MP 1,1-5,1 I have MacPro 5,1 questions

[Kantgittrite]

Hello MacPro family,

I'm sorry if these questions have been answered already, but I couldn't find them.


I just received my MacPro 5,1 3.20GHz YaaaaaaY. I have maybe many questions.

First, I'm not worried about no warranty because of the age.

Second, I'm not using it online for any browsing. I use my pc laptop for that. This is for video editing only.

Third, it came with fresh install of 10.10, 3.20GHz, 4 core, A1289. I know that I can upgrade to 12core.

My question is can I keep my 3.20GHz with the 12 core? And is this compatible with the 12core Westmere? Am I able to max out the RAM to 128GB? Am I able to remove the DVD drive to install 2 SSD's? What's the best NVidia or AMD card for this model, that can support 3 monitors? Am I able to run 500GB SSD PCie card as C-Drive?


I have the 10.9.5 Intel model MacPro 2,1 2x2.66GHz Quad core, maxed out 32GB RAM, 500GB SSD C-drive, 3 x 2TB HDD at RAID0, remove dvd player and replaced with 2 x 480GB SSD's @ RAID0, Radeon 7950 Videocard

I'll continue to use my old one til the 5,1 is upgraded like I want it.

Thank you for responses, in advance

 

[tsialex]

Third, it came with fresh install of 10.10, 3.20GHz, 4 core, A1289. I know that I can upgrade to 12core.

A single CPU can be upgraded to a hexa-core, you need to change the CPU tray for a dual CPU one if you want to have dual CPUs.

My question is can I keep my 3.20GHz with the 12 core?

Yes, you can even upgrade to the X5690 (3.46Ghz hexa core). This is the reference stickie thread for Mac Pro CPU upgrades, read the first post:

Mac Pro CPU Compatibility List

Bokkow and I have created a Mac Pro CPU compatibility list. The intent is to cover all relevant and compatible CPU upgrades for all Mac Pros. These are asked about over and over and over again, so I thought it would be nice to have it all in one place. Constructive criticism, corrections to...

forums.macrumors.com

And is this compatible with the 12core Westmere?

Single CPU tray can run 1x Westmere Xeon, dual CPU tray can run two.

Am I able to max out the RAM to 128GB?

Single CPU can run 4x 16GB DIMMs, dual CPU can run 8x 16GB DIMMs.

Am I able to remove the DVD drive to install 2 SSD's?

Yes.

What's the best NVidia or AMD card for this model,

You need to read more about this, this question have multiple answers depending on the way you gonna install the GPU, the macOS release you want to run, the amount you want to spend and etc.

GPU Compatibility List for cMP

Content: 1. Summary 2. Information on common GPUs that can be used in cMP 3. GPU power consumption 4. Color compatibility 5. Flashing nuances 6. What to choose? 7. Useful links. 1. Summary 1.1. There are 50+ GPU types that are compatible with cMP (classic MacPro = Mac Pro 1.1-5.1/...

forums.macrumors.com

that can support 3 monitors?

If you buy a GPU that offer 3 displays support with macOS, yes. Not all PC GPUs work with 3 displays when installed in a Mac Pro.

Am I able to run 500GB SSD PCie card as C-Drive?

Yes, if it's one compatible with a Mac Pro:

PCIe SSDs - NVMe & AHCI

This is a general info thread for blade SSDs that can be used in the Mac Pro. This is a WikiPost so anyone with the proper credentials may edit it. NVMe SSDs can be used as a boot drive in the MP5,1 and MP6,1 with the latest firmware installed (beginning with version 140.0.0.0.0 for MP5,1 and...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[Kantgittrite]

A single CPU can be upgraded to a hexa-core, you need to change the CPU tray for a dual CPU one if you want to have dual CPUs.



Yes, you can even upgrade to the X5690 (3.46Ghz hexa core). This is the reference stickie thread for Mac Pro CPU upgrades, read the first post:

Mac Pro CPU Compatibility List

Bokkow and I have created a Mac Pro CPU compatibility list. The intent is to cover all relevant and compatible CPU upgrades for all Mac Pros. These are asked about over and over and over again, so I thought it would be nice to have it all in one place. Constructive criticism, corrections to...

forums.macrumors.com

Single CPU tray can run 1x Westmere Xeon, dual CPU tray can run two.



Single CPU can run 4x 16GB DIMMs, dual CPU can run 8x 16GB DIMMs.



Yes.


You need to read more about this, this question have multiple answers depending on the way you gonna install the GPU, the macOS release you want to run, the amount you want to spend and etc.

GPU Compatibility List for cMP

Content: 1. Summary 2. Information on common GPUs that can be used in cMP 3. GPU power consumption 4. Color compatibility 5. Flashing nuances 6. What to choose? 7. Useful links. 1. Summary 1.1. There are 50+ GPU types that are compatible with cMP (classic MacPro = Mac Pro 1.1-5.1/...

forums.macrumors.com

If you buy a GPU that offer 3 displays support with macOS, yes. Not all PC GPUs work with 3 displays when installed in a Mac Pro.



Yes, if it's one compatible with a Mac Pro:

PCIe SSDs - NVMe & AHCI

This is a general info thread for blade SSDs that can be used in the Mac Pro. This is a WikiPost so anyone with the proper credentials may edit it. NVMe SSDs can be used as a boot drive in the MP5,1 and MP6,1 with the latest firmware installed (beginning with version 140.0.0.0.0 for MP5,1 and...

forums.macrumors.com

Tsialex, thank you for all of your input. And sorry for my delayed response. I was able to upgrade to 12core 3.46GHz and 128 RAM. GPU is next project.

 

[Kantgittrite]

I have another question is
ASUS Hyper M.2 X16 PCIe 3.0 X4 Expansion Card V2 Supports 4 NVMe M.2 compatible with our 2012 MacPro 5,1?

 

[tsialex]

I have another question is
ASUS Hyper M.2 X16 PCIe 3.0 X4 Expansion Card V2 Supports 4 NVMe M.2 compatible with our 2012 MacPro 5,1?

No, not a compatible card. No Mac supports PCIe lane split, also called bifurcation.

See the Don't buy PCIe adapters list: table on the end of the first post of the sticky thread:

PCIe SSDs - NVMe & AHCI

This is a general info thread for blade SSDs that can be used in the Mac Pro. This is a WikiPost so anyone with the proper credentials may edit it. NVMe SSDs can be used as a boot drive in the MP5,1 and MP6,1 with the latest firmware installed (beginning with version 140.0.0.0.0 for MP5,1 and...

forums.macrumors.com