Chosen Solution
iMac early 2013 edu have i3-3225 CPU on board with 55w thermal profile will core i7-3770s with 65w thermo profile works?
Hi all and Dan, today I opened up my Early 2013 iMac 21.5”, because it is having some problems with the display (or graphics) not turning on. I wanted to check if the CPU is socketed because there are many different answers online. I can confirm that the CPU is socketed, just like any other socketed CPU. I hope this helps many others who are having troubles with their iMacs and who are not able to find a clear answer about whether the CPU is socketed or not. I will be upgrading mine to a Core i7 3770 to have an upgrade and to (hopefully) resolve my issue.
Sorry your EDU system has a soldered in CPU no CPU upgrades possible.
Well, if it was sold with i7 option, it might work, but you would need a really great thermal paste (like Arctic Cooling MX-4) to lessen throttling of this sucker, and be sure to connect and reattach everything properly (which means applying new thermal paste, screwing everything in such order as noted on cooling plates, , connecting power cable and turning on iMac for check that everything works when you connected everything, turning off and deattaching a power cable, applying new adhesive stripes for display, and then attaching display, fixing it, and then connecting power cable). Если вдруг будут вопросы, можешь на русском задать в комментах. If you will have any further questions, feel free to ask.
