Resolved: Upgrading the 2011 imac to ivy bridge final results

[R.OG]

Originally Posted by arturpl

Hi guys,
Does anyone has any news regarding upgrading iMacs 2011 with i7-3770?
Anyone successfull?

Thanks,
Artur

Tried it on 2 different imacs and it does not work.

[millerg]

I would like to upgrade if it works and it looks like we have two different experiences. Have the failed attempts to upgrade to the 3770 been with the 3770k or the plain 3770? I noticed in the intel site that the K version does not have the following:

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) No
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology No

I noticed that this was the same for the 2700k that I am using right now that will not boot Mountain Lion. Could it be that the OS checks for these features?

Greg

[Kai.Def]

great idea - shame there are so many conflicting accounts

[R.OG]

Originally Posted by millerg

I would like to upgrade if it works and it looks like we have two different experiences. Have the failed attempts to upgrade to the 3770 been with the 3770k or the plain 3770? I noticed in the intel site that the K version does not have the following:

Intel® Virtualization Technology for Directed I/O (VT-d) No
Intel® Trusted Execution Technology No

I noticed that this was the same for the 2700k that I am using right now that will not boot Mountain Lion. Could it be that the OS checks for these features?

Greg

I used a 3770 and the machine will not post, the diagnostic leds indicated a hardware error. The 2700k works but only with Lion, mountain lion get caught in a boot loop.

[kennyap]

Originally Posted by Kai.Def

great idea - shame there are so many conflicting accounts

Hello:

As I said in an earlier post in this thread, I've been in contact with those (one in this thread) that have had the most success, ex/ being able to boot & use the iMac 2011 with the Core i-3700, and they've reported continuing issues/errors with new program installations/OS X updates to the point the computer is unusable.

To put it simply; unless the necessary changes are incorporated into the Lion/ML installer file, Core i-3770 DOES NOT WORK in the 2011 iMac.

As stated above, this might change as updated OS X installer files are released for the 2012 iMac models.

[R.OG]

Originally Posted by kennyap

Hello:

As I said in an earlier post in this thread, I've been in contact with those (one in this thread) that have had the most success, ex/ being able to boot & use the iMac 2011 with the Core i-3700, and they've reported continuing issues/errors with new program installations/OS X updates to the point the computer is unusable.

To put it simply; unless the necessary changes are incorporated into the Lion/ML installer file, Core i-3770 DOES NOT WORK in the 2011 iMac.

As stated above, this might change as updated OS X installer files are released for the 2012 iMac models.

Hey kennyap, aside from Hackerwayne was someone else able to get the imac to power on with a 3770?

[millerg]

I just tried a 3770 and all I got was a black screen with diagnostic LEDs 1 and 2 on. I swapped back to the i5 and am installing ML on a USB stick to see if ML will offer an EFI update. My guess is that hackerwaynes G EFI is the ticket.

I'll continue to post any progress or lack of.

Greg

[kennyap]

Originally Posted by R.OG

Hey kennyap, aside from Hackerwayne was someone else able to get the imac to power on with a 3770?

Hi R.OG:

Yes, but after boot the problems start staightaway. So I wouldn't even call that a success.
Not sure exactly what happened with Hackerwayne, but at least he was decent enough to let me know the serious problems he was encountering.

[millerg]

Hackerwayne,

Can you help us find the bootrom you are using? You seem to have the only unit that will boot with a 3770.

Thanks,

Greg

[kennyap]

Originally Posted by millerg

Hackerwayne,

Can you help us find the bootrom you are using? You seem to have the only unit that will boot with a 3770.

Thanks,

Greg

Send him a message (email) through his forum username, which he might receive faster.

[Kai.Def]

thanks for the constructive feedback - thanks to kenny ROG & all

I am keeping my eye on this thread

[mrsavage1]

upping this because the 2012 imacs have been delivered

[Alekto]

I'll buy a 2012 base model next month and upgrade the CPU. Surely there's some sort of firmware hack? Like Hackintosh or something.

[DrJack6]

Originally Posted by kennyap

Hi Freez3:

I have a Core-i7 2700k in my iMac.

Sorry to resurrect the thread. So am I OK to upgrade to 2700K as long as I have Lion? B1F and 1.72f1

[mrsavage1]

Apparently yes if you want to stay at lion. I am currently looking to upgrade the 2500s to a 2600 but there seem to be reports http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1497867 that it may fry the imac. Not to sure if i want to proceed. As ever if someone figures out how to crack the 3770 i7 we will be super grateful.

Oh btw i noticed hacker wayne is using a 3770s while ROG is using a 3770.
This might be why hacker wayne's is working.

[kennyap]

Originally Posted by DrJack6

Sorry to resurrect the thread. So am I OK to upgrade to 2700K as long as I have Lion? B1F and 1.72f1

Yes, typing on mine now. Absolutely no problems, except can't install Mountain Lion.

[SuperNeal]

I too am a mid 2011 iMac guy. I have the i5 3.1, and wanted to upgrade to the i7 3770. Was wondering if 10.8.3 made any difference. I try it if I had the i7 lying around. Anyone have a chance to test? Or is there a way to see what is in the mid 2012 iMac, and what has changed on the board -besides size- for the new machine? I know it takes the same 1155..right? Just trying to keep this thread alive as I know that to this point hackerwayne is the only one that I have seen that seems to have had any luck.