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Swap out CPU and GPU to future proof my iMac

T

tnewson

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 15, 2011
30
1
London
Hi,

I wanna know if it's possible to future proof my iMac. I've had it apart a couple times and it looks as if the GPU is removable but I'd like to know if my computer would freak out if it noticed a change of hardware like that.

Also would any sandy bridge i7 or i5 fit my base model 21.5" 2011 iMac?

It's hard to gauge with apple stuff whether they don't offer an i7 on the base model because it wouldn't work or just because they dont want me to have a powerful base model.

The 3.4 i7 will drop in price a **** load soon so if it is possible I'll be putting one of those straight in.


Any info is much appreciated.
 
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W123 said:
Nope and nope. GPU is not swappable and CPU is soldered.
Click to expand...

Correct me if in wrong here, but can't the CPU be unsoldered using the soldering iron? I'm assuming here that the CPU is soldered using a low temp iron?
 
Even if it is possible with soldering, IMHO it isn't worth the risk and the potential expense of having to replace the computer.

If you try it, and mess it up...you're screwed.
 
macmastersam said:
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Correct me if in wrong here, but can't the CPU be unsoldered using the soldering iron? I'm assuming here that the CPU is soldered using a low temp iron?
Click to expand...

Wow, really? Do you know how almost impossible that is? Theoretically yes, but by the human hand? No.
 
macmastersam said:
Correct me if in wrong here, but can't the CPU be unsoldered using the soldering iron? I'm assuming here that the CPU is soldered using a low temp iron?
Click to expand...

Isn't it soldered in place using a ball grid array, made up of lots of little solder balls.

So you won't be able to desolder it with a normal soldering iron, maybe something like an IR heater instead and focus it on only the CPU. Probably not very practical unless you have all the specialist equipment.
 
**** the bed.... Didn't realise they were freaking soldered in.. Looks like ill just have to do what i can with what I've got now and upgrade in a couple years...


Still happy with how it performs now, especially with the SSD, Im just a born tinker'er i suppose.

Thanks for the info fellas.
 
em people, the CPU is not soldered in. Its in a normal socket, and it can be upgraded!!!!!! Just look at iFixit teardown, and people have switched CPU's before. http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac-Intel-21-5-Inch-EMC-2428-Teardown/5485/2 look at step 13, pic 3. Standard socketed CPU.
Then look here https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1163142/ for more info. @OP, Don't listen to the previous posters! (no offense people. You were probably thinking about the fact that all apple computers using mobile CPU's (MBA, MBP, MacMini etc.) had the CPU's soldered in an thus not upgradable)
As far as the GPU. Its located on a separate board (forgot the name) and it can be removed. Which means it can technically be exchanged. Problem is no one makes GPU's on these boards (at least you cant buy them, or not at the moment) so you wont be able to do it. Step 12 of the iFixit link above shows the GPU board.
The GPU in the Alienware m18x is also located on a board like this. It looks very similar to the one in the iMac. But even if it were possible to exchange there is always the problem of firmware and drivers.
 
Last edited:
The-Pro said:
em people, the CPU is not soldered in. Its in a normal socket, and it can be upgraded!!!!!! Just look at iFixit teardown, and people have switched CPU's before. http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/iMac-Intel-21-5-Inch-EMC-2428-Teardown/5485/2 look at step 13, pic 3. Standard socketed CPU.
Then look here https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1163142/ for more info. @OP, Don't listen to the previous posters! (no offense people. You were probably thinking about the fact that all apple computers using mobile CPU's (MBA, MBP, MacMini etc.) had the CPU's soldered in an thus not upgradable)
As far as the GPU. Its located on a separate board (forgot the name) and it can be removed. Which means it can technically be exchanged. Problem is no one makes GPU's on these boards (at least you cant buy them, or not at the moment) so you wont be able to do it. Step 12 of the iFixit link above shows the GPU board.
The GPU in the Alienware m18x is also located on a board like this. It looks very similar to the one in the iMac. But even if it were possible to exchange there is always the problem of firmware and drivers.
Click to expand...


Wow cool, Cheers man! So standard socket ay? Ill be putting a 3.4Ghz i7 as soon as they are a decent price!

Thanks
 
tnewson said:
Wow cool, Cheers man! So standard socket ay? Ill be putting a 3.4Ghz i7 as soon as they are a decent price!

Thanks
Click to expand...

one of those would definetly fit. however you would need to look into the power supply and cooling if your imac. your cuurent cpu is 65W, the 3.4 i7 is 90 or 95W. so both power supply and cooling need to be able to handle that incease in 35W, which is 50%!!!!
you needa check up on that, i cant help you with it. but yeh standard socket. read through that thread, should tell ya everything :)
peace out
 
You will almost always be better of selling your old iMac and buying a new one.
 
W123 said:
Corrected.
Click to expand...

Looks like a socket to me:

xHZYfH2MPGsTsqyT.medium
 
macmastersam said:
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Correct me if in wrong here, but can't the CPU be unsoldered using the soldering iron? I'm assuming here that the CPU is soldered using a low temp iron?
Click to expand...

There are way too many pins on the CPU for the human hand to unsolder it and re-solder a new one. They are put together by machines. Don't even think about it.
 
alust2013 said:
It's socketed, but the best you can do for the 21.5" is the 2.8 i7, since the 3.4 has too high of a power requirement.
Click to expand...



Looks as if the 2.8 i7 are socket 1156 instead of socket 1155. I reckon I'll just leave it and once my mac is out of warranty I'll just overclock it.

Intel must have really seen a difference in performance for that ONE extra pin lol.
 
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