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Dual 4.1 CPU tray into 5.1 single CPU

JMVB

JMVB

macrumors regular
Original poster
May 16, 2016
186
51
I have a cMP 5.1 with single CPU

Can I swap the CPU tray by a Dual CPU one, which come from a 4.1 one?
 
As I understand it, fan control software can change the thresholds and move the fan speed to a higher value, but they can't override the SMC / set the fan speed lower.

Essentially no, there's nothing you could do to lower the fan speed short of transplanting the SMC from a 4,1 Mac Pro.
 
JoelTheSuperior said:
As I understand it, fan control software can change the thresholds and move the fan speed to a higher value, but they can't override the SMC / set the fan speed lower.

Essentially no, there's nothing you could do to lower the fan speed short of transplanting the SMC from a 4,1 Mac Pro.
Click to expand...

In fact, MacsFanControl CAN lower the fan speed to lower than the minimum fan speed IF SMC is working properly.

There are at least 2 ways to increase the fan speed.

1) increase the minimum fan speed (most software use this approach, which keep the system able to spin up the fans if require as fail safe precaution).

2) alter the target fan speed (MacsFanControl use this approach. Since the target fan speed has higher priority then the minimum speed, it can actually force the fan to run slower than the minimum).
 
macmesser said:
Thanks for sharing, and to the others on this thread. Much food for thought and I have a much better idea of my potential upgrade paths.

I have a W3520 in my office machine which is the one I'm looking to upgrade. I've been leery of doing the six core upgrade as I'm not comfortable with the physical mod involved. If I do the multi upgrade I guess I'd need to flash it back down to 4,1, install the dual tray and flash it all up to 5,1? Or would I be good to go with just installing the dual tray?

----------



Thanks. The 4,1 dual tray can just be swapped in after flashing up to 5,1, or is it necessary to have the tray installed before flashing? My machine is already flashed to 5,1.
Click to expand...

mikeboss said:
no, it won't work. the version of the SMC firmware needs to match. MacPro4,1 and MacPro5,1 have different SMC firmware versions and there's still no way to flash them.
Click to expand...

RoastingPig said:
they will not work...only 4.1 single and dual cpu trays work with 4.1's. and 5.1 trays only with 5.1's
Click to expand...
 
ok does any one know then if the following is possible :

upgrade a 4.1 double processor tray in a 4.1 flash everything to 5.1, then instal the flashed 4.1 to 5.1 tray in a single cpu 5.1...
 
as far as I can remember, somebody here om MR said he was able to desolder the SMC chip and upgrade it.
And that it also worked..

I think this is the best solution for you as well.
Put a 5,1 dual CPU SMC on your 4,1 CPU board.
 
edgerider said:
ok does any one know then if the following is possible :

upgrade a 4.1 double processor tray in a 4.1 flash everything to 5.1, then instal the flashed 4.1 to 5.1 tray in a single cpu 5.1...
Click to expand...

That's the exact same question asked in the first post written 2½ ago. The answer is still the same, nothing's changed. Yes, but the fans will run at full speed.

And, remember, if you plan to upgrade the CPUs, installation is much much harder on a dual 4,1 CPU tray than a 5,1 dual CPU tray.

Lou
 
flowrider said:
That's the exact same question asked in the first post written 2½ ago. The answer is still the same, nothing's changed. Yes, but the fans will run at full speed.

And, remember, if you plan to upgrade the CPUs, installation is much much harder on a dual 4,1 CPU tray than a 5,1 dual CPU tray.

Lou
Click to expand...
SMC microcontroller is updateable but can’t be dumped, security feature. Since the original firmware code never got out of Apple hands after 8.5 years, maybe it never will.
 
tsialex said:
SMC microcontroller is updateable but can’t be dumped, security feature. Since the original firmware code never got out of Apple hands after 8.5 years, maybe it never will.
Click to expand...
is the single tray 5.1 smc different than the double tray...?

i mean can i desolder a single tray 5.1 smc and weld it back on a 4.1 double tray?

I got my hand on a 4.1 double tray for cheap, it is working just fine in my 4.1, but i cant find a cheap single tray 4.1 and there are plenty cheap single tray 5.1 around. double tray 5.1 are super expensive now cant find nothing under 1300€...
 
edgerider said:
is the single tray 5.1 smc different than the double tray...?

i mean can i desolder a single tray 5.1 smc and weld it back on a 4.1 double tray?

I got my hand on a 4.1 double tray for cheap, it is working just fine in my 4.1, but i cant find a cheap single tray 4.1 and there are plenty cheap single tray 5.1 around. double tray 5.1 are super expensive now cant find nothing under 1300€...
Click to expand...

You can solder the SMC chip. There is no difference between single / dual processor model.

But if you willing to do this. You better solder a 4,1 SMC chip on a 5,1 tray. I believe quite a few guys here will be interested in a tray like that. So that they can install regular dual X5690 in their 4,1 easily :D
 
h9826790 said:
You can solder the SMC chip. There is no difference between single / dual processor model.

But if you willing to do this. You better solder a 4,1 SMC chip on a 5,1 tray. I believe quite a few guys here will be interested in a tray like that. So that they can install regular dual X5690 in their 4,1 easily :D
Click to expand...

This is the type of things that are possible but very hard to do.

You need very high end equipment to solder a SMC microcontroller, it’s a enormous QFQP with very fine pitch between the pads on the PCB.

You will need at least a very good stereoscopic microscope, a good hot air station and a hot table. I don’t doubt that some very skilled people can solder the SMC microcontroller without a stereoscopic microscope, but for the rest of us…
 
Last edited:
tsialex said:
This is the type of things that are possible but very hard to do.

You need very high end equipment to solder a SMC microcontroller, it’s a enormous QFQP with very fine pitch between the pads on the PCB.

You will need at least a very god estereoscopic microscope, a god hot air station and a hot table. I don’t doubt that some very skilled people can solder the SMC microcontroller without a stereoscopic microscope, but for the rest of us…
Click to expand...
yeah, look very hard to do.
x5690 on 4.1 upgrade is a no brainer you just need delided cpu... i buy them on ebay to a very serious guy in germany for less than 300€ ...

ok i thought is was a small 8 leg chip like rom chip... yeah this is tottaly out of my skillset...
 
edgerider said:
is the single tray 5.1 smc different than the double tray...?

i mean can i desolder a single tray 5.1 smc and weld it back on a 4.1 double tray?

I got my hand on a 4.1 double tray for cheap, it is working just fine in my 4.1, but i cant find a cheap single tray 4.1 and there are plenty cheap single tray 5.1 around. double tray 5.1 are super expensive now cant find nothing under 1300€...
Click to expand...
Brand new factory sealed 5,1 dual processor boards are selling for $680 excluding shipping. Check with Walter from Mac Parts Online or you can buy a used tray with the heatsinks for approx. $500 on eBay
 
W1SS said:
Brand new factory sealed 5,1 dual processor boards are selling for $680 excluding shipping. Check with Walter from Mac Parts Online or you can buy a used tray with the heatsinks for approx. $500 on eBay
Click to expand...
thanks !
I already have an extra double processor 4.1 tray...
 
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