2017 iMac 5K with i7-7700T possible?

[mj_]

Looking for information on whether the 2017 iMac supports the Intel Core i7-7700T processor. I could use the extra threads but most certainly no the extra heat generated by the i7-7700K with its 91 W TDP. I know that the i7-7700 (without K) is also supported and shouldn't get any louder than my current i5-7500 since they both have the same 65 W TDP. However, running a 35 W i7 in my iMac sounds incredibly tempting.

Has anyone successfully installed a 35W i7-7700T with 4C/8T in a 2017 27" iMac?

 

[CWallace]

I imagine the socket is what matters and since the T and K are both FCLGA1151, it should slot right in.

 

[velocityg4]

It's more about how much power it draws under full load with turbo boost. Which is considerably higher than TDP. Although lower end models are closer to their target TDP. As they don't turbo boost as high.

Unfortunately there's no way I know of to set a limit to the turbo boost multiplier in macOS. It's either TB enabled or disabled. So, a 7700 with TB disabled may be what you are after.

This Tomshardware review shows where the 7700K, 7700, 7600K and 7600 land at full turbo under a stress test. Which is higher than your ever likely to see in the real world. At least it gives you a baseline of how bad it can get. Also that of a gaming load and heavy load.

Intel Kaby Lake Core i7-7700K, i7-7700, i5-7600K, i5-7600 Review

Intel's Kaby Lake falls into the comes bearing the tuned 14nm+ process, a revamped graphics engine and a new chipset.

www.tomshardware.com

As you'll see there is a noticeable difference in power consumption between a 7700 and 7600 at various loads. Which would be more pronounced against your 7500. I'd expect with turbo boost disabled. That cooling a 7700 won't be much worse than a 7500.

As for a 7700t. It all depends on if Apple mothered to include the Microcode. If they did then it will work without issue. If they didn't you'll have the hair raising task of updating the microcode yourself. Which I wasn't even aware was possible with Macs. Until I spotted this thread.

updating a Mac (Pro)s CPU Microcode

I Just wanted to make a Quick posting that I managed to update the Microcode on my MacBook2,1 to the latest version intel has released for its CPU :) I managed to do this by dumping my MacBooks BootROM using flashrom in Linux and actually manually finding the microcode in the BootROM (which in...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[mj_]

I am aware that the socket should fit. It's the microcode I am more worried about, which is why I asked whether or not somebody already tried Definitely not going to fiddle around with updating the firmware myself, I'm too old for this sh...


I also don't want to disable TB since that's what makes these CPUs so fast in short single-thread bursts. Honestly I'm fine with my i5-7500's performance but it's good to know whether or not I've got options.

 

[mj_]

Based on the incredible amount of feedback I am going to have to assume that nobody has yet dared to install an i7-7700T in the 2017 iMac. Oh well...

 

[velocityg4]

Based on the incredible amount of feedback I am going to have to assume that nobody has yet dared to install an i7-7700T in the 2017 iMac. Oh well...

You can be the first. Then let the world know. If it doesn't work. Send it back. Just use a seller who accepts returns.

 

[brewdesign]

I'd be curious to hear the answer if someone does attempt, the used 7700Ts seem to currently sell for less than half of what the 7700/7700K sell for. I've got a 2017 iMac 5K with a stock 3.4 i5 7500. Base clock frequency for me would be reduced 500MHz when "upgrading" to the T processor, but same turbo, plus double the threads but same core count. The TDP of the T processor is much lower at 35W (vs 65W) which would potentially create a more quiet and efficient machine, but the performance increase is questionable, not worth messing with microcode IMO, if that is even required.

 

[mj_]

Exactly my thoughts.

 

[gerbaud]

I'd be curious to hear the answer if someone does attempt, the used 7700Ts seem to currently sell for less than half of what the 7700/7700K sell for. I've got a 2017 iMac 5K with a stock 3.4 i5 7500. Base clock frequency for me would be reduced 500MHz when "upgrading" to the T processor, but same turbo, plus double the threads but same core count. The TDP of the T processor is much lower at 35W (vs 65W) which would potentially create a more quiet and efficient machine, but the performance increase is questionable, not worth messing with microcode IMO, if that is even required.

Looking for information on whether the 2017 iMac supports the Intel Core i7-7700T processor. I could use the extra threads but most certainly no the extra heat generated by the i7-7700K with its 91 W TDP. I know that the i7-7700 (without K) is also supported and shouldn't get any louder than my current i5-7500 since they both have the same 65 W TDP. However, running a 35 W i7 in my iMac sounds incredibly tempting.

Has anyone successfully installed a 35W i7-7700T with 4C/8T in a 2017 27" iMac?

Has anyone successfully made this upgrade? Intel's CPU OS compatibility database marks the 7700T as OS X supported, but haven't found anybody tried this since.

 

[gerbaud]

Has anyone successfully made this upgrade? Intel's CPU OS compatibility database marks the 7700T as OS X supported, but haven't found anybody tried this since.

So, if anyone is still interested, I made the change from i5 7500 to i7 7700T in my 2017 27" 5K iMac. Works flawlessly, the fan stays at 1200RPM no matter what benchmark I run. I attached Geekbench 6 results.