MP 7,1 CPU upgrade in 2019 Mac Pro

[zhpenn]

I did the mistake and performed an install of Big Sur on a second nvme drive I have.

After that I had a new Bootrom... @zhpenn

I see, but I am still worrying will later we update to big sur, all the people that have the cpu replaced will no boot?

 

[AppleTomsk]

If I am right then yes...

As soon as the new boot ROM is installed.

 

[DSM2.Hackintosh]

Visited today my buddy Mr. Heine...
Nice try Apple...Maybe next time...

 

[patrick.a]

I‘m not sure I follow correctly. Would that mean Apple could actually stop CPU upgrades per software update even if the CPU used is the same model as the ones Apple uses? How can the system even tell the difference?

 

[AppleTomsk]

@DSM2.Hackintosh thanks for the hint. My machine is running now aswell.

 

[cobra521]

@DSM2.Hackintosh
@AppleTomsk

Would one of you gentlemen kindly tell a neophyte what just happened here? I'm hoping to make the silicon upgrade but this makes it look a little dicey...

Thanks,

Tom

 

[awkward_eagle]

Any further details would be helpful. I run a second system with an aftermarket cpu and would like to know if it will continue to work after a boot rom update.

 

[AppleTomsk]

Basically : As long as the CPU switch happens before the bootrom update (Big Sur installation), it will also run after the bootrom update. If you already have the new bootrom installed on the 2019 MacPro, the CPU switch will only work if you reset the T2. @DSM2.Hackintosh told me the procedure via PM.

 

[DSM2.Hackintosh]

There are a few things to consider with the C621 platform. Apart from the MacPro, I also have some C621 hackintoshes that I call my own and it's not different there. The base is quite sensitive to the contact pressure. A little too much or a little too little can be enough to prevent the machine from starting. Just don't overtighten, less is more and make sure that you tighten the screws evenly. Apart from that, it is very easy to bend the socket pins, it's better to double check and be careful with it.

A new logicboard will cost 1600 Euro if you damage the Socket.

 

[awkward_eagle]

Thank you for the info. My current aftermarket cpu has been running fine for a while now so fingers crossed it stays that way. What is the procedure for resetting the T2?

 

[zhpenn]

Basically : As long as the CPU switch happens before the bootrom update (Big Sur installation), it will also run after the bootrom update. If you already have the new bootrom installed on the 2019 MacPro, the CPU switch will only work if you reset the T2. @DSM2.Hackintosh told me the procedure via PM.

That is good to know, is your mac pro works again with new cpu after resetting T2？

 

[AppleTomsk]

Yes, it does without any issues with the 24 Core - 3265M

Thanks again @DSM2.Hackintosh

 

[Marcelo Eduardo Oliveira]

Hey @AppleTomsk or @DSM2.Hackintosh : Do you mind sharing the T2 reset procedure ?

I was already using the pro for Big Sur .. unfortunately.

thanks in advance !

m

 

[fireedo]

I have 8 cores and ordered on the way 12 cores also I have already using Big Sur (Beta 4) , so will I able to switch the CPU? or do I have to reset T2? if yes is it the same method resetting SMC?

 

[Parzival]

Surely this machine was made to be user upgradable? Is it really impossible once upgraded to Big Sur to change the CPU?

 

[LeonPro]

User upgrade in Apple's terms means PCIe slots and RAM, not CPU. In any case, per above work-around - you can replace the CPU after the upgrade to Big Sur by resetting the T2 chip.

 

[eflx]

Same goes for replacing the SSD - reset the T2 chip

 

[flowrider]

^^^^Yes, but only the original OEM SSD. Any others you may add on a PCI card, SATA bus or USB are not affected and may be replaced, removed, added too and etc.

Lou

 

[smfd90]

Is the process to reset firmware as follows? (similar to OEM SSD replacement )

1. A second Mac is required for the installation. You will need this to delete the firmware on the T2 chip and reload it.
2. The second Mac is connected to the Mac Pro using a USB-C cable. MacOS 10.14.6 and later and the Apple Configurator tool from version 2.12 need to be installed on the second Mac.
3. When you start the Apple Configurator tool, you will see the Mac Pro in the main window. Under Actions, select "Restore" and start the process.

 

[fireedo]

confirmed by myself I have replaced my 8 cores cpu to the 12 cores and the process were smooth and easy, no need to reset T2 just plug and play

 

[DFP1989]

I’m wondering if you could put a second 256GB SSD in and use the config tool to restore the system and it recognise as a 512GB SSD ?

Makes sense that you could since the 1TB is just two 512, etc.

 

[fireedo]

Also more information, maybe usefull for others, I have tried put 2 x 1TB ssd from an iMac Pro and it doesnt work ... I have try switching combination for slot number 1 and 2 for both ssd and still no luck, but also need to mention that when I try this I’m using Big Sur Beta 3.
I also try using apple configuration 2.12, DFU mode, and recovery doesnt work.
eventhough my ssd from iMac Pro has same EMC code with my default Mac Pro 2019 ssd which is EMC 3197.
Maybe another day or maybe it just doesnt compatible

 

[Grumply]

If you bought the 8-core and specced up the RAM (to say 96GB or 128GB of the 2633Mhz DIMMs required by the 8-core) could you keep that RAM when you upgraded the CPU?

Will the slower RAM still be compatible with the beefier processors? And if so, how much of a performance penalty would you pay for it?

 

[DFP1989]

If you bought the 8-core and specced up the RAM (to say 96GB or 128GB of the 2633Mhz DIMMs required by the 8-core) could you keep that RAM when you upgraded the CPU?

Will the slower RAM still be compatible with the beefier processors? And if so, how much of a performance penalty would you pay for it?

The 8-core doesn't come with 2666 DIMMs, it includes the same 2933 DIMMs as the higher-core models, they're just limited to 2666 by the CPU.

 

[Grumply]

The 8-core doesn't come with 2666 DIMMs, it includes the same 2933 DIMMs as the higher-core models, they're just limited to 2666 by the CPU.

Great, so you could just upgrade the 8-core with 2933 DIMMs from the get go, and then you'll get full use of them when you eventually upgrade the CPU?