If anyone is interested in doing this upgrade and has any questions, I'd be happy to answer. I just upgraded my Core Solo Mini.
As far as upgrades go, this isn't an easy one. If you damage one of the four posts that secure the heat-sink, you are sunk. If you're not comfortable working with fragile computer parts, acetone, conductive paste, and little black screws that know evasive maneuvers, you won't find happiness.
The Core 2 Duo chips are really good. Jobs made the right call to switch to Intel.
Hey Z, I'm very interested in your experience - I have an old solo mini that is wheezing and snorting - it could use an upgrade and I ain't afraid to slap on an anti-static wrist strap either! Tell me more...
Dan
Quote from: Dan Millar on October 29, 2007, 12:09:04 PM
Hey Z, I'm very interested in your experience - I have an old solo mini that is wheezing and snorting - it could use an upgrade and I ain't afraid to slap on an anti-static wrist strap either! Tell me more...
Hmm, check the furnace filtre. Your Mini may have allergies...
I was generally satisfied with the Core Solo CPU. The problem for me was when I was compiling Fink and MacPorts packages. That would take the Solo to 100% and slow all other operations. The C2D has the bandwidth for what I need and it's 64-bit.
I assume that you've been inside the Mini before so I won't comment on opening the case unless you need me to do so.
The CD chassis comes off with gentle nudging once you've removed the four corner screws (Phillips). When you remove the CD chassis, you can see the whole mainboard. You'll need to remove the one Torx bolt at the front left corner of the mainboard to remove the mainboard.
You may as well upgrade your RAM when you've come this far. It's easy to do and it's always worth doing.
I recommend that you disconnect the heat-sink's sensor cable so you can remove the heat-sink from the work area once you've dislodged the four white support pins that hold the heat-sink on top of the CPU.
Use sharp-nose pliers (the finest point that you can find) to squeeze the tips of the white support pins that protrude on the underside of the mainboard. Squeeze gently to work the support pins free. Don't scratch the mainboard! Also, be aware that the pins pass through springs and the springs will fire the support pins into the air or across your desk if you're not cautious.
With the heat-sink off, the CPU can be removed with a simple turn of the locking screw that you'll see. Insert the new CPU and put the old one up for sale on your favourite auction site.
You'll need nail-polish remover and cotton swabs to clean the old conductive paste from the heat-sink. Apply a small drop of conductive paste to the new CPU once it's in place. Spread the paste flat with a stiff plastic card. Wipe the heat-sink free of acetone and mount it.
Connect the sensor to the heat-sink, install the heat-sink and support pins. Push the latter through the heat-sink and mainboard gently, applying centred vertical pressure with a large Allen key. Make SURE that the support pins have locked on the underside of the mainboard. I had one of them pop out after I had closed the case... I had to repeat the surgery on the patient.
Here's a Google link for a set of articles about this procedure. Some of these articles have good pictures of the patient.
http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&q=mac+mini+core+solo+upgrade+heat+sink&btnG=Google+Search&meta=
Thanks for the detailed explanation and the link, I'll get back on my experience. I'm using the mini for web development and I know it'll help speed up Apache - and I'll be adding more RAM too - it's so cheap now.
Dan