Mac Pro 2.66 Quad still usable ?

[aliennerd]

I've now successfully upgraded the original dual core Xeons to quad core ones and the Geekbench score has jumped from 5343 to 9445, a very cost effective update.

 

[keego]

OP: I buy and resell several of these a month. Here's my two cents:

1) 2x X5355 ($120 - $150; eBay): http://www.ebay.com/sch/CPUs-Processors-/164/i.html?LH_BIN=1&_sop=15&_nkw=x5355 (You can get better deals if you shop around)

2) Up to 16GB RAM ($56/4GB; Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ORUUAC/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00 (I'ev seen RAM like this go for as low as $7.50/GB if you look hard enough)

3) ATI Radeon HD 5770 ($70 - $100; eBay): http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_sacat=0&_nkw=xfx 5770&_sop=1 (ZNFC or ZHFC have both worked flawlessly for me; see #4 below)

4) GPU Power Cable ($12.50; Amazon): http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002UR1654/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00 (Needed for each 5770 you install; 2 needed for 5870, 6870, and some others)

This is by no means the "maximum" upgrade path available to you, but in my experience, it is the best bang-for-buck. If you get an extra 8GB RAM, perform the CPU surgery and drop in a 5770, you're "only" looking at $300-$350 to upgrade to a crazy powerful machine pushing upwards of 10,400 on Geekbench.

Will the 5770 video cards work in Mac pro quad 2.66? Does anythings else have to be done?

 

[zerb]

Will the 5770 video cards work in Mac pro quad 2.66? Does anythings else have to be done?

that apple approved ones work just fine out of the box. the PC ones need to be flashed. i got a 5770 for my 1.1 pro that used to be a quad 2.66 from b and h photo, took the old card out, popped the new card in. and was done.

 

[strwrsfrk]

Will the 5770 video cards work in Mac pro quad 2.66? Does anythings else have to be done?

There are supposedly ways to get the 5770 to work by installing some kexts, but I prefer to flash my cards. Use the instructions here: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57750.

I made a bootable flash drive, and have flashed over 2 dozen XFX 5770 Juniper cards (either ZNFC or ZHFC) using the attached ROM. Also, for good measure, I generally append the -f command to force the flash. Never had a problem.

***IMPORTANT*** Always backup the original ROM using the -s command. These directions are provided for informational purposes only; proceed at your own risk. ************

Edit: I use a PC for this task, and like to have a "helper" GPU installed just in case something goes wrong and I need to force a flash on a corrupt card.

 

[t0rr3s]

Yet another 1,1 owner here. They weren't kidding when they said the first gens come rock solid. 4x1TB WD black storage, 11GB OWC ram, apple 5770 card and my favourite 30" ACD. Just tried out the 64bit kernel hack and it geekbenches at 62** now. Runs FCPX, CS6 and what have ya like a champ. Installed windows 7 64bit on one of the hd for the occasional gaming and I'm set. Good luck with your mac pro! It will last you a lot longer than you think .

 

[strwrsfrk]

Just tried out the 64bit kernel hack and it geekbenches at 62** now.

Seems like I missed the info about this hack. Would you mind posting a link or PM'ing it to me? Thanks.

 

[Mr. Zarniwoop]

Seems like I missed the info about this hack. Would you mind posting a link or PM'ing it to me? Thanks.

netkas.org forum: Booting the 64-bit kernel on the 2006/2007 Mac Pro

 

[strwrsfrk]

netkas.org forum: Booting the 64-bit kernel on the 2006/2007 Mac Pro

Incredible that I missed that. Thank you!