iMac 2007 processor upgrade?

[sunsetblow]

This model: https://everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/specs/imac-core-2-duo-2.0-20-inch-aluminum-specs.html

I got one of these handed down to me and read on everymac that it's possible to do processor upgrades, especially since it's a ZIF socket.

Has anyone done of these upgrades themselves and want to share which processor they plugged in? I read that even if the processor fits, a big problem can be internal internal power supply or heat dissipation.

 

[EugW]

I haven't done it personally, and I personally wouldn't bother, but if you're determined to do it, check out these pages:

http://lowendmac.com/2016/cpu-upgrade-options-for-mid-2007-imacs/
http://lowendmac.com/2018/penryn-t9300-9500-cpu-upgrades-for-the-2007-imac/

Your best options are the Core 2 Duo T9300 or T9500 (with 800 MHz bus speed and 6 MB cache). The T9500 is a bit faster than the T9300 but costs twice as much. But then again, it's still only about $40 total, so not a big deal. They will still be slow machines, maybe half as fast as a fanless MacBook Core m3, but they would be significantly faster than a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo. It would make for a noticeable improvement in surfing speed.

I have a Core 2 Duo 2.0 and a Core 2 Duo 2.26 (both with 1066 MHz bus speed and 3 MB cache) and the 2.26 is actually noticeably faster, despite having only a 13% improvement in clock speed. It makes a difference for some web pages and for watching videos. Even though the h.264 is hardware accelerated on both those machines, the extra CPU speed means less dropped frames and glitchiness. I suspect it'd be even better with a 2.6 GHz T9500.

Also, if you upgrade to T9500, you can install 10.13 High Sierra on it. High Sierra runs well as long as you have at least 4 GB RAM and SSD. It's bad with a laptop hard drive, but with a desktop hard drive, it can be tolerable as a secondary machine.

EDIT:

Hmmm... That machine has a Radeon HD 2600 Pro. AFAIK, that does NOT support hardware h.264 acceleration. If true, then that's a downer. Surfing without hardware h.264 acceleration is that much more sluggish when viewing a webpage with video on it.

 

[sunsetblow]

I haven't done it personally, and I personally wouldn't bother, but if you're determined to do it, check out these pages:

http://lowendmac.com/2016/cpu-upgrade-options-for-mid-2007-imacs/
http://lowendmac.com/2018/penryn-t9300-9500-cpu-upgrades-for-the-2007-imac/

Wow this is all so helpful. Thanks so much for this. I'm gonna tool around and see what I want to do. I don't need anything too hardcore, just a secondary desktop that'll be easier to do light work on

 

[mreg376]

Wow this is all so helpful. Thanks so much for this. I'm gonna tool around and see what I want to do. I don't need anything too hardcore, just a secondary desktop that'll be easier to do light work on

I have the 2007 iMac 24"/6GB. Still works pretty well. I'm sitting here with the T9300 CPU and the supposedly required wireless card upgrade, but I haven't worked up the nerve yet to put on the surgical gown.