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Changing processor in 24" Aluminum iMac.

Z

zackkmac

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 7, 2008
880
129
Denver
This question might be a little stupid since I'm only 15 and not the most technical kid around...I recieved 2 new Dell XPS computers [410 and 420], and since I will be primarily using my iMac, I want to swap their processors. The 420 has a Core2Quad 2.4GHz, will that work in my iMac [or is it a different socket]? The 410 has 2.8GHz Core 2 Duo. Which would be better, or at least compatible?

Also, anyone know if disassembly is the same as the white iMacs? If so I believe I could do it, and I'm willing to go for it :eek:

Thanks:apple:
 
Hmmmm....

No, it isn't soldered on, it's in a ZIF socket.

From everymac.com:

Officially, Apple does not intend for the processor in any Intel-based iMac models to be upgraded. However, based on photographs from site sponsor PowerMax, the processor in the original iMac "Core Duo" is mounted on a ZIF socket, which makes upgrading the processor possible.

The always faithful Kodawarisan tears apart the "White" iMac Core 2 Duo and "Aluminum" iMac Core 2 Duo models as well and confirms that these systems have the processor mounted in the same way as their predecessors (the "Core Duo" and "Core 2 Duo" are pin-compatible).
Click to expand...

Also, anyone know if disassembly is the same as the white iMacs? If so I believe I could do it, and I'm willing to go for it
Click to expand...

See-

http://www.kodawarisan.com/imac_2007_mid/imac_2007_mid_01.html
 
So wait...

I can upgrade my processor?

That is insane!

Has anyone ever done it? I'm aware it's a risk to open up my iMac and do such a procedure, but I wouldn't mind doing anything to it once my warranty is over.

Are mobile processor even easy to obtain?


EDIT: I found this thread on Macrumors about a member who successfully upgraded his processor https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/221112/
This is getting interesting, I really want to do this as soon as my warranty expires
 
airjuggernaut said:
So wait...

I can upgrade my processor?

That is insane!

Has anyone ever done it? I'm aware it's a risk to open up my iMac and do such a procedure, but I wouldn't mind doing anything to it once my warranty is over.

Are mobile processor even easy to obtain?


EDIT: I found this thread on Macrumors about a member who successfully upgraded his processor https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/221112/
This is getting interesting, I really want to do this as soon as my warranty expires
Click to expand...

If you do it make a guide and tell us how it goes! I really want to search around for the best processor I can exchange my current one with. Looks like the procedure's a pain though.
 
How did you get two XPS machines for free? And what do you need them for at the age of 15?

*JEALOUS*

Also, I wouldn't recommend you doing because it sounds like you aren't quite ready for it skill wise and you might just destroy your iMac.
 
zmttoxics said:
How did you get two XPS machines for free? And what do you need them for at the age of 15?

*JEALOUS*

Also, I wouldn't recommend you doing because it sounds like you aren't quite ready for it skill wise and you might just destroy your iMac.
Click to expand...

I didn't get them for free, I don't remember saying that. My parents bought them for me but they paid Dell. :confused:
I wanted one to play WoW on [my friend's begging me], and the other to do small home-movie editing with software that my iMac can't use.
Also, I wasn't going to do it [alone], I have a neighbor that does things like this for a living.

SaSaSushi: Sorry I missed your post earlier, and I wasn't really asking for a guide from airjuggernaut that I'm going to wait on and go from there, just thought it'd be a cool idea to make one. :eek:
 
zackkmac said:
I didn't get them for free, I don't remember saying that. My parents bought them for me but they paid Dell. :confused:
I wanted one to play WoW on [my friend's begging me], and the other to do small home-movie editing with software that my iMac can't use.
Also, I wasn't going to do it [alone], I have a neighbor that does things like this for a living.

SaSaSushi: Sorry I missed your post earlier, and I wasn't really asking for a guide from airjuggernaut that I'm going to wait on and go from there, just thought it'd be a cool idea to make one. :eek:
Click to expand...

Ya, but your parents gave them to you right? Also, you can run windows on the iMac, and play WoW on it too. Pretty much you have 3 computers to do what your iMac could have done.
 
The iMac is technically upgradeable, but the iMac also has one of the most powerful notebook processors available anyway - the 3.06GHz C2D. Now, a 20" 3.06 would be insane...

DO WANT.
 
zmttoxics said:
Ya, but your parents gave them to you right? Also, you can run windows on the iMac, and play WoW on it too. Pretty much you have 3 computers to do what your iMac could have done.
Click to expand...

Yep. And I'm aware of that, which I did try to put Windows on it. Oddly enough it wouldn't recognize my Vista Ultimate disc or any of our XP discs when BootCamp asked for them, and we have both 64 and 32-bit editions. iMovie is great for editing, but there are some things my editing software has that iMovie doesn't, so it's nice to be able to use that on a different computer without crowding my iMac's HD. Plus that software is for Windows only, which like I said wouldn't work on my iMac [I don't even want Vista/XP on my iMac].
 
What editing software do you use then? Adobe Premiere and Avid are both Mac compatible... So that mush mean you use either Vegas, Pinnacle or Ulead by my reckoning.

If iMovie won't do it for you look to use Final Cut Express or even the Pro version if you can afford that. Its used far more widely in the industry than many of the others (except Avid), so if you enjoy it and wish to maybe earn money from it one day it's well worth give Final Cut a go!

I forgot to say, with regards to disk space definitely get a Firewire 800 External HDD for video. Saves you clogging up the insides!
 
tri3limited said:
What editing software do you use then? Adobe Premiere and Avid are both Mac compatible... So that mush mean you use either Vegas, Pinnacle or Ulead by my reckoning.

If iMovie won't do it for you look to use Final Cut Express or even the Pro version if you can afford that. Its used far more widely in the industry than many of the others (except Avid), so if you enjoy it and wish to maybe earn money from it one day it's well worth give Final Cut a go!
Click to expand...

I use Vegas. I thought Final Cut may be too advanced for me to use, but since I've never seen it anywhere [no Apple store nearby], I have no idea. I will definitely go to the Apple site for it and consider it though, thanks :D
 
airjuggernaut said:
I think im horribly blind, because I see nothing on how to upgrade the processors on that site :|
Click to expand...

I see now that the guide I linked to is actually for replacing the HD. But it shows you how to get to the CPU and then its just a matter of removing it from the socket and replacing it. Replacing the CPU is the easy part. What is difficult in working with the new iMacs is the disassembly and reassembly of the case.

I had a link to a similar guide specifically for the CPU but I can't find it now. I will post it here if I do. ;)
 
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