
(private e-mail: azeldman@rogers.com )

just testing the comment

what kind of processor you use to upgrade your imac core duo?
is it the same one in newegg site
intel core 2 duo T7400 merom 2.16 GHz soket M processor model.

what's the different between the pc processor and intel mac processor.
i need to upgrade my imac too.

Where did you buy the Core 2 Duo upgrade? How much did it cost, $US or £GB?

Did you get anyone to fit it for you?

It looks a little daunting, the article says it's very easy to break some of the plugs on the motherboard.

If as I suspect you're in the USA, do you know where I could source the Core 2 Duo upgrade within the UK?

How much faster does the iMac run with the Core 2 Duo over say the 2 Ghz Core Duo as supplied in the early 2006 Intel Imac Core Duo?

Thanks in anticipation.

Mike

How much did it cost for the Core 2 duo chip? Where did you buy it from? How difficult was it to DIY?

Are there any downsides that you've noticed?

Mike

Hi, there:
i felt confused of the socket M;478;479... Which of the following/or all of them can replace my imac 20" 2.0 Dual Core cpu?

Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.50GHz Mobile Processor - 800MHz FSB - 6MB L2 - 478-pin FC-PGA Socket 478;
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.20GHz Mobile Processor - 4MB L2 - 478-pin Socket 479;
Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0GHz Socket 478 Mobile Processor - 2.0GHz - 667MHz FSB - 2MB L2 Cache;
Intel Core 2 Duo T7800 2.60GHz Mobile Processor - 800MHz FSB - 4MB L2 - 478-pin FC-PGA Socket 478;
Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 2.40GHz Mobile Processor - 800MHz FSB - 3MB L2 - 478-pin FC-PGA Socket 478;
Intel Laptop Computer Notebook - Core 2 Duo T7700 2.40GHz Mobile Processor - 2.40GHz - 800MHz FSB - 64KB, 64KB L1 - 4MB L2 - Socket 478 - BX80537T7700

And T7700 price seems good, can my imac use it?

regards

Urgent to know,
CN

Hi, there:
i felt confused of the socket M;478;479... Which of the following/or all of them can replace my imac 20" 2.0 Dual Core cpu?

Intel Core 2 Duo T9300 2.50GHz Mobile Processor - 800MHz FSB - 6MB L2 - 478-pin FC-PGA Socket 478;
Intel Core 2 Duo T7500 2.20GHz Mobile Processor - 4MB L2 - 478-pin Socket 479;
Intel Core 2 Duo T7200 2.0GHz Socket 478 Mobile Processor - 2.0GHz - 667MHz FSB - 2MB L2 Cache;
Intel Core 2 Duo T7800 2.60GHz Mobile Processor - 800MHz FSB - 4MB L2 - 478-pin FC-PGA Socket 478;
Intel Core 2 Duo T8300 2.40GHz Mobile Processor - 800MHz FSB - 3MB L2 - 478-pin FC-PGA Socket 478;
Intel Laptop Computer Notebook - Core 2 Duo T7700 2.40GHz Mobile Processor - 2.40GHz - 800MHz FSB - 64KB, 64KB L1 - 4MB L2 - Socket 478 - BX80537T7700

And T7700 price seems good, can my imac use it?

regards

Urgent to know,
CN

I followed these instructions while I updated my late 2006 20" imac and found that once open my imacs insides looked different, so some of the screws noted for taking out did not apply (must have been a different model) However the basic principals still held, with a few variations. on mine there were two sets of plugs from the power to LCD..watch for that as I broke the top set as I pulled out the LCD! still workable though so no worries. disconnect all contacts as in instructions take lots of pictures, it really helped me. even with the different architecture you still have to take the whole mother board out and flip over. The CPU is the bottom right chip attached to teh heat sink (I guess the other is the graphics card?). Popped in the intel core 2 duo T7600 2.33 GHZ that I got on ebay, but you can order any M style core 2 duo chip at various online stores including newegg.com, I just went for the cheapest I could find ~$350USD. I used Torx scredrivers #6-10, a regular philips screwdriver (for the heat sink screws), and a couple of different sets of pliers for the plugs. While I was in there I put in a 802.11n wireless card and put it all together. bong!!! awesome, have yet to do any speed tests but everything is working fine. I've been monitoring teh CPU temp and its seems a few degrees higher 48.0 c - 52.0 on idle (was low 40s before) but haven't really cranks the processor yet.

all in all well work the ~$430 i spent!

So the real question is... Can I take a logic board from a core 2 duo macbook and swap it with my core duo macbook? The form of the case is the same and from what I have seen the logic board seems to be the same size and shape.

Any ideas on this one?

Thanks!

John