MP All Models Mac Pro CPU Compatibility List

[LightBulbFun]

I asked the same question and just got the same reply... theres X5687s on ebay for as cheap as $67. you only need 1 CPU in socket A to boot a Mac Pro so if anyone feels like potentially wasting some cash and trying it would be cool to see the out come... its that or the 2 X5698 ES samples on ebay For $375 LOL!

 

[nbritton]

I asked the same question and just got the same reply... theres X5687s on ebay for as cheap as $67. you only need 1 CPU in socket A to boot a Mac Pro so if anyone feels like potentially wasting some cash and trying it would be cool to see the out come... its that or the 2 X5698 ES samples on ebay For $375 LOL!

This guy will take $130 for two, and he has a 14 day return policy... http://www.ebay.com/itm/252716056659

 

[flowrider]

Who has (actually) confirmed that the X5687 doesn't work in the 2012 Mac Pro? This chip is running at 3.6GHz, so it's actually better then the X5690 for regular desktop use and is significantly cheaper. I'd rather have 8 cores @ 3.6GHz then 12 cores @ 3.47GHz because in reality under normal usage I rarely use more then 4 cores. The X5698 would be perfect, but that's a very rare beast.

Everything I see searching Google is second hand hearsay, I have yet to see any first hand accounts to validate this claim.

Here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-pro-need-advice.1691581/page-6#post-18711669

Lou

 

[nbritton]

Here:

https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-pro-need-advice.1691581/page-6#post-18711669

Lou

Thanks for that... that's the second time I've seen someone say it doesn't work in the single cpu systems. However, I have yet to see anyone say it doesn't work in dual cpu systems. Frankly, I'm surprised any X5600 works in the single cpu systems.

 

[ActionableMango]

Who has (actually) confirmed that the X5687 doesn't work in the 2012 Mac Pro?

Everything I see searching Google is second hand hearsay, I have yet to see any first hand accounts to validate this claim.

People keep asking about the following two processors, so I've updated the first post with links to the first-hand accounts claiming they don't work. I've also posted them here for your convenience:
X5687
X5698

I have yet to see anyone say it doesn't work in dual cpu systems.

That's a fair point. And for what it's worth, at least one person lists that the x5687 will work in dual-proc models, and furthermore he actually provides a dual-proc CPU upgrade service himself:
http://pindelski.org/Photography/2013/07/10/mac-pro-2009-part-xiii/

However, I did not take this as particularly credible since (A) it's been pointed out that there is other incorrect information on that web page, (B) he didn't respond when people asked him to verify, (C) he doesn't list the x5687 as an option on his actual CPU upgrade service web page, and (D) I cannot find anyone else claiming that they work.

 

[flowrider]

I'm surprised any X5600 works in the single cpu systems.

Why is that. Connections and pins are all the same. As explained above, there are other CPUs in the X5600 series that also won't work, they came out after the 2012 5,1 cMP was released and the Mac ROM doesn't recognize them.

Lou

 

[nbritton]

Why is that. Connections and pins are all the same. As explained above, there are other CPUs in the X5600 series that also won't work, they came out after the 2012 5,1 cMP was released and the Mac ROM doesn't recognize them.

Lou

Because the X5600 series is intended for dual socket configurations. The X5687 and X5690 have the same lunch date of Q1 2011. Apple would have had ES (Engineering Sample) and QS (Qualification Sample) chips well ahead of that date.

 

[h9826790]

Because the X5600 series is intended for dual socket configurations. The X5687 and X5690 have the same lunch date of Q1 2011. Apple would have had ES (Engineering Sample) and QS (Qualification Sample) chips well ahead of that date.

That's totally irrelevant to single / dual processor setup.

A GPU that can work in SLI can also work alone. It's just as simple as this. Same on the CPU. A CPU that can run in dual processor setup can also work alone. That's normal! The X56xx is not intended to run in dual mode, but just support that.

 

[nbritton]

That's totally irrelevant to single / dual processor setup.

A GPU that can work in SLI can also work alone. It's just as simple as this. Same on the CPU. A CPU that can run in dual processor setup can also work alone. That's normal! The X56xx is not intended to run in dual mode, but just support that.

What I mean to say is Intel has a whole line of W-series processors for single socket configurations, the intent of the X5600 was for dual socket configurations. As such, a single X5687 may have never even been tested in the lab because Intel does not support this configuration. The Mac Pro 5,1 firmware was released Oct 28, 2010, yet in spite of that the X5690 which wasn't release until Q1 2011 works just fine.

 

[typecase]

Just wanted to double check before I order, I have a Mac Pro 5,1 with a 2x2.4 Quad core processors. Can I buy the x5680 6 core processors and simply swap the processors? The processors are listed as compatible but I just wanted to be sure I could go from the quad core to the six core without a problem or firmware issues.

 

[nbritton]

Just wanted to double check before I order, I have a Mac Pro 5,1 with a 2x2.4 Quad core processors. Can I buy the x5680 6 core processors and simply swap the processors? The processors are listed as compatible but I just wanted to be sure I could go from the quad core to the six core without a problem or firmware issues.

Yes it will work, it's a drop in replacement. However, unless you know you need 12 cores the X5677 would be a better choice because its single core performance is better (Turbo: 3.73 GHz vs 3.6 GHz) and it's much cheaper then the X5680 ($80 vs $220). I'm definitly a power user, right now I'm idling at 60 GB of RAM in use with 52 windows open, and I rarely utilize even 4 cores of my dual X5690. The CPU is not a bottleneck in the Mac Pro 5,1, get a X5677 and invest the money you'll save by not buying a X5680 into a Samsung SM951 AHCI 512GB.

http://ark.intel.com/compare/47916,47929

 

[typecase]

Yes it will work, it's a drop in replacement. However, unless you know you need 12 cores the X5677 would be a better choice because its single core performance is better (Turbo: 3.73 GHz vs 3.6 GHz) and it's much cheaper then the X5680 ($80 vs $220). I'm definitly a power user, right now I'm idling at 60 GB of RAM in use with 52 windows open, and I rarely utilize even 4 cores of my dual X5690. The CPU is not a bottleneck in the Mac Pro 5,1, get a X5677 and invest the money you'll save by not buying a X5680 into a Samsung SM951 AHCI 512GB.

http://ark.intel.com/compare/47916,47929

Thanks for the great advice. Will consider this. I have always loved the idea of having 12 cores but I couldn't afford this when I ordered the rig new. I was considering buying refurbed processors (server pulls). Not sure if this is a good idea or not.

 

[nbritton]

Thanks for the great advice. Will consider this. I have always loved the idea of having 12 cores but I couldn't afford this when I ordered the rig new. I was considering buying refurbed processors (server pulls). Not sure if this is a good idea or not.

Server pulls are fine, they're all the same...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-...0-GT-s-LGA1366-CPU-Processor-km-/401257866089

 

[nigelbb]

Yes it will work, it's a drop in replacement. However, unless you know you need 12 cores the X5677 would be a better choice because its single core performance is better (Turbo: 3.73 GHz vs 3.6 GHz) and it's much cheaper then the X5680 ($80 vs $220). I'm definitly a power user, right now I'm idling at 60 GB of RAM in use with 52 windows open, and I rarely utilize even 4 cores of my dual X5690. The CPU is not a bottleneck in the Mac Pro 5,1, get a X5677 and invest the money you'll save by not buying a X5680 into a Samsung SM951 AHCI 512GB.

http://ark.intel.com/compare/47916,47929

The difference in performance between 3.33GHz & 3.46GHz is under 4%. If you can use 12 cores then with X5680s you have 50% more performance available than with X5677s. If you are going to the trouble of swapping CPUs then it's penny pinching in the extreme not to go with dual 6-core CPUs. Even simple things like Handbrake or Zip/Unzip will use all 12 cores as will rendering out video in FCP or Premiere Pro.

 

[nbritton]

I beg to differ, I struggle to fully utilize even 4 cores on my dual X5690 rig. My 15 minute system load average is never usually higher then 1.5, this means I only have enough work to keep 1.5 cores fully queued with tasks. The other 10.5 cores are simply burning electricity.

In my opinion, if you are on a budget then the best processor option is the X5677. You would be better off to invest the money you saved into a PCIe SSD.

How often are you Zipping/Unzipping that you need to spend an extra $280 on X5690s? Like I originally said, unless you know you need 12-cores (i.g. video production) you'll be perfectly content with 8 x 3.46 GHz cores.

 

[Synchro3]

Like I originally said, unless you know you need 12-cores (i.g. video production) you'll be perfectly content with 8 x 3.46 GHz cores.

Or 6 x 3.46 GHz (Single CPU Xeon W3690)

 

[Auggie]

Westmere X5690 3.46GHz 6-core and "matched pairings...

Not well versed with matching dual processors, but from what I can gather on the X5690 is that they typically are available in just one stepping (B1) under PCN SLBVX. So sellers offering "matched pairs" of X5690 is really just a gimmick to ask for higher prices since essentially you can buy X5690 SLBVX CPUs from different vendors and you will have a matched set, yes?

 

[nbritton]

Westmere X5690 3.46GHz 6-core and "matched pairings...

Not well versed with matching dual processors, but from what I can gather on the X5690 is that they typically are available in just one stepping (B1) under PCN SLBVX. So sellers offering "matched pairs" of X5690 is really just a gimmick to ask for higher prices since essentially you can buy X5690 SLBVX CPUs from different vendors and you will have a matched set, yes?

Yes. As long as they both say SLBVX you won't have anything to worry about.

 

[rjtiedeman]

Every individual scenario is different. If someone had a base model quadcore 2.66GHz, they could have a noticeable gain updating to a hexacore 3.46Ghz. You were starting out a hair's breadth away from the top already.



Yes, that's the top speed.

You could go from 6 core to 12 core, but that's very expensive and will only benefit certain software that can take advantage of 12 cores. For example an application like Handbrake would have its time cut in half. But many or most applications wouldn't benefit at all.

The top speed.
If I was to up grade from my old cMP 6 core 5.1 (3.46) to a 2013 6,1 MP (??) why would I upgrade the newer 6,1 Mac Pro processor. I don't see any faster processors on the list than what the machine already comes with. Other than the risk of messing up my new MP what is the speed gain. Is it only $$$?

 

[ActionableMango]

I don't see faster processors on the list than what the machine already comes with.

The fastest 8-core and 6-core CPUs in the list have a higher clock rate than the fastest 8-core and 6-core that Apple sells with the Mac Pro.

 

[phoenix-mac-user]

I have the 2.26Ghz E5520s that came as standard in my 2009 Mac Pro.

I have already made several upgrades and don't have any money right now to replace the CPUs...but I am seeing X5560's on ebay are really cheap. Like $10 a CPU cheap.

It looks like those CPUs support the faster 1333 memory which I already have.

I realize it will not make a huge difference in performance vs buying 6 core Westmeres, but is it worth my while to make the upgrade to the X5560's? Seems like the memory upgrade alone would make it worthwhile (I've already installed the firmware update to get Sierra) but if they are that cheap I want to make sure there isn't a catch.

Is there anything I am missing about upgrading to that chip?

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies. This forum has been a huge help for me.

 

[rjtiedeman]

The fastest 8-core and 6-core CPUs in the list have a higher clock rate than the fastest 8-core and 6-core that Apple sells with the Mac Pro.

Yes you are correct. Also I don't see a 10 core listed on it the Apple Store. I was waiting for a real bump from 3.7 to 4.7. For 6-9 grand.

 

[flowrider]

Is there anything I am missing about upgrading to that chip?

Thanks in advance to anyone who replies. This forum has been a huge help for me.

Yes, you would have to delid the CPUs to work on a 2009 dual CPU cMP. Either that or use the spacer method. Note really worth it for what you would get with X5560s IMO.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-pro-4-1-dual-cpu-upgrade-be-very-very-careful.1836888/

Lou

 

[orph]

@phoenix-mac-user
the ram speed will make almost no difference.
the 2.26 to 2.80 is where you will see the speed up & rly most ppl do not need (and cant uses) 12 cores (24threads) 8c 16t will be fine for most.
you will need cpu past cleaner etc ^^ have fun

only thing is the 4.1 dual cpu upgrade is a tad more complex so do read up first

(good price to)

 

[rjtiedeman]

Any chance for new processors to fit in 2013 nMacPro (6,1). The 6.1 list is fairly short and the options that actually bump up the speed over stock are slim. Unless you are upgrading from a 4 core cpu to a 6, 8, 10 or 12 core it doesn't look like it is a good investment at 2 grand for a new chip.