Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
The best you can put in are these CPUs: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
+
=== Update (03/12/2016) ===
+
The i7 CPU chip won't work in your system as the TDP is too high. For reference heres the specs: [http://ark.intel.com/products/41315/Intel-Core-i7-870-Processor-8M-Cache-2_93-GHz?wapkw=i7-870+specs|Intel 2.93 GHz Core i7 (i7-870)]
+
=== Update (03/13/2016) ===
-
Theres more than just TDP to worry about. The socket needs to support the chip and the FSB clock needs to match. Lastly the systems BIOS (EFI) needs to recognize it within the series. So you'll need to stick with the chips Apple has used which is the ones I've pointed you to.
Unless you are doing something that requires more RAM 12 GB should be enough.
I'm not recommending you swap out your HD for a SSD that would be expensive if you went with a 2TB SSD!
The trick here is a dual drive setup replacing the optical drive for a SSD (review the guide I pointed out) Here we are using a smaller SSD (256/512 MB) for the boot drive. It will hold the OS and your Apps (leaving 1/3 of the rest of the drive empty for virtual RAM and any application paging. This is what will get you the performance bang you're looking for for a lot less expense. Depending on your OS you can also create a Fusion Drive.
If your current HD is getting tired then I would get a SSHD (hybrid drive) to replace it as it offers a faster alternative than a standard HD.
-
-
=== Update (03/12/2016) ===
-
-
The i7 CPU chip won't work in your system as the TDP is to high. For reference heres the specs: [http://ark.intel.com/products/41315/Intel-Core-i7-870-Processor-8M-Cache-2_93-GHz?wapkw=i7-870+specs|Intel 2.93 GHz Core i7 (i7-870)]
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
The best you can put in are these CPUs: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
=== Update (03/13/2016) ===
+
Theres more than just TDP to worry about. The socket needs to support the chip and the FSB clock needs to match. Lastly the systems BIOS (EFI) needs to recognize it within the series. So you'll need to stick with the chips Apple has used which is the ones I've pointed you to.
Unless you are doing something that requires more RAM 12 GB should be enough.
I'm not recommending you swap out your HD for a SSD that would be expensive if you went with a 2TB SSD!
The trick here is a dual drive setup replacing the optical drive for a SSD (review the guide I pointed out) Here we are using a smaller SSD (256/512 MB) for the boot drive. It will hold the OS and your Apps (leaving 1/3 of the rest of the drive empty for virtual RAM and any application paging. This is what will get you the performance bang you're looking for for a lot less expense. Depending on your OS you can also create a Fusion Drive.
If your current HD is getting tired then I would get a SSHD (hybrid drive) to replace it as it offers a faster alternative than a standard HD.
+
+
=== Update (03/12/2016) ===
+
+
The i7 CPU chip won't work in your system as the TDP is to high. For reference heres the specs: [http://ark.intel.com/products/41315/Intel-Core-i7-870-Processor-8M-Cache-2_93-GHz?wapkw=i7-870+specs|Intel 2.93 GHz Core i7 (i7-870)]
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
-
The best you can put in are these CPUs:
+
The best you can put in are these CPUs: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
=== Update (03/13/2016) ===
Theres more than just TDP to worry about. The socket needs to support the chip and the FSB clock needs to match. Lastly the systems BIOS (EFI) needs to recognize it within the series. So you'll need to stick with the chips Apple has used which is the ones I've pointed you to.
Unless you are doing something that requires more RAM 12 GB should be enough.
I'm not recommending you swap out your HD for a SSD that would be expensive if you went with a 2TB SSD!
The trick here is a dual drive setup replacing the optical drive for a SSD (review the guide I pointed out) Here we are using a smaller SSD (256/512 MB) for the boot drive. It will hold the OS and your Apps (leaving 1/3 of the rest of the drive empty for virtual RAM and any application paging. This is what will get you the performance bang you're looking for for a lot less expense. Depending on your OS you can also create a Fusion Drive.
If your current HD is getting tired then I would get a SSHD (hybrid drive) to replace it as it offers a faster alternative than a standard HD.
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
=== Update (03/13/2016) ===
Theres more than just TDP to worry about. The socket needs to support the chip and the FSB clock needs to match. Lastly the systems BIOS (EFI) needs to recognize it within the series. So you'll need to stick with the chips Apple has used which is the ones I've pointed you to.
Unless you are doing something that requires more RAM 12 GB should be enough.
I'm not recommending you swap out your HD for a SSD that would be expensive if you went with a 2TB SSD!
The trick here is a dual drive setup replacing the optical drive for a SSD (review the guide I pointed out) Here we are using a smaller SSD (256/512 MB) for the boot drive. It will hold the OS and your Apps (leaving 1/3 of the rest of the drive empty for virtual RAM and any application paging. This is what will get you the performance bang you're looking for for a lot less expense. Depending on your OS you can also create a Fusion Drive.
If your current HD is getting tired then I would get a SSHD (hybrid drive) to replace it as it offers a faster alternative than a standard HD.
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
=== Update (03/13/2016) ===
Theres more than just TDP to worry about. The socket needs to support the chip and the FSB clock needs to match. Lastly the systems BIOS (EFI) needs to recognize it within the series. So you'll need to stick with the chips Apple has used which is the ones I've pointed you to.
Unless you are doing something that requires more RAM 12 GB should be enough.
I'm not recommending you swap out your HD for a SSD that would be expensive if you went with a 2TB SSD!
The trick here is a dual drive setup replacing the optical drive for a SSD (review the guide I pointed out) Here we are using a smaller SSD (256/512 MB) for the boot drive. It will hold the OS and your Apps (leaving 1/3 of the rest of the drive empty for virtual RAM and any application paging. This is what will get you the performance bang you're looking for for a lot less expense. Depending on your OS you can also create a Fusion Drive.
If your current HD is getting tired then I would get a SSHD (hybrid drive) to replace it as it offers a faster alternative than a standard HD.
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
-
The best you can put in is this CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
=== Update (03/13/2016) ===
-
Theres more than just TDP to worry about. The socket needs to support the chip and the FSB clock needs to match. Lastly the systems BIOS (EFI) needs to recognize it within the series. So you'll need to stick with the chips Apple has used which is the ones I've pointed you to.
Unless you are doing something that requires more RAM 12 GB should be enough.
I'm not recommending you swap out your HD for a SSD that would be expensive if you went with a 2TB SSD!
The trick here is a dual drive setup replacing the optical drive for a SSD (review the guide I pointed out) Here we are using a smaller SSD (256/512 MB) for the boot drive. It will hold the OS and your Apps (leaving 1/3 of the rest of the drive empty for virtual RAM and any application paging. This is what will get you the performance bang you're looking for for a lot less expense. Depending on your OS you can also create a Fusion Drive.
If your current HD is getting tired then I would get a SSHD (hybrid drive) to replace it as it offers a faster alternative than a standard HD.
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
The best you can put in is this CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
=== Update (03/13/2016) ===
Theres more than just TDP to worry about. The socket needs to support the chip and the FSB clock needs to match. Lastly the systems BIOS (EFI) needs to recognize it within the series. So you'll need to stick with the chips Apple has used which is the ones I've pointed you to.
Unless you are doing something that requires more RAM 12 GB should be enough.
-
I'm mot recommending you swap out your HD for a SSD that would be expensive if you went with a 2TB SSD!
+
I'm not recommending you swap out your HD for a SSD that would be expensive if you went with a 2TB SSD!
The trick here is a dual drive setup replacing the optical drive for a SSD (review the guide I pointed out) Here we are using a smaller SSD (256/512 MB) for the boot drive. It will hold the OS and your Apps (leaving 1/3 of the rest of the drive empty for virtual RAM and any application paging. This is what will get you the performance bang you're looking for for a lot less expense. Depending on your OS you can also create a Fusion Drive.
If your current HD is getting tired then I would get a SSHD (hybrid drive) to replace it as it offers a faster alternative than a standard HD.
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
The best you can put in is this CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
=== Update (03/13/2016) ===
Theres more than just TDP to worry about. The socket needs to support the chip and the FSB clock needs to match. Lastly the systems BIOS (EFI) needs to recognize it within the series. So you'll need to stick with the chips Apple has used which is the ones I've pointed you to.
Unless you are doing something that requires more RAM 12 GB should be enough.
I'm mot recommending you swap out your HD for a SSD that would be expensive if you went with a 2TB SSD!
-
The trick here is a dual drive setup replacing the optical drive for a SSD (review the guide I pointed out) Here we are using a smaller SSD (256/512 MB) for the boot drive. It will hold the OS and your Apps (leaving 1/3 of the rest of the drive empty for virtual RAM and any application paging. This is what will get you the performance bang you're looking for for a lot less expense.
+
The trick here is a dual drive setup replacing the optical drive for a SSD (review the guide I pointed out) Here we are using a smaller SSD (256/512 MB) for the boot drive. It will hold the OS and your Apps (leaving 1/3 of the rest of the drive empty for virtual RAM and any application paging. This is what will get you the performance bang you're looking for for a lot less expense. Depending on your OS you can also create a Fusion Drive.
+
+
If your current HD is getting tired then I would get a SSHD (hybrid drive) to replace it as it offers a faster alternative than a standard HD.
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
The best you can put in is this CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
=== Update (03/13/2016) ===
Theres more than just TDP to worry about. The socket needs to support the chip and the FSB clock needs to match. Lastly the systems BIOS (EFI) needs to recognize it within the series. So you'll need to stick with the chips Apple has used which is the ones I've pointed you to.
-
Unless you are doing something that requires more RAM 12 should be enough.
+
Unless you are doing something that requires more RAM 12 GB should be enough.
I'm mot recommending you swap out your HD for a SSD that would be expensive if you went with a 2TB SSD!
The trick here is a dual drive setup replacing the optical drive for a SSD (review the guide I pointed out) Here we are using a smaller SSD (256/512 MB) for the boot drive. It will hold the OS and your Apps (leaving 1/3 of the rest of the drive empty for virtual RAM and any application paging. This is what will get you the performance bang you're looking for for a lot less expense.
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
The best you can put in is this CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
-
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
+
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
+
+
=== Update (03/13/2016) ===
+
+
Theres more than just TDP to worry about. The socket needs to support the chip and the FSB clock needs to match. Lastly the systems BIOS (EFI) needs to recognize it within the series. So you'll need to stick with the chips Apple has used which is the ones I've pointed you to.
+
+
Unless you are doing something that requires more RAM 12 should be enough.
+
+
I'm mot recommending you swap out your HD for a SSD that would be expensive if you went with a 2TB SSD!
+
+
The trick here is a dual drive setup replacing the optical drive for a SSD (review the guide I pointed out) Here we are using a smaller SSD (256/512 MB) for the boot drive. It will hold the OS and your Apps (leaving 1/3 of the rest of the drive empty for virtual RAM and any application paging. This is what will get you the performance bang you're looking for for a lot less expense.
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
The best you can put in is this CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
-
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive]. Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
+
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive].
+
+
Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
The best you can put in is this CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)]
-
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2389+CPU+Replacement/6269].
+
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [guide|6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
-
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive]. Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck!
+
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive]. Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck than the CPU upgrade!
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
-
The best you can put in is this CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)
+
The best you can put in is this CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)]
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2389+CPU+Replacement/6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive]. Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck!
Here's the specs of your current CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48505/Intel-Core-i3-550-Processor-4M-Cache-3_20-GHz?wapkw=i3-550+3.2+ghz|Intel 3.2 GHz Core i3 (I3-550]
The best you can put in is this CPU: [http://ark.intel.com/products/48504/Intel-Core-i5-680-Processor-4M-Cache-3_60-GHz?wapkw=bx80616i5680|Intel 3.6 GHz Core i5 (I5-680)
Here is the IFIXIT guide to switch it: [https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+21.5-Inch+EMC+2389+CPU+Replacement/6269].
This is not an easy job! Are you sure you're up to it?
While you will gain some performance you might want to look at upping the RAM to 8 or 12 GB. I would also look at putting in a SSD replacing your optical drive and set it up as your startup disk. Here is the IFIXIT guide to install it: [guide|8643|Installing iMac Intel 21.5" EMC 2389 Dual Hard Drive]. Both of these upgrades will give you a better bang for the buck!