Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

eeosman

macrumors newbie
Original poster
Nov 29, 2009
25
0
is it possible to upgrade the processor of 27" imac. what kind of processor is 3.06GHz? is it desktop or mobile? What is its code number. if it is possible which processors are suitable? i want to replace with a 6 core i9 (32nm)?
 
is it possible to upgrade the processor of 27" imac. what kind of processor is 3.06GHz? is it desktop or mobile? What is its code number. if it is possible which processors are suitable? i want to replace with a 6 core i9 (32nm)?

The processor in that computer is an E7600 (info) running on an LGA775 socket. The only upgrade path at the moment is to the slightly higher clocked 3.33 GHz model, though it would likely not be cost effective and would void warranty. As for the i9/i7/i5, no, they will physically not fit in the socket as they use LGA1366.
 
It is a socketed mobile Core2Duo, you can upgrade it to another faster one.

But it is rather expensive and instantly voids your AppleCare.

Really the best upgrade/economical upgrade for these mobile-based desktop has been to sell the machine and buy a new one.

---

Basically for the $300 it would cost to bump up to the 3.33 Ghz and the cost of the loss of AppleCare -- you basically should have bought the i5 or i7.
 
Still run into about the same deal, you cannot upgrade the heatsink to go to a radically higher TDP than Apple has designed for, and Apple doesn't offer BIOS upgrades for new CPUs.

The lack of BIOS updates are likely the largest drawback, keeping you from enjoying future CPUs in the same sockets.

I wasn't implying the processor is or is not upgradable.
 
The E7600 is a desktop processor.

Correct.
This would likely work:
QX9300 2.53Ghz Quad

However even if EFi saw and allowed it in most cases the 3.33Ghz duo core would be a better option as most processing just require fast single or dual processing.

This is why the i5 and i7 Lynnfield chips are so cool ... their single processor turbo mode can go up to 3.6Ghz and dual 3.46Ghz!

http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=3634&p=5
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.