iM 4,1-14,4 2010 iMac 11,2 (21.5inch EMC2389) CPU upgrade i3/i5/i7

[piwikiwi]

Hi there,

so I've taken my Mac apart recently for a GPU upgrade and now I'm looking to upgrade the CPU.

I've searched quite a bit and there is some debate about which more powerful, readily obtainable CPU that this machine will take.

The stock CPU is an Intel i3-540 @3.06Ghz dual core.

The contenders appear to be either;
- an i7-860S @2.53Ghz quad core (possibly even an 870, but it's less readily available)
- an i5-680 @3.60Ghz dual core

Apparently it may depend on the model number (EMC 2428/2308/2389/2496)

Does anyone have an EMC 2389 with an i7, or even an i5? Or any solid information on the subject, because there are a lot of different and dated stories out there right now. I'm not even sure it will take an i5 or i7.


Thanks for any good info,

Paul 👍

 

[piwikiwi]

Some numbers just to decorate the thread 😉 :

Dont concentrate on the CPUmark scores too much, there’s also a difference in the number of cores.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

I would rank my priority like this:
i7-870 (4 cores @ 2.93Ghz)> i7-860 (4x2.80Ghz> i5-680 > i7-860s (2.5GHz) > i5-760 (unknown compatibility)
I bought 2 core i7-870 for my iMacs, but they are 27" with 310W PSU.

 

[piwikiwi]

To be honest I’ve already inexpensively ordered the i7-860S and the i5-680 😬

Now I’m just trying to avoid:

1) destroying the computer with an incompatible CPU
2) taking the machine apart more often than necessary

That’s why I’m trying to confirm the compatibility above all else

👋

 

[piwikiwi]

Update:

I’ve found a few youtube vids that definitely show my iMac model booting with the i7-860S, inspite of multiple sources that state that it shouldn’t be possible. There is also a source citing high temperature concerns with the i7 in such an iMac.
It looks like I’ll be trying the i7 install first when the CPUs arrive from the far east.

A few sources:

OPGELOST: Best CPU AND GPU Upgrade for my iMac - iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389

Your choices are limited to what Apple has used as well as what your system is able to support. So lets look at what Apple offered within your models series: iMac11,2 these are generally the best one can do. Now lets take a deep dive into the discreet specs of your systems CPU: Intel I3-540 -...

nl.ifixit.com

In case anyone’s curious in the future.

👋

 

[Blueline111]

Hi there,

so I've taken my Mac apart recently for a GPU upgrade and now I'm looking to upgrade the CPU.

I've searched quite a bit and there is some debate about which more powerful, readily obtainable CPU that this machine will take.

The stock CPU is an Intel i3-540 @3.06Ghz dual core.

The contenders appear to be either;
- an i7-860S @2.53Ghz quad core (possibly even an 870, but it's less readily available)
- an i5-680 @3.60Ghz dual core

Apparently it may depend on the model number (EMC 2428/2308/2389/2496)

Does anyone have an EMC 2389 with an i7, or even an i5? Or any solid information on the subject, because there are a lot of different and dated stories out there right now. I'm not even sure it will take an i5 or i7.


Thanks for any good info,

Paul 👍

Take a look at "MacintoshMen" on Youtube if you have not already. There is detailed information on CPUs & GPUs (including the 2010 model) along with video instructions on upgrading the CPU and GPU (with a hack for a more powerful GPU). I followed their instructions several years ago when upgrading my mid-2011 iMac and have never had a problem. The CPU I upgraded to was a 2.8GHz i7-2600S. I still use it today as a second computer due to the software that cannot be used with an upgraded OS.

 

[piwikiwi]

Thanks, I’ll check that out

Update:
Some good news from @MacintoshMen:

 

[piwikiwi]

Just a quick update for whoever follows this stuff.

I finally put my 11.2 back together with i7-860S quad core 2.53.

It's fabulous with no hiccups so far!