Replacing i5 CPU with i7 in 27" iMac

[MovieCutter]

First, you need to relax.

First, you need to get a grip on reality and listen to the what I am telling you and understand that I'm not telling you what to do, simply telling you what the company I worked for for years will tell you, so I'm actually looking out for you...but take it as you will.

I think you may be misinterpreting either the AppleCare agreement, or something an employee told you. The warranty is voided if you do something that isn't defined as an end user alteration. If you replace the hard drive in your 2007 non-unibody MacBook Pro and they can tell that you did it, they will NOT fix anything else under warranty, regardless of whether it is related or not. The naysayers on this thread are the wise ones who have seen people like you think they are hot stuff when they go up against a multi-billion dollar corporation, and then get shut down.

Feel free to replace the CPU (you obviously know what you are talking about), and then come back to us when you have an unrelated problem and Apple refuses to fix it.

+1...go ahead and try it...let us know how it goes when you need AppleCare

 

[300D]

But the warranty is still valid for the other components. Warranty Law in the US protects me there.

Incorrect. It clearly says "Warranty void".

Even if you were right, which you are far from it, all they have to do is claim the CPU at fault for any failure the computer might have and they win. Attempting a lawsuit would cost much more than an entire iMac just in lawyer fees.

Either way, replacing the CPU under a valid warranty renders it invalid.

Wrong, wrong WRONG, wrong wrong Wrong WRONG!!!

Thats exactly what your uninformed opinion is.

if they assume that they are covered by warranty and they are indeed not covered by warranty then they have only themselves to blame.

You completely missed the entire point of this thread, that is exactly what we are trying to PREVENT.

moviecutter: what would happen if say, i upgraded the CPU, then something went wrong (e.g. screen dies, or something unrelated) and i changed the old CPU back. there was no evidence of swapping the CPU.

That is false. There would be very obvious evidence in the fact the tamper-proof sticker covering the CPU heatsink screws has been removed. No, there is no way to remove/install the sticker without them noticing, companies have spent millions developing adhesive and sticker technology to prevent that.

Example, if I swap the hard drive in a MacBook Pro, that doesn't mean that my prematurely exploded battery is not covered under warranty. The basis of the naysayers in this thread appears to be "You're gonna royally screw up so don't even try".

Actually, thats because its a user serviceable part. Apple even has a guide on doing it.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3419

 

[spork183]

Keep telling yourself that. Opening the computer and replacing a part does not in any way alter the warranty. IF you break something in the process or break the CPU seal, THEN its totally void.

You're right, as long as they don't know you were in there. As soon as they know you went inside, they have all kinds of grounds to claim you screwed up something else.

 

[Sun Baked]

That is false. There would be very obvious evidence in the fact the tamper-proof sticker covering the CPU heatsink screws has been removed. No, there is no way to remove/install the sticker without them noticing, companies have spent millions developing adhesive and sticker technology to prevent that.

If the CPU swap industry becomes hot, I'm quite sure somebody will start selling some fake stickers.

 

[300D]

start selling some fake stickers.

Not legally.

 

[Sun Baked]

Not legally.

Unless Apple puts trademarks on them, they likely could make and sell them without too much worry until the stickers with Apple holograms show up.

 

[MovieCutter]

Thats exactly what your uninformed opinion is.

Uninformed? Okay, I guess the hours upon hours of training by Apple is complete BS...but suit yourself...go for it.

 

[synth3tik]

In what sense? The CPU isn't a user replaceable part. If Apple realizes you swapped the CPU and there's something wrong with the hard drive...your warranty is void. Simple as that genius. What authority do you have to the contrary?

I would not worry about it. If someone wants to start ripping things out of their computer then it is only their fault when Apple refuses to fix it.

It's hard enough to get Apple to honor a warranty repair, if someone wants to push their luck, I say let them.

 

[MovieCutter]

I would not worry about it. If someone wants to start ripping things out of their computer then it is only their fault when Apple refuses to fix it.

It's hard enough to get Apple to honor a warranty repair, if someone wants to push their luck, I say let them.

Obviously. I'll let the morons who want to open up and tinker inside their iMacs deal with the consequences...stated or unstated. Some people are just silly.

 

[ljonesj]

I agree with the person that about himself putting in the i7 in place of the i5. It will not work if i remember correctly as they are different sockets. In my manual it says none of my mac mini components are user replaceable parts but if memory serves me right I think they once said as long as nothing is broken if you replace your hard drive and ram you are covered by your warranty. Please dont quote me on that thou.

PS the processor in the mini is soldered to the logic board so i can't replace it

 

[DoFoT9]

I agree with the person that about himself putting in the i7 in place of the i5. It will not work if i remember correctly as they are different sockets. In my manual it says none of my mac mini components are user replaceable parts but if memory serves me right I think they once said as long as nothing is broken if you replace your hard drive and ram you are covered by your warranty. Please dont quote me on that thou.

PS the processor in the mini is soldered to the logic board so i can replace it

huh? they use the same socket silly.

 

[ljonesj]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_i5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_i7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core#Nehalem_microarchitecture_based
Well according to this lol the i5 for anyone has not released and i apologize about assuming the i5 and i7 sharing sockets. Personally I don't like what Intel is doing to the on board igp with there own it kills the 9400m for the mini, the notebooks and the base imac's as its a great gpu for the light wait work for many and most Intel's igp's suck for anything

 

[DoFoT9]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_i5
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Core_i7
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intel_Core#Nehalem_microarchitecture_based
Well according to this lol the i5 for anyone has released and i apologize about assuming the i5 and i7 did not share sockets

they are both lynfield CPUs and both use the 1156 socket just to clarify

 

[Techhie]

they are both lynfield CPUs and both use the 1156 socket just to clarify

I dont see the point in doing it as an aftermarket (warranty voiding) upgrade when it is available for 200 more. I can understand going out of your way to do it given it is an unavailable or ridiculously expensive part, but in this case it is hardly justified.

 

[ljonesj]

True i will agree with you there thats why when i got my mini i went ahead and got the 799 one. Just wished i went ahead and got the 500 gig hd for it thou oh well i still need to get my applecare for it thou. hope to get it next month

 

[CJS7070]

I dont see the point in doing it as an aftermarket (warranty voiding) upgrade when it is available for 200 more. I can understand going out of your way to do it given it is an unavailable or ridiculously expensive part, but in this case it is hardly justified.

Plus the risk of screwing things up completely (which is significantly high).

 

[Techhie]

Plus the risk of screwing things up completely (which is significantly high).

Not particularly, as it's just swapping out a socketed CPU. For those who are careless or inexperienced, not the same story

 

[CJS7070]

Not particularly, as it's just swapping out a socketed CPU. For those who are careless or inexperienced, not the same story

True, but even if you are careful, there's always that remote chance that something will go wrong, especially since it's not "user serviceable," if you will.

 

[Techhie]

True, but even if you are careful, there's always that remote chance that something will go wrong, especially since it's not "user serviceable," if you will.

Whoops, I accidentally used the (extremely sensitive) gold connectors on the back of the chip to grate cheese

 

[DoFoT9]

I dont see the point in doing it as an aftermarket (warranty voiding) upgrade when it is available for 200 more. I can understand going out of your way to do it given it is an unavailable or ridiculously expensive part, but in this case it is hardly justified.

im with you on that. i considered doing it myself but then i saw the prices. apple do it for $280Aus, i can buy the chip for about $350Aus. what use is that? its a lose-lose situation no matter what.

Whoops, I accidentally used the (extremely sensitive) gold connectors on the back of the chip to grate cheese

they arent pins anymore silly they are flat connectors

 

[dronus]

they arent pins anymore silly they are flat connectors

Damn so you cant just add a pin to make it an SX? just kidding, of course

 

[Techhie]

they arent pins anymore silly they are flat connectors

that makes it even better! cheese ridden with gold flakes!

 

[DoFoT9]

Damn so you cant just add a pin to make it an SX? just kidding, of course

no idea what an SX is lol! sorry.

that makes it even better! cheese ridden with gold flakes!

adds a nice crunch dont you think?

 

[Techhie]

no idea what an SX is lol! sorry.


adds a nice crunch dont you think?

If only I could exert the full quad core processing power of cheese...*proceeds to write ground-breaking patent*

 

[DoFoT9]

If only I could exert the full quad core processing power of cheese...*proceeds to write ground-breaking patent*

bloody yanks

cant wait to get my quad i hope it arrives on tuesday