Apple 27" iMac (Late 2009); iMac10,1 (Core 2 Duo) iMac11,1 (Core i5, i7) Installation Guides & Specifications

Upgrading theApple 27” iMac (Late 2009) RAM is very easy. Other upgrades or repair like the Hard Drive or the Optical Drive are a bit more advanced but still manageable. All You'll need is some simple tools, and the correct parts. We then urge you to follow the videos or the Apple manual provided on the links below.


Please see our Apple RAM Memory for iMac 27" (Late 2009) page to locate your  Apple compatible RAM upgrade for your iMac

Please see our Hard Drive  for iMac 27" (Late 2009) page to locate your   Apple compatible Hard Drive upgrades for your iMac

Please see our SSD  for iMac 27" (Late 2009) page to locate your   Apple compatible SSD upgrades for your iMac


Apple User Guides for the Apple iMac 27" (Late 2009)

iMac: How to remove or install memory Learn how to remove or install memory in your iMac computer on the Apple support page.


OWC Video Installation Guide for Apple 27” iMac (Late 2009):


Memory Install Video

OWC's step-by-step video of how to install memory in the Apple iMac 27" (Late 2009).
OWC Skill Level: "Easy" |  Duration: 4:12 |

Recommended Tools for the RAM upgrade:

-   #2 Philips Screwdriver


Add a second hard drive or SSD easily with the OWC Data Doubler. Here's an instructional video from OWC:


Data Doubler Install Video

OWC's step-by-step video of how to install a drive into a DataDoubler for installing into the Apple iMac 27" (Late 2009).
OWC Skill Level: "Easy" |  Duration: 1:56 |

Use the Optical Drive install videos below for iMac 27" (Late 2009) to install a DataDoubler mounted drive:


Optical Install Video

OWC's step-by-step video of how to upgrade/replace the optical drive in a Apple iMac 27" (Late 2009).
OWC Skill Level: "Involved" |  Duration: 8:28 |

Recommended Tools for the Data Doubler/Optibay upgrade:

Heavy-duty Suction Cups 
Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set


Here is how to fix or upgrade the main Hard Drive:


NewerTech AdaptaDrive. Drive Install Video 

OWC's step-by-step video of how to install a drive in a NewerTech AdaptaDrive. 

OWC Skill Level: "Easy" | Duration: 3:00|


Hard Drive Installation Video

OWC's step-by-step video of how to install a hard drive in the Apple iMac 27" (Late 2009).
OWC Skill Level: "Involved" |  Duration: 8:43 | 

Before you replace your original Hard Drive you need to be aware of the heat sensor issue, if you're not have a look at this website.

As explained you have 2 options to fix this:
- Software fix with HDD Fan Control
- Hardware fix with a OWC Heat Sensor DIY kit

Recommended Tools for the HDD/SSD upgrade:

Heavy-duty Suction Cups
Newer Technology 14 Piece Tool Set
- 2.5" to 3.5" adapter - for SSD installation only

External Hard Drive Enclosure - Convert your existing drive into an external one 

First make sure you understand the heat sensor issue mentioned above.


Here is some detailed specifications as well as direct link to available upgrades:

Apple 27" iMac (Late 2009)
OVERVIEW
Introduced October 2009
Discontinued July 2010
Model Identifier iMac10,1 (Core 2 Duo) iMac11,1 (Core i5, i7)
Model Number A1312
EMC 2309 (Core 2 Duo) 2374 (Core i5, i7)
Order Number MB952LL/A (3.06 GHz), MB953LL/A (2.66 GHz)
PROCESSOR
Processor Intel Core 2 Duo (E7600, E8600), Core i5 (750), or Core i7 (860) ("Wolfdale, Lynnfield")
Processor Speed 3.06 or 3.33 GHz (Core 2 Duo), 2.66 GHz (Core i5), 2.8 GHz (Core i7)
Architecture 64-bit
Number of Cores 2 or 4
Cache 3 MB (3.06 GHz) 6 MB (3.33 GHz) L2, 8 MB (2.66, 2.8 GHz) L3
System Bus 1066 MHz (3.06 GHz Core 2 Duo) or 1333 MHz (3.33 GHz Core 2 Duo) or Intel Direct Media Interface (DMI) at 2.5 GT/s (Core i5 and Core i7)
STORAGE AND MEDIA
Standard Storage 1 or 2 TB (7200-rpm)
Link to upgrade tool & kits Heat sensor kit
Link to internal HDD Upgrade to a new 3.5” HDD
Link to internal SSD Upgrade to a new 2.5” SSD
Media Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Link to external optical drive Get an external burner here
PERIPHERALS
Peripherals Apple Wireless Keyboard, Magic Mouse
RAM
Built-in Memory
Maximum Memory 32 GB (Core i5 or Core i7 Actual) 16 GB (Apple)
Memory Slots 4 - 204-pin PC3-8500 (1066 MHz) DDR3 SO-DIMM
Interleaving Support Yes
Link to RAM upgrade Upgrade your RAM here
DISPLAY
Built-in Display 27-inch (viewable) LED-backlit glossy widescreen TFT LCD with IPS
Resolutions 2560 by 1440 pixels
GRAPHICS
Graphics Card ATI Radeon HD 4670 or Radeon HD 4850
Graphics Memory 256 MB (Radeon HD 4670) or 512 MB (Radeon HD 4850) GDDR3
Display Connection 1 - Mini DisplayPort
Display Modes Dual display extended, video mirroring, Target Display
External Resolution Up to 2560 by 1600 pixels
Camera Built-in iSight
CONNECTIONS
Wi-Fi Built-in AirPort Extreme card (802.11a/b/g/n)
Bluetooth Built-in Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Ethernet 10/100/1000BASE-T (RJ-45)
Modem
USB 4 - 480 MBit/s
FireWire 1 - 800 MBit/s
Thunderbolt
Display 1 - Mini DisplayPort
Infrared 1 - For Apple Remote only
Audio In 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical combo input jack, Built-in microphone
Audio Out 1 - 3.5-mm analog/optical combo output jack, Built-in speakers
EXPANSION
Slots 1 - Secure Digital (SDXC)
Hard Drive Interface 3.0 Gbps Serial ATA (SATA)
Optical Drive Interface

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