MP 1,1-5,1 Comprehensive Mac Upgrade: Seeking Final Approval / Suggestions

[KingCornWallis]

I have been studying these forums religiously to avoid unnecessary questions and purchase everything needed for a Comprehensive Mac Pro 4,1 upgrade. I will outline all products to be used, and videos/procedures to be followed in the process. I am computer-savvy, Mac-savvy, and a modest programmer yet some of the below is still new to me (hence this post).

Please give your thoughts on anything I have listed that does not sound right or is known to cause problems, especially on the matter of Opencore as that has only very recently been made known to me. I am upgrading EVERYTHING except the fans and case. Explicit questions have been outlined in Red. THANKS!

A NOTE ON OS AND HARDWARE CHOICE: Unless you see something MISSING or INCOMPATIBLE, these are not open change.

Base System and Specifications:
Model: Mac Pro 2009 4,1
CPU: x2 Xeon E5520 4-Core @ 2.26GHz
RAM: x8 Hynix 2GB 2Rx8 PC3-8600E HMT82GV7MMR4A-H9 (16GB 1066MHz ECC)
Storage Bay 1: WD Green 2TB 5400 RPM Hard Drive WD20EZRX
Storage Bay 2:
Storage Bay 3:
Storage Bay 4:
PCIe Slot 1: ATI Radeon HD 4870 512MB
PCIe Slot 2:
PCIe Slot 3:
PCIe Slot 4:
ODD Bay 1: Apple SuperDrive
ODD Bay 2:
WiFi/BT: AirPort Extreme and Stock BT Card
PSU: Stock

OS1: 10.11.6
OS2:

Upgraded System and Specifications:
Model: Mac Pro 2009 5,1 (Flashed)
CPU: x2 Xeon X5690 6-Core @ 3.46GHz (Delidded) with Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Paste
RAM: x8 Hynix 16GB 2Rx4 PC3L-10600R HMT82GV7MMR4A-H9 (128GB 1333MHz ECC with Heatsink)
Storage Bay 1: Mercury Extreme Pro 6G 500GB SSD
Storage Bay 2: White Label 4TB 7200RPM 3.5" Hard Drive WL4000GSA6472
Storage Bay 3: White Label 4TB 7200RPM 3.5" Hard Drive WL4000GSA6472
Storage Bay 4: Hitachi 2TB 7200RPM 3.5" Hard Drive HDS723020BLA642
PCIe Slot 1: Sapphire Radeon Vega 64 8GB HBM2 HDMI/Triple DP
PCIe Slot 2: AquaComputer KryoM.2 (adapter and heatsink) with 2TB Adata Gammix S11 Pro SSD
PCIe Slot 3: Gigabyte GC Titan Ridge 2.0 Card (Thunderbolt 3)
PCIe Slot 4: Inateck KT4004 USB 3.0 PCIe Card
ODD Bay 1: Stock Apple SuperDrive
ODD Bay 2: Pioneer BDR-211UBK (4K BluRay)
WiFi/BT: Mini-PCIe to BCM94360CD Version 3.0 with Apple BCM94360CD Card (AC Wi-Fi + BT 4.0)
PSU: Stock with Pixels Mod

OS 1: 10.14.6 Mojave in PCIe Slot ? on 2TB Adata SSD in Kryo M.2 PCIe Adapter
OS 2: Windows 10 in Storage Bay 1 on 500GB OWC SSD in Generic 2.5" to 3.5" Drive Adapter


PROCEDURES:

CPU Upgrade:

Flashing the System to 5,1: Already Done

De-Lidding the X5690 CPUs: This looks to be the simplest/safest procedure I have seen, other than not de-lidding and using thermal pads. Was curious to learn that the 'solder' used in these processors is not your typical tough lead-based solder, but actually 'Indium' which actually has some give.

Installing the X5960 CPUs: This video is good, but doesn't mention 'how tight' or 'how many turns', just use a star pattern. I will go by feel here as I've done before, but do you suggest something else?

Tools Used: Vise, Hex T-Key Wrench, Potentially razor blade, Isopropyl Alcohol, Thermal Paste

PSU Upgrade:

Pixlas Mod: Looks to be time-intensive but largely essential

Tools Used: Kareon Cables Open-end to dual 8 (6+2) pin cable 30", and all Parts listed at top of guide

GPU Upgrade:

GPU Flash: Will Install in Slot 1. After completing the Pixlas Mod, Should I flash my Sapphire Vega 64 with a Sapphire Nitro+ Vega 64 BIOS? I will be running macOS 10.14.6 and the latest (supported) version of Windows 10?

Tools Used: If flash is needed to overcome Fan issues, I have a separate Windows Desktop to perform the flash

macOS Upgrade, Initial Install, and SSD Upgrade:

Will install High Sierra via USB.

Mojave: On the 2TB NVMe drive on the PCIe Adapter in slot 2, may need to install Mojave via the OpenCore instructions instead

BootCamp Windows 10 Install:On the spare 500GB SATA SSD, I will install windows via CD and update. I do not know how Opencore affects this yet

RAM Upgrade:

After the CPU Upgrade, I will turn the system off and unplug after successfully upgrading the CPU's, then swap out the RAM. In the case of no boots/beeping I will reseat/clean.

Thunderbolt Upgrade and OpenCore:

I don't really know at what point chronologically I should do be installing OpenCore and the Thunderbolt Card.

Programming the card:

Tools Used: CH341a Programmer

OpenCore Configuration: This should give BootScreens back. So if I am using this card to output graphics, does the Vega 64 still get used for everything else?

WiFi/BT Upgrade:

All the guides I have found are overly complicated. I am going to remove the wifi card, remove the power to the bluetooth card, then just plug everything in. Not interested in putting another antenna on the back, as WiFi will not really be used. If for some reason CAT is needed, I know how to work it.

Tools Used: V3 mPCIe Adapter, 4-Pin male to male plug, coaxial extension

ODD Upgrade:

4K BluRay: Will likely keep the Stock SuperDrive above

Hard Drive Upgrades:

Don't think I need a guide for this one. The 2 4TB drives are for storage for 2 different users, formatted as ExFAT to be used in BootCamp as well. The 2TB drive is for a Time Machine Backup.

 

[glawrie]

You probably would be better installing an AMD 5600XT rather than the Vega 64 - it is offers the same performance as the Vega 64 but draws less than half the power - you should be able to run the 5600XT without doing the Pixlas mod. The difference in power draw coming from the 5600XT having a much more efficient GPU.

 

[mode11]

That's a pretty epic build - an almost maxed out Mac Pro.

If you're going to use delidded CPUs, there are no special precautions to take - just screw the heatsink down with sensible pressure. The more involved procedures are only required if using lidded processors, as they differ from the OEM ones.

The GPU's DP output goes into the TB3 card's DP input, which then integrates it into the TB stream and sends it from the TB output to a monitor. You can get TB cards pre-flashed for Mac, if you want to save some time.

OpenCore will let you run Catalina or Big Sur, but presumably you want to run 32 bit applications using Mojave? Could consider just keeping a Mojave partition somewhere if you only need to use it occasionally, or mount as a VM in Parallels. It's handy to have Mojave somewhere, as it's natively supported by the 5,1 (including a flashed 4,1), so can boot the machine if something goes wrong with OC. OC has been very reliable for me though, and enables (via add-ons) lots of cool features such as a graphical boot picker, h.264/h.265 video encode / decode, showing PCIe SSDs as internal and so on.

The BT/Wifi upgrade isn't that involved - just need to take the CPU sled out and remove the cover underneath. No need for CAT - AirDrop etc. should work immediately (might need to reboot or wait 10 minutes or something, I vaguely remember; perhaps log out and back in to iCloud). An external BT antenna is handy, as in my experience the BT signal is a bit weak and doesn't have great range. I've got a high-gain aerial underneath my desktop to make sure everything works well.

 

[cdf]

BootCamp Windows 10 Install:On the spare 500GB SATA SSD, I will install windows via CD and update. I do not know how Opencore affects this yet

The installation type described in that link is not compatible with OpenCore. A compatible one is provided in the OpenCore guide.

 

[KingCornWallis]

You probably would be better installing an AMD 5600XT rather than the Vega 64 - it is offers the same performance as the Vega 64 but draws less than half the power - you should be able to run the 5600XT without doing the Pixlas mod. The difference in power draw coming from the 5600XT having a much more efficient GPU.

Would love to, but I need Mojave. Therefore I am looking at a Vega 64, Vega FE, or Vega VII.

 

[KingCornWallis]

That's a pretty epic build - an almost maxed out Mac Pro.

If you're going to use delidded CPUs, there are no special precautions to take - just screw the heatsink down with sensible pressure. The more involved procedures are only required if using lidded processors, as they differ from the OEM ones.

The GPU's DP output goes into the TB3 card's DP input, which then integrates it into the TB stream and sends it from the TB output to a monitor. You can get TB cards pre-flashed for Mac, if you want to save some time.

OpenCore will let you run Catalina or Big Sur, but presumably you want to run 32 bit applications using Mojave? Could consider just keeping a Mojave partition somewhere if you only need to use it occasionally, or mount as a VM in Parallels. It's handy to have Mojave somewhere, as it's natively supported by the 5,1 (including a flashed 4,1), so can boot the machine if something goes wrong with OC. OC has been very reliable for me though, and enables (via add-ons) lots of cool features such as a graphical boot picker, h.264/h.265 video encode / decode, showing PCIe SSDs as internal and so on.

The BT/Wifi upgrade isn't that involved - just need to take the CPU sled out and remove the cover underneath. No need for CAT - AirDrop etc. should work immediately (might need to reboot or wait 10 minutes or something, I vaguely remember; perhaps log out and back in to iCloud). An external BT antenna is handy, as in my experience the BT signal is a bit weak and doesn't have great range. I've got a high-gain aerial underneath my desktop to make sure everything works well.

Thanks, really appreciate the response.

Yes, this is a gift that will serve the purpose of a music studio machine. IE 32-bit support is a 'safe' must, and ideally the hardware/software configuration should never change for compatibilities sake. So Mojave needs to be the main partition (probably better to do High Sierra, but I really want Mojave as it's the last officially supported). I may consider Big Sur on another partition (if possible alongside Mojave? this is macOS 10 vs macOS 11 after all) as I would like them to see the latest advances if they so chose.

I purchased a new TB3 card for around $100 and there is truly no reason why I should buy a pre-flashed one when the process is publicly availably (not like those flashed GPU's that only one overseas outlet is offering) and I have the hardware and background to do it myself. It will be a good learning process.

WiFi and BT will likely never be used, but I want all features to be available should the need arise (I can foresee AirDrop being used).

 

[DPUser]

Sounds like you have a really solid plan. Here are a couple of thoughts that might be helpful:

Just wondering what hardware the studio will be running... TB is certainly great, and essential if the audio interface requires it, but I've found USB works very well in my studio (MOTU 828es running 20 Inputs, 6 Stereo Monitor Mixes, Main Stereo Out, 5.1 Out) with a lot less effort involved, with an important plus: longer cables allow the Mac (which is not a quiet beast) to be housed in the machine room, not the control room.

Similarly, unless video work is to be done with the Mac, the GPU you spec is way more than needed, and it brings with it the need for Pxias' mod. I'm driving 4k and 1080 monitors with a lowly RX460 without issue. No power cable, less heat.

For audio work, High Sierra or Mojave are my recommendations. I moved directly from Sierra to Mojave, and the GPU driver had improved substantially.

I'll second mode11's comment re: problematic internal BT reception. Simplest fix is unplug the internal BT and go with a USB dongle plugged into a port near the work area.

Since speed is not an issue, I like using 8TB external spinners for Time Machine... cost-effective, easy swap, and easy to grab and go when the studio is on fire. BackBlaze recommended for cloud backup.

Maybe dump the old Super Drive and connect an extra SATA SSD up there for VI sample data or project storage (or to allow the two users to each have a Project SSD). Also consider keeping a regularly updated Boot Drive clone around for the day an Apple Security Update or a new driver of one sort or another hoses the working Boot Drive. Such a time and headache saver!

Have fun and, on behalf of the friend to whom you are gifting the Mac Pro, Thank You!

 

[KingCornWallis]

Sounds like you have a really solid plan. Here are a couple of thoughts that might be helpful:

Just wondering what hardware the studio will be running... TB is certainly great, and essential if the audio interface requires it, but I've found USB works very well in my studio (MOTU 828es running 20 Inputs, 6 Stereo Monitor Mixes, Main Stereo Out, 5.1 Out) with a lot less effort involved, with an important plus: longer cables allow the Mac (which is not a quiet beast) to be housed in the machine room, not the control room.

Similarly, unless video work is to be done with the Mac, the GPU you spec is way more than needed, and it brings with it the need for Pxias' mod. I'm driving 4k and 1080 monitors with a lowly RX460 without issue. No power cable, less heat.

For audio work, High Sierra or Mojave are my recommendations. I moved directly from Sierra to Mojave, and the GPU driver had improved substantially.

I'll second mode11's comment re: problematic internal BT reception. Simplest fix is unplug the internal BT and go with a USB dongle plugged into a port near the work area.

Since speed is not an issue, I like using 8TB external spinners for Time Machine... cost-effective, easy swap, and easy to grab and go when the studio is on fire. BackBlaze recommended for cloud backup.

Maybe dump the old Super Drive and connect an extra SATA SSD up there for VI sample data or project storage (or to allow the two users to each have a Project SSD). Also consider keeping a regularly updated Boot Drive clone around for the day an Apple Security Update or a new driver of one sort or another hoses the working Boot Drive. Such a time and headache saver!

Have fun and, on behalf of the friend to whom you are gifting the Mac Pro, Thank You!

The client, is actually a pair. And they are both audio professionals, one dealing with studio sound and the other spatial audio. They are both video amateurs, and here it comes, casual gamers. The Vega 64 seemed to be offer the most power without breaking the bank.

They are currently using a Focusrite USB setup, but are transitioning over to Thunderbolt. REALLY glad this sub finally managed the impossible.

I am definitely on the fence about keeping the superdrive. While I'm sure if disc burning and ripping ever came in to the picture simultaneously this would help a bit. But I really couldn't find another use case for another drive; they are sharing a 2TB NVMe for macOS, sharing a 500GB SSD for Windows (will probably only be used by one person), then each have 4TB of storage for use across Mac and Windows, and a 2TB for the Mac side backup. And I know they already have external hard drives they have been using for projects. I GUESS I could put in a backup drive for windows, but again the use there will be primarily gaming and the occasional need for windows exclusive programs. Nothing critical or even remotely important.