iMac 21.5" 2011 CPU Upgrade

[daniel1111]

Hi, I'm looking to upgrade the CPU of an 2011 iMac. I would like to step up to the i7-2600. Now I have read the relevant threads relating to this on this forum, but need some clarification, as there are some contradicting statements:

1. Can all Sandy Bridge CPUs be used for an upgrade?
(Someone mentioned that since Mavericks only CPUs originally used in the line-up could be used, which would be the i7-2600S, but I would like to go with the normal version due to the higher performance)

2. Does someone have experience with temps and power consumption since this would be a 95W TDP CPU?

Would appreciate some advice.

Regards

Daniel

 

[Thermonuclear]

Some comments: http://www.everymac.com/systems/app...-aluminum-processor-upgrade-instructions.html

More specifically: I happen to have a 21.5" 2011 iMac with a 2.8 GHz i7-2600S. Note the "S" suffix; it means "slowed down"; compared to it big brother, the 3.4 GHz i7-2600 which saw use on one model of the 27" 2011 iMac. IIRC, the 2600S has a 75 watt TDP compared to the 95 watt TDP of the 2600 while the pin-out (socket LGA 1155) remains the same. Would a 2600 work as a replacement for a 2600S? Maybe for a short while. However, in my 2011 iMac, running the 2600S pedal-to-the-metal causes the upper left portion of the case to become rather warm. Having the moronically thin case and wimpy fans remove an extra 20 watts of thermal is likely asking too much. The fans will already be half way to the grave after four years, and so forcing them to work even harder is asking for trouble.