Is there a compatibility list of processors that can be used to upgrade the Mac Mini Core Duo processors?
I've seen T7300, T7400 and T7600 mentioned. However, I've seen faster processors such as the T7700 which is also a mobile processor. Would that work too?
Is there a guideline that shows what and why a processor would be compatible?
Does it have to be the same BUS speed as the board, or can it be backwards compatible? I believe the T7700 has an 800mhz BUS, whereas the other ones are 667.
Location: Aylmer (Gatineau) across the river from Ottawa
Posts: 16,081
Funny thing you should be asking this right now, I am researching the exact same subject.
At the Forums at 123Macmini.com in a thread on this subject the list below was posted as compatible processors. I don't know if the T7700 would work as it is not listed.
Location: Aylmer (Gatineau) across the river from Ottawa
Posts: 16,081
I asked at the Forums at 123Macmini.com if the T7700 would work and the definitive answer was no, wrong FSB. So it looks like the limit is T7600 kloan.
Yeah, I read that today too unfortunately. Because the FSB is 800, it's not compatible. I was hoping that it could be backwards compatible like RAM is.
So looks like the fastest processor we can install is the T7600. Still though, 2.33Ghz is pretty decent. Plus going from a Core Duo to a Core 2 Duo should also offer a noticeable bump in performance.
If I can find a great deal on the processor, I'll grab one and give this a go. I like performing upgrades like this, they're fun. Shame we can't upgrade the GPU.
Location: Aylmer (Gatineau) across the river from Ottawa
Posts: 16,081
I actually had a really good exchange back and forth with some of the guys at 123.Macmini.com over the subject of upgrading the CPU.
Many of them had done it and the funny thing is, with the release of the Mini most of them are trying to convince me that selling my existing Mini (which is a 1.83GHz Core duo with 2GB RAM) which they figure I could get around $400 for (which is About right according Mac2Sell) and then adding the money that I would be spending on a T7600 which would be around $300 - $350 used (on ebay at least) and buy even the low end new Mini 2.26GHz would put me further ahead. Faster RAM, way faster FSB, better GPU, firewire 800... Makes sense in a lot of ways...
Like you I find these little projects like upgrading the CPU to be fun and I was kind of looking forward to doing it, but after doing the math on the difference in cost relative to the difference in performance, I have to admit for the money, I think I will be further ahead selling my Mini and buying a new low end one.
Right now this is a want more than a need so I am not jumping on it right away... something to think about though.
Last edited by screature; Dec 7th, 2009 at 10:17 PM.
They're right. If the CPU would cost that much, it's not really worth it. The only way I'd consider doing it is if I could someone find a steal of a deal for <$100 for one. But the chances of that are very slim. I have the exact same model as yours, except with a 320GB hdd in it. I've seen them go up to and surpass $400 on eBay. My plan was to sell it anyway, so if I can't find an amazing deal on a CPU, though as fun as it would be to do the upgrade, it'll be going up on eBay.
I came to the exact same conclusions a while back as well when I researched updating my mini, bu as with you screature it's a want more than a need so it keeps getting back burner to things that I do need to get replaced. I've spent far too much $$ on machines in the last month for my liking (macbook pro + mac pro in < 30 days grrrrr)
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