MP 1,1-5,1 HELP NEEDED // Upgrading 4,1 MacPro (2009) to 5,1

[tonilef44]

Hi all,

I have recently been watching a few videos on Youtube where people upgrade 4,1 or 5,1 MacPro. I want to give it a go myself even though I am absolutely rubbish in IT. I am a Video Editor/ Motion Designer using Adobe softwares and in need of more power from my machine but can't spend £7k on a new iMAcPro for instance.

Here is the machine I am using:

• Model Name: Mac Pro (Early 2009)
• OS: MacOS High Sierra 10.13.6
• Model Identifier: MacPro4,1
• Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Xeon
• Processor Speed: 2.26 GHz
• Number of Processors: 2
• Total Number of Cores: 8
• L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
• L3 Cache (per Processor): 8 MB
• Memory: 32 GB 1066 MHz DDR3
• Boot ROM Version: MP41.0081.B07
• SMC Version (system): 1.39f5
• SMC Version (processor tray): 1.39f5
• Serial Number (system): CK0030MLE1C
• Serial Number (processor tray): J5951006BBXZA
• Hardware UUID: A038CD54-3345-5930-9438-1EB7AF64536B
• HardDrive SSD: Samsung SSD 500 GB 860 EVO Sata III 64L V NAND
• Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5770 1024 MB

My aim is to flash it to 5,1 to then install 2 delidded 3.46ghz CPU, 128gb RAM, an AMD RX580 8GB GPU, and Mojave.


My questions are the following:

1. Can I flash the MacPro to a 5,1 even if I don't have the original Graphics Card GT120 ? I only have a ATI Radeon HD 5770 1024 MB?
2. Can I flash the MacPro to a 5,1 if I am already running High Sierra?
3. If flashing the MacPro to 5,1, is there a risk of the machine crashing and therefore losing everything on the drive? Shall I make a back-up before?
4. Once this is done, are delidded CPU a option? (Some say it makes it more fragile and it might die quickly, some say it's the best way to go) or I should go for normal CPU and be very careful when putting the heatsinks back on (this looks rather complicated and I wouldn't want to crush nearly £200 worth of CPU).
5. I was looking at either 2 X5680 (3,33ghz) or 2 X5690 (3.46ghz), some say the 3.46ghz might overheat and die on the 4,1 as it's too powerful. Is that true?
6. Which brand of RAM would you recommend please? Does it even matter? Would these be a good option?
   
   

   Samsung 8x 16GB 128GB DDR3 ECC 1333MHz RAM für Apple Mac Pro 4,1 5,1 PC3L-12800R | eBay

   DIMM DDR3 ECC PC3L-12800R 1333Mhz 240pin CL9. Diese Speicher sind am besten für Kunden geeignet, die auf absolute Stabilität und beste Leistung zum fairen Preis Wert legen. Speicher (SO-DIMMs). Speicher (DIMMs).

   www.ebay.co.uk
7. If I install the RX580 8GB, will I still have the apple boot screen? The following card for example:
   
   

   AMD APPLE Radeon RX 580 8GB Mac Edition With Boot screen EFI, for Mac Pro. ref0D | eBay

   Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for AMD APPLE Radeon RX 580 8GB Mac Edition With Boot screen EFI, for Mac Pro. ref0D at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

   www.ebay.co.uk

I know these are a lot of questions but I don't know anyone here that can help me directly. Can you please confirm this is the right way of approaching things? and if the 5,1 conversion is actually worth it? Or if I am just wasting my time with my 4,1, that I should sell it and start fresh with a 5,1?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

tonilef44

 

[2013.1]

Hi,
last spring I went through pretty much the same process you intend to. This way I will have made it with a single generation (2009) of Macs through the entire Intel era. I guess I will try the second or third generation of Apple Silicon Macs.

I can't answer all your questions because I already forgot a lot and some things were different in my case e.g. I still had the GT120. And for maintenance reasons I will keep it.

A. I would aim for 48 or 96 GB of RAM for higher speed due to the 3 channel nature of your Mac. I bought https://www.ebay.de/itm/372334010765?ul_noapp=true You can make use of faster (1333) RAM with a faster CPU.

B. I am very happy with the delidded 2xX5690 even under full load they stay pretty cool (around 40-50°C) and some fans ramp up to about half their capacity. I guess you have a better cooling with the delidded versions and your Mac is built for them. No height problems. The heatsink has also to touch some other components not only the CPU. I bought

2x Intel Xeon X5690 3,46 GHz no ohne IHS lidless Matched Pair f Mac Pro 4,1 2009 | eBay

2x Intel Xeon X5690 3,46 GHz no ohne IHS lidless Matched Pair f Mac Pro 4,1 2009 | Computer, Tablets & Netzwerk, Computer-Komponenten & -Teile, CPUs/Prozessoren | eBay!

www.ebay.at

C. Definitely make a backup. Always. Regularly.

D. Flashing to 5,1 is definitely worth it and you cannot install the faster CPUs without it. Maybe you need to borrow a GT120. I don't remember. EDIT: Good News- Radeon 5770 should be fine https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/How+to+Upgrade+the+Firmware+of+a+2009+Mac+Pro+41/98985 (article available in multiple languages)

E. I recommend investing in a NVME. Bluetooth 4 is also awesome for handoff continuity airdrop including unlock via Apple Watch copy paste between mac and ios devices ...

F. I am quite happy without boot screen. Display activates on login. You can still boot in recovery mode if disconnect second displays. Choose boot drives via system settings. (of course there ist still the GT120 on the shelf just in case) I guess your card should show one if buyers confirmed that.

You can get more Infos out of my signature by klicking it.

If you make it you will be rewarded with this:

My Mac Pro 2009 upgraded
Single core 681
Multi core 6974
Cinebench 3407
Metal 51587

Mac Pro 2019 base
Single core 1031
Multi core 8016
Cinebench 3941
Metal 41634

 

[scruti]

For my machine almost identical to what you are looking for, but only with a 3.46 Ghz 6 cores processor, the experience with Samsung RAM was disastrous. After several returns, I ended up installing the 16 gig 1333MHz from OWC. Perfect the first time.

Luck!

Multiple RAM modules failing on my MacPro.

forums.macrumors.com