Can a 4790 (non-K) CPU replace a 4771 CPU?

Question

iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639

Model A1419 / Late 2013 / 3.2 & 3.4 GHz Core i5 or 3.5 GHz Core i7 Processor, ID iMac14,2

crwdns2934591:020crwdne2934591:0 crwdns2934593:0crwdne2934593:0 | crwdns2947278:026crwdne2947278:0 crwdns2947270:0crwdne2947270:0

Erik Jeny @paradigm

crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 1

crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: N'w 25, 2016

crwdns2933897:0crwdne2933897:0

Can a 4790 (non-K) CPU replace a 4771 CPU?

Can one replace the 4771 with a 4790 (non-K) in a late 2013 27" iMac?

We're upgrading from an i5 and the 4790 is a more popular processor and therefore cheaper than the 4771 (and more powerful). They both have the same wattage and I've read that as long as that and the physical socket is the same that it should work as Apple doesn't actually have firmware restrictions on processors.

crwdns2934081:0crwdne2934081:0 crwdns2934083:0crwdne2934083:0 crwdns2934093:0crwdne2934093:0

crwdns2934109:0crwdne2934109:0

crwdns2853045:0crwdne2853045:0 crwdns2853046:0crwdne2853046:0

crwdns2889612:0crwdne2889612:0 0

crwdns2947414:01crwdne2947414:0

Here are the specs for the CPU's you are talking about:

- i7-4771 Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz)

- i7-4790 Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.00 GHz)

crwdns2934271:0N'w 26, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 Dan crwdne2934271:0

crwdns2934285:0crwdne2934285:0

crwdns2933315:02crwdne2933315:0

crwdns2934051:0crwdne2934051:0

Dan @danj

crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 490,4crwdns2936485:0crwdne2936485:0

Self employed contract worker

35

338

973

crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: N'w 25, 2016

crwdns2933897:0crwdne2933897:0

You choice for CPU is limited to what Apple has used in this series: iMac14,2. You do realize the 4771 is an i7 chip not a i5.

First here's the IFIXIT guide to replace the CPU: iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639 CPU Replacement.

Frankly, the amount of gain here given the risks of damaging your system in my mind doesn't make it worth it.

Many people (including me) have damaged the display just trying to open the system if you've never done one.

Frankly, I would look for a used or newer system that met your needs Vs trying to upgrade the CPU in this series. in the long haul it will be cheaper.

crwdns2934105:0crwdne2934105:0

crwdns2853045:0crwdne2853045:0 crwdns2853046:0crwdne2853046:0

crwdns2889612:0crwdne2889612:0 1

crwdns2944067:04crwdne2944067:0:

We do understand it's an i7, hence the upgrade. I was referring to this article: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/im... . The TDP from the 4771 and the 4790 (non-K) do match. And the TDP matches the mainboard.

We'd give the computer to an authorized technician who doesn't have a problem with us supplying the parts.

crwdns2934271:0N'w 26, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 Erik Jeny crwdne2934271:0

Eric - You confused things here: "We're upgrading from an i5 ..." & the 4771 is a i7 chip.

Lets start again, what is your exact system? You've noted it being a Late 2013 27" model is this not correct? And what is your current processor? Also, why are you replacing the CPU?

crwdns2934271:0N'w 26, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 Dan crwdne2934271:0

Our current system is a 2012 27" i5-3470 iMac, we are replacing the mainboard with a mainboard from a late 2013 27" model at an authorised technician, but the mainboard comes without a CPU, and looking at CPU models a 4790 is nearly always cheaper than a 4771.

crwdns2934271:0N'w 26, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 Erik Jeny crwdne2934271:0

OK, I think I'm getting where you're headed here. Boy that was nasty they stripped the CPU on you.

The heat sink is a bit different between these series from what I remember. I'm not sure your 2012 model will work if that was your intension.

You're a bit of a trailblazer here, I don't think anyone has tried using a different series logic boards within the 'Thin Series' iMac's or even tried using a different processor than what Apple had used. Of the two 'thin' Systems I've had to replace the CPU on (burned out) I used what was intended so I can't give you an answer here if the 4790 chip will work.

crwdns2934271:0N'w 26, 2016crwdnd2934271:0 Dan crwdne2934271:0

crwdns2934285:0crwdne2934285:0

Here are the specs for the CPU's you are talking about:

- i7-4771 Processor (8M Cache, up to 3.90 GHz)

- i7-4790 Processor (8M Cache, up to 4.00 GHz) — Dan
We do understand it's an i7, hence the upgrade. I was referring to this article: http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/im... . The TDP from the 4771 and the 4790 (non-K) do match. And the TDP matches the mainboard.

We'd give the computer to an authorized technician who doesn't have a problem with us supplying the parts. — Erik Jeny
Eric - You confused things here: "We're upgrading from an i5 ..." & the 4771 is a i7 chip.

Lets start again, what is your exact system? You've noted it being a Late 2013 27" model is this not correct? And what is your current processor? Also, why are you replacing the CPU? — Dan
Our current system is a 2012 27" i5-3470 iMac, we are replacing the mainboard with a mainboard from a late 2013 27" model at an authorised technician, but the mainboard comes without a CPU, and looking at CPU models a 4790 is nearly always cheaper than a 4771. — Erik Jeny
OK, I think I'm getting where you're headed here. Boy that was nasty they stripped the CPU on you.

The heat sink is a bit different between these series from what I remember. I'm not sure your 2012 model will work if that was your intension.

You're a bit of a trailblazer here, I don't think anyone has tried using a different series logic boards within the 'Thin Series' iMac's or even tried using a different processor than what Apple had used. Of the two 'thin' Systems I've had to replace the CPU on (burned out) I used what was intended so I can't give you an answer here if the 4790 chip will work. — Dan

cyqCYNTVX67 @costseg crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 13 2 · Answer 1 · 2025-04-06T09:31:17-07:00

cyqCYNTVX67 @costseg

crwdns2934065:0crwdne2934065:0: 13

2

crwdns2931729:0crwdne2931729:0: Dzi 6, 2025

crwdns2933897:0crwdne2933897:0

I just tried i7-4790 on my iMac 2013 27 inch, it wouldn't post, the LED has 1 light, 3 dark. so I know power connection is correct.

but no peep sound, so i don't think it's the RAM, because when i had problem with RAM before, the system would make peep sound, i think it was 3 long and pause (i forgot, it was 2 month ago)

crwdns2934105:0crwdne2934105:0

crwdns2853045:0crwdne2853045:0 crwdns2853046:0crwdne2853046:0

crwdns2889612:0crwdne2889612:0 1

crwdns2947414:01crwdne2947414:0:

Imac cuối 2013 chỉ hỗ trợ cpu i7 4770s và 4771s thôi bạn

crwdns2934271:0Dzi 21, 2025crwdnd2934271:0 admin crwdne2934271:0

crwdns2934285:0crwdne2934285:0

iMac Intel 27" EMC 2639

Can a 4790 (non-K) CPU replace a 4771 CPU?

crwdns2933315:02crwdne2933315:0

crwdns2934229:0crwdne2934229:0