MP 1,1-5,1 2009 Mac Pro 2.26ghz upgrade path help

[sebster74]

Hi All,

Im looking to upgrade my 2.26ghz Mac Pro 8 core as its started to struggle a bit now I have started to use slightly heavier soft synths etc.

There is soo much information out there im finding it slightly overwhelming and cant really narrow down what I need.

Im comfortable replacing and putting in a SSD and upgrading the RAM, and will Flash it 5,1.

My main question comes in regard to changing the CPU. Will doing the above help significantly enough or is worth upgrading the CPU? Having looked a cpu's im inclined to go with x5672 3.20ghz , mainly due to having about it being 95w and reading the processors that draw 130 can cause heat/fan issues (though I may be getting confused). I imagine this will significantly improve the performance or is it worth spending the additional amount to upgrade to two 6 core processors?

I know this has probably been covered elsewhere in different threads, but ive tried digging and just get very confused.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Seb

 

[Macschrauber]

cMP {classicMacPro}{4,1 & 5,1} - Upgrade Guide Sticky Discussion

Hey Folks, Lets start a discussion and collect everything relevant for cMP upgraders out there. Topics to consider: CPU Upgrades Compatibility chart CPU Delid / standoffs 4,1 to 5,1 firmware upgrade Memory Compatibility and Upgrades UDIMM Model Numbers RDIMM Model Numbers RAM...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[sebster74]

Thank you.

I did see this, Ive just been confused by all the information so was hoping I could get a short answer to the questions.

Time to do a lot more digging.

 

[Macschrauber]

Its way too complex for short answers.

My advice is to use delidded cpus. Proper delidded, polished die and black seal cut completely off for using the spacers.

talking too techy?

yes, you need to read a lot, 4.1 dual CPU upgrades are some of the most harmful things to do with a Mac Pro. Lots of things to double check.

 

[sebster74]

Fair enough, thank you.

Not overly techy, just have read stuff about using a washer method etc.

I'll upgrade other bits first and see if that makes enough of a difference.

 

[mode11]

I had the exact same MP, and upgraded to 2x x5680 3.33GHz CPUs (130W). I didn't bother to delid the CPUs. I'd want to try them first to make sure they work, before delidding - and once you've done that you may as well just leave them in. Don't think it makes a great deal of difference to the temps - Apple used regular chips with heat spreaders for the 5,1. I don't recall 130W chips making a great deal of difference to fan noise - my GPU fans tend to be the main source of noise (e.g. when using Blender). Pretty quiet otherwise.

 

[sebster74]

I had the exact same MP, and upgraded to 2x x5680 3.33GHz CPUs (130W). I didn't bother to delid the CPUs. I'd want to try them first to make sure they work, before delidding - and once you've done that you may as well just leave them in. Don't think it makes a great deal of difference to the temps - Apple used regular chips with heat spreaders for the 5,1. I don't recall 130W chips making a great deal of difference to fan noise - my GPU fans tend to be the main source of noise (e.g. when using Blender). Pretty quiet otherwise.

Ok, cool, that's interesting to know. Can I ask what you followed for the install of it? Mainly as I understand it, if you dont delid you can cause a lot of damage if you over tighten the heatsink? or would you mind if PM'd you about it?

 

[mode11]

You only cause damage if you wind the bolts down hard. The method is basically to count the number of turns when you undo the bolts, then subtract 2 revolutions (IIRC) when winding back in. I think in the end I just did them all up 4 turns in total on each bolt (alternating diagonally) and it was fine. You'll know if you didn't quite do them up tight enough, as not all the RAM will show (as not all the CPU pins are making proper contact). You can PM me for more details if you like.

 

[Macschrauber]

If you keep the lids on you need to cut the plugs for the fans and temperature sensors, also add thermal material for the voltage regulators.

plus you risk to over or undertighten the screws. Thats no decent work imo and needless hassle. There are a lot of threads about not recognizing Memory sticks with 4.1 dual cpu upgrades.

buy proper delidded or do it yourself very carefully.

 

[minifridge1138]

If you keep the lids on you need to cut the plugs for the fans and temperature sensors, also add thermal material for the voltage regulators.

plus you risk to over or undertighten the screws. Thats no decent work imo and needless hassle. There are a lot of threads about not recognizing Memory sticks with 4.1 dual cpu upgrades.

buy proper delidded or do it yourself very carefully.

You don’t have to cut the plugs for the fans and sensors. You can, but it’s not required.
I didn’t when I used washers and upgraded my 4,1 three years ago with lidded processors.

That said, if you can get a deal on processors that are already delidded, then that’s definitely easier.

 

[sebster74]

Thanks everyone.

Ive been looking for delidded processors here in England but not found any, only a service where you can send them off to be delidded, so still debating whether I want to take the risk!!

 

[Macschrauber]

Since Brexit it is difficult to UK, I stopped shipping to England, too

maybe them: https://www.ebay.de/itm/124114686306


i am not involved of course

 

[rorydaredking]

Thanks everyone.

Ive been looking for delidded processors here in England but not found any, only a service where you can send them off to be delidded, so still debating whether I want to take the risk!!

Seriously its easier than it sounds, but probably worth buying a couple of junk CPUs to practise. I used safety razor blades to cut the adhesive round the edge (don't push in too far as there are components on the surface of the die), left them wedged under the lid, then balanced the edges of the blades on a small cup. Heat the iron up and hold it on the top (steam off) and it will after a little while drop into the cup. Then just scrape off the rest of the solder.

If you have the money for sending off, then just do that so there is no risk

 

[DPUser]

Definitely go for X5680 or 90's. If you are doing DAW work, the extra cores will be definitely be utilized. The Mac Pro's cooling system can handle the 130W processors with ease. 5680 is best bang for the buck... last time I checked, the added cost of 5690 CPUs far outweighed the 4% performance gain they offer.

Also, consider using multiple instantiations of VIs instead of assigning multiple MIDI tracks to a single instantiation of, say, Omnisphere. There is a balance to be sought that depends on the project, but a single VI instantiation may only be able to address a single CPU core, so it is often helpful to use more than one multitimbral instantiation.

 

[sebster74]

Definitely go for X5680 or 90's. If you are doing DAW work, the extra cores will be definitely be utilized. The Mac Pro's cooling system can handle the 130W processors with ease. 5680 is best bang for the buck... last time I checked, the added cost of 5690 CPUs far outweighed the 4% performance gain they offer.

Also, consider using multiple instantiations of VIs instead of assigning multiple MIDI tracks to a single instantiation of, say, Omnisphere. There is a balance to be sought that depends on the project, but a single VI instantiation may only be able to address a single CPU core, so it is often helpful to use more than one multitimbral instantiation.

Ok cool, thanks for this. I was debating getting to some 5675s as I found some quite cheaply but will go for 5680s. Will just have to bite the bullet and some shipped from Europe.