What the title says, is this possible?. Of course the cost is out of the question but I'm just curious, thanks in advance.
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Mac Pro Quad 2.66Ghz upgradable to 12-core?
- Thread starter voodoochild16
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You would need the dual processor daughterboard and obviously 2 six-core processors.
Yes, you would need a new CPU/Memory daughter card and then of course heat sinks and two processors.
As you mentioned, it won't be cheap:
http://www.welovemacs.com/2bcpuup.html
But depending on how crazy you get with the CPU's, it might not be too bad.
Oh and btw.. I believe this 2.66 Quad you are talking about is the 2009 Mac Pro.. in that case you not only need the daughterboard but also the 2010 Back pane to which the daughterboard is attached. So basically you are better off getting a new Mac Pro.
But basically I can still upgrade to 8 cores with this Mac Pro right?. I was just being a perfectionist with the 12-core idea.
Yes, but you'd need to spend on $1,000 just for the heat sinks and daughterboard...
You'd have to replace the daughterboards first. Max you can get to right now is 6 cores.
You can...it would just cost less to sell it and buy a new one though. Without already having a dual CPU system, an upgrade to 8 or more cores is more expensive that just buying a new computer after selling that one.
The maximum amount of cores without replacing backplane and daugtherboard you can get in the 2009 Mac Pro Quad is 4. The 2009 model is NOT upgradable with hex core processors.
There's a thread in here somewhere, that it was actually done. But it's easier and cheaper to sell the existing system, and buy the machine you need.
BTW, IIRC, to mate the SMC firmware to the CPU's properly, you need both the CPU tray and backplane boards (SMC firmware on the backplane board <fans>, and the CPU firmware on the CPU daughterboard). Can't remember if it will post if you keep the original backplane board or not (if mixing 2009 and 2010 boards).
BTW, IIRC, to mate the SMC firmware to the CPU's properly, you need both the CPU tray and backplane boards (SMC firmware on the backplane board <fans>, and the CPU firmware on the CPU daughterboard). Can't remember if it will post if you keep the original backplane board or not (if mixing 2009 and 2010 boards).
Best you could hope for without new daughter card here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117220&Tpk=xeon w3580
W3570 @3.2GHz would be good as well but they are both around 1000.00.
Does anyone know if you could drop an X56xx into single slot and just not use the extra QPI link?
If that is the case, for 1600.00 you could get the new X5687 4-cores at 3.6GHz. But as other have pointed out, whole tray replacement not worth it for your model.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117220&Tpk=xeon w3580
W3570 @3.2GHz would be good as well but they are both around 1000.00.
Does anyone know if you could drop an X56xx into single slot and just not use the extra QPI link?
If that is the case, for 1600.00 you could get the new X5687 4-cores at 3.6GHz. But as other have pointed out, whole tray replacement not worth it for your model.
The reason for this, is the 2009-model Mac Pro board does NOT contain the firmware to support the B1 stepping of hex-core Westmere processors, it only supports D0 stepping. Apple could easily release a hardware firmware update to the 2009 models to allow for B1 stepping, but they are not doing this. They want you to buy a whole new machine (2010 Mac Pro) if you want 6-core or 12-core power. That is why you would have to replace the entire backplane board on a 2009-model if you want it to be compatible with the hex-core processors, because only the 2010 backplane board supports B1 stepping, which the hex-core Westmeres use.
According to this article i do not have to upgrade "daughter boards" or anything to upgrade to a 8-core CPU.
http://www.o0o.it/pro/
Tell me what you guys think. My warranty is already VOID, so this would be worth doing IMO.
BTW, which Mac pro version would mine be? i am looking at ram prices on kingston.com...
Apple - Mac Pro DDR2 (Early 2008)
Apple - Mac Pro DDR3 (Early 2009) 1CPU
Apple - Mac Pro DDR3 (Early 2009) 2CPU
Apple - Mac Pro DDR3 (Mid 2010) 1CPU
Apple - Mac Pro DDR3 (Mid 2010) 2CPU
Apple - Mac Pro Workstation
I am guessing the Early 2009 2CPU, but thats just a guess..
http://www.o0o.it/pro/
Tell me what you guys think. My warranty is already VOID, so this would be worth doing IMO.
BTW, which Mac pro version would mine be? i am looking at ram prices on kingston.com...
Apple - Mac Pro DDR2 (Early 2008)
Apple - Mac Pro DDR3 (Early 2009) 1CPU
Apple - Mac Pro DDR3 (Early 2009) 2CPU
Apple - Mac Pro DDR3 (Mid 2010) 1CPU
Apple - Mac Pro DDR3 (Mid 2010) 2CPU
Apple - Mac Pro Workstation
I am guessing the Early 2009 2CPU, but thats just a guess..
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check "apple menu > about this mac" or system profiler and you will find the information you need. if you can provide this forum with the modelidentifier (macpro1,1 2,1 3,1 ?), we can help you in detail.
Alright it says DDR2 in the about this mac window, this is definitely the first Intel Xenon Mac Pro to be released. But I am still not sure if that means i can upgrade it to an 8-core, what do you guys think?.
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It's not only possible, it's actually been done by other members.
Just make sure you get the correct processors and swap them out.There's other threads on this here in MR, so do a search. You're after Clovertown based Xeons, which are the 53xx series.
It's not only possible, it's actually been done by other members.
There's other threads on this here in MR, so do a search. You're after Clovertown based Xeons, which are the 53xx series.
The MP 2,66 Quad (4,1)(2009) is upgradable from 35XX to 36XX. From Quadra to Hexa. I just had a msg from the admin of Macbidouille.com and a look at http://www.macbidouille.com/articles/370/page1
Its in french but use Google translate to get some idea of the process. One more thing, the 2009MacPro Quad had two versions, one before October 09 and the other after, it seems the latest is the one that accepts the 36XX hexas.
The OP's machine is not a 2009, but either a 2006 or 2007 (both used the same board and memory; 2007 is when the first quad core CPU's became available to create the first Octad models).
As per the article, they used a 2010 system as the test machine. Unfortunately, the 2009's have different firmware, and can't be upgraded with what resides in a 2010 (it's been tried and didn't work). So the 36xx parts will work in a 2010, but not a 2009 (different steppings in the 36xx series).
The OP's machine is not a 2009, but either a 2006 or 2007 (both used the same board and memory; 2007 is when the first quad core CPU's became available to create the first Octad models).
As per the article, they used a 2010 system as the test machine. Unfortunately, the 2009's have different firmware, and can't be upgraded with what resides in a 2010 (it's been tried and didn't work). So the 36xx parts will work in a 2010, but not a 2009 (different steppings in the 36xx series).
So mine is still upgradable to two quads.. and is ddr3 memory really that much faster than ddr2?.
Yes, you can create an Octad out of your existing system with the right processors.
As per memory, it' can only use 667MHz Fully Buffered DDR2 (DDR3 won't work in your machine; only 2009 and newer).
The OP's machine is not a 2009, but either a 2006 or 2007 (both used the same board and memory; 2007 is when the first quad core CPU's became available to create the first Octad models).
As per the article, they used a 2010 system as the test machine. Unfortunately, the 2009's have different firmware, and can't be upgraded with what resides in a 2010 (it's been tried and didn't work). So the 36xx parts will work in a 2010, but not a 2009 (different steppings in the 36xx series).
Sorry, but I had a talk with Lionel from Macbidouille/Hardmac and he confirmed that they updated a late 2009-2,66Quad with an Hexacore. Its very confusing, since I read the contrary on most of the threads here. Macbidouille/Hardmac are not AnandTech, but they are very respected and highly qualified. Unless I get a hold on a Intel 36XX hexa, and do the test myself, I guess we'll never know, since the prices are still very high for those CPUs.
I'd want some confirmation of some sort, such as a screen shot showing the MP Identifier with a Hex core CPU (i.e. 4,1 and W3670, 3680, or 3690).
It does work with the 5,1 as it's a proven fact it supports B1 steppings.
In the case of the Macbidouille link you posted, with the pics of both the 2009 (4,1) and 2010 (5,1) CPU trays, I'm wondering if the test was done on the 2010 and presumed it would also work on the 2009. This is why I'm after a screen shot to show otherwise.
The previous attempts I'm aware of did not work, as only D0 steppings were available at the time 2009 systems released. So far, no one's gotten the firmware to update to that used on the 2010 units via a software only method (not desolder the firmware chip, manually reprogram the ROM chip with a dumped copy of the 2010 code, then resolder the ROM with the new firmware - that has been done as I understand it>).
The only other possibility that would make any sense to me, is that the specific firmware revision on the 2009 system used, was a beta version of what was the first final release used in the 2010's (i.e. I have heard of a B08 version, though officially, B07 was the latest for the 2009's). Assuming this is the case, it wouldn't be viable for all 2009 users (likely a very small number).
AFAIK that bootrom is mostly found in refurbs.
I found something weird on Geekbench database. It does not imply anything as the info can be easily faked in the hackintosh world. but still.... weird.
http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/270413