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Sebastien · Feb 27, 2006, 11:29 AM

I can't find any info anywhere on this - is it user upgradable, or is BTO the only way to go?

DoGoodDrugs · Feb 27, 2006, 11:33 AM

the video ram (VRAM) is not user upgradable... its solderd to the logicboard... at least thats what i was told.
http://forums.macnn.com/73/hardware-hacking/284405/imac-core-duo-upgrade/
~DGD

Agent69 · Feb 27, 2006, 01:05 PM

I believe the only thing that is user upgradable on the Intel iMac is RAM.

hickey · Feb 27, 2006, 01:07 PM

didnt someone recently upgrade the processor from the 1.83 to the 2Ghz?

yes they are

mduell · Feb 27, 2006, 01:16 PM

RAM is easy to get to and a CIP.
HDD, optical, and CPU are possible to upgrade, but not CIP (so you'd lose your warranty).
GPU and VRAM are not upgradeable.

hickey · Feb 27, 2006, 01:28 PM

mduell has a great point, dont do anything that will void your warranty.

Sebastien · Feb 27, 2006, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

RAM is easy to get to and a CIP.
HDD, optical, and CPU are possible to upgrade, but not CIP (so you'd lose your warranty).
GPU and VRAM are not upgradeable.

What is 'CIP'?

parsec_kadets · Feb 27, 2006, 03:00 PM

Originally Posted by hickey

didnt someone recently upgrade the processor from the 1.83 to the 2Ghz?

yes they are

That has nothing to do with the video RAM.

mduell · Feb 27, 2006, 05:21 PM

Originally Posted by Sebastien

What is 'CIP'?

Customer Installable Part

Apple took a huge step forward with the first release of the G5 iMac, where nearly everything was a CIP, and then an equal step backward with the next revision and it was back to only RAM.

torifile · Feb 27, 2006, 06:20 PM

Can you upgrade the VRAM on any card?

mduell · Feb 27, 2006, 06:40 PM

Originally Posted by torifile

Can you upgrade the VRAM on any card?

No.

ghporter · Feb 27, 2006, 06:47 PM

The last video card I saw that allowed you to install more video RAM was an EGA card about 15 years ago... Because of a variety of factors, most video cards have to have some parts, such as the GPU and VRAM, soldered in. This reduces lead length, guarantees stable connections, and otherwise makes the card more robust. It also reduces parts count (no sockets...) and manufacturing steps.

jwoods · Feb 27, 2006, 09:09 PM

I don't know of any modern video card that let's you upgrade it's video memory. You are stuck with what you buy. If it's 128, it's 128 until the card goes kaput.

Eriamjh · Feb 28, 2006, 09:45 AM

I haven't seen a teardown on the iMac Core Duo yet, but uypgrading may be possible if you know how to solder. The difficulty depends on whether the 256MB VRAM is another 128MB chip soldered on or a full 256MB soldered on. Find the chip, buy it, and you could do it!

But very few computer nerds can solder.

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Will C · Feb 28, 2006, 10:13 AM

The original Bondi iMac came with just 2MB of VRAM but had a socket so you could add an additonal 4MB - though that was then....(1998, blimey 8 years ago....)

bradoesch · Feb 28, 2006, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by ghporter

The last video card I saw that allowed you to install more video RAM was an EGA card about 15 years ago...

Upgrading from 256 to 512KB? lol I remember those cards.

DoctorGonzo · Feb 28, 2006, 05:29 PM

Originally Posted by Will C

The original Bondi iMac came with just 2MB of VRAM but had a socket so you could add an additonal 4MB - though that was then....(1998, blimey 8 years ago....)

I had the iMac Game Wizard which was a Voodoo 2 card with 8MB of VRAM that actually made Deus Ex playable on my Rev. B. I still can't believe that was 7 years ago.