Neat Video: noise reduction to make video cleaner.
--> Versione Italiana <--
Created on 27 April 2006
Last Modified on 5 May 2006
I assume you already know how to open your Mini since there are many guides around about it.
If you are looking for details look at this VIDEO.
After opening the Mini, remove the black plastic assembly paying attention to:
- 4 black screws in the corners
- the black cable for the hard drive sensor
- the flat cable for the audio module
- the Airport antenna
Then remove the metal cylinder near the memory slots (with a torx or a small flat screwdriver).
Disconnect the power button cable close to the posterior panel...
...and the front led's one.
Now you can slowly unmount the motherboard from the case (takin' it from the front),
paying attention to the thermal pad over the southbridge on the opposite layer of the motherboard
(it keeps the southbridge within safe limits with passive cooling!).
Therefore you will have your small motherboard set "free" in order to work more comfortably on it.
I suggest working on a soft and flat surface (like a table with a towel over it).
Then turn it and gently remove the 4 locks of the heatsink (the core of the processor is fragile,
it isn't enclosed in a metal top like in the p4 or athlon64!!!).
Here it is! Your "slow" Core Duo is in front of you!
Much better, huh? ;-)))
Now it's in place of its little brother!!!
Make sure to not forget the temperature sensor under the heatsink (circled in yellow).
If you want, you can disconnect it from the motherboard BEFORE removing the heatsink completely.
You can also reset your bios (or "zapping" the pram for mac fanatics) with the small button circled in violet,
which you must press ONE time only.
The heatsink has to be cleaned carefully,
you have to remove the thermal paste applied by Apple since it isn't good anymore.
You should use acetone since alcohol isn't strong enough.
Nice! Apply some thermal paste on the core (like Artic Silver 5, the best!) and go backtrack to reassemble
your "turbo" MacMini!!!
Look at your poor 'n old Core Duo...it's a T2300, not a Low Voltage version like someone stated on the net!!!
So your T2600 will need about the same amount of energy (and so heat) of the original cpu
since they have the same TDP: 31W!!!
Now i'm busy with another project on our beloved Mini!!!
If you liked this guide please consider a small donation for my future projects!!!
Considering time involved, risks, hosting fees, the processor itself since i had to buy it
as soon as possible and so paid 450Euro on top of what i already spent for the mini itself!!
Thanks anyway for you visit, even without donations, at least help me with the nice offers on this site!!!!
;-)
Dave Roberts:
Do T7800 or E6850 work in the mac mini instead of T2600/T2700?
Sean:
Great tutorial! Upgraded my Mini: core duo 1.66Ghz to T7400 core 2 duo 2.16Ghz
Brovius:
Mac mini has a notebook proc. socket, you can't replace it with a desktop pro
James:
what a great tutorial! is the new intel E8400 3ghz compatible? love to try it
new2mac:
I changed the processor in mini, how to attach hear sensor to heat sink? TP?
Trausti:
Awesome! Looking forward to trying this one day on my Core Solo.
Daniel:
Socket M right? Holy crap they're expensive.
JPHIC:
I DID IT WITH A T7200 2GHZ + 2GO RAM + SAMSUNG SPINPOINT 500GO : LOVE MY MINI!
ITS NOT A FUCKING FAKE:
iv done this from core 2 duo 1.85ghz 2mb l2 cache to 2.4ghz works like a charm
Mum:
Easy, simple, and clear explanation. Thanks.
Steve:
It worked! RWT - Handbrake went from 22 FPS to 38FPS.. Wow!
Steve:
I'm putting a T7600 in my 1.83 core 2 duo tonight. Wish me luck!
Pancho:
at the shop do I have to ask for a processor for notebooks or a normal one?
>>
Which models can upgrade? How fast can you go? Can you overclock any CPU's?
Sean John:
look i dont know what the hell you did but it was FREAKIN TIGHT!!!!
John:
Very nice work dude. Jolly good show old boy. What is fastest you can get now?
Steve:
After T7600 upg & Leopard clean Install, Mini boots to Startup Manager! WHY??
KEll:
what If I put in a custom copper hs :P
peng:
can i put in 3ghz? will it work?
David:
How did you remove the heat sink. Also what's the fastest to push a 1.5 mono?
steve:
Heatsink removal is a BEAR be careful! After that, easy and fast!
yenry:
worked like a charm. core solo 1.5GHZ to core 2 duo 2.0GHZ (T7200).
HmJ:
Bravissimo!
Thanks-You:
Tonight I will be upgrading my fine beloved macmini to more speed - thanks
Joe:
Ciao!! Please update us on how your Mac Mini is performing now. Any problems?
TP_one:
nice
Carl:
does it support core 2 quad?
Dude-jerk-a-lot:
So the processor is normal-sized? Otherwise this guide rules!
Virtu@lEnix:
grande guida
Kayze:
Thanx for the guide. I just upgraded my core solo to core2duo 2.0ghz
Dan:
Way cool! Guys, Is it T7200 or T2700 or both chips can be used?
Slash:
It's Real. He installed a Core(1)Duo. Socket M.
Lil Monster:
OMG you aRe AMAZING!!!
this is :
this upgrade is from 1,66GHz to 2,16GHZ, better upgrade to Core 2 duo (64bit)
Vidar:
Does anyone know how a T2700 will work? Will the temp. be an issue?
Tommy:
Thanks Sebastian...someone should be more polite...
Sebastian:
It isn't a fake at all. Th T2600 is a Core Duo Yonah, not Core 2.
FAKE:
CORE2 is Copyright 2005 not 2004 Also an indication for FAKE
THIS IS FAKE:
If you do such a Fake Next Time Remember Core2 has 4mb of Cache not 2
I WILL TELL YOU:
Why did you remove the Device ID on the Core2 CPU ???
skeptic:
Don't forget the cost of the voided Apple Care Warranty.
Wartime:
I'm confused - what socket type should I be buying?
ken clark:
does it work with the core 2 duo also???
Mickey:
Quad Duo, Start your video editing..
Jimbob:
SWEET!! Just wondering if you can put a 3 ghz processor
Rockin Rooster:
What "socket" is the mini? How can you tell?
nyarlat:
I did it at last. And it works fabulous! Core 2 Duo 2.0 GHz T7200 rules!
yasufunny:
Core duo 2 should be Socket M or Socket 775????
Park:
Excellent. I paid about $110 for a 1GB upgrade and $170 for a T2500 (2GHz)
Wayne:
Can you overclock a Intel Core Duo chip
mDesDev:
What socket is the mini? Any compatible chips with a faster bus? Core 2 Duo
mDesDev:
You can't get a single core mini and upgrade to a dual, the pin config is diff
conan_snichi:
whare i can get it
tachikoma:
the small is beauty, core 8 duo
Lothburn:
Awsome guide, I will be doing the same. Thank you :)
RESC:
Nice, manual
Nick:
Nice work! Good stuff for an interesting midnight read.
zenwhen:
Nice work.
Mac-D:
ok, final 3rd question.. do i have to separate the motherboard to do this?
Mac-D:
2) you also removed the temp sensor (mistake?)... how did you put that back?
Mac-D:
i only have 2 questions before i modd myself 1) how much paste and how?
Mac-D:
e, if you search you will find.. the top version is a Core2Duo at 2.33Ghz
e:
What the highest core 2 duo it can handle?
Mac-D :
Hi! Cool modding! I have a few questions, but i can´t type more in comment..
bryan:
are there different t2600's or do they all work? (i.e. r they all socket 478?
mamma:
ciao tommy !
meidell@operamail.com:
Nice work, I'm upgrading to core 2 duo. How did you remove the heatsink locks?
massimiliano fantuzzi:
grande tommy, finalmente ho trovato il tuo sito !!!! complimenti -max
Samy:
Wow, great job! You are truely a Mac fan. Check www.smile-it.eu Bye!
Antoine:
Super, merci pour l'info !!! thx
fred:
thanks for the info!
bugra:
very good manual. but if I were, I would have used merom instead of yonah.
cemil:
valala gusel mis ama mini bozulursa ozaman s?çt?k i?te
dogan:
ha siktir ne guzel lan !!
Cris:
I was able to upgrade my memory without a single scratch, I will try this
sato:
can i upgrade from a 1.5 GHz solo mac mimi to a duo?
mxheadrm:
Grazie! Now will it take a Core 2 Duo?
Dharan P Deepak:
Excellent !!! Even though I don' plan to do so.
Charles:
Jolly good show old boy.
kdawg:
OK, So lets do a Core 2 Duo!
anthony:
I upgraded my Mac Mini Intel with a T2700, Intel Core Duo 2.33 and it works
you0wn3dthatm4c:
awesome dude!
Joe mamma:
I loved the veal parmazahn
Jamie Burns:
Does it make the CPU fan come on more often (if it is hotter)?
B:
Does the new Mac Mini Core Duo use SODIMMS and not standard SDRAM like in a PC
MacMini wanna ownER:
To answer a few ppls questoins....YES you can upgrade the Solo to a 2.16 Duo!
Rudy:
Where can you buy the upgrade Chip?
Pilimaki:
Has the Intel Macmini core solo 1,5 the same Mainboard? Why not swap that one?
AmazingRando:
Just did this upgrade with a T2600, worked fine, thanks for the pics!!
fat turtle:
nice one. will be geed when meom is in there
Cah:
How does one take the cpu out of the slot?
Mads:
Totally cool... thanks.
Kent:
It's a risk taken to help us learn, if you like donate, if not don't
pascal:
It's a very good upgrade guide with "humour", we said in french
~ Tarik ~:
Grazie tante, Ciao from Sydney
Billy:
Donate money? Why? You wanna chance it, you pay for it.
Stephen:
Fantastic work - thanks for letting us all learn from it.
Fabricius:
J'aurais du acheté un MacMini plutôt qu'un MacBookPro
Nivardo Cavalcante:
Great!!!! Welcome to PC World!!
matteo at streetlab dot it:
complimenti tommaso sei bravissimo! Sei di Roma?
Ratbert:
Very clear and easy procedure ! Thanks a lot for this work !
Prograham:
Looks good! Hope I get to use it someday. Big props to you from New York!
Tommaso Alvisi:
Thanks Chris for your help, i've cleaned the engish version, now it's better!
Matthieu:
Well done! It's possible upgrade from a single core mini up to the 2.16 ?
JMufla:
especially in comparison with a lot of other sites, or comments!
JMufla:
Bella li!, Bravo Tommaso! I don't get why people comment on your english!
ar72007 ric:
Bravo, attendre la baisse de cout des puces Intel ;-) cf Macbidouille.com
ar72007:
Bravo, attendre la baisse de cout des puces Intel ;-) cf Macbidouille.com
Felix:
Superrrrrrr. I wished I had a intel Mini and not a g4!
ngbkm:
oops just read all postings sorry for the dupe
ngbkm:
is it pssible to do this upgrade from a core solo up to the 2.16 core Duo
chinoi:
And it goes really faster then ?
Thierry:
Nice work.
Huby:
Nice going! Thanx man :-)
l0rdn1k0|\\|:
holy shitz0rz!!!!!!!1111!!1 0ver|<0cK3|)!!!11!!!11!
Oliver:
Good Job. You explained very well the steps
Tommaso Alvisi:
x Rob: the Airport is working without flaws, like everything!!
Promethe:
Your English is excellent. BTW, I'm soon moving for 2 years to Duino, Italy ^^
Rob:
Now get the airport to work properly :)
Barry Odoms:
Nice write up! Very well written. Thank you
pyriX:
Didn't realise you didnt speak engrish natively until i saw pick. Good project
kev-rock:
dude...great job. doesn't seem cost effect but, it will be some day. bravo!
Ted from California:
Bravo, well done! Thank you for sharing.
>>
"Lots of money for little speed improvement... absurd." maybe for you looser i
Doug:
Liked your work. Keep it up!
Tommaso Alvisi:
Yes, for sure!! You'll be able to buy a 1.5 sc and upgrade up 2 merom 2.33Ghz!
dunk:
Any one know if you can buy a single core mac mini and install a dule core?
Tommaso Alvisi:
x walter: a 30% speedup is a "little speed improvement"? a 4.32Ghz Mac Mini!!!
walter:
Lots of money for little speed improvement... absurd.
MF:
Your English is excellent, even the idioms! Very well done.