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Hello , I want to buy the iMac 27" 5k 2017 release and I need to know which MXM slot does it use and if I can use the Mobile GTX 1080 in my notebook in it or not. I will be switching the cards , becuase an 1080 GTX inside my iMac is more important than inside the notebook. I will put Apple RX580 inside my notebook if they use the same MXM slot. I assume they should be because it is the same time and same MXM slot generation. Can you help ? Here is what I want to do: Open my notebook and remove the GTX 1080 card in it.Open the iMac I am going to buy and remove the RX580 Pro in it.Install the 1080 GTX in the iMac.Install the RX580 Pro in the notebook. I assume they both use the same power (150-180 watts) and produce the same heat. so the cooling will work on both.
Sorry Guy the New ‘Thin Series’ iMacs don’t use a MXM connection to host the Graphics card. The dedicated GPU is now soldered to the main logic board Update (09/17/2017) Clearly your mind is set with a vision that can’t be corrected to the truth. I know you want to believe it has a MXM slot like the older models sadly its just not there. The logic board in the Late 2014 & 2015 27" iMac Retina 5k. IFIXIT teardown is EXACTLY the same layout as the newer 2017 27" iMac Retina 5k model sans a different CPU. Here’s a clear view of the logic board:
As you can see the GPU chip is soldered to the logic board (Red outlined chip) there is no MXM slot system and the chip is not removable. For reference heres a MXM card:
There is no MXM connector in this logic board. If you watch the video of the newer 2017 27" iMac Retina 5k model you would see its the same! As for the CPU I don’t understand why you are bring this into the dialog. As it turns out the CPU is replaceable in all of the 27" models. But what does this have to do with the GPU you where asking about? Also, why you would bring in the 21.5" model into the dialog here is also perplexing given your question was on the GPU. Just to explain things here Apple has danced around with the 21.5" series. Some CPU’s where soldered in the newer ‘Thin Series’ models. The GPU is soldered in all of the ‘Thin Series’.
Mac does not support any NVIDIA GPUs past 900 series due to the spat they had with each other you can as of right now only go up to a Radeon 7 GPU for Mac OS. If your Mac has a thunderbolt port you can get a External GPU dock and a Radeon7 fairly cheap.
