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2009 4.1 dual core upgrade: Epic Fail
- Thread starter grame
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I'm not familiar with swapping CPU's on Mac Pros, but aren't the W55xx models only for single CPU systems and the X55xx models for the dual CPU systems?
No, the 55xx models are all for dual-processor systems while 35xx models for single-processor systems as shown here. The difference between "W" and "X" is for different TDP, 130W vs 95W. However Intel abandoned the "W" prefix for the 56xx models even though there are several models with 130W TDP.
I am sorry that you have had so much trouble with this. I too had alot of trouble.
It is not a straightforward update and there just isn't a precise "right" way to do it.
I thought I had killed my CPU tray and bought another one, but I was able to get the 2.26 Quads to work in the "dead" one so it isn't dead. I used little mylar washers and some heat foam stuff for the other chips. It is crucial that you make sure the fan connector gets snapped in.
The RAM isn't important, in fact, it helps diagnose the CPU
I can run with just 1 or 2 sticks. Some RAM slots didn't work until I tightened the screws a little more or loosened them.
I posted in one of the bigger threads here.
If you are in LA I would be happy to help if you bring it by, I am in Hollywood near the Dolby Theatre (where Emmy's are)
If not, there is a vendor on Ebay (I have no affiliation, don't know the guy, never met him, etc) who upgrades 4,1 trays. I am going to buy a couple more heatsinks and some more 5680s and see if I can get my "spare" tray working that way.
Good luck. I eventually got Dual 5680s working and already having a machine that is FASTER than any Mac at the Apple store and can match the Geekbench of new one makes me very happy indeed.
It is not a straightforward update and there just isn't a precise "right" way to do it.
I thought I had killed my CPU tray and bought another one, but I was able to get the 2.26 Quads to work in the "dead" one so it isn't dead. I used little mylar washers and some heat foam stuff for the other chips. It is crucial that you make sure the fan connector gets snapped in.
The RAM isn't important, in fact, it helps diagnose the CPU
I can run with just 1 or 2 sticks. Some RAM slots didn't work until I tightened the screws a little more or loosened them.
I posted in one of the bigger threads here.
If you are in LA I would be happy to help if you bring it by, I am in Hollywood near the Dolby Theatre (where Emmy's are)
If not, there is a vendor on Ebay (I have no affiliation, don't know the guy, never met him, etc) who upgrades 4,1 trays. I am going to buy a couple more heatsinks and some more 5680s and see if I can get my "spare" tray working that way.
Good luck. I eventually got Dual 5680s working and already having a machine that is FASTER than any Mac at the Apple store and can match the Geekbench of new one makes me very happy indeed.
Thanks so much for your kind offer. I'm in London so it's a bit too far! But I have found a freelance Apple technician who's confident he can get the W5590s running in my tray. So fingers crossed - I need that speed!
W5590 is a dual processor model. Intel lists it as such. Others have already installed them in DP Mac Pros successfully.
Some people report it in this forum. The W5590 is a 4 Core CPU, do not confuse with the 6 Core.
Sent back the W5590s I spent weeks wrestling with and ordered a different pair from the US. 20 minutes installation time and they booted first time. Unreal. Only issue now is the RAM won't run at 1333 despite numerous PRAM resets. Ho hum. Yay!
Glad you got it to work - Whew. My real 5,1 with W5590s is running 1333MHz RAM speeds. The CPU allows it if the firmware does. I assume you have updated both MOBO and CPU Board Firmware. Here's someone with a 4,1 who is running an updated firmware 4,1 > 5,1 with RAM at full speed:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1609476/
Lou
OK, so you sorted it out. GREAT!!!!! Over the years, I've found that having all RAM sticks be the same brand and speed helps a lot. My Ram supplier is:
http://www.datamemorysystems.com
They are Mac Specialists and their RAM has a Lifetime Guarantee. I can say that I've been using RAM from these guys since 1986, and have never had a failure.
Lou
http://www.datamemorysystems.com
They are Mac Specialists and their RAM has a Lifetime Guarantee. I can say that I've been using RAM from these guys since 1986, and have never had a failure.
Lou
Flowrider/Grame: what kinds of temps are you guys seeing with the dual W5590s? I made the upgrade yesterday. Idles fine, but at load (say, using hand bake) CPU A will hit 85 deg Celsius, while B runs 20+ deg cooler.
(Flowrider - sorry - sent you a PM yesterday on this but not sure if you check)
(Flowrider - sorry - sent you a PM yesterday on this but not sure if you check)
^^^^I just posted this answer to your PM:
I idle at middle 30s to middle 40s. I went to CPUBOSS and they list the max operating temp at 67°C for the W5590. I haven't really stressed mine, but I have never seen temps as high as yours. I don't use handbrake. Also CPU A seems to run a bit hotter than CPU B.
Lou
I idle at middle 30s to middle 40s. I went to CPUBOSS and they list the max operating temp at 67°C for the W5590. I haven't really stressed mine, but I have never seen temps as high as yours. I don't use handbrake. Also CPU A seems to run a bit hotter than CPU B.
Lou
The 67C probably refers to Tcase which, according to what I've read in the Intel support forums, is max 'normal' operating temp you'd expect when doing non-cpu-intensive stuff.
I'm not using 5590's, but a single quad W3570. But your experience sounds identical to what I've been observing on my system.
Handbrake runs all cores/threads 100% and my CPU A temps easily reach 85C.
It seems that Apple allows this to happen as the fans don't do anything until you reach the very upper limit of what's considered safe temperature range. Watch your BOOST fan next time you Handbrake and make note of when it begins to increase speed.
I'm actually feeling a lot better about it -- really appreciate the responses. I took the chips out and swapped their locations, reapplied the compound, etc. Seems to be running a little cooler, and the discrepancy between the two is more inline. Before, under handbrake, A would hit 85, B would be at 65, and the fans would be spinning at 5000 rpm. Now, A hits 80 and then cools down a degree or two, B hits near 70, but the fans are only spinning around 3000 rpm. This seems a lot more inline I think, no?
The fan speeds seem over-the-top. I've never seen anything close to 3000 rpm's on my system. It must be rather noisy, I imagine.
At that speed I would expect the CPU diode temps to be in the mid-60's.
I hope that others with dual-CPU Mac Pros (that use Handbrake occassionally) will share what they've observed regarding fan behavior/ CPU temps.
Currently midway through a long Handbrake session with default fans settings:
Temps =
CPU A = 75
CPU B = 67
Northbridge = 61
Booster fans around 2300rpm.
Apparently according to Intel, 104 is the Northbridge limit for the W5590s
http://pindelski.org/Photography/2013/07/06/mac-pro-2009-part-x/
Idling temps:
CPU 1 = 49
CPU 2 = 40
Northbridge = 74
Booster Fans = 1113 /4
Still trying to get my head round the temps thing....
Temps =
CPU A = 75
CPU B = 67
Northbridge = 61
Booster fans around 2300rpm.
Apparently according to Intel, 104 is the Northbridge limit for the W5590s
http://pindelski.org/Photography/2013/07/06/mac-pro-2009-part-x/
Idling temps:
CPU 1 = 49
CPU 2 = 40
Northbridge = 74
Booster Fans = 1113 /4
Still trying to get my head round the temps thing....
Thanks Grame -- good info. Torn with what to do. Processors are great, speeds are awesome...fans just seem to run a little high at load.
so I returned the W5590s and picked up two X5650s. They run great -- idle low 40s/mid 30s. At load, and after some time, CPU A might hit 80C, while B is usually 10 deg lower. Have yet to see fans top 1150 rmp. Much quieter than the 3000 rpm i was seeing with the W5590s.