Mac Pro 4,1 single processor upgrade

[liambrus]

Hey guys,

Lots of threads about the dual processor upgrade but none about the single!

I have bought myself a X5690 6-core processor cheap, and have chucked it in my 2009 Mac Pro but seem to have a hit a wall.

I have managed to get it down to a solid white LED on the front without booting, and a red light on the tray when the heatsink is too loose.

I have tightened and loosened the screws til I'm blue in the face but am wondering if its something else, could it possibly be anything else? Can my Mac Pro even run that processor? I'm worried I've bought something that my computer can not even run!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

[Baunkjaer]

As far as I can recall, the X5690 is for dual CPU configuration...
http://ark.intel.com/products/52576/Intel-Xeon-Processor-X5690-12M-Cache-3_46-GHz-6_40-GTs-Intel-QPI

Anyway, you have to flash the firmware to make your 4,1 become a 5,1

 

[brand]

As far as I can recall, the X5690 is for dual CPU configuration...

That also works in a single socket system and allows for more recognizable RAM.

 

[liambrus]

Amazing, thanks mate.

I upgraded the firmware and we are underway.

HOWEVER, the red light LED in the processor tray is flashing intermittently. Is this a problem with the heat sink? or does this light always flash.

Any ideas what this could be?

 

[flowrider]

^^^^As has been stated, the X56xx series, though designed for dual processor applications, works just fine in single processor applications as well (4,1 Mac Pro), if the firmware is updated to a 5,1.

As far as the flashing light, no light should be on when the machine is running. Could you be more specific as to the lights location? Maybe take a pic. Could it one of the led's associated with the RAM? We need more information.

Lou

 

[h9826790]

HOWEVER, the red light LED in the processor tray is flashing intermittently. Is this a problem with the heat sink? or does this light always flash.

If you mean the red light flash for a second when you power on the machine. That's normal.

However, if that flash intermittently when the machine is running. It's abnormal.