Upgrade mid 2007 iMac, worth it?

[ThePiratkapten]

Hi!

I have used a MBP 13' from 2009 for a long time, but lately the keyboard and the whole unibody has become sticky, so it is very unpleasant to use. In the meantime I borrow my dad's Windows PC, but I miss having a Mac and a personal computer. Luckily my mum no longer uses her iMac, so they said I could have it.

It is a 7.1 iMac, 20 inch screen, with the 2.0 C2D processor. Right now it has an old hard drive and 1GB of ram, both which I plan to upgrade. The question is: Is it worth it? Ram + HDD + installation service = 3000 SEK (450$). The computer is already 6 years old. Will it hold together for another couple of years? Will it even be able to what I intend to (RAW photos in iPhoto, iMovie editing, some Photoshop elements)?

Well, what do you think?

 

[talmy]

I'd put 4GB of RAM in it myself and call it a day. That's relatively inexpensive and easy to do yourself. As long as the hard drive hasn't failed, live with it. That's where the replacement cost will be. It should have a 250GB HDD. If you need more, buy an external.

That model should be able do do everything you listed. If it's never been upgraded, you probably should consider upgrading the OS to Snow Leopard, at least.

 

[thedeske]

I say read up on how to do it yourself. The older imacs are not hard to get into. Have some compressed air ready for the "Inside" and enjoy the task.

 

[nandor690]

It is definitely work it. Im upgrading mine to be able to install macOS Sierra on it. Also upgrading to 802.11ac and BT 4.0

 

[T'hain Esh Kelch]

 

[Fishrrman]

I wouldn't put any money into a 2007 iMac. It's nearly 10 years old.
I'd take that money and put it towards a new one.

 

[talmy]

I wouldn't put any money into a 2007 iMac. It's nearly 10 years old.
I'd take that money and put it towards a new one.

Well the thread is three years old and should have been put to rest. The OP hasn't been here in years.

 

[nandor690]

it cost me literally $41.32 USD to upgrade my 2007 iMac to be fully compatible with macOS Sierra

 

[namethisfile]

It is definitely work it. Im upgrading mine to be able to install macOS Sierra on it. Also upgrading to 802.11ac and BT 4.0

There's a way to install MacOS Sierra on a 20" Mid-2007 iMac? How?

Thanks!

 

[nandor690]

There's a way to install MacOS Sierra on a 20" Mid-2007 iMac? How?

Thanks!

Im waiting on the parts to arrive right now. You need a T9300 cpu to replace your old one. Its one of the only processors that is pga478 with 800 FSB and supports sse4.1 instructions. (which is what macOS Sierra wants to see in order to even boot) Our 7,1 iMacs support 800 FSB, I tried an E8135 from a 2008 iMac but the FSB on it is 1066 and the 7,1 didn't like that lol. I tried a few things but what it comes down to is the 7,1 only wants to see 800.
You will also need to use macOS Sierra patcher tool to make a bootable usb for unsupported devices.

I also have a BCM943602CS and adapter M.2 (NGFF) to mini PCIe adapter (also named as BCM94360CD to mini PCIe adapter) plus 3 U.FL female PCB to MHF4 right angle male plug. For handoff and continuity support.
total for the cpu and everything on eBay was $41.32 USD.

I can report back with pics when the upgrades are complete. everything should be here by January 17th

 

[namethisfile]

Im waiting on the parts to arrive right now. You need a T9300 cpu to replace your old one. Its one of the only processors that is pga478 with 800 FSB and supports sse4.1 instructions. (which is what macOS Sierra wants to see in order to even boot) Our 7,1 iMacs support 800 FSB, I tried an E8135 from a 2008 iMac but the FSB on it is 1066 and the 7,1 didn't like that lol. I tried a few things but what it comes down to is the 7,1 only wants to see 800.
You will also need to use macOS Sierra patcher tool to make a bootable usb for unsupported devices.

I also have a BCM943602CS and adapter M.2 (NGFF) to mini PCIe adapter (also named as BCM94360CD to mini PCIe adapter) plus 3 U.FL female PCB to MHF4 right angle male plug. For handoff and continuity support.
total for the cpu and everything on eBay was $41.32 USD.

I can report back with pics when the upgrades are complete. everything should be here by January 17th

So, the CPU on the Mid-2007 iMac can be "upgraded?"

 

[nandor690]

So, the CPU on the Mid-2007 iMac can be "upgraded?"

It most certainly can. I upgraded the T7300 2.0 ghz to the X7900 core2extreme about 4 years ago. You can also upgrade the graphics card in them

 

[namethisfile]

It most certainly can. I upgraded the T7300 2.0 ghz to the X7900 core2extreme about 4 years ago. You can also upgrade the graphics card in them

Huh. Those T9300 CPU's are like less than $30 on Amazon. Do you know the kind of GPU upgrade you can do with the Mid-2007 iMac? If, they're cheap enough, I might make it into a little (or big; I've opened it up before to change HDD; but never gone beyond that) project.

Thanks in advance!

 

[nandor690]

Huh. Those T9300 CPU's are like less than $30 on Amazon. Do you know the kind of GPU upgrade you can do with the Mid-2007 iMac? If, they're cheap enough, I might make it into a little (or big; I've opened it up before to change HDD; but never gone beyond that) project.

Thanks in advance!

Yep! All the upgrades are cheap. Like I said, about $42 USD. the only expensive thing is the graphics card. Apple only offered 2 for our 7,1 so ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256mb would be the best you can do

 

[rmm805]

Im waiting on the parts to arrive right now. You need a T9300 cpu to replace your old one. Its one of the only processors that is pga478 with 800 FSB and supports sse4.1 instructions. (which is what macOS Sierra wants to see in order to even boot) Our 7,1 iMacs support 800 FSB, I tried an E8135 from a 2008 iMac but the FSB on it is 1066 and the 7,1 didn't like that lol. I tried a few things but what it comes down to is the 7,1 only wants to see 800.
You will also need to use macOS Sierra patcher tool to make a bootable usb for unsupported devices.

I also have a BCM943602CS and adapter M.2 (NGFF) to mini PCIe adapter (also named as BCM94360CD to mini PCIe adapter) plus 3 U.FL female PCB to MHF4 right angle male plug. For handoff and continuity support.
total for the cpu and everything on eBay was $41.32 USD.

I can report back with pics when the upgrades are complete. everything should be here by January 17th

I would love to see the finished product as well as pics from along the way!

 

[nandor690]

I would love to see the finished product as well as pics from along the way!

Cool!! I'm still waiting on a few things to get here before I start. Should be able to start pretty soon tho.
[doublepost=1484236249][/doublepost]I also have Apple Service Diagnostic Tools for any Mac from 2007 to 2009. Also some G4 and G5 but no would probably need those lol. All you do is restore the .dmg to usb in disk utility then boot your Mac from it. They obviously work great, they are Apple's tools. Used it the other day to diagnose a bad lcd proximity sensor on my buddy's iMac. (cable actually).
The one circled in red is for 7,1 iMac.

 

[namethisfile]

Yep! All the upgrades are cheap. Like I said, about $42 USD. the only expensive thing is the graphics card. Apple only offered 2 for our 7,1 so ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256mb would be the best you can do

Okay. Mine has the HD 2600 Pro 256MB VRAM, I think. Might not be worth it, for me.

But, looking forward to what you do with yours!

 

[rmm805]

Cool!! I'm still waiting on a few things to get here before I start. Should be able to start pretty soon tho.
[doublepost=1484236249][/doublepost]I also have Apple Service Diagnostic Tools for any Mac from 2007 to 2009. Also some G4 and G5 but no would probably need those lol. All you do is restore the .dmg to usb in disk utility then boot your Mac from it. They obviously work great, they are Apple's tools. Used it the other day to diagnose a bad lcd proximity sensor on my buddy's iMac. (cable actually).
The one circled in red is for 7,1 iMac.

Cool. I'm looking forward to seeing the results.

 

[nandor690]

Well, just to update.
I got some of my parts in.


The BCM94360CS and the adapter. I don't have the antenna adapters yet but Im so close to the router that it still picks it up. So my 2007 iMac now has 802.11ac and BT4.0 and supports handoff and everything else.

Wifi before


Wifi after


Bluetooth before


Bluetooth after


I DID have to remove the old bluetooth card in order for the iMac to see the new one.

As you can see in this pic. Don't worry, I will be putting all the wires back where they go when I go into final assembly. I still have to take it back apart to do the cpu.

I can't show a pic of handoff working yet because without the adapter for the antenna I can't plug it in so the new card won't pick anything up yet. But I can show you that the option is turned on in /SystemPreferences/General


If anyone needs any help or wants more info just let me know.

 

[rmm805]

Well, just to update.
I got some of my parts in.

View attachment 683756
The BCM94360CS and the adapter. I don't have the antenna adapters yet but Im so close to the router that it still picks it up. So my 2007 iMac now has 802.11ac and BT4.0 and supports handoff and everything else.

Wifi before
View attachment 683758

Wifi after
View attachment 683759

Bluetooth before
View attachment 683760

Bluetooth after
View attachment 683761

I DID have to remove the old bluetooth card in order for the iMac to see the new one.
View attachment 683762
As you can see in this pic. Don't worry, I will be putting all the wires back where they go when I go into final assembly. I still have to take it back apart to do the cpu.

I can't show a pic of handoff working yet because without the adapter for the antenna I can't plug it in so the new card won't pick anything up yet. But I can show you that the option is turned on in /SystemPreferences/General
View attachment 683769

If anyone needs any help or wants more info just let me know.

Awesome. Keep us updated.

 

[Neo_Hunt]

Hey, glad to see people still using this great machine...!!!
I am a long time avid fan of MacRumors' forums but never felt the urge to created an account... until I saw this revenant thread! I myself own an 2015 MacBook (1.3GHz/512SSD) but at home still use my 20" 2007 iMac (2.4GHz/ATI HD2600 256MB).

I feel people might be forgetting to tell the interested readers that the single most important and noticeable upgrade to this (and to many other old machines) is the one from HDD to SSD...!!! (IMHO) Perhaps you all are considering this info as already rightly understood.

Back in 2013 I' upgraded my original 320GB Seagate 7200rpm HDD to the Samsung 840 SSD (500GB).
I suppose it was the 1st TLC SSD drive, and still it was like night and day...
It's worth mentioning I've upgraded it's original 1GB to 6GB RAM as well.

Today I have OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 running smoothly...
I've read a lot about the CPU's and AirPort Card upgrades, but generally I mind going off the original specs too much...
And the Merom X7900 2.8GHz might be not worth, at least for someone coming from the 2.4GHz...

I'd have a couple of questions to nandor690... If I may...

1. Is the Penryn T9300 correctly identified under both "About this Mac" and "System Info"? Under both El Capitan and Sierra?

2. Also, I noticed your original AirPort Card was the same model as mine's (0x14E4, 0x88).
At dosdude1's Sierra Patch Tool website they list the 0x8C, 0x9D and 0x90 as unsupported by macOS Sierra...
By any chance would you have tested the 0x88 original card with macOS Sierra?
(I know there would be no Wi-Fi ac nor Bluetooth 4.0 and its features: handoff, hotspot, AirDrop, etc.)

Thanks a bunch!
And cheers to those still producing at the Mac Desktop which received the most number of original OS X updates...!!!

 

[rmm805]

Hey, glad to see people still using this great machine...!!!
I am a long time avid fan of MacRumors' forums but never felt the urge to created an account... until I saw this revenant thread! I myself own an 2015 MacBook (1.3GHz/512SSD) but at home still use my 20" 2007 iMac (2.4GHz/ATI HD2600 256MB).

I feel people might be forgetting to tell the interested readers that the single most important and noticeable upgrade to this (and to many other old machines) is the one from HDD to SSD...!!! (IMHO) Perhaps you all are considering this info as already rightly understood.

Back in 2013 I' upgraded my original 320GB Seagate 7200rpm HDD to the Samsung 840 SSD (500GB).
I suppose it was the 1st TLC SSD drive, and still it was like night and day...
It's worth mentioning I've upgraded it's original 1GB to 6GB RAM as well.

Today I have OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 running smoothly...
I've read a lot about the CPU's and AirPort Card upgrades, but generally I mind going off the original specs too much...
And the Merom X7900 2.8GHz might be not worth, at least for someone coming from the 2.4GHz...

I'd have a couple of questions to nandor690... If I may...

1. Is the Penryn T9300 correctly identified under both "About this Mac" and "System Info"? Under both El Capitan and Sierra?

2. Also, I noticed your original AirPort Card was the same model as mine's (0x14E4, 0x88).
At dosdude1's Sierra Patch Tool website they list the 0x8C, 0x9D and 0x90 as unsupported by macOS Sierra...
By any chance would you have tested the 0x88 original card with macOS Sierra?
(I know there would be no Wi-Fi ac nor Bluetooth 4.0 and its features: handoff, hotspot, AirDrop, etc.)

Thanks a bunch!
And cheers to those still producing at the Mac Desktop which received the most number of original OS X updates...!!!

Yes, upgrading to an SSD is huge. It's so easy in this model too compared to my 2011 which needs thermal sensor adapters.

 

[Neo_Hunt]

Yes, upgrading to an SSD is huge. It's so easy in this model too compared to my 2011 which needs thermal sensor adapters.

Yeah...! One just need the Suction Cups for the Glass Panel (iFixIt..?) and a cheap 2.5" to 3.5" SATA Adapter...
Don't know about the 2011... but the 2007 iMac has only a standard Thermal Sensor which can be reused.

 

[nandor690]

Yeah...! One just need the Suction Cups for the Glass Panel (iFixIt..?) and a cheap 2.5" to 3.5" SATA Adapter...
Don't know about the 2011... but the 2007 iMac has only a standard Thermal Sensor which can be reused.

Iv also removed the super drive and added a caddy that will accept a 2.5" hhd.
[doublepost=1484608040][/doublepost]

Hey, glad to see people still using this great machine...!!!
I am a long time avid fan of MacRumors' forums but never felt the urge to created an account... until I saw this revenant thread! I myself own an 2015 MacBook (1.3GHz/512SSD) but at home still use my 20" 2007 iMac (2.4GHz/ATI HD2600 256MB).

I feel people might be forgetting to tell the interested readers that the single most important and noticeable upgrade to this (and to many other old machines) is the one from HDD to SSD...!!! (IMHO) Perhaps you all are considering this info as already rightly understood.

Back in 2013 I' upgraded my original 320GB Seagate 7200rpm HDD to the Samsung 840 SSD (500GB).
I suppose it was the 1st TLC SSD drive, and still it was like night and day...
It's worth mentioning I've upgraded it's original 1GB to 6GB RAM as well.

Today I have OS X El Capitan 10.11.6 running smoothly...
I've read a lot about the CPU's and AirPort Card upgrades, but generally I mind going off the original specs too much...
And the Merom X7900 2.8GHz might be not worth, at least for someone coming from the 2.4GHz...

I'd have a couple of questions to nandor690... If I may...

1. Is the Penryn T9300 correctly identified under both "About this Mac" and "System Info"? Under both El Capitan and Sierra?

2. Also, I noticed your original AirPort Card was the same model as mine's (0x14E4, 0x88).
At dosdude1's Sierra Patch Tool website they list the 0x8C, 0x9D and 0x90 as unsupported by macOS Sierra...
By any chance would you have tested the 0x88 original card with macOS Sierra?
(I know there would be no Wi-Fi ac nor Bluetooth 4.0 and its features: handoff, hotspot, AirDrop, etc.)

Thanks a bunch!
And cheers to those still producing at the Mac Desktop which received the most number of original OS X updates...!!!

To answer your questions,
1) I'm not sure yet. The T9300 should be arriving either today or tmrw I hope
2) when I get home I'll update this post with the BCMXXXXXX number. But the one that comes in my 2007 iMac is the same one they put in the original Apple TV and when I and they are not supported

 

[nandor690]

Iv also removed the super drive and added a caddy that will accept a 2.5" hhd.
[doublepost=1484608040][/doublepost]
To answer your questions,
1) I'm not sure yet. The T9300 should be arriving either today or tmrw I hope
2) when I get home I'll update this post with the BCMXXXXXX number. But the one that comes in my 2007 iMac is the same one they put in the original Apple TV and when I and they are not supported

Ok the BCM94321MC wifi card is NOT compatible. But I know that the BCM94322MC is recognized by macOS Sierra.