Help Please - A1312 Logic Board Replacement

[davidjohnson93312]

I need to replace the logic board on an iMac and this is the specs of what I have

iMac "Core i5" 2.66 27-Inch (Late 2009) 2.66 GHz Core i5 (I5-750)

Intro. October 20, 2009 Disc. July 27, 2010
Order MB953LL/A Model A1312 (EMC 2374)
Family Late 2009 ID iMac11,1
RAM 4 GB VRAM 512 MB
Storage 1 TB HDD Optical 8X DL "SuperDrive"
Complete iMac "Core i5" 2.66 27-Inch (Late 2009) Specs

I would like to know if i can replace it with this model with a faster processor -

Apple iMac 27" A1312 late 2009 2.8GHz i7-860 Logic Board 820-2733-A

Thank you in advance!

 

[Guy Clark]

To be honest upgrading the CPU you will notice little in the way of performance improvement. I proved this on a late 2009 21.5" iMac upgrading the CPU from 3.06GHz to 3.33GHz. A much better approach would be to max out the RAM to 16 GB and replace the Hard Drive with a Hybrid Drive which will increase performance
https://www.seagate.com/gb/en/solutions/solid-state-hybrid/
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2309+and+2374+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1634
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2309+and+2374+RAM+Replacement/1630

 

[davidjohnson93312]

To be honest upgrading the CPU you will notice little in the way of performance improvement. I proved this on a late 2009 21.5" iMac upgrading the CPU from 3.06GHz to 3.33GHz. A much better approach would be to max out the RAM to 16 GB and replace the Hard Drive with a Hybrid Drive which will increase performance
https://www.seagate.com/gb/en/solutions/solid-state-hybrid/
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2309+and+2374+Hard+Drive+Replacement/1634
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2309+and+2374+RAM+Replacement/1630

I am not really worried about the cpu as my logic board is bad. I have a good deal on this board and wanted to know if it will work.. thank you

 

[Guy Clark]

I am not really worried about the cpu as my logic board is bad. I have a good deal on this board and wanted to know if it will work.. thank you

Sorry my misunderstanding yes the replacement Logic Board you propose installing should be fully compatible as it is the same release year. Be sure to take your time and remember where all the wires go. You will need Thermal compound for the CPU and GPU. You will also need a Torx T8 screwdriver to remove the Logic Board.

Display Removal
https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+27-Inch+EMC+2309+and+2374+Display+Replacement/1632

Logic Board Removal

 

[davidjohnson93312]

Thank you, the cpu has not been removed so I shouldn’t have to mess with that. Thanks again!!

 

[BugeyeSTI]

Thank you, the cpu has not been removed so I shouldn’t have to mess with that. Thanks again!!

I think what @Guy Clark is saying is you should replace the thermal paste on the the cpu and gpu on the new logic board especially if it’s the original paste that is 8 years old.

 

[davidjohnson93312]

Yes that is true, I have some. Thanks!!

 

[ELYEN01]

I happen to have 2009 27" iMac with a good mainboard (still bootable with the classic boot up sound) and can remote in via VNC) but a defective screen (I accidentally pulled the screen cable when I attempted to replace the hard drive with an SSD), which should be perfect for your logic board replacement project. I'm in San Francisco, CA. PM (private message) or email me (LYEN@HOTMAIL.COM) if you are interested.

 

[davidjohnson93312]

Thanks everyone, I was able to successfully install the upgraded logic board with the upgraded i7 processor. Working great and I do notice a big difference in speed from the i5. Thanks again!!