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2010 logic board in 2009 pro

Ih8reno

Ih8reno

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Aug 10, 2012
1,383
207
Hi everyone

I got the chance to swap out my quad 2.66 single processor board from my 09 pro. Found a 2010 board with a single quad 2.8. My Mac is flashed to 5,1. Would this be easy enough and compatible?

Thanks and happy holidays!
 
The answer is No. Unless you swap both the logic board and the processor board to match the SMC firmware.

In your case, swap just the CPU is easy, and give you less trouble. But from 2.66 to 2.8, I don't think it really worth. The 2010 processor board with the 2.8 quad CPU may already more expensive then just buy the X5677 or W3680 (if you are lucky enough, you may actually able to get a W3690 / X5690 for a low price).
 
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it will work but you wont like it ^ fan's on 100% 24/7 will drive me mad :p

cpu swap/upgrade on a single cpu 4.1 is super easy and worth doing.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-pro-cpu-compatibility-list.1954766/
i replaced the 2.8ghz 4 core with a 3.33ghz 6 core ^^ super easy, first time iv ever done a cpu swap or install and it's super easy.

did a quick look on ebay the W5590 4core 3.33 ghz is only £35 !! thats with free postage :D thats super cheep and a nice boost, not as fast as a X5677 (3.46ghz 4c) but close. (the X5677 is closer to £60)

also i can see a W3670 (3.2ghz 6c) for £70 on ebay.

(i live in the UK so im using ebay.co.uk prices, if you live in America there's lots over there which i left out thanks to postage being almost as much as the CPU o_O)
 
Thank you all for the responses! I will hold offand replace the cpu as recommended. I see threads on "delidding" the processor. Do I have to get this done or can I simply remove my heatsink and pop in anew processor and close it up and I'm golden.

Thanks!
 
Ih8reno said:
Thank you all for the responses! I will hold offand replace the cpu as recommended. I see threads on "delidding" the processor. Do I have to get this done or can I simply remove my heatsink and pop in anew processor and close it up and I'm golden.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

No delidding needed. That is for dual proc 2009 models, but you have single proc.
 
so it's essentially plug and play at this point

Edit

Found an X5650 locally, would this be an appropriate upgrade for this machine?
 
Last edited:
Found a used X5667 3.06GHZ. I'm assuming it's fine since it was in that chart but the chart showed it as dual Xeon.
 
it's one of those things where you have to decide on what you want for what you do if you dont need more speed might be worth waiting. (or sticking the money in to a SSD or your next computer)
you also have to add the price of thermal past + cleaner (i got a kit on amazon) and a long hex key thing.

might be worth just keeping an eye out for one for bid or try low balling the seller as few people want the old cpu's now (there super slow by today's cpu's).

there was a relay nice speed up for me going from 2.8ghz 4c to 3.33ghz 6c but mostly in threaded things thanks to the extra 2 cores (i do light video editing and thats the only time i see all core's used).

the advice for ppl doing mostly lightly threaded apps is to look at the 3.2-3.46 4c cpu's as there cheaper and few apps will use all the cores (ie Photoshop ect)

but once your doing a lot of say video work then the extra cores can help.

i just have mixed feelings about how much you will gain from going to 3ghz from 2.66 for that price.
 
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