What type of video processor is provided by the Aluminum iMac systems? Which have dedicated memory? Which have integrated memory? Is it upgradable?

Details regarding the video processor provided by each Aluminum iMac are included on the applicable specifications page. However, standard configurations of stock models also are included below:

* These models have slower "integrated" graphics that share memory with the system.

** There are two configurations of this model -- MB950LL/A, which has a NVIDIA GeForce 9400M "integrated" graphics processor that shares memory with the system and MC413LL/A, which has an ATI Radeon HD 4670 with 256 MB of dedicated GDDR3 memory.

Officially, Apple provides some models with upgraded video options at the time of purchase, but the video is not intended to be upgraded by a third-party. However, based on disassembly photos and a variety of teardowns, it appears that some models have the video mounted on its own card and it is theoretically upgradable in these systems.

If you have additional information regarding the upgrade potential of the graphics in any of the Intel-based iMac models, particularly if you have experimented with upgrading your own system, please share.

Regardless, if video expansion is a top priority, you would likely be better served by a Mac Pro.

Site sponsor Operator Headgap Systems specializes in heavily upgraded expandable systems with an eye on both backwards-compatibility and the future. PowerMax also sells a large number of new and used Macs free of sales tax.