Imac 2.8ghz 24'' CPU Swap?

[sammcj]

Hi All,

I have a Mid 08' Imac 2.8ghz 24''.
I've done a hard disk swap and am now considering doing a CPU swap.

What i'm looking at is: Intel Core 2 Quad Q9400 2.66GHz.

Does anyone know if it will just go straight in without modding?

[flopticalcube]

No. iMacs use laptop processsors. That's a desktop one. Different pin layout, different power requirements.

[sammcj]

No. iMacs use laptop processsors. That's a desktop one. Different pin layout, different power requirements.

So what would be a decent upgrade option?
I just feel the 2.8 is lacking in grunt...

[mstam]

So what would be a decent upgrade option?
I just feel the 2.8 is lacking in grunt...
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB535LL/A?mco=NDE4NDIyMQ

Two 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon [Add $2,600.00]

[sammcj]

http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MB535LL/A?mco=NDE4NDIyMQ

Two 2.93GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon [Add $2,600.00]

That's a mac pro, and you'd never buy upgrades through apple, they're a bloody rip-off.

[flopticalcube]

So what would be a decent upgrade option?
I just feel the 2.8 is lacking in grunt...

Apart from ordering a Mac Pro, the only available CPU upgrade is an E8435 3.06GHz processor.

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Intel-CORE2-e8435-SLAQD-OEM-similar-with-x9100_W0QQitemZ260405969826QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item3ca167c3a2&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50

While its not terribly expensive at just under $300, its a devil of a procedure to upgrade for less than 10% CPU performance improvement.

[myuserid08]

I thought the processor was soldered onto the logicboard

[flopticalcube]

I did too but apparently they are ZIF sockets:

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/stats/imac-core-2-duo-2.8-24-inch-aluminum-early-2008-penryn-specs.html

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/imac/imac-aluminum-faq/imac-intel-aluminum-processor-upgrade-instructions.html

[sammcj]

Apple really need to beef up Imac CPU's.
For the price you'd really expect more.


http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Duo+E8235+%40+2.80GHz (http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Core2+Duo+E8235+%40+2.80GHz)

[mstam]

Apple really need to beef up Imac CPU's.
For the price you'd really expect more.
The iMac is a very compact all-in-one computer w/ notebook parts. If you want desktop parts, a Mac Pro or PC would be a better choice.

[sammcj]

The iMac is a very compact all-in-one computer w/ notebook parts. If you want desktop parts, a Mac Pro or PC would be a better choice.

Windows / PC lacks in workflow
Mac pro lacks in price

Should be able to get a decent grunty enough mac for NZ$3000 but you're still stuck with basic hardware.

Anyway, this is not the place to complain.

[JayLenochiniMac]

Anyway, this is not the place to complain.

So don't complain that your 2.8 is lacking in grunt or the Mac Pro is too expensive.

[sammcj]

So don't complain that your 2.8 is lacking in grunt or the Mac Pro is too expensive.

If you bothered to read the post properly, I was asking a question on CPU swaps, not flaming Apple although it does annoy me in the lack of upgradability.

-You don't have to post so if you don't like what you read - Leave rather than trolling.

[zachkowalchuk]

If you bothered to read the post properly, I was asking a question on CPU swaps, not flaming Apple although it does annoy me in the lack of upgradability.

-You don't have to post so if you don't like what you read - Leave rather than trolling.

If you find a 2.8ghz Core 2 Duo lacking for your needs, of course people are going to tell you to get a faster mac. There is really no point in upgrading the CPU as you would get maybe a 10% CPU performance boost. And the time and effort to pull apart the iMac to install it is pointless for that 10 % IMO.