Upgrade Intel Core Duo iMac to Core 2 Duo?

I know that, in theory a Merom processor is compatible with a motherboard made for a Yonah CPU, which is what's in the original Intel iMacs. However, I know that most Wintel laptops require a BIOS flash in order to support the newer processor.
My question: do you think it will be possible for us to upgrade to the Core 2 Duo from the Core Duo? Will the speed increase be worth it? From what I've read, Merom is not that much faster than Yonah, but has anyone seen anything different?

Hello,
People have installed them in the Mac Mini CoreSolo and CoreDuo without a BIOS or Firmware update. So, it should be fine doing the same in the iMac CoreDuo.
The CPU is in a socket in the iMac CoreDuo, so installation should not be a problem (if you don't mind dismantling your computer and voiding your warranty).
Reports have varied on the speed difference. But, you do gain 64-BIT capabilities with Merom. Otherwise, Merom's specs are very similar to Yonah, so the gains are only going to come from optimized routines. Raw processing power probably isn't much different and the bus speed is the same.
At this point in time, you're going to pay a lot for a new Merom chip. So, the cost benefit probably isn't there for an upgrade. But, as they become common and new versions arrive, the chips will probably drop a bit in price and make the upgrade more cost effective.
I hope this helps.
Let us know if you have other questions.
P.S., if you'd like, go ahead and click the "Helpful" or "Solved" buttons on any of the posts / replies above if you feel they were helpful or adequately answered your question.

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http://store.apple.com/us/product/MC573Z/A
Lion
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        Apple, Inc Apple Keyboard
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    Apple Inc. Built-in iSight
    Apple Internal Memory Card Reader
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    Apple Computer, Inc. IR Receiver
    Apple Inc. BRCM2046 Hub
        Apple Inc. Bluetooth USB Host Controller
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Thunderbolt Information:
Kernel Extensions:
Problem System Launch Daemons:
Problem System Launch Agents:
Launch Daemons:
    [System]    com.adobe.fpsaud.plist 3rd-Party support link
    [System]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitedaemon.plist 3rd-Party support link
    [System]    com.crashplan.engine.plist 3rd-Party support link
    [System]    com.microsoft.office.licensing.helper.plist 3rd-Party support link
Launch Agents:
    [System]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitealerts.plist 3rd-Party support link
    [System]    com.carbonite.launchd.carbonitestatus.plist 3rd-Party support link
User Launch Agents:
    [not loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist 3rd-Party support link
    [not loaded]    com.adobe.ARM.[...].plist 3rd-Party support link
    [not loaded]    com.crashplan.javacheck.plist 3rd-Party support link
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        Microsoft Excel:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link
        Microsoft Outlook:    Version: 14.3.9 - SDK 10.5 3rd-Party support link
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        16%    Solavant Demo
         9%    mds
         3%    CarboniteDaemon
         2%    WindowServer
         2%    EtreCheck
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    348 MB    firefox
    217 MB    clamd
    135 MB    mds_stores
    106 MB    Mail
    102 MB    softwareupdated
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    896 KB    Page-outs

Fixing a Mavericks Installation Problem
How to manage a failed OS X Mavericks installation | MacFixIt - CNET Reviews.
Try these in order:
1. a. Resetting your Mac's PRAM and NVRAM
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2. Restart the computer in Safe Mode, then restart again, normally. If this doesn't help, then:
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I have a 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo iMac. Can I use mirroring via Apple TV? If so. how.

I'm having no trouble sending stuff from my iPod Touch to my TV via Apple TV, but can't seem to get my
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1. Can my processor mirror?
2. If so, how do I get the iCon to appear in the Menu bar

Looking at your processor, you haven't got a compatible Mac. AirPlay Mirroring requires a Mid 2011 or newer iMac > http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5404
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Should I upgrade Intel Core Duo 1 Mac Mini (2006) to Snow Leopard?

Okay I have a 80 GB Apple Mac Mini with Intel Core Duo 1 proccessor that shipped with Mac OS X Tiger (10.4.7) currently running 10.4.11 that I want to upgrade to either Leopard or Snow Leopard in a few months just in time for Christmas which I acquired in September 2006. It was the first Mac Mini model to include Apple's Front Row software and shipped with an Apple Remote (I know Macs don't ship with Apple Remotes anymore you have to buy them separately) and am now pondering an update. I've heard some things about Snow Leopard not working so well with older Macs even Intel based Macs that are only 32 bit.
Thing is I just got a new MacBook Pro that shipped with Snow Leopard and it seems to run fine on the MacBook Pro except for the fact a few applications I wanted to install wouldn't work with Snow Leopard like Google Desktop for Mac so was wondering if I should update the Mac Mini also to Snow Leopard. I do not particularly like how Apple removed the transcoding features to export video from one format to another in QuickTime X that was available to QuickTime 7 Pro users (actually reinstalled QuickTime 7 Pro on my new MacBook Pro so I can still use that despite QuickTime X being installed) but like Expose integrated with the Dock Menu that's new in Snow Leopard and features like Cover Flow built into the Finder (available also in Leopard along with Spaces) so if I update the Mac Mini should I update to Snow Leopard or Leopard?
This is a 2nd generation Mac Mini (the 1st generation had PowerPC chips) with Mac OS X Tiger and I've heard some negative news about upgrading Mac Mini to Snow Leopard so I want to get some more feedback on whether or not its worth it. The Mac Mini came with iLife and iWork 06 versions but updated iWork to iWork 08 Family Pack. Still have iLife 06 though and am still running iTunes 8.2.1 on the Mac Mini.
I use this computer as my main system for syncing with iPods (I have a 5th gen video iPod and a 2nd gen iPod Touch that I sync with the iTunes Library on my Mac Mini which includes videos purchased earlier from iTunes Store and music purchases as well as TV purchases) so don't want to risk messing up the system with a Snow Leopard update if it is going to cause problems doing so. If Snow Leopard is not good for the Mac Mini will just update to Leopard and stick with Mac OS 10.5 Leopard on this system.

I upgraded my mac mini 1.5GHz core solo to a Core 2 Duo 1.8Ghz in order to run most of SL's 64 bit stuff. I bought a pulled Core 2 Duo from ebay for $29 and it took about 1.5 hours to do the switch.
The main downside with the 2nd gen Mac Mini is the kernel cannot run in 64 bit mode due to a 32 bit controller that cannot be upgraded. Yet, booting into 32 bit kernel is SL's default setting and as you may have read in articles when SL came out, relying on a 32 bit kernel does not slow down use of 64 bit apps. I maxed RAM to this mac mini's 2 Gig limit years ago which is a good thing for you to do too.
I am happy to report the upgraded Mac Mini runs much faster than originally thanks to the 2 gig of RAM and the Core 2 Duo chip. Installing SL made it run faster still and consumption of memory for apps is lower (smaller pipeline requirements with faster CPU), and about 14 GIG of HDD space was recovered since I did not reinstall Xcode tools. I can now encode 1.5 hour long video files that used to take overnight processing time. CPU runs hotter, up to 89ºC, but usually run only about 10º higher on average than before while fan rev's not noticeably more than before between 1500 to 1800.
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Did intel core 2 duo imacs come with wireless mouse and keyboard

did intel core 2 duo imacs come with wireless mouse and keyboard

raffdog! wrote:
i would also like to know if it came with a remote
Same answer the earlier ones did the later ones did not.

Imac 17" core 2 duo 1.83Ghz motherboard upgrade

My imac 17" core 2 duo 1.83Ghz motherboard happened video problem, I am going to buy a 17" core 2 duo 2Ghz motherboard from ebay to upgrade/replace the bad motherboard. The bad motherboard parts is 280-1919-A, the 2Ghz motherboard parts is 280-2052-A. I am no sure if the 2Ghz motherboard can use 1.83Ghz motherboard fan, heatsink, power supply etc.
Anybody can give me advice?
Thanks

Hi kersa0608
Welcome to Apple Support Communities
First off, buying a used or reconditioned logic board off e-bay sounds very risky.
Second there is no guaranty that it will even fit or work in that educational 17" model, besides the Graphic's Chip, the Optical Drives and Airport cards just to mention two biggies are also different.
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP28
Lastly I'm not sure how much that Logic Board is going to cost you, but if anything else doesn't fit or something happens to another component it could end up costing you more to patch up that 5 year old 17" iMac than the price of a new or refurbished 21.5".
http://store.apple.com/us/configure/MC508LL/A?mco=MTg1ODA3OTA
http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC508LL/A?mco=MTkwMjE2MzY
Dennis

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