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MP 1,1-5,1 Cold, Hot, or Just Right?
- Thread starter GiveYourOpinion
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Overheating physically distorts the northbridge encapsulation, it's very common that the northbridges become convex after it overheats for a long period of time and lot's of CPU trays never go back to 72~75ºC again after replacing the push-pins and re-pasting. The only repair possible is to replace the northbridge, which is economically unfeasible today.
Maybe the only model of CPU tray that could still be economically repairable is the mid-2010/mid-2012 dual CPU tray, since is still expensive. Not worth replacing a northbrigde for anything else.
It's not just parts and labor. Equipment, training, supplies and ROI all need to be accounted. The total cost of replacing a northbridge is over the value of a used and in working order CPU tray. Even semi-professionals that don't have the whole cost of doing business charge $150 for this type of labor.
It's not just parts and labor. Equipment, training, supplies and ROI all need to be accounted. The total cost of replacing a northbridge is over the value of a used and in working order CPU tray. Even semi-professionals that don't have the whole cost of doing business charge $150 for this type of labor.
So, for a cMP earlier than mid-2010 in need of Northbridge replacement, you would advise the owner to find another cMP of similar vintage, either, to run, or as a CPU tray/Northbridge donor ... if the owner prefers to continue using that era machine?
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Again, northbridge replacement is not cost effective when you can get a CPU tray cheaper than the total cost of the repair. For these below, it's definitively not worth:
- early-2009 single CPU,
- early-2009 dual CPU,
- mid-2010/mid-2012 single CPU.
How you gonna get your Mac Pro working again depends on what is most cost effective for you.
For some people would be an eBay replacement CPU tray, for others a bricked Mac Pro from Craigslist, or even getting a working used one from recyclers or corporate/university sales. Depends where you live and if you have time/can wait/gonna sell the parts that you don't need and etc. A lot of people here make money selling all the other parts that are not needed.
It's been ~81C ever since I got this machine 2nd hand a few years ago. Never saw any issues, yet I will check into the NB radiator soon, as my kit is on the way. Shall the NB be warped, I will make some photos for your viewing pleasure.
The only thing you can do is remove the heatsink, clean N/B with alcohol and heatsink and use new thermal paste with new sprung clips and see if your temps are reduced.
I am casually reading along here. Have a new-to-me cMP 4,1 that I rescued from Facebook market.
With it idling, I am seeing about 77c on the northbridge diode. So is that dangerously high?
With it idling, I am seeing about 77c on the northbridge diode. So is that dangerously high?
Not dangerously, but it's already overheating. The SMC is tuned to keep the IOH around 72º to 75ºC.
You should inspect the push pins, clean everything and re-paste the northbridge.
Roger. 10-4. It’s now on my list of “things to do” to keep this old boat anchor running.
(Said with affection for heavy electronic equipment.). 😊
(Said with affection for heavy electronic equipment.). 😊
Also dump your BootROM image before it fails. It's the Achilles' heel of an early-2009 Mac Pro and will probably brick after you do all the maintenance and start using it for real. With the BootROM image dumped and saved securely, you can replace the SPI flash memory or buy a SPI flash replacement, like a MATT card.
Good advice. I did dump the ROM on my cMP 3,1 but have not gotten to it on this 4,1.
Off topic, I know the 4,1 has more potential for upgrades, but that 3,1 just seems more solid in some ways…just an impression I have from limited experience.
Off topic, I know the 4,1 has more potential for upgrades, but that 3,1 just seems more solid in some ways…just an impression I have from limited experience.
its cool because i repasted the N/B with thermal grizzly and i run an angled cooling fan above the N/B like below. also keeps the ram cool.
Sure? Found the data, that aluminum can only be deformed more easily from about 250°C.