Is Mac Pro STRICT to Mac Xeon Processors or Just Xeons in General?

[QuakeProd]

So after tons of thread and google searches on the best way to build a super custom mac computer Im NOW down to the Chips... and no luck with info on that.. other than how outrageously expensive some are....so here I am.

So pretty much, Can you Only put Apple-provided Xeon Chips inside of mac pro logic boards, or will it be compatible with Any Xeons? Yes, good. No, why?

I dont have a specific board, just looking at ones that are mid 2009 or early 2010...just seeing what I can do.

(I hope microsoft and apple havent went to far as to get technical to the point of what chips go in the boards.......or have they?)


For those who may say that the money I would spend doing this Could lead up to me being better off buying a new apple....no...lol.... new ones at the cheapest is $2500 bucks. In regards to what all u get, maybe that could be a better route..but thats not the route im looking at right now.

 

[alust2013]

It all depends on the board. The Xeons that Apple uses aren't any different than other Xeons. It's just a matter of which board supporting which architecture. If you want to use current gen (westmere) Xeon chips, you'll need a board from the current model (If you're getting a board from a MP, that is). My suggestion, if you're going to build a Hack, don't buy Xeon unless you really need dual CPU support. Basically any Xeon worth buying will be super expensive.

 

[goMac]

So pretty much, Can you Only put Apple-provided Xeon Chips inside of mac pro logic boards, or will it be compatible with Any Xeons? Yes, good. No, why?[/SIZE]

There is no such thing as special Apple Xeon chips, just normal Xeons.

But, as with any PC, you need to make sure your stepping matches. Apple also likes to take off the heat spreaders on their Xeons.

 

[Cindori]

You can use any CPU that matches the socket, and has support in the EFI firmware.

Even desktop CPU (non-xeon) will work fine as long as you go single CPU, and replace ECC ram with normal ram.

 

[CaoCao]

If you're going hackintosh go Sandy Bridge

 

[ActionableMango]

I'm confused about whether you are building a Mac Pro or a Hackintosh. If building a Hack, I'd go to the right forums and look for the most compatible setups with the least hassle.

I wouldn't build a Mac Pro, but if that's what you are doing, Cindori is spot on. Get 2010 boards and you can drop in a wide variety of Nehalems and Westmeres. They don't even have to be Xeons, as some have tried upgrading to Core i7 and it works fine with non-ECC ram.

 

[QuakeProd]

There is no such thing as special Apple Xeon chips, just normal Xeons.

But, as with any PC, you need to make sure your stepping matches. Apple also likes to take off the heat spreaders on their Xeons.

Thats just what I like to hear..



But, Thanks for all of the replies.. I am glad to know its not that specific.

Im actually building a (Budget) Mac Pro. mac doesnt need so much to run certain things on its platform, so I Must have that.
I Do plan on having windows on it for those non-compatible apps, but Ill invest in a nice chip, HD's and RAM to use for speed either wit Virtual, Bootcamp or something like crossover to run it...

Ive looked at a 2010 board, SO maybe Ill see how that works out.. I Would like to have some variety with chips.

 

[philipma1957]

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https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1122551/


THIS IS all about the base 2010 quad 2.8 cpu and how to upgrade it.