How do you upgrade the processor in the iMac Pro models? How is it mounted? Is it even possible to upgrade the processor?

Officially, Apple does not reveal whether or not it is possible to upgrade or replace the processor in the iMac Pro models. Merely upgrading the RAM is a unnecessarily complicated procedure.

Accordingly, EveryMac.com does not recommend that one attempt to upgrade or replace the processor in the iMac Pro themselves, but it very well could be possible, and speculation follows accordingly. When additional information becomes available, this Q&A can be updated and expanded further.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (iMac Pro)

Identification Help (Skip)

There only is one iMac Pro, so further identification really isn't necessary.

However, additional identification details may be helpful in the future. The "Late 2017" iMac Pro Model Number is A1862. Although it is common for Model Numbers to be shared by multiple models, this one is unique to the iMac Pro line.

For the purpose of a processor upgrade, the "Late 2017" iMac Pro models also can be identified sufficiently by the iMacPro1,1 Model Identifier in software and externally by the 3144 EMC Number.

To locate the model identifier in software, select "About This Mac" under the Apple Menu on your computer, click the "More Info..." button, and finally click the "System Report" button.

The EMC number is inconveniently located on the bottom of the "foot" supporting the iMac Pro, but EveryMac.com nevertheless has hand documented the EMC numbers because they are a unique external identifier.

More details about specific identifiers are provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.

Processor Details & Upgrade Speculation

Apple makes no mention of the processor mounting for the iMac Pro, merely that the system has an "Intel Xeon W" processor available with 8, 10, 14, or 18 cores.

Photo Credit: Other World Computing (Site Sponsor)

However, in a complete teardown of the iMac Pro, site sponsor OWC was first to confirm that the processor in the iMac Pro is removable and mounted on a standard FCLGA2066 processor socket. OWC also noted that the screws securing the processor's heatsink are covered by a tamper-resistant VOID sticker. Consequently, removing the processor does void the warranty.

Although the SSD is controlled by the custom Apple T2 chip, which might impose limitations on its upgrade potential, it does not appear that there are any artificial limitations placed on the processor.

Accordingly, to be able to potentially upgrade the processor in the iMac Pro, a replacement still needs to be both socket compatible and have the same or lower TDP (Thermal Design Power) -- which refers to maximum heat dissipation -- as the processors installed at the time of purchase.

All of the default processors in the iMac Pro self-identify as processors other than the standard Intel offerings and the lower-end two with fewer cores, in particular, may be downclocked, as well:

iMac Pro	Processor
"8-Core" 3.2	8-Core Xeon W-2140B
"10-Core" 3.0	10-Core Xeon W-2150B
"14-Core" 2.5	14-Core Xeon W-2170B
"18-Core" 2.3	18-Core Xeon W-2191B

It should be theoretically possible to swap out a processor from one iMac Pro into another one, which might make sense in the distant future when the computers are out of warranty and one working system could be cobbled together from two non-functioning ones. It likewise still could be possible that the thin design of the iMac Pro means that a standard Intel Xeon processor from the series could run too hot or otherwise have thermal problems when installed in the iMac Pro.

Assuming that thermal limitations below the standard 140 W TDP are not a concern, among Intel's standard Xeon W processor family, the slower processors with four or six cores wouldn't make sense, so the best candidates for potential upgrades in the future would be these three options:

• 3.3 GHz 10-Core Xeon W-2155
• 2.5 GHz 14-Core Xeon W-2175
• 2.3 GHz 18-Core Xeon W-2195

Originally, when purchased by an individual customer (rather than in bulk), these processors cost more than Apple charges to upgrade the processor to a faster option at the time of system purchase, which originally made the iMac Pro custom processor configurations an excellent value for someone who uses software that can take advantage of the extra performance.

However, over time, the price of these processors will drop, and other compatible processors also could be introduced. Accordingly, a processor upgrade could make sense for those with the highly technical skills needed to attempt the upgrade.

Processor Upgrade Summary

It is possible to remove the iMac Pro processor, although it still might not be possible to replace it with another standard Xeon processor because of thermal concerns or other limitations. It is not cost-effective at the moment, either. Upgrading the processor yourself appears to void the warranty, as well.

When more information is available, and the price of potentially compatible processors drops, this Q&A can be updated and expanded. Have thoughts about upgrading the processor in the iMac Pro? Feel free to share.