Apple's iMac is often described as a device with hardware that is nearly impossible to upgrade/repair (with iFixit giving it a repairability score of 5 out of 10), not to mention the third-party hardware upgrades that most people avoid doing.
It turns out that what it takes to upgrade a 2017 27-inch iMac is a lot of research, compatible third-party hardware, and some technical skills to successfully complete the upgrade.
Snazzy Labs explains in its latest video that it bought a mid-range 2017 iMac to build the most powerful model that “Apple doesn’t sell,” so it purchased a number of components, including an Intel i7-7700K CPU, a Crucial MX300 2TB SSD, and PC4-19200 RAM. Some other tools were also needed, including a thermal sensor for the SSD, an SSD bracket, and an iMac opening tool.
Upgrading your iMac may seem like a nightmare at first glance, as removing almost every part, including the motherboard, display, and speakers, is necessary to replace the CPU, but once the device is disassembled, you can perform all the upgrades in bulk.
Of course, this involves a fair amount of research, and iFixit is a good place to start, although you should make sure you also check out repair guides and hardware compatibility documents.
After all these upgrades, Snazzy Labs' iMac is the most powerful in the world, and what's even more important is that it's much more affordable than what Apple charges for its top-of-the-line hardware configuration, with estimates suggesting that the specific hardware configuration chosen is $2,000 more affordable than Apple's.
Additionally, the final investment could be significantly reduced if the existing iMac components are sold, as the CPU and RAM are worth at least a few hundred dollars.
