Mid 2007 iMac CPU upgrade: Core 2 Duo to Core 2 Extreme or Core 2 Quad

[Hexley]

Upgrading this iMac's CPU has been tackled at iFixIT.

http://www.ifixit.com/Answers/View/53213/CPU+upgrade+2.0GHz+to+2.8Ghz+(+C2D+Extreme+X7900+)

What I want to know is can I upgrade my iMac Socket P CPU to a Socket P CPU that has a FSB faster than 800MHz (1066MHz) or TDP that is higher than 35 watts (45 watts)?

If I can use a Socket P CPU that has a 1066MHz FSB does that mean I need to buy DDR2-800MHz memory as well?

The Socket P CPUs I am thinking of using are the following:

Quad-Core Notebook processors
2.53 GHz Core 2 Extreme QX9300
2.27 GHz Core 2 Quad Q9100
2 GHz Core 2 Quad Q9000

Dual-Core Notebook processors
3.07 GHz Core 2 Extreme X9100
2.8 GHz Core 2 Extreme X9000
2.8 GHz Core 2 Extreme X7900
2.6 GHz Core 2 Extreme X7800
3.07 GHz Core 2 Duo T9900

Specs of the Mid-2007 iMac is below.

Hardware Overview:
Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier: iMac7,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 4 GB
Bus Speed: 800 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM71.007A.B03
SMC Version (system): 1.20f4
Apple Order No: MA876LL
Apple Subfamily: Mid-2007
Apple Model No: A1224 (EMC 2133)
Model ID: iMac7,1

Other than the CPU i know I can upgrade the memory to 6GB DDR3-66MHz and plug in a SSD to the SATA 3Gb/s port. I could work on a PATA to SATA optical bay caddy mod but that's too much work I thinks.

 

[mjvlego]

I also have a mid 2007 iMac (2 actually, 1 for me one for my wife). I'd say its time to get a new comp. My 21.5" 3.1GHz, 16 GB with fusion drive arrives tomorrow My wife will keep hers for now since she doesn't do 3D modeling and animation like I do and she spends more time on macbook air.

Even if you can find a processor that will work in the system it still will be an underpowered machine with some severe limitations.

 

[Hexley]

Receiving a 27-inch iMac Core i7 as well next month but I just want to explore the possibility of upgrading the processor, RAM, HDD and ODD. This is more on preventive maintenance researching when the HDD conks out.

You can find all the discontinued parts on eBay.