iMac 2015 logic board upgradable to 2017?

[Phil115]

Hi, I have an iMac retina 2015 27" M395X with a defective logic board, but the screen works perfect.
As I have seen on ifixit and with comparing photos of the boards of the 2015 and 2017 imac retina versions they seem really the same.

So now I am wondering if it is possible to upgrade my 2015 imac with a 2017 (maybe R570) board?
Are the displays the same so the old panel will work with the new board?
Maybe an issue could be a different power supply so I have to change this as well beside the CPU/Memory which needs to be upgraded.

Does anyone have experience or deeper knowledge of this?

 

[TwoH]

The only difference between the 2015 and 2017 that I can think of is that the 2017 has moved the location of the internal microphone - this could also mean that a couple of the pins on the camera connector could be in different places for these two years.
PSU should be the same with these models -- the only issues you would have is the internal microphone, and possibly your camera.

 

[Zandros]

I believe the 2017 has USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports while the 2015 has Mini DisplayPort/Thunderbolt 2. Could perhaps be an issue with the holes for the ports?

 

[Phil115]

Yes the 2017 IMac has got tb3. This is one of the reasons why I want to upgrade. But I think with a dremel this problem can easily be solved. Not beautiful but suitable.
The the camera and mic would be more an issue. I dont really need them, though I think the apple Hardware test would fail if I dont plug them in? Is the problem with the fans on maximum speed still existent if they are not plugged in? On the other hand, regarding the ifixit guide, I could easily change them too.

 

[Fishrrman]

They're not interchangeable.

If you want "more", time to look for a 2017 or a 2019, new or Apple-refurbished.

 

[Phil115]

Can you please explain why?

 

[Fishrrman]

Go ahead and try it.
Get back to us with the results.

 

[Aiwi]

As far as I know, the display connector is located in a different place, the camera connector and microphone as well. Since the display is using eDP, I guess it should be possible to make it work. Not at all sure about the backlight pin out though, watch out and measure voltages. Tb3 port arrangement will lead to a dremel situation.

Perhaps it’s better to buy a full 27” 2017 for 1000USD instead of a 2017 logic board for 500USD, unfortunately

 

[mmomega]

check ebay for a dead or gutted 2017 imac.

You just need the case.

I would check ifixit to see if the monitor connections are the same, that would definitely be a deal breaker.

Just open a tear-down of both machines up side by side and see what is the same and what is different.

 

[Phil115]

Hi guys,

a little update for everyone who's interested and all the non-believers.
I bought a iMac Retina 2017 27" Mainboard with a Radeon 580 via eBay and put it in my iMac 2015. Of course i had to upgrade ddr4 2666 MHz and a core i7 7700 (non-k) as well. All the other parts are still the old ones (psu, cooler, speakers, nvme, ssd) from the 2015 imac.
I have installed Catalina and Windows 10 uefi for my egpu and everything works flawlessly.
As i mentioned, I had to use a dremel to enlarge the tb3 and lan ports.

What's not working for now:
I have not connected the camera module though I don't need it anyway. It has a new connection. This leads to a non working automatic dim of the screen. But it can be ordered via EBay aswell.
The sound is a little bit fuzzy, but the internal speakers are working without problems. I think it is a blinding problem with the connectors touching the case. I have installed a usb sound card because I need a optical connection which has been removed since the 2017 models.

What will not be working
The internal mic has a new connection directly with the case. I think this can not be ordered via EBay.

 

[bobica]

Hi guys,

a little update for everyone who's interested and all the non-believers.
I bought a iMac Retina 2017 27" Mainboard with a Radeon 580 via eBay and put it in my iMac 2015. Of course i had to upgrade ddr4 2666 MHz and a core i7 7700 (non-k) as well. All the other parts are still the old ones (psu, cooler, speakers, nvme, ssd) from the 2015 imac.
I have installed Catalina and Windows 10 uefi for my egpu and everything works flawlessly.
As i mentioned, I had to use a dremel to enlarge the tb3 and lan ports.

What's not working for now:
I have not connected the camera module though I don't need it anyway. It has a new connection. This leads to a non working automatic dim of the screen. But it can be ordered via EBay aswell.
The sound is a little bit fuzzy, but the internal speakers are working without problems. I think it is a blinding problem with the connectors touching the case. I have installed a usb sound card because I need a optical connection which has been removed since the 2017 models.

What will not be working
The internal mic has a new connection directly with the case. I think this can not be ordered via EBay.

Hi Phil, you have more updates with this iMac?