Intel i7 6700 Skylake CPU + 100 series motherboard into iMac 27" mono block

[Vovanych0]

Hi all,
I have iMac 27" of mid 2010 with i7 870 CPU, 12GB RAM and 2TB HDD, running on Mavericks OS X 10.9.5. Not upgrading because I am not sure about compatibility with my other equipment.
I use it for audio recording and mixing with Mackie Onyx 1640i as an external audio card/mixer connected via Firewire 800.
Now that my HDD is nearly full I started to think of the second HDD or SSD or both. The easiest way of course is just to add both inside the Mac. But on the other side more speed and processing power is also desirable.
With today`s USB 3.0 & 3.1, Thunderbolt 2,3, SATA III I can add additional memory externally + other devices... but my existing configuration supports only USB 2, SATA II & Firewire 800 (((
So I am thinking in the direction of Intel i7 6700 Skylake CPU + GA-Z170 series motherboard + 32-64GB RAM.
As long as I do not need any new graphics I`d better stay with iMac 27' monitor, existing Radeon HD5750 card, Wi Fi, Bluetooth, mono block case, etc.
Finally)) my questions:
1) Has anyone tried to install new motherboard inside iMac housing? I am ready to use my Dremel to cut out extra slots in the casing and take out HDD, Optical drive etc to free additional space. Maybe the old power supply, fans and cooler can be used?
2) If it is not possible, is there a way to assemble new CustoMac in a separate case - just motherboard with CPU, RAM and power supply and connect it somehow to the existing Mac? And use as one system?
3) How can I keep Firewire in two cases combination?

Thanks for your advices

 

[Stork]

I recommend you peruse the iMac case mods forum section > http://www.tonymacx86.com/forums/imac-mods.135/

 

[neilhart]

Vovanych0 I am fairly certain that you would not be successful in the project as outlined.

However have you looked at using your 27” iMac in the “target display mode”? There is an Apple support document here: https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204592

Maybe the solution is to build a Skylake system and run with the iMac in the target display mode. With a conventional PC tower case you would be able to upgrade and reconfigure the system as your needs change.

Good modding,

neil

 

[Vovanych0]

Neil, thanks.
I don`t think that using iMac as a display only will be rational.
My priorities are in the following order:
1) To use the existing iMac components in it`s housing with the replacement of mo bo and CPU only.
2) To assemble kind of minimalistic configuration - CPU, mo bo, power supply, cooler in a separate case (preferably mini ITX or even smaller) and to connect it to iMac - the main problem here is connection - maybe anyone has tried this? Or how is it possible in theory?
3) And only as last resort to build the full system in a PC tower case.
But should it be the only possibility, then I would rather buy a separate 27'' display and.... sell my iMac !!!

 

[voidfahrenheit]

Hi Vovanych0! I am thinking of the same as my boss gave me his defective iMac 2009. still wanna know if it's really defective or only HDD problem. If I confirmed that the board is the main problem, then I'll just follow what Neilhart said...I'll use it as a target display for my G5 mod. but haven't tried it yet.

my next option is to switch the put the led panel of my Asus VG278HE inside the iMac 2009. XD but most probably not.
I really want to have a 1440p resolution.

Hope you will be successful with your plan. i suggest use an itx motherboard and low profile rams and a pcie riser for the gpu if you want to put one.

For the connection, i will follow your build to get idea too. XD

 

[pit512]

If I confirmed that the board is the main problem, then I'll just follow what Neilhart said...I'll use it as a target display for my G5 mod.

Voidfahrenheit, note that your iMac needs to be functional (system must be running) to enable Target Display...

 

[Vovanych0]

Hi Voidfahrenheit and all!
I have not yet arrived at any definite decision which way to go, but found out several options/possibilities:
Option 1 - new MB+CPU+RAM to be used in existing iMac housing with existing display, power supply, fans, Wifi, Blutooth adapters, camera, loudspeakers. Here we need to understand whether we can insert new equipment into the old space physically and how to connect it first of all to the LCD:
1) If a new MB supports USB 3.0 and USB 3.1, Thunderbolt 3, then HDD and optical disc can be moved outside of the iMac case. With Apple logic board, HDD and DVD out there will be space enough not only for a ITX or mATX but for an ATX MB (length x width = 304x244mm).The only concern will be the height (thickness).
With a low profile DDR and SSD into a M.2 slot a new MB (presumably Gigabyte GA Z170X- UD5 TH) will be within 40 mm, while the inside of the case is more than 50mm in the middle area.
2) In iMac 27" A 1312 an LG manufactured LCD display LM27OWQ1 (2560x1440 pixels) is used in conjunction with LED inverter, and a 30 pin JAE FI-X30SSL-HF connector to the Apple logic board where the video controller is incorporated. So the task is to find a controller used with LG display in non -Apple monitors.
I found a
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DisplayPort...SDA2-LM270WQ1-SDB1-2560-1440-DP-/371341924001
But although it is stated that it is exactly for the LM27OWQ1 display it uses 26 pins which do not correspond to the 30 pin configuration of the display.
I attach both pin configurations - maybe anyone can comment or advise which controller to use with the
LM27OWQ1 display?

Maybe this one? Does anyone have more technical info on it?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HDMI-DVI-VG...24120?pt=US_Server_Boards&hash=item19df01deb8

I don`t think there will be problems in connecting WiFi and Bluetoth adapters. Even if the Mac ones will not fit we can use quite cheap intended for the PC board with flexible extension cables to fit them into iMac body..

3) Of course there is a question of imputs/outputs. On the Apple logic board they are perpendicular (90 degrees) to the MB. In PC boards they are in parallel to the board. The decision here may be to orientate the new MB with the I/Os going through the right side where there is a slot for optical disc and card reader. In such MB placement we will have the DDR slots practically in the center of the case where it is most roomy!
Of course we will need to cut new holes on the side. But we can use a backside shield which comes with every MB to nicely close all I/Os.
Another decision here is to use extensions to the existing I/Os but in any case we will need to add several more cuttings for the USB 3, USB 3.1 type C.
By the way we can keep the existing FireWire 800 - we will need a FiWi controller with a flexible PCI-e ribbon extension cable - for example like this one
http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-Ports-Fir...910742?hash=item20d5434b96:g:uikAAOxyqGdR49ba

Option 2 is to use a NUC6i7KYK which is 211x116x28 mm !!! and will easily fit into the place of the Apple MB and you can even keep HDD and DVD in place. It has already WiFi and Bluetooth on board, but.... it will be nearly 2 times more expensive !

 

[Danois]

I've been thinking about something similar to what you are.

I want to use a ITX Board for the i5-4670 (from a 2011 iMac), and install my current GTX 1070 in it.
I was planning to use my current Samsung display, as it's a lot thinner and most likely easier to make it work. Problem is cabling from the GFX to the monitor - i'll need a short HDMI cable, but should be doable.

About the I/O issue you're mentioning, i was thinking about getting panel mount extension ports, like this: http://www.datapro.net/products/coupler-panel-mount-cat6.html

And using these http://www.frozencpu.com/products/8...le_-_38_Clip_Style_-_Black.html?tl=g44c34s806 and http://www.frozencpu.com/products/2...Stealth_-_24-Pin_-_Black_.html?tl=g44c34s2206 for cable management.

Power Supply, i found some 1U power supplies on eBay at around $75-$100 at 500W, which should be enough to power it all, maybe except the panel.

My problem is fitting it all in there, and finding sufficient cooling for the CPU. I was thinking about using the original CPU heatsink, but that's installed at an angle, which makes connecting the GFX a bit of a challenge.


Let me know if you have any thoughts or questions.

If you have any measurements of the iMac case, i'd love to get them from you, as mine are very unprecise! :-/

 

[Vovanych0]

Here is iMac 27" mid 2010 layout without display.
Width is 650 mm, height 448 mm measured between the outer edges. Depth is 26 mm at the edges. In the middle approximately 55 mm.

 

[Danois]

Thanks mate. I'll see if I have an empty case to make some more measurements.

Cause those numbers is excluding panel and glass thickness I reckon.

RAM will probably be a challenge as well, unless it's possible to get some itx board with SO-DIMM modules..

Also, about cooling I was thinking about the Corsair H5 SF, and replacing the tubing so it's more flexible. That might work I think.

I'll keep you posted, and looking forward to read more about your project too!