You can't swap out the CPU chip, but you can swap out the logic board to a 2012 to get the better CPU & GPU they offer.
In fact the system I'm banging on right now is such a system! I swapped out the logic board for Core i7 2.7 GHz upgraded the RAM to 16GB, as well as the drive to a 2TB SSD. It is more than capable to handle anything I would put it to.
Basically, you'll need to follow this guide [guide|7518] They are getting hard to find but if you work at it I'm sure you'll find one!
* 2.3GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6491
* 2.6GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6492
* 2.7GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6493
-
I strongly recommend you replace the HD SATA cable as the earlier 2011 systems only had cables to support what Apple installed which was a SATA II (3.0 gb/s) drive. I'm sure you'll want to push the system to the limits getting a SSD which run at SATA III (6.0 Gb/s) the older cable is not able to sustain heavy I/O, You'll also find many of the cables where not well built the insulation often failed as it aged which is another reason to replace the cable [product|IF161-086]. Here's a bit more on the issue [link|https://beetstech.com/blog/prevent-a1278-mid-2012-hard-drive-cable-failure|Your Hard Drive Cable Is A Ticking Time Bomb] and here's the guide [guide|7514] Make sure you don't crease the cable as that damages it! I use an old BIC pen ink straw to help form the radius curve whee the cable needs to bend around.
+
I strongly recommend you replace the HD SATA cable as the earlier 2011 systems only had cables to support what Apple installed which was a SATA II (3.0 gb/s) drive. I'm sure you'll want to push the system to the limits getting a SSD which run at SATA III (6.0 Gb/s) the older cable is not able to sustain heavy I/O, You'll also find many of the cables where not well built, the insulation often failed as it aged which is another reason to replace the cable [product|IF161-086]. Here's a bit more on the issue [link|https://beetstech.com/blog/prevent-a1278-mid-2012-hard-drive-cable-failure|Your Hard Drive Cable Is A Ticking Time Bomb] and here's the guide [guide|7514] Make sure you don't crease the cable as that damages it! I use an old BIC pen ink straw to help form the radius curve whee the cable needs to bend around.
Now there is one alteration you will need to make with the displays LVDS cable as Apple switched vendors for the connector and cable. You'll need to carefully file the cable tang a bit so it fits. Here's what's needed
[image|2733660]
***Bingo! You gain a few more years of use.*** Don't forget to check your battery! Install this gem of an app! [link|https://www.coconut-flavour.com/coconutbattery/|CoconutBattery] take a snapshot of the apps main window and post it here for us to see [guide|21499] And make sure to clean the system of the dust build up as well.
You can't swap out the CPU chip, but you can swap out the logic board to a 2012 to get the better CPU & GPU they offer.
In fact the system I'm banging on right now is such a system! I swapped out the logic board for Core i7 2.7 GHz upgraded the RAM to 16GB, as well as the drive to a 2TB SSD. It is more than capable to handle anything I would put it to.
Basically, you'll need to follow this guide [guide|7518] They are getting hard to find but if you work at it I'm sure you'll find one!
* 2.3GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6491
* 2.6GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6492
* 2.7GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6493
I strongly recommend you replace the HD SATA cable as the earlier 2011 systems only had cables to support what Apple installed which was a SATA II (3.0 gb/s) drive. I'm sure you'll want to push the system to the limits getting a SSD which run at SATA III (6.0 Gb/s) the older cable is not able to sustain heavy I/O, You'll also find many of the cables where not well built the insulation often failed as it aged which is another reason to replace the cable [product|IF161-086]. Here's a bit more on the issue [link|https://beetstech.com/blog/prevent-a1278-mid-2012-hard-drive-cable-failure|Your Hard Drive Cable Is A Ticking Time Bomb] and here's the guide [guide|7514] Make sure you don't crease the cable as that damages it! I use an old BIC pen ink straw to help form the radius curve whee the cable needs to bend around.
Now there is one alteration you will need to make with the displays LVDS cable as Apple switched vendors for the connector and cable. You'll need to carefully file the cable tang a bit so it fits. Here's what's needed
[image|2733660]
-
***Bingo! You gain a few more years of use.*** Don't forget to check your battery! Install this gem of an app! [https://www.coconut-flavour.com/coconutbattery/|CoconutBattery] take a snapshot of the apps main window and post it here for us to see [guide|21499] And make sure to clean the system of the dust build up as well.
+
***Bingo! You gain a few more years of use.*** Don't forget to check your battery! Install this gem of an app! [link|https://www.coconut-flavour.com/coconutbattery/|CoconutBattery] take a snapshot of the apps main window and post it here for us to see [guide|21499] And make sure to clean the system of the dust build up as well.
You can't swap out the CPU chip, but you can swap out the logic board to a 2012 to get the better CPU & GPU they offer.
-
In fact the system I'm banging on is such a system! I swapped out the logic board for Core i7 2.7 GHz upgraded the RAM to 16GB, as well as the drive to a 2TB SSD. It is more than capable to handle anything I would put it to.
+
In fact the system I'm banging on right now is such a system! I swapped out the logic board for Core i7 2.7 GHz upgraded the RAM to 16GB, as well as the drive to a 2TB SSD. It is more than capable to handle anything I would put it to.
-
Basically you'll need to follow this guide [guide|7518] They are getting hard to find but if you work at it I'm sure you'll find one!
+
Basically, you'll need to follow this guide [guide|7518] They are getting hard to find but if you work at it I'm sure you'll find one!
* 2.3GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6491
* 2.6GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6492
* 2.7GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6493
+
I strongly recommend you replace the HD SATA cable as the earlier 2011 systems only had cables to support what Apple installed which was a SATA II (3.0 gb/s) drive. I'm sure you'll want to push the system to the limits getting a SSD which run at SATA III (6.0 Gb/s) the older cable is not able to sustain heavy I/O, You'll also find many of the cables where not well built the insulation often failed as it aged which is another reason to replace the cable [product|IF161-086]. Here's a bit more on the issue [link|https://beetstech.com/blog/prevent-a1278-mid-2012-hard-drive-cable-failure|Your Hard Drive Cable Is A Ticking Time Bomb] and here's the guide [guide|7514] Make sure you don't crease the cable as that damages it! I use an old BIC pen ink straw to help form the radius curve whee the cable needs to bend around.
-
I strongly recommend you replace the HD SATA cable as the earlier 2011 systems only had cables to support what Apple installed which was a SATA II (3.0 gb/s) drive. I'm sure you'll want to push the system to the limits getting a SSD which run at SATA III (6.0 Gb/s) the older cable is not able to sustain heavy I/O, You'll also find many of the cables where not we built the insulation often failed as it aged which is another reason to replace the cable [product|IF161-086]. Here's a bit moe on the issue [https://beetstech.com/blog/prevent-a1278-mid-2012-hard-drive-cable-failure|Your Hard Drive Cable Is A Ticking Time Bomb] and here's the guide [guide|7514] Make sure you don't crease the cable as that damages it! I use an old BIC pen ink straw to help form the radius curve whee the cable needs to bend around.
-
-
Now there is one alteration you will need to make with the LVDS cable as Apple switched vendors for the connector and cable. You'll need to carefully file the cable tang a bit so it fits. Here's what's needed
+
Now there is one alteration you will need to make with the displays LVDS cable as Apple switched vendors for the connector and cable. You'll need to carefully file the cable tang a bit so it fits. Here's what's needed
[image|2733660]
-
Bingo! You gain a few more years of use.
+
***Bingo! You gain a few more years of use.*** Don't forget to check your battery! Install this gem of an app! [https://www.coconut-flavour.com/coconutbattery/|CoconutBattery] take a snapshot of the apps main window and post it here for us to see [guide|21499] And make sure to clean the system of the dust build up as well.
You can't swap out the CPU chip, but you can swap out the logic board to a 2012 to get the better CPU & GPU they offer.
In fact the system I'm banging on is such a system! I swapped out the logic board for Core i7 2.7 GHz upgraded the RAM to 16GB, as well as the drive to a 2TB SSD. It is more than capable to handle anything I would put it to.
Basically you'll need to follow this guide [guide|7518] They are getting hard to find but if you work at it I'm sure you'll find one!
* 2.3GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6491
* 2.6GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6492
* 2.7GHz i7 Logic Board - Apple P/N 661-6493
I strongly recommend you replace the HD SATA cable as the earlier 2011 systems only had cables to support what Apple installed which was a SATA II (3.0 gb/s) drive. I'm sure you'll want to push the system to the limits getting a SSD which run at SATA III (6.0 Gb/s) the older cable is not able to sustain heavy I/O, You'll also find many of the cables where not we built the insulation often failed as it aged which is another reason to replace the cable [product|IF161-086]. Here's a bit moe on the issue [https://beetstech.com/blog/prevent-a1278-mid-2012-hard-drive-cable-failure|Your Hard Drive Cable Is A Ticking Time Bomb] and here's the guide [guide|7514] Make sure you don't crease the cable as that damages it! I use an old BIC pen ink straw to help form the radius curve whee the cable needs to bend around.
Now there is one alteration you will need to make with the LVDS cable as Apple switched vendors for the connector and cable. You'll need to carefully file the cable tang a bit so it fits. Here's what's needed
[image|2733660]
Bingo! You gain a few more years of use.