MP 1,1-5,1 Fastest CPU Upgrade for Mid-2010 Mac Pro 3.2 GHz Quad-Core Westmere Xeon

[ybakos2]

Hi everyone,
I've reviewed the compatibility list, but want to check.... can I upgrade a single-CPU Mid-2010 Mac Pro 5,1 with a Nehalem Xeon W3565 to a single Westmere X5690? And if so, is that the best CPU I can use in this single-CPU situation (w/o upgrading the backplane)?

 

[MisterAndrew]

Mac Pro CPU Compatibility List

 

[Macsonic]

Hi everyone,
I've reviewed the compatibility list, but want to check.... can I upgrade a single-CPU Mid-2010 Mac Pro 5,1 with a Nehalem Xeon W3565 to a single Westmere X5690? And if so, is that the best CPU I can use in this single-CPU situation (w/o upgrading the backplane)?

Yep The Westmere X5690 3.46Ghz is the fastest cpu you can upgrade. From you post, I understand that you've already read the sticky on compatible CPUs.

 

[kohlson]

There is a quad core that will go faster - important if your workflow works best for single-threaded applications.

If you're trying to squeeze everything you can, don't forget triple channel memory configuration.

But mostly, read the sticky. In quarantimes, what else is there to do?

[edit] My bad. Though the sticky has a table that says the 5687 works, the last bullet in the notes says it doesn't. I had only checked the table before answering. My apologies for not being more thorough.

 

[MisterAndrew]

There is a quad core that will go faster - important if your workflow works best for single-threaded applications.

If you're trying to squeeze everything you can, don't forget triple channel memory configuration.

But mostly, read the sticky. In quarantimes, what else is there to do?

Which one is that? The compatibility list thread says the X5687 is not compatible.

 

[Macsonic]

Which one is that? The compatibility list thread says the X5687 is not compatible.

Yep you're correct. My friend installed a Westmere X5687 on his Mac Pro and did not work. Would not boot. There was also another thread sometime in 2018 when a member here tested a x5687 and did not work too.

Mac Pro + X5687... had to try it

Very interesting, thank you for testing the X5687 :) (BTW which BootROM version is your 5,1 on?) I do wonder why it wont work since the X5687 shares the same CPUID and microcode as any other westmere-EP CPU. my theories are, A: it might only work in a dual CPU Mac Pro with the 5520 chipset...

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