New G5 Imac

[FCPguy]

Ok, I know Imac isn't meant to be upgraded, but is it possible (they post a pic of the new Imac's interior on the apple webpage. ( I'll try to find a link to a static pic of it) and the videocard is visible and looks to be easily (within reason) replaced.
I am simply asking- does anyone think it is possible to remove the video card and put in a better card? or is this just an undoable request. It has everything I need, except the video card isn't as strong, and I would love to minimize the room (as soon I will have a very- VERY small studio apt.) taken.
Are there any hardware gurus out there who can speculate for me? I'm hoping to run some Motion/ FCP magic, and don't think I can within reason if I have that video card. Any info? (I can accept a no way also!) Thanks!

[AntnyMD]

I've never really understood the strong desire out there to do these things to iMacs ...

[tgpo]

This design is the best thus far for the iMacs. I actually like this one, the previous designs I hated.

[timdmgd]

FCPguy,

You mean FPCguy, right?

[timdmgd]

[tgpo]

FCPguy,

You mean FPCguy, right?

Stupid tosser.

?????? I don't get it.

FCPGUY, the main thing in the iMacs is space. It should handle new cards as long as they are made for the mac, but spacewise they may not fit.

[TugBoat]

I'm afraid you're going to discover that the new iMac, like the old iMac/eMac/iBook/PowerBook has a Graphics CHIP-set integrated onto the motherboard. Not a Graphics Card. In short, Non-Upgradable. Which really bites, 'cause the nVidia 5200 is years old and considered half as fast as even the old ATI 9600. What you have here, is a Non-Portable PowerBook G5 that has a normal sized HD. I won't be buying one

[mhar4]

FCPguy,

You mean FPCguy, right?

Stupid tosser.

Cut out the abuse, English boy. This is a forum for people from advanced and civilized nations. It's a reasonable question given the things people do to their PowerBooks and iBooks.

Having said that, it might be worth either waiting until Re.v B in a few months or seeing if the performance is perfectly reasonable anyway given the other aspects of the system. It's sure to wipe the previous iMac and would toast the current PowerBooks, so it's hardly going to be a slouch.

[the future]

What you have here, is a Non-Portable PowerBook G5 that has a normal sized HD. I won't be buying one.

What you also have here is the most space-saving complete desktop system in the world and the cheapest G5 system on the market. Think about it: 20" Cinema Display = 1.299 USD, 20" G5 iMac = 1.899 -> G5 system inside iMac = 600 USD! And if you think that you're gonna get a 17" PowerBook G5 for 1.999 USD eventually (my guess mid 2005), your very own Reality Distortion Field must be quite strong.

[TugBoat]

And if you think that you're gonna get a 17" PowerBook G5 for 1.999 USD eventually (my guess mid 2005), your very own Reality Distortion Field must be quite strong.

No, my very own Dual 1.25 (with upgradable graphics) is still going quite strong, and I'm gladly going to pay extra in the near future for portability and usability. Especially considering that Todays PowerBooks come with a Graphics Chip that will play games like Halo three times as fast as that nVidia 5200. Halo is quite old by gaming stats. Try playing something like Doom3 on that 5200. Like most things, different strokes, for different..... If you like what the iMac offers, go for it. Someone needs to, for the good of the company 8)

[mhar4]

What you also have here is the most space-saving complete desktop system in the world and the cheapest G5 system on the market.

I agree. They seem like very good value, especially when compared like-with-like with one of the more stylish PCs, and the portability is a great bonus. If playing games is so important that people are worrying over some arbitrary difference in framerate, (is that the only determinant of gaming enjoyment anyway?) then they should get a generic PC.

[TugBoat]

BTW. The gaming example was just an easy way to demonstrate the difference between the cards. People should understand that Any Application that deals with graphics/motion will benefit from a stronger GPU. New technologies, such as Core Graphics, will place even more dependance for system/application performance on the GPU. Why start out with two year old technology? Imagine what that 5200 will be like in three years, when it will be a Five year old chip. Like I said, if it floats yer boat, go for it....
:P :P :P

[FCPguy]

Wow- thanks for all the responses- (well almost Timdmgd - stay on a forum you are wanted at- we don't act like that here.) The rest of you- thank you for the honest feedback.
Tgpo- size is a big issue now, as I would love to have the ability to run projects from work (will be working with some motion, and mostly FCP projects) I have a dual G5 at my disposal, but it is a real hassle to get ahold of as we share it. I wanted to be able to test some diff. looks and do it effectively.
The quesiton was honest enough and I've seen people do a lot more than replace a videocard, so it didn't seem so strange to me.
Tugboat- thank you for the page, that answer was exactly what I was looking for. Knowing that it isn't just hard, but pretty much impossible will definitely make a difference on the trade offs I'm weighing. Size and ability to expand, vs small and none. A tough trade off when you consider how quick video technology is going to be moving soon.
To all you who posted like always - thanks for your help- Peace

[FCPguy]

I guess long story short, after hearing all the different opinions from friends on my video needs and the size issue... I'll prob. just get a Dual G5, but it's too bad. I really wanted to keep it simple and small, but I was assured that card was underpowered, and set in stone here. Yeah, it would've been easy to get a newer video card, but at least they went a step closer by the bigger screens Thanks again -

[the future]

And if you think that you're gonna get a 17" PowerBook G5 for 1.999 USD eventually (my guess mid 2005), your very own Reality Distortion Field must be quite strong.

No, my very own Dual 1.25 (with upgradable graphics) is still going quite strong, and I'm gladly going to pay extra in the near future for portability and usability. Especially considering that Todays PowerBooks come with a Graphics Chip that will play games like Halo three times as fast as that nVidia 5200. Halo is quite old by gaming stats. Try playing something like Doom3 on that 5200. Like most things, different strokes, for different..... If you like what the iMac offers, go for it. Someone needs to, for the good of the company 8)

I think we essentially agree about the new iMac. It's a fine design, does represent great value for money, but with that GPU is not really made for gamers. Personally I suspect they went with the 5200 because of cooling issues with newer/faster cards and we will see those in the next rev. when IBM will be able to produce G5 chips that run a little cooler.

[timdmgd]

Apologies FCPguy, I shouldn't have said what I did and was in a particularly foul & unpleasant mood last night, sorry . I must learn to go straight to hit the sack rather than sitting in front of the computer when I'm like that.

[FCPguy]

timdmgd- Apology much appreciated and accepted Now.... what exactly is an FPC? ha ha

[tgpo]

Foreign Policy Centre??

[galactica]

Franklin Pierce College

Maybe not.........

Overall I like the idea of a G5 iMac too bad the chip is sooo large, that wider area at the bottom is kind of distracting, but then again these are just pics, its one thing to see those then its another to see it in real

i thought the G5's looked funny in the pics, but then you go and actually see them - 8)

[timdmgd]

Hey FCPguy, FPCguy was a rather stupid attempt at a joke, essentially referring to the 'PC' thing. I have a stereotype image in my head of 12 year old kids attempting to do ridiculous things to their PC's (to make them look cooler or make them perform new functions), breaking them in the process. Quite inexcusable. Again.

[FCPguy]

Oh ok! Now I get it! - Well, I was hoping I could have the best of both worlds- no sweat about the comment though.. I didn't get it at first, now no sweat, at least I get it!! ha ha I love my current Imac, but I've run into one limitation... the video card, and I do try to make stuff in FCP and now Motion just opens doors to neat effects. I just wish I could upgrage that one part... explaining my post. But anyways thanks again and Peace!

[DUDIRENO]

So what is the deal with this graphics card? Is it really that bad if you aren't playing games. I just want to edit video/photos and watch video. is this card OK for that? Is it dumb to get one of these as opposed to a dual G5. I mean to get a dual G5 I have to pay over 2 grand and I don't even get a monitor.

[FCPguy]

Didireno- I posted a reply, but it didn't seem to get here- Basically, the Imac is a good machine, but limited by it's video card. There is not much hope to upgrade, so it is frustrating for those of us who would like to do something a little more than that. A better video card would def. help in doing the things you are talking about, but it sounds like you will be happy w a G5 (most would be), but gamers and serious graphics people are missing out big on this one. (Motion can barely run on this machine- a better video card would have made a huge difference in usability). That's my biggest complaint, but it's a killer mac-

[FCPguy]

Sorry, above I meant to say a G5 Imac would suit your needs fine

[DUDIRENO]

Sounds good. I think I will get one sometime. Maybe by the time I am ready to get one They will work out some kinks.

[FCPguy]

I bet the revision of the G5 imac will give us the chance to upgrade, but the question is.. is it worth the wait?