2011 iMac CPU,GPU,Ram upgrade Plans

Loved how you silenced the nay sayers and haters...got mighty quiet around here. I will be doing the same upgrade but newer components thanks to you! Awesome! Thanks for your contribution.

Hi All,

I just bought a second hand iMAC. Being new to Apple and therefore an impartial observer, I would like to make the following points:

1) Having recently got into the Apple world, I do like the computers but as Kennyap observed and as pointed out by others elsewhere, for the first time I see in reality, how obsessed some are with Apple, like a cult following.

I would like to point out that Apple's standard warranty is 1 year, much less than the expected life of the computer so clearly Apple does not back-up this single-track view. If you want longer support, like any other product, you must PAY for it. Kennyap does not seem at all like a mod crazy guy and these other posters are simply offensive. IN ORDER TO NOT PUT OTHER PEOPLE OFF APPLE, PLEASE BE MORE CONSIDERATE IN FUTURE.

2) Most important point, where you see my disgust at others here, I bought this same iMAC model second hand. It is just over a year old. Guess what, I experience what is now a commonly recognised problem - the GPU becomes faulty - green lines, blue screen, etc. Apple DOES NOT accept this as a fault with the iMAC and will charge over USD 1'100 for the repair. I searched the internet and whilst many others have talked about the issue, it is only kennyap's post that gives the critical information I need to deal with this most serious problem.

I make this post to show all the opposing posters what being close-minded does. I could talk about other far greater disasters created by small/close-minded people but I think this is sufficient:)

Have a nice day.

You do realize that you have arrived as a new user and lectured everyone in a topic that has been dead and burried for over a year?

You do realize that you are also lacking math skills ? Oct 2012 to August 2012 is not "over a year", but hey you seem to know it all.

I don't know about Dah•veed's math skills, but his reading comprehension seems spot on. The first post in this thread was July 14, 2012. Dah•veed responded on August 16, 2013. July comes before August and 2012 comes before 2013.

Hola Kennyap:

Mi pregunta es lograste actualizar tu imac 27 2011 ¿donde puedo ver tus videos? ,quiero cambiar la grafica y el procesador espero me puedas ayudar gracias

Hi man, my question is.. Did you finally upgrade your iMac?? i have a similar iMac... 27 inch, 4GB RAM 1333Mhz, 1 TB of Hard Drive, 1GB AMD RADEON HD 6970M and 3.1Ghz Intel Core i5 processor, my idea is to upgrade the processor and the graphic memory but i dont know for sure if that is possible...what is your opinnion based on your upgrade experience??

hi kenny.

i cannot find your direct link on how to perform this upgrade.

can you provide this link please?

Zenneth

I would like to know, when the graphic card fails, and the warranty is out, whats the options then, throw the whole Apple geniusly made computer in the garbage, or pay the cost for sending it to Apple for repair for the same price as a new machine?

If so, is that the punishment Apple choose for customers who dont buy a 5 year service plan?

Would like to know, cause i got a imac 27 mid 2011 in perfect condition, well, apart from the ireplacable graphic card...

Apple doesn't sell five year service plans.

Apple sells an extended warranty, AppleCare, that extends the 1 year manufacturers warranty to 3 years.

Do you now of any computer manufacturer who has something different or better?

Thanks for clearing that up.

So now you can maybe also help me with my actual problem?

Did you buy this Mac new or 2nd hand?

Replacing the graphics card usually entails replacing the logic board. You may find a computer service shop that can repair it for less than Apple since it is no longer in warranty, so you don't have a need for an Apple Authorize Service Provider. I have no idea how much a logic board for the 27" iMacs cost. In the past it was $600 for the smaller iMacs.

iMacs weren't intended to have upgrade plans apart from adding more RAM.

Its a second hand.

The upgrade doesnt concern me as much as the conflicts of replacing hardware like drives and gpu .

Why would i have to replace the logic board, is that something you have to on all computers when replacing a gpu?

iMacs were not intended to be upgradeable nor do they have user serviceable parts. So very few iMacs have CPUs or GPUs that are socketed, they are either glued or soldered to the logic board. Replacing them requires replacing the logic board or on occasion a mid-plane daughterboard.

All computers are not the same, nor does it do any good to compare the iMac to "all computers." It is an iMac, and the details of replacing a GPU on the iMac are that you need a new logic board. It is built into the LB, just the same as it is in 99.9% of all laptops. The reason is due to the all-in-one nature of the iMac. There is no room for periferal inputs, nor did Apple want to deal with compatibility issues with their all-in-one platform.

You can find the logic board online for around $400. If you're technically inclined, there are guides that you can get online to replace the logic board yourself to save a little cash. Otherwise, you may be better off selling your system as a "fixer," and buying another used system.