Upgrade processor

Have you found evidence from other mod'ers that the support chips on that core duo mini will allow full 64-bit functionality?

I know that the support chips limit addressing to two gig of ram even after a c2duo is installed.

Are you asking about a processor upgrade on your Mac Mini? Or what new computer to buy?

Honestly it's probably not worth the money and effort to upgrade the processor on this machine. You would probably be better off buying a new device.

Message was edited by: C. Ogle

Your core duo mini likely has a resale value of $200 to $300 on *Bay or *list.

If you regularly check for the refurb minis on the apple online store you can find a more capable mini with one year warranty and up to date software for about $499.

Unless you can find evidence elsewhere, I don't think replacing the processor on your current mini will make it fully 64-bit capable.

I for one would like to know what the software is that needs 64 bit.

Current Mac Pros boot into 64 bit mode by default. Don't think the Mini's can.

Michael

Google found these for upgrading the CPU:

[http://www.ambor.com/public/meromswap/meromswap.html|http://www.ambor.com/publi c/meromswap/meromswap.html]

[http://macminiupgrade.com/upgrade.html|http://macminiupgrade.com/upgrade.html]

Apparently the 1.66GHz models have a CPU in a socket, but later models the CPU was soldered. However, the articles do NOT mention whether you will still get 64-bit support in an upgraded Mini. As Boece is inferring, the Mini's firmware or other components may not allow for 64-bit functionality since Apple never sold your model Mini that way. So while it appears to be technically possible to upgrade the CPU in your case, you still might not be able to run CS5.

By "CS", I assume you mean Adobe Creative Suite. If so, note that not all of the components of Adobe Creative Suite require 64-bit. For example, according to [Adobe's webpage, Photoshop CS5 will still run on 32-bit|http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/photoshop/faq>. So if you only need just one component, then you could buy just that program instead of the whole suite.

However, considering that you'd still be limited in RAM, IMHO you really should be considering replacing with a newer Mini (or iMac or Mac Pro.) I find that people who "need" Photoshop and the rest of the CS product line, tend to also need more RAM. It is quite possible that your Mini's firmware will limit you to 3GB of RAM. So selling your Mini and buying a newer model is probably a better investment. (And when does Photoshop and it's brethren not need more CPU speed as well as RAM. 😉 )

(edit: sorry, I missed that you mentioned Adobe Premiere, which does require 64-bit.)

First off I'm not 100% sure, but as I understand it if your Mini is a 1,1 model then NO you can not put a Core2Duo 64bit CPU into it the reason is there is a very slight difference in the CPU socket between the 1,1 machine and the 1,2 machine that can use the 64bit CPU plus as said already the firmware may not be compatible with 64bit on the 1,1 Mini.

Custom Mini.

I have a 2005/2006 Mac Mini with a Power PC G4 1.42 GHz processor and a measly 256MD of RAM. Is there any option available for upgrading this at all? I had a MacBook with 2.2GHz Processor, 2GB RAM etc, but that recently broke, so have to go back to the old girl!

Any help would be appreciated!

I have a 2005/2006 Mac Mini with a Power PC G4 1.42 GHz processor and a measly 256MD of RAM. Is there any option available for upgrading this at all? I had a MacBook with 2.2GHz Processor, 2GB RAM etc, but that recently broke, so have to go back to the old girl!

Any help would be appreciated!

Cheapskate,

You can upgrade the RAM to 1 gigabyte, and maybe get a newer and faster IDE hard drive --or preferably just boot from an external Firewire hard drive. Those things will get you as far as you can get with that model, short of over-clocking the processor, which is tricky and can fry your Mini.

On the other hand, if you sell both your G4 mini and the remains of your MacBook you may amass enough cash to get an Intel mini, preferably a Core 2 Duo, or an early Intel iMac.

Hope it helps.

Ta-ta,

Felix