How to differentiate differentiate early 2009 MP from mid 2012?

[Caesar_091]

Hi all,

is there any way to differentiate an early 2009 Mac Pro from a mid 2012 model? Can a 4,1 model (2009) be firmware-upgraded to a 5,1 (2012) model?

I bought a 2012 Mac Pro with upgraded CPUs but Mavericks recognized it as an early 2009. I think I've been teased... I would like to ask a reimbursement, but I have to be sure about that.

TIA

 

[Umbongo]

Put your serial in here:

http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/

 

[Caesar_091]

Suspicion confirmed: it is a 2009 model.

Damn them...

 

[spoonie1972]

on the bright side, other than using non-lidded cpu's (for dual processor) - is there any other difference except the tray and board firmware version?

 

[azentropy]

Suspicion confirmed: it is a 2009 model.

Damn them...

Bummer. There really isn't much difference between the 2009 and 2012 models. However if you were told it was a 2012 then that is just wrong. It does mean the the majority of the parts are 2-3 years older.

If you have the dual CPU model have you checked to see how the heatsink was installed? Did they use lidless CPUs on the 2009 heatsinks, or modify the heatsinks to use the lidded CPUs, or maybe is the CPU tray actually from a 2012 model? Just curious.

 

[Macsonic]

on the bright side, other than using non-lidded cpu's (for dual processor) - is there any other difference except the tray and board firmware version?

In terms of performance, heat management they're the same as I've used a 2009-2012 machines.

 

[flowrider]

Can you return it? Was it a local purchase or from a dealer. Have you looked into any legal recourse?

Lou

 

[Gav Mack]

I believe we share the same trade description retail laws EU wide and mis-selling a an item which isn't as described - such as a Mac Pro 2012 as a 2009 model you can demand your money back. Check your invoice very carefully and print out the original advert or listing where your purchased it from because that can be used as evidence for your claim.

 

[Caesar_091]

Bummer. There really isn't much difference between the 2009 and 2012 models. However if you were told it was a 2012 then that is just wrong. It does mean the the majority of the parts are 2-3 years older.

The problem that bothers me is exactly this!
I've payed for a 3 years extended warranty but it was described as a 2012 model and now they say "it is a bespoke custom build as we sell to 100’s of customers every month"...

If you have the dual CPU model have you checked to see how the heatsink was installed? Did they use lidless CPUs on the 2009 heatsinks, or modify the heatsinks to use the lidded CPUs, or maybe is the CPU tray actually from a 2012 model? Just curious.

I don't know... I thinks mine is a lidless model; what are the differences (if any)?

I just wanted a computer that allows me to move forward in replacing the one signature for using the last OS (officially, for work, no Chameleon or MPF). I do not want to be cut off at the next OS X update as with my 2006 current model.

The OS recognize the Mac as a 2009 model so probably when 2009 model will be cutted by Apple policy I'll be on the street again, right? Or the 5,1 firmware upgrade/hack will let me move forward as with an original 2012 model?

 

[monkeybagel]

The problem that bothers me is exactly this!
I've payed for a 3 years extended warranty but it was described as a 2012 model and now they say "it is a bespoke custom build as we sell to 100’s of customers every month"...

I would still dispute this as the computer is not what they represented. It would make me angry as well.

Also it is an oxymoron what is listed on your RAM module - Made in China and 'Planet First'?!?!

 

[azentropy]

The problem that bothers me is exactly this!
I've payed for a 3 years extended warranty but it was described as a 2012 model and now they say "it is a bespoke custom build as we sell to 100’s of customers every month"...



I don't know... I thinks mine is a lidless model; what are the differences (if any)?

Image

I just wanted a computer that allows me to move forward in replacing the one signature for using the last OS (officially, for work, no Chameleon or MPF). I do not want to be cut off at the next OS X update as with my 2006 current model.

The OS recognize the Mac as a 2009 model so probably when 2009 model will be cutted by Apple policy I'll be on the street again, right? Or the 5,1 firmware upgrade/hack will let me move forward as with an original 2012 model?

Yeah hard to tell unless you take it apart. The 2009 model was set for lidless CPUs. You could still install lidded ones but either needed to use washers to to keep from tightening the screws too much or just not tighten the screws too much or you could damage the CPUs. It would be nice to know ahead of time of course.

As far as OS support that is always a possibility that they would restrict a forthcoming OS to 2010 models and newer, however probably not likely in the near future and likely there would be a custom firmware workaround if the current one already didn't work. Not ideal as you mentioned.

 

[flowrider]

You were duped. The product was misadvertised and misrepresented, bespoke, my foot. Return the darn thing and demand they pay for the return and that they return all your money.

And yes, your 4,1 can be upgraded to 5,1 firmware, but you paid for a 2012 5,1 machine and didn't receive it. The lidless CPUs could cause problems down the road if you decide to upgrade, a real 5,1 uses lidded (standard) CPUs that are much easier to upgrade.

Lou

 

[Caesar_091]

Thanks again to all of you for the replies.

After a few email and some weeks to organize the swap out (2009 for mid-2012 one) I finally received the new Mac Pro... indistinguishable from a brand new one!!

It's a mid 2012 model (5,1) with two six cores Intel Xeon CPUs (X5690@3.47GHz)... for a total 12 cores (24 thread).

I swapped my SSDs and HDs in the new case together with the ATI 5870 from my 1,1 Mac Pro and now I'm running the new beast flawlessly

GeekBench 2.2.3 scores (running on my SSD just upgraded from Lion to ML (I'm waiting some more weeks/updates for Mavericks):

  Integer Score             22347 |||||
  Floating Point Score      43443 ||||||||||
  Memory Score               4677 |
  Stream Score               4280 |

  Geekbench Score           24389 |||||

System Information
  Operating System      Mac OS X 10.8.5 (Build 12F45)
  Model                 MacPro5,1
  Motherboard           Apple Inc. Mac-F221BEC8 
  Processor             Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU           X5690  @ 3.47GHz @ 3.46 GHz
                        2 Processors, 12 Cores, 24 Threads
  Processor ID          GenuineIntel Family 6 Model 44 Stepping 2
  L1 Instruction Cache  32.0 KB x 6
  L1 Data Cache         32.0 KB x 6
  L2 Cache              256 KB x 6
  L3 Cache              12.0 MB
  Memory                24.0 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
  BIOS                  Apple Inc.     MP51.88Z.007F.B03.1010071432

Considering how (good!) things have gone I feel obliged to publish also the company from which I bought the Mac: ScrumpyMacs.
These guys really know what an Apple customer wants. Nothing to say, just impeccable.

 

[Gav Mack]

Thanks again to all of you for the replies.

After a few email and some weeks to organize the swap out (2009 for mid-2012 one) I finally received the new Mac Pro... indistinguishable from a brand new one!!

It's a mid 2012 model (5,1) with two six cores Intel Xeon CPUs (X5690@3.47GHz)... for a total 12 cores (24 thread).

I swapped my SSDs and HDs in the new case together with the ATI 5870 from my 1,1 Mac Pro and now I'm running the new beast flawlessly

GeekBench 2.2.3 scores (running on my SSD just upgraded from Lion to ML (I'm waiting some more weeks/updates for Mavericks):

  Integer Score             22347 |||||
  Floating Point Score      43443 ||||||||||
  Memory Score               4677 |
  Stream Score               4280 |

  Geekbench Score           24389 |||||

System Information
  Operating System      Mac OS X 10.8.5 (Build 12F45)
  Model                 MacPro5,1
  Motherboard           Apple Inc. Mac-F221BEC8 
  Processor             Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU           X5690  @ 3.47GHz @ 3.46 GHz
                        2 Processors, 12 Cores, 24 Threads
  Processor ID          GenuineIntel Family 6 Model 44 Stepping 2
  L1 Instruction Cache  32.0 KB x 6
  L1 Data Cache         32.0 KB x 6
  L2 Cache              256 KB x 6
  L3 Cache              12.0 MB
  Memory                24.0 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
  BIOS                  Apple Inc.     MP51.88Z.007F.B03.1010071432

Considering how (good!) things have gone I feel obliged to publish also the company from which I bought the Mac: ScrumpyMacs.
These guys really know what an Apple customer wants. Nothing to say, just impeccable.

I've yet to hear a bad word about them here in the UK for donkeys years and after putting you totally and utterly right there's another tick mark in their box. Their warranty service is first class, if you'd said who the vendor was at the start I would have just said to ring em up and moan about it and they would sort it out.

Glad it all turned out really good for you fella.

 

[N19h7m4r3]

Scrumpymacs are rather awesome.

I emailed them form the get go asking if the MP's are all 2010/12 or if they're flashed 2009's. They had no issue telling me they mostly sell flashed 2009's.

I had an issue, where they forgot to add the 2 6pin PCIe cables I also paid for. I sent them a tweet, and that same day I got an email with tracking information for the two cables.

Tweet sent on a Friday afternoon, had the cables on Monday in Ireland.