Specific Details on Intel Processor Updates for a Mac

We received many questions following our news regarding changing the Mac mini's processor which we are going to try to answer here.
- The MacBook Pro and the MacBook have their processors directly soldered to the motherboard. So it's impossible to change them.
- The iMac and the Mac mini on the other hand have processors placed in connectors. This connector (or socket) is called the 479. It accepts both the Core Duo and the Core 2 Duo which are compatible pin for pin. On the other hand, don't try to install a Pentium M. Although it has the same number of pins (478), it is incompatible.
Intel offered two types of Core 2 Duos, the Exxxx series and the Txxxx series. The E series is designed for desktop computers and don't have the same number of pins, so it is not compatible. But on the other hand all the T series of processors are.
The T5xxx series of processors have at least 2 Mb of cache, while the T7xxx have 4. All Core Duo Ts are currently designed to function with a bus speed of 667 MHz (166.6x4). In a few months it should be possible to find some less expensive processors at 533 MHz. Although they will be less expensive and most likely compatible, their slower bus speed will have a severe effect on the global performance of the machine (unless performing a pin modification, but that's another story). Here is a recap of the compatible processors, the Core Duo and Core 2 Duo.
* Core Duo T2300 at 1.66 GHz (2 MB of cache)
* Core Duo T2400 at 1.83 GHz (2 MB of cache)
* Core Duo T2500 at 2 GHz (2 MB of cache)
* Core Duo T2600 at 2.16 GHz (2 MB of cache)
* Core Duo T2700 at 2.33 GHz (2 MB of cache)
* Core 2 Duo T5500 at 1.66 GHz (2 MB of cache)
* Core 2 Duo T5600 at 1.83 GHz (2 MB of cache)
* Core 2 Duo T7200 at 2 GHz (4 MB of cache)
* Core 2 Duo T7400 at 2.16 GHz (4 MB of cache)
* Core 2 Duo T7600 at 2.33 GHz (4 MB of cache)
Of note: the higher frequency models will make the fans spin faster.
- The Mac Pros also have interchangeable processors. It uses a socket 771. It will accept all the Xeon 51xx series with a 1333 MHz bus (there are Xeons with a 1066 bus which would slow down the machine). The 4 core Xeons are also compatible.
Here is the list of compatible 1333 Mhz bus processors:
* Xeon 5130. 2 cores at 2 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon 5140. 2 cores at 2.33 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon 5150. 2 cores at 2.66 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon 5160. 2 cores at 3 GHz and 4 MB of cache
* Xeon E5345. 4 cores at 2.33 GHz and 8 MB of cache
* Xeon E5355. 4 cores at 2.66 GHz and 8 MB of cache
Again, the 4 core processors will make the fans spin faster. They use 120W versus 80 for a 3 GHz and 60W for the others.
In any case, you will most likely void your warranty by changing the CPU.