MP 1,1-5,1 Is it possible to update the SMC firmware?

[ZNDK]

I'm still using a Mac Pro 2009 as my main Mac. I bought a used Mac Pro 2009 for when it broke. The MP2009 that I bought was in a strange state. When I looked at the "About this Mac" section, this Mac is identified as a 2010 model. And the SMC version of the logic board was "1.39f11" and the processor tray was "1.39f5". The sticker indicating the machine on the back of the Mac enclosure shows "A1289". The model ID of the Mac is 5.1.

Had it been modified by the previous owner? Maybe that's why the fan is constantly spinning at high speed. I can put up with the noise and work my Mac for long hours and it never seems to crash or panic. Is it possible to update the SMC version of this Mac now?

 

[tsialex]

I'm still using a Mac Pro 2009 as my main Mac. I bought a used Mac Pro 2009 for when it broke. The MP2009 that I bought was in a strange state. When I looked at the "About this Mac" section, this Mac is identified as a 2010 model. And the SMC version of the logic board was "1.39f11" and the processor tray was "1.39f5". The sticker indicating the machine on the back of the Mac enclosure shows "A1289". The model ID of the Mac is 5.1.

Had it been modified by the previous owner? Maybe that's why the fan is constantly spinning at high speed. I can put up with the noise and work my Mac for long hours and it never seems to crash or panic. Is it possible to update the SMC version of this Mac now?

It's not possible to update the SMC, Apple never issued an update and the secure microcontroller blocks any attempt of dumping. Someone made a Frankenstein, now you have to match the components again.

You need to buy a CPU tray or a backplane to make a matched backplane/CPU tray of the same SMC release, I'd buy the necessary component to match the case you have, if it's a mid-2010/mid-2012 case, get a mid-2010/mid-2012 CPU tray.

 

[ZNDK]

You need to buy a CPU tray or a backplane to make a matched backplane/CPU tray of the same SMC release, I'd buy the necessary component to match the case you have, if it's a mid-2010/mid-2012 case, get a mid-2010/mid-2012 CPU tray.

Thank you for reply,

The Mac case is marked A1289, so I'm pretty sure it's a 2009 model case. So a MP2009 case can use a MP2010 logic board. Would I have a problem buying a 2010 model CPU tray? Or would it be better to buy a logic board for MP2009?

 

[tsialex]

Thank you for reply,

The Mac case is marked A1289, so I'm pretty sure it's a 2009 model case. So a MP2009 case can use a MP2010 logic board. Would I have a problem buying a 2010 model CPU tray? Or would it be better to buy a logic board for MP2009?

A1289 are the model number for early-2009/mid-2010/mid-2012 - the three different years have the same model number with different EMCs.

What GPU model is written on the ESN label? ESN label is the label near the GPU outputs.

You can do anything you want, just need a matching SMC set. If the case is perfect, I'd buy what the case is, but this is my personal preference.

 

[ZNDK]

What GPU model is written on the ESN label? ESN label is the label near the GPU outputs.

It's marked as GT120, so I guess this is the MP2009 model.

Is there any advantage in the logic board itself, such as the 2010 model being better than the 2009 model?

 

[tsialex]

It's marked as GT120, so I guess this is the MP2009 model.

Correct.

Is there any advantage in the logic board itself, such as the 2010 model being better than the 2009 model?

Exactly the same backplane, the only difference between early-2009 and mid-2010/mid-2012 is the SMC firmware that the factory installs at manufacture time. No other difference whatsoever.

There are lots of early-2009s being parted, with some searching you can get a backplane cheaply.

 

[ZNDK]

Thank you for the accurate information.

Correct.

Exactly the same backplane, the only difference between early-2009 and mid-2010/mid-2012 is the SMC firmware that the factory installs at manufacture time. No other difference whatsoever.

There are lots of early-2009s being parted, with some searching you can get a backplane cheaply.