Retina display on non-Retina Imac A1419

[Lxixboss]

I have a 2012 27-inch Imac A1419 on which the display is broken. In my quest to find a replacement panel, I have noticed that the prices for 2K and 5K panels are virtually identical. Can I therefore just slap one of these 5K displays onto my 2012 Imac? I am not looking for opinions here; I am looking for facts. Thanks in advance.

 

[CWallace]

The 5K iMac uses a specialized timing controller to drive the display at 5K which is not present on your 2012 model. This may therefore mean that only the 5K iMacs can use 5K panels (even if the panel could support the 2560x1440 resolution of non-5K 27" iMacs).