MP 1,1-5,1 Just found a 4,1

[jetjaguar]

So I guess someone in my building was throwing away old computers and I got 2 x 4,1 mac pros with a few monitors. I havent tested to see if it works yet but it is the base 2.66 quad etc.
I am currently using a 2011 imac to hold me over until the new mac pros or imacs with apple cpus come out. I was thinking of changing the cpu to x5690 .. adding some ram / ssd and getting a newer gpu. Should definitely give me an upgrade over the 2011 imac which barely can do anything.

What is a good gpu that I can use in the mac pro ? Something to play games with but doesnt break the bank.

 

[yurc]

Whut, 4,1 alike has reaching G5 like state? Usually only G5 being thrown away, kinda sad.

For 4,1, better you flash the firmware to 5,1 so they can accept Westmere Xeon x5690.

After flashed to 5,1, proceed to firmware update until 144.00.00 BootROM version from Mojave Installer.
In High Sierra you can use NVIDIA 1000 series GTX using web driver.
In Mojave the most efficient card to play games is RX580, run out of box natively.

Additionally, you might need reconstructing BootROM, but that's depends on your situation.

 

[jetjaguar]

Whut, 4,1 alike has reaching G5 like state? Usually only G5 being thrown away, kinda sad.

For 4,1, better you flash the firmware to 5,1 so they can accept Westmere Xeon x5690.

After flashed to 5,1, proceed to firmware update until 144.00.00 BootROM version from Mojave Installer.
In High Sierra you can use NVIDIA 1000 series GTX using web driver.
In Mojave the most efficient card to play games is RX580, run out of box natively.

Additionally, you might need reconstructing BootROM, but that's depends on your situation.

Yea my plans if these machines boot is to flash to 5,1 .. swap to x5690 .. and get a RX580 I guess then.
So they can run Mojave ? Is that the highest version they can go to ?

 

[yurc]

Yea my plans if these machines boot is to flash to 5,1 .. swap to x5690 .. and get a RX580 I guess then.
So they can run Mojave ? Is that the highest version they can go to ?

Officially supported OS is Mojave.

Catalina can be run with minimal hacks, like using boot arguments no compatibility check. But mostly people prefer using OpenCore.

With OpenCore, it can unlocks many features like hardware decoding, enabling Thunderbolt 3, install the latest MacOS (Big Sur) and many more.

OpenCore on the Mac Pro

This guide explains how to use the excellent OpenCore boot loader to install, run, and update the latest version of macOS on the MacPro5,1, resulting in a clean, unaltered operating system just like on a supported Mac.

forums.macrumors.com

But I advice advance to Mojave + X5690 + RX580 first before preceding to OpenCore if you wish.

 

[jetjaguar]

Hmm seems the Rx 580 are a pain to find and are expensive. Any other recommendations ?

 

[fastlanephil]

Hmm seems the Rx 580 are a pain to find and are expensive. Any other recommendations ?

Here’s the Apple list of Metal compatible and maybe Metal compatible cards for the 5,1 Mac Pro. GPU card prices are high right now and so is Bitcoin.

Apple says these Mac Pro graphics cards are Mojave compatible, reveals Boot Camp support limited for iMac | AppleInsider

Apple on Monday updated a pair of support documents relating to the release of macOS Mojave, outlining legacy Mac Pro compatibility via graphics card upgrades and support for Boot Camp on certain iMac models.

appleinsider.com

 

[TECK]

So they can run Mojave ?

You can run Big Sur with OpenCore, which is very reliable. No patching needed or other crazy stuff, amazing bootloader. Updates work too. Use a Sapphire Pulse RX 580, you will not regret it.

 

[jetjaguar]

You can run Big Sur with OpenCore, which is very reliable. No patching needed or other crazy stuff, amazing bootloader. Updates work too. Use a Sapphire Pulse RX 580, you will not regret it.

If it was only that easy to find a video card lol. Do you need extra power cables to run that 580 ?

 

[Macdctr]

here is a Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 w/ 8GB on eBay

SAPPHIRE Pulse Radeon RX 580 8GB GDDR5 Graphics Card for sale online | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for SAPPHIRE Pulse Radeon RX 580 8GB GDDR5 Graphics Card at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

I have one of these GPUs on my 5,1 MacPro. Also if you have a dual processor 4,1 then you either need to use spacers on the heat sink or de-lid the processors. The single CPU model 4,1's don't need de-lidded CPUs.

 

[jetjaguar]

here is a Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 w/ 8GB on eBay

https://www.ebay.com/itm/SAPPHIRE-P...545256&hash=item3db6f8f1d2:g:pnUAAOSw8btgMvb9

I have one of these GPUs on my 5,1 MacPro. Also if you have a dual processor 4,1 then you either need to use spacers on the heat sink or de-lid the processors. The single CPU model 4,1's don't need de-lidded CPUs.

Do i need to get power connectors for it ?

 

[fastlanephil]

Do i need to get power connectors for it ?

Yes, try eBay. Search for Mac Pro PCIe cables.

 

[KeesMacPro]

Do you need extra power cables to run that 580 ?

+1 for the RX580 Pulse, its's a very nice card.
You'll need a 2Xmini 6-pin to 1X 8 pin cable.

 

[yurc]

You also can use RX480 if you can found it, as alternative. They cheaper too, and some model only use single mini 6 pin as opposed to 8-pin.

RX580 is basically same RX480 just with extra 10% performance increase.

You can run Big Sur with OpenCore, which is very reliable. No patching needed or other crazy stuff, amazing bootloader. Updates work too. Use a Sapphire Pulse RX 580, you will not regret it.

I am not too comfortable recommending OpenCore with 4,1->5,1 machine before user checking their SP1 flash respectively, because we don't know how bad the wear level on his SP1 flash inside the backplane, to avoid NVRAM garbage collection failed thus bricked the machine.

That's why I am recommended at least stay in Mojave first, at least for safe check point. From there he can start to doing BootROM reconstruction if he wish and proceed to OpenCore.

 

[Pafarnisgood]

Whut, 4,1 alike has reaching G5 like state? Usually only G5 being thrown away, kinda sad.

For 4,1, better you flash the firmware to 5,1 so they can accept Westmere Xeon x5690.

After flashed to 5,1, proceed to firmware update until 144.00.00 BootROM version from Mojave Installer.
In High Sierra you can use NVIDIA 1000 series GTX using web driver.
In Mojave the most efficient card to play games is RX580, run out of box natively.

Additionally, you might need reconstructing BootROM, but that's depends on your situation.

May I ask you, what do you meaning with "you might need reconstruction BootROM"?
I ask this because for long time my cmp with 5.1 is terrible slow with start up and also with choosing start-up disc.
I once read somewhere the problem is in the motherboard, and the only solution is to change this.

 

[yurc]

May I ask you, what do you meaning with "you might need reconstruction BootROM"?
I ask this because for long time my cmp with 5.1 is terrible slow with start up and also with choosing start-up disc.
I once read somewhere the problem is in the motherboard, and the only solution is to change this.

Over the time, SPI flash memory on Mac Pro backplane will wear out because read write NVRAM variables over the time, thus eventually not have enough space to store the dump.
This is good read :

OpenCore on the Mac Pro

There is a extremely simple way (simple here as in not need to know how the NVRAM works/check free space indicators/validate checksums and etc) to check if the garbage collection failed and the need to reflash with the clean dump: Dump the BootROM with ROMTool Open the dump with the most...

forums.macrumors.com

Actually, you don't need to replace entire motherboard, just desolder the SP1 chips itself. Yes this might not easy for most people, but if you have right tools or someone who familiar with something like this, this operation is quite straightforward .

Mac Pro Server (Mid 2012) strange antics powering up

First, I doubt that any seller ever replace the SPI flash memory of a backplane. It's not cost effective for a seller to do any preventive repairs, or any repairs, unless they really have to. You only lose access to iCloud/iMessage/FaceTime if the seller flashed the generic firmware image...

forums.macrumors.com

Also, this case is much more prominent on 4,1->5,1 machine, albeit authentic 5,1 can suffer same, depending on usage pattern.

 

[Pafarnisgood]

Over the time, SPI flash memory on Mac Pro backplane will wear out because read write NVRAM variables over the time, thus eventually not have enough space to store the dump.
This is good read :

OpenCore on the Mac Pro

There is a extremely simple way (simple here as in not need to know how the NVRAM works/check free space indicators/validate checksums and etc) to check if the garbage collection failed and the need to reflash with the clean dump: Dump the BootROM with ROMTool Open the dump with the most...

forums.macrumors.com

Actually, you don't need to replace entire motherboard, just desolder the SP1 chips itself. Yes this might not easy for most people, but if you have right tools or someone who familiar with something like this, this operation is quite straightforward .

Mac Pro Server (Mid 2012) strange antics powering up

First, I doubt that any seller ever replace the SPI flash memory of a backplane. It's not cost effective for a seller to do any preventive repairs, or any repairs, unless they really have to. You only lose access to iCloud/iMessage/FaceTime if the seller flashed the generic firmware image...

forums.macrumors.com

Also, this case is much more prominent on 4,1->5,1 machine, albeit authentic 5,1 can suffer same, depending on usage pattern.

Thanks for your very quickly reply, I'll try the solutions you have give to me.

 

[Pafarnisgood]

Over the time, SPI flash memory on Mac Pro backplane will wear out because read write NVRAM variables over the time, thus eventually not have enough space to store the dump.
This is good read :

OpenCore on the Mac Pro

There is a extremely simple way (simple here as in not need to know how the NVRAM works/check free space indicators/validate checksums and etc) to check if the garbage collection failed and the need to reflash with the clean dump: Dump the BootROM with ROMTool Open the dump with the most...

forums.macrumors.com

Actually, you don't need to replace entire motherboard, just desolder the SP1 chips itself. Yes this might not easy for most people, but if you have right tools or someone who familiar with something like this, this operation is quite straightforward .

Mac Pro Server (Mid 2012) strange antics powering up

First, I doubt that any seller ever replace the SPI flash memory of a backplane. It's not cost effective for a seller to do any preventive repairs, or any repairs, unless they really have to. You only lose access to iCloud/iMessage/FaceTime if the seller flashed the generic firmware image...

forums.macrumors.com

Also, this case is much more prominent on 4,1->5,1 machine, albeit authentic 5,1 can suffer same, depending on usage pattern.

And yes I have an cmp from 2010 with origin 4,1 and updated to 5,1

 

[KeesMacPro]

And yes I have an cmp from 2010 with origin 4,1 and updated to 5,1

It's one way or another : a MP4,1(flashed to 5,1 or not) from 2009, or a MP5,1 from 2010 or 2012.

 

[Pafarnisgood]

It's one way or another : a MP4,1(flashed to 5,1 or not) from 2009, or a MP5,1 from 2010 or 2012.

I see, maybe it was 5,1, I don't remember anymore, the computer is 'Mid 2010'

 

[Pafarnisgood]

Thanks for your very quickly reply, I'll try the solutions you have give to me.

I still have question, you say just desolder the SP1 chip.
With desolder and a Weller iron it's not a problem for me but...
I don't understand, and than what? Because I think when i remove the back-up battery it gives the same result.
Or I'm wrong? Take out the the SP1, I think it will not lose its data, and if it does, where the power come from?
Sorry I don't understand only remove for a while will not give any change?

 

[yurc]

I still have question, you say just desolder the SP1 chip.
With desolder and a Weller iron it's not a problem for me but...
I don't understand, and than what? Because I think when i remove the back-up battery it gives the same result.
Or I'm wrong? Take out the the SP1, I think it will not lose its data, and if it does, where the power come from?
Sorry I don't understand only remove for a while will not give any change?

Desoldering is mean for replacing old SP1 chips with new one, they available within affordable cost

10 PCS SST25VF032B-80-4I-S2AF SOP-8 SST25VF032 25VF032 32 Mbit SPI Serial Flash | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 10 PCS SST25VF032B-80-4I-S2AF SOP-8 SST25VF032 25VF032 32 Mbit SPI Serial Flash at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

After new chips is installed you want to put new fresh reconstructed BootROM. But first you need dump your current BootROM before you desolder it.

So, in the nutshell :

• Dump your current BootROM with ROM Tool. ROM tool will ask to confirm matching SP1 chips version on your backplane, to check what SP1 chip version, check this thread.
• Sent your dump to @tsialex to be reconstructed. His service is paid, but still reasonable imo.
• Purchase matched SP1 flash with same model on your backplane.
• Desolder old SP1 chips then put the one.
• Flash the new chips with fresh, newly reconstructed BootROM from tsialex using flash programmer.
  
  

 

[Pafarnisgood]

Desoldering is mean for replacing old SP1 chips with new one, they available within affordable cost

10 PCS SST25VF032B-80-4I-S2AF SOP-8 SST25VF032 25VF032 32 Mbit SPI Serial Flash | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 10 PCS SST25VF032B-80-4I-S2AF SOP-8 SST25VF032 25VF032 32 Mbit SPI Serial Flash at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

After new chips is installed you want to put new fresh reconstructed BootROM. But first you need dump your current BootROM before you desolder it.

So, in the nutshell :

• Dump your current BootROM with ROM Tool. ROM tool will ask to confirm matching SP1 chips version on your backplane, to check what SP1 chip version, check this thread.
• Sent your dump to @tsialex to be reconstructed. His service is paid, but still reasonable imo.
• Purchase matched SP1 flash with same model on your backplane.
• Desolder old SP1 chips then put the one.
• Flash the new chips with fresh, newly reconstructed BootROM from tsialex using flash programmer.
  

You are very kind, without this explanation it is to difficult for an old man....thank you very much!!

 

[jetjaguar]

Yea I am going to use this to hold me over until apple releases the higher end imacs or mac pro.

 

[padams35]

Hmm seems the Rx 580 are a pain to find and are expensive. Any other recommendations ?

Honorable mention to...
HD 7950: Metal support, can be flashed for boot screen.
R9 380: Faster and sometimes cheaper than a 7950, but can't be flashed for bootscreen support.
RX 560-D: Modern card, no power cables required, but slower than the 7950.
RX 470/570: Somewhat more available and less insanely priced than the 580s
(Avoid XFX branded cards. They sometimes require proprietary drivers not available for MacOS).

Also check your local Craigslist.

 

[jetjaguar]

What is limitation on hard drive size on the mac pros ? Can an 18tb hard drive go in there ? Also I tried to install an 8tb red and the screw holes didnt line up on the sled.