Upgrade your 2017 iMac with a 9th generation Intel Coffee Lake processor.
Upgrade your 2017 iMac with a 9th generation Intel Coffee Lake processor.
Hey everyone! I'm Ekto, and I'm looking for guidance on upgrading my 2017 27" 5k Retina iMac. I've been checking if a 9th Gen Intel CPU is feasible. My aim is to enhance performance and ensure it stays relevant until I can build a full desktop setup. So far, my research hasn't turned up much concrete information—most articles end with vague notes like "theoretically possible" or mention potential EFI issues. It's surprising there isn't clear evidence of someone actually doing this upgrade. With the ongoing API pricing changes and the current tech blackout, it's getting tougher to find reliable sources. I'm reaching out to this forum for any insights or advice on this project. Thanks in advance for your help! P.S.: It seems like many are divided on this topic too.
Not feasible. The 2017 iMac uses LGA1200, which is accurate. Intel produced two models: one with a 100-200 chipset and another with a 300 chipset. The model you own indicates it's the 200 series, meaning it supports only 6/7th generation Intel processors. This limitation is due to hardware constraints, not software.