MP 1,1-5,1 MP 5,1 beginner questions

[macman4789]

Hi,

I’ve recently ordered a 2012 6 core 5,1 MP and really looking forward to this project. I have been doing some research on it to try and get to understand its potential and limitations. This research has led to more questions and wondered whether you guys could help answer them?

1. Can you upgrade a 2012 5,1 single CPU machine and change to a dual CPU tray? Are there any caveats to this?
2. I’ve seen that it is possible to use an NVMe SSD in a 5,1 but is it possible or reliable enough to use one as a boot drive or is it more advisable to use it as an additional drive?
3. I’ve seen USB 3.0 is possible through a PCI card, but is it possible to have USB C ports on the 5,1 Mac Pro?
4. On the single CPU 5,1 model, is the highest core count CPU compatible a 6 core Westmere? I thought I’d seen a single 12 core model but probably wrong!
5. When upgrading the graphics card, can it support higher resolutions? I’ve read the original max resolution compatible is 2560x1600 but can it support a 4K monitor for example or higher?
6. Is the maximum supported RAM 128GB for both dual and single CPU models but read 96GB is optimum?
7. I’ve read that there is support for Mojave (is that official Apple support?) but is it possible to have Catalina running reliably? Is it supported?
8. More of a generic question, I understand these computers are at least a few years old but how reliable are they generally? Motherboard/Logic board/power supply?
9. I’ve read that you can get a wireless card to give Bluetooth 4.0 and wireless capability. Is this 802.11ac? Might be a daft question to you guys but I presume there are no compatible cards for the latest WiFi 6?

Thanks to anyone who responds, sorry if they seem obvious or strange questions. This is all new to me so my questions might be a bit obvious to everyone else.


Thanks

 

[leoaf79]

You should read this first.
Then you may use the forum search feature.

 

[fhturner]

You should read this first.
Then you may use the forum search feature.

Yes, tons of people willing and eager to help here, but literally all of those topics are easily findable with a few seconds’ worth of search. If you have more specific questions about those items that aren’t answered in other threads, you’ll be more likely to get an answer posting there in those threads. Good luck and enjoy your project!

 

[kohlson]

1. Yes. Not economically viable, though.
2. Boot drive=yes.
3. Yes
4. Yes
5. Yes
6. See memory section
7. Yes (no) for both
8. These systems are 8-11 years old
9. See link for Q6