4 What CPU should I upgrade to?
For some of you this may make your day (as a joke). But, please withhold the laughter until the end of the post. While reading this guide recently:
https://www.tekrevue.com/stayin-alive-up...
I looked at the possibility of doing yet another project in the future. My funds are currently a bit low (only 400 USD available), so this will take a while to do as a project. I originally wanted to do a performance-boosting upgrade. Using the parts below:
- Intel Core 2 Duo - 2.16 GHz (the fastest compatible CPU that was officially shipped with the 17-inch iMac)
- 4 GB DDR2 667MHz PC2-5300 SDRAM (highest compatible amount of RAM)
- 256 GB SSD (with SSD Apapter - Icy Dock EZConvert?)
I could get the iMac running almost like new again.
UPDATE :: I did some more research during the off-month. It is most likely the CPU that I should swap - not the logic board. Many of the iMac models that came out just before (2004) and just after (2008) my iMac appear to use ZIF sockets for the CPU mounts. On the surface, this could be mistaken as implicit compatibility for any CPUs used in the ZIF-socketed models. However, my research also revealed that there may be multiple versions of the ZIF socket. Furthermore, Apple was frugal with the white 2006 iMacs - shoving Intel Mobile CPUs into them, rather than full-fledged Intel Core desktop CPUs:
The first listing is for the CPU that currently inhabits my iMac, while the second one is for a possible upgrade candidate. In addition to this, I still have yet to look into what I may need to do with BIOS/EFI, and whether my motherboard can work with a newer CPU (outside of socket compatibility). With this said, I now have two main concerns that have to be addressed when choosing any further upgrade candidates:
- Is the ZIF connection the same as that used for the Intel Core 2 Duo T7200?
- Is my PSU capable of handling the power needs for the newer CPU?
Some sources, however, suggest that all of the ZIF CPUs from the 2006-2008 era are compatible. Since I don't have any concrete idea of what to purchase yet (beside maybe some more thermal paste), I have compiled a list. The upgrade candidates I am looking at currently are the following (still mobile/laptop CPUs ):
- http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/im...
- Already listed above.
(Intel Core 2 Duo - 2.16 GHz)
(Intel Core 2 Duo - 2.33 GHz)
- No Officially-Documented iMac model appears to have been shipped with this CPU
- http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2/Int...
(Intel Core 2 Duo - 2.33 to 2.8-ish? GHz)
(Intel Core 2 Extreme - 2.80 GHz)
Please note that, of the CPU candidates listed above, the least-likely choice is the Core 2 Extreme. While all CPUs listed above were given the mobile-ZIF treatment (Core 2 M), the Core 2 Extreme initially used a Socket P - not a Socket M. The same goes, in a lesser extent, for the T7600G. Another source I've found also supports this:
But, I wanted to come to you guys first - do you have any suggestions for what I should do next?
P.S. I got my hopes up looking at this:
Not expecting that to work for me either (unless using MPF).
P.S. The Mac is currently running with 2GB DDR2 SODIMM - another testament to Apple's use of mobile CPUs in the iMac. Might be running OS X Lion in a few days...
1.1千 
2.6千 
4条评论
The CPU you want to upgrade to would only giv the system a .16 ghz boost so it's really not worth the money, get a CPU that is 2.40 at least.
由 Gigabit87898 完成的
I apologize for taking so long to get back here. From what you have suggested, I should eliminate the T7600, correct? Should I remove the T7600G as well?
由 TopHatProductions115 完成的
It would appear that Socket-P is incompatible with Socket-M. Therefore, the T7600G is possibly the best purchase option.
由 TopHatProductions115 完成的
Time has run short. The iMac is up for sale.
由 TopHatProductions115 完成的