Check available upgrades for your old iMac CPU.
Check available upgrades for your old iMac CPU.
I own a 2010 mid-range 27-inch iMac running the i7-870 processor. It's still functional, and I'm considering some upgrades. Have others used CPUs other than the ones Apple recommends? Some suggest an i7-875K or i7-880. The Radeon 6970 2GB from 2011 Macs is reportedly compatible, despite the 16GB RAM claim being questionable. I've seen 32GB work well. A dual-drive setup with a boot SSD and storage HDD is on my list. I'm planning 3D printing brackets to mount Noctua fans behind the back—similar modifications have been done on Mac Pro towers, but I haven't done this before. Any other ideas?
An i7 880 could run on paper, though you probably won’t extract much extra performance. If you’re willing to invest over $100 for upgrades, it might be worth considering. I’m uncertain about how well iMacs handle swapping CPUs like this, and I doubt you’ll notice a big boost compared to an 870 that costs the same price. Any graphics card compatible with an iMac should work, though. In theory, you could run a high-end GPU like the RX 580 smoothly. There’s a useful forum thread about upgrading GPUs in these 2010 iMacs. 32GB RAM would help, but I wouldn’t suggest it. The system is quite outdated and might struggle to utilize it effectively before overheating. Noctua fans could help with airflow, but smcFanControl has kept my 2009 iMac cool under heavy use. It’s uncertain, but adding extra case ventilation might help. An SSD is a definite yes. My 2009 HDD is failing, and I’m only starting to replace it with an SSD soon—it might be too late. Doing that would make the drive much faster. I’ll admit, at this point, the cost you’re spending could easily be swapped for a used tower from local listings that might even run hackintosh. I own five towers, one for $100 and four for $70 each, which is roughly the price you might expect for an i7-880 on eBay. If you’re determined to keep this machine running, I won’t stop you!
You already possess a top-tier Core i7, so the improvements will be minimal given current demands on an older machine. 16GB seems to be the realistic limit unless there are special circumstances.
I experimented with Hackintosh techniques, but they didn’t quite meet expectations. Eventually, I switched to Arch Linux across all my systems. I recommended the i7-880 since I own one, but I’m not convinced it’s worth it. Apple often plays with RAM specs, and my 2011 iMac with 32GB worked fine. It seems software struggles to utilize it effectively, so I’ll likely go with 16GB instead. I plan to install a drill press and cut fan holes, replacing the blowers—they sound impressive. My original idea was water cooling with a reservoir and radiator, but a 1st generation i7 and mobile GPU aren’t hot enough. Stock temperatures are manageable, so I’ll opt for liquid metal on the GPU and stronger fans.
The gap between 870 and 880 is around 2% RAM, maxing out at 16gb with a 4gb dimming capacity. For a 300$ 2015 Imac, these are viable options or even the 8th gen Mac Mini is best avoided—especially the AMD HD 5000 and 6000 series, which are all considered faulty. It’s better to spend the money on a different Mac model instead of trying to upgrade this one. Also, be careful with airflow; if you disrupt it, the fans will push air over all components and prevent others from functioning properly.
I’m exploring options for my daughter’s 2011 iMac. The MacRumors thread is useful for checking GPU upgrades. Keep in mind the MXM GPUs come in two sizes—MXM-A and MXM-B—and your current device’s specs will affect what fits. The forum thread provides detailed guidance, so it’s worth reviewing thoroughly. The main limitation here is the GPU support, not power issues. When Apple required metal API support, older iMacs (pre-2012) lost compatibility, restricting OS versions to 10.13.x. Upgrading the GPU can bring your system up to date with newer MacOS releases, which also improves app support. Another improvement is replacing the internal Wi-Fi/BT card; this enables features like handoff and airdrop. Installing an SSD is highly recommended if you haven’t already. Be mindful of the unique temperature sensors on these drives—swapping them requires a compatible part, or fans may run at full speed constantly. I’ve found replacement sensors through kits, but if you choose to upgrade the GPU, double-check the CPU’s TDP and power consumption before ordering. I just placed an order for a WX7100 GPU and a new Wi-Fi/BT card; I’ll monitor the upgrade process.