MP 7,1 MP 7,1 28-core CPU upgrade crashes

[n.reeves]

Hi,

First off thanks for your time. I've read through all the articles I could find related to my issue and searched elsewhere but am having a hard time determining with specificity where I'm going wrong and could really use some advice.

I've got an 8-core 7,1 I'm trying to upgrade to 28-core. The W3275M I got was from China was marked as new and from a highly rated seller. I cleaned the existing thermal paste off both the heatsink and CPU, used Arctic MX4 paste, and installed carefully (I'm not a tech by any means but have done a few dual xeon 4,1/5,1 CPU upgrades and take my time, wear gloves, static bracelet etc.). After installing the CPU the machine intermittently shuts down, usually unable to complete the full boot sequence. One time it did boot completely and stayed on for around 10 minutes, 'About This Mac' showed the 28-Core Xeon, iStat Menu showed the CPU Core PECI temp blinking between 44°/54° (which seemed unusual as with the stock 8-core it's generally fairly stable incrementing only a couple degrees at a time unless I've got something going). I let it sit for about 10 minutes and when I finally opened an app the screen froze and it shut down again. After that it wouldn't stay on for more than 30 seconds or so.

I reset the NVRAM immediately after install, tried SMC reset, tried using only the factory RAM and GPU, tried various amounts of tightening on the heatsink screws, all with no real difference in behavior. Initially I thought there was a hardware problem, possibly a DOA or defective chip and returned it. Now I've purchased another W3275M from another seller and am having the exact same issue, which makes me think either I'm doing something wrong, or that there's something wrong with my 7,1 hardware.

In my gut it feels like user error, as the hardware seems to work fine removing that variable. I've had it for only 2 weeks but use it as my main working system for 10+ hours a day, lots of heavy PS files, zBrush and sustained Maya/Vray rendering. Had no issues at all with the factory 8-core CPU. Both times I've reinstalled it it boots back up without missing a beat (as I'd hoped would happen with the 3275M.)

Best I can tell it's overheating and has some kind of temperature kill switch that's getting triggered to protect the CPU, but I really have no idea on cause or where to go from here. I've attached the crash log I got when it did boot up. The inconsistency in behavior and the fact that it did successfully boot up for some time only raise more questions for me.

I've ordered some different thermal paste to try and will give it another go when that arrives, this MX4 paste seems kind of runny compared to what I've used before. Otherwise I've got until Saturday to file for a return on the CPU and am thinking that's my best option if I can't get it going. I don't want to settle for the stock 8-core, but as far as I can tell I've hit the wall and there don't seem to be any local techs who will work with user-supplied parts.

Thanks again and much obliged for your thoughts–

 

[cobra521]

n.reeves,​

Off the wall question: did you try the Big Sur beta at any time prior to installing the new CPU? If so, the T2 must be reset: https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-2/revive-or-restore-mac-firmware-apdebea5be51/mac

One of the Mac Pro 7,1 threads on MacRumors has reference to the requirement for this procedure. Even if you reinstalled Catalina afterward, this procedure is still required to get a new CPU chip to function properly.

Hope this helps,

Tom

 

[n.reeves]

n.reeves,​

Off the wall question: did you try the Big Sur beta at any time prior to installing the new CPU? If so, the T2 must be reset: https://support.apple.com/guide/apple-configurator-2/revive-or-restore-mac-firmware-apdebea5be51/mac

One of the Mac Pro 7,1 threads on MacRumors has reference to the requirement for this procedure. Even if you reinstalled Catalina afterward, this procedure is still required to get a new CPU chip to function properly.

Hope this helps,

Tom

No sir. I do quite a bit of audio work and only just recently upgraded to Catalina (many a compatibility issue), no plans for Big Sur for some time. I did read about that, and wondered if it could be an issue since this hardware is relatively new. As it is trying (and has succeeded) to boot the system I wrote that off for the time being (that and I couldn't find instructions for doing the T2 reset.) I'm not sure what system version this machine shipped with as I imaged the boot volume straight-away from my MBP in target disk mode. In hindsight I should have made note.

 

[bikerjoe164]

I have read that you have to be very careful when you retighten the heat sink as doing so unevenly will not get full contact and you'll end up with the cpu in a protection mode. Try tighten little by little in a criss cross pattern.

 

[cobra521]

n.reeves,

"imaged the boot volume straight-away from my MBP in target disk mode"

Not technically savvy enough to know what that means, or what it does.

Having said that, if the machine was mine, I'd do the T2 reset followed by reinstalling Catalina. If you save anything you might have put on the T2 drive (not the operating system but anything else you may want to keep) it doesn't seem you'd harm anything.

Tom

 

[n.reeves]

I have read that you have to be very careful when you retighten the heat sink as doing so unevenly will not get full contact and you'll end up with the cpu in a protection mode. Try tighten little by little in a criss cross pattern.

Right, I read that as well and did my best, measured rotations, switching sides, 10 1/2 turns, probably iterated a dozen times over the 7hrs I was working on it yesterday, the same the previous time I tried it. I definitely had even tension on both sides, starting with the mounting plate. I will definitely have another go at it though. Still somewhat confused by the difference in behavior between the stock CPU and the replacement, why the results contrast so dramatically. That's the only thing that gives me pause about it being user error...

 

[n.reeves]

n.reeves,

"imaged the boot volume straight-away from my MBP in target disk mode"

Not technically savvy enough to know what that means, or what it does.

Having said that, if the machine was mine, I'd do the T2 reset followed by reinstalling Catalina. If you save anything you might have put on the T2 drive (not the operating system but anything else you may want to keep) it doesn't seem you'd harm anything.

Tom

Since it successfully started up in Catalina once I don't think that's the issue, but I do see your point and for thoroughness sake I'm happy to give it a go. No more wild a possibility as having potentially gotten 2 bad chips in a row. Will try this before my next install attempt. Thank you!

 

[n.reeves]

Regarding the T2 chip, can anyone confirm that 'reset' and 'revive firmware' are the same thing?

 

[hvfsl]

One thing to be aware of is that some of the Xeons you see on eBay (especially if they are very cheap) are testing samples. While they will generally work, you might experience some issues with them. I got a 10 core Xeon a few years back that was a testing sample and while it worked, the computer wasn't always the most stable. The CPU could also be drawing too much power, it might be worth checking what PSU you have in your 7.1 and see if it is different to the one in the high end models (check in system information).

But if you can't get it working with a reset and no one has any better ideas, I would probably look at returning the cpu and getting a Xeon with a few less cores.

 

[n.reeves]

One thing to be aware of is that some of the Xeons you see on eBay (especially if they are very cheap) are testing samples. While they will generally work, you might experience some issues with them. I got a 10 core Xeon a few years back that was a testing sample and while it worked, the computer wasn't always the most stable. The CPU could also be drawing too much power, it might be worth checking what PSU you have in your 7.1 and see if it is different to the one in the high end models (check in system information).

But if you can't get it working with a reset and no one has any better ideas, I would probably look at returning the cpu and getting a Xeon with a few less cores.

The first one I purchased was one of the more expensive ones, this last one a little less - but have been consciously avoiding the very cheap ones. Still, I suppose it is possible to have gotten two bad in a row... I'm not sure what faulty CPUs look like behaviorally or what to look out for in listings.

PSU appears to be the standard 1400w model according to Apple spec, though I'm not sure how to verify. I can't find it listed anywhere in System Information. It does seem to handle a second GPU (VEGA 64) along with the stock 580X without breaking a sweat. I did the install into a completely stock setup the first time around.

That's basically where I'm at with it, maybe a 3265, I don't know. Trouble is I feel like this should work, and if I can't understand what's going wrong I feel somewhat blind.

 

[cobra521]

n. reeves,

One key thing to avoid (I think!) is any chip advertised as "QS." The chip I bought was advertised as a production chip removed from a 2019 Mac Pro. I think, as far as I can test, that it probably is an official 1st quality chip.

Tom

 

[n.reeves]

I'd read that and have avoided those. The two I ordered were labeled SRFFK and 'official' or 'authentic', also tried to get ones labeled 'new'. First one came in the clamshell, second one in an antistatic baggy wrapped in bubblewrap, not sure either was new. Having trouble finding any domestic stock. If it comes to it I'll keep an eye for a listing like that, thanks Tom! -Nate

 

[n.reeves]

Alright, well I attempted to revive it, which failed (with the attached error), and then to restore it, which also failed (with a different error). Can verify both systems are using the same OS (10.15.7) and am using a fresh version of Configurator. Got the amber light now, instead of 'DFU' configurator is showing 'Recovery'. Have I bricked it? Any ideas?

Edit: updated the host macine to Big Sur and restore worked (huzzah)

 

[LeonPro]

My question after all this is did you install the original 8-core Xeon chip back and did it start with no issues? This should help negate any bad hardware within the Mac Pro that came up as a result or coincidentally during the install.

 

[n.reeves]

My question after all this is did you install the original 8-core Xeon chip back and did it start with no issues? This should help negate any bad hardware within the Mac Pro that came up as a result or coincidentally during the install.

Yep, without missing a beat. Both of the CPUs I've purchased have had more or less the same behavioral pattern, and each time after switching back to the stock 8-core everything works fine. I'm using it now. Nice rig btw!

 

[LeonPro]

That's reassuring to hear at least after all you've been trying to do. Strange you've experienced with two similar chips from different sellers. Is there no official retailer selling this as well to try and see if it's the quality of the chips that's in the grey market.

 

[n.reeves]

That's reassuring to hear at least after all you've been trying to do. Strange you've experienced with two similar chips from different sellers. Is there no official retailer selling this as well to try and see if it's the quality of the chips that's in the grey market.

Yes, indeed. Good point, looks like there's a non-M 3275 at TigerDirect. I'll look further but that's probably the right move to make in figuring this out.

 

[cobra521]

n.reeves,

Sounds like the revival didn't make any converts

That increases the likelihood that the 2nd CPU is below par.

Somewhere on the MacRumors site is a report from someone who did the non-M swap and if memory serves (mine often does not!) it didn't end well either.

The vendor on eBay I used was gtc_1988. Can't guarantee anything, though. The CPU I got from that vendor seems OK to me after a couple of months use, but I'm certain that's no guarantee for the next one.

Tom

 

[n.reeves]

Tried again this afternoon, since doing the firmware revive + OS reinstall this morning, with new thermal paste, no dice, same issue. Filed for a return. Reinstalled the factory CPU and back up and running. Once that's complete I'll try and snag an OEM part domestically and see if I have better luck. Not sure what else to do. Will update here when there's some progress.

@cobra521 that seller is using the same product photo as the guys I got this last chip from, different username, also from Shenzen

Cheers,
Nate

 

[cobra521]

Nate,

Sounds conclusive. When I bought the CPU I have (a W-3275M) I had the same "dice-roll" apprehensiveness. It's working correctly so far in my 7,1. Luck of the draw?

I also experienced the photo copying tendencies of those vendors - I wondered if they are in fact the same guy?

There's at least one other user on MacRumors who had good luck so I know I'm not unique If you can find them, maybe they have another vendor name for you to try.

Otherwise, hope you can find a dependable supplier for a reasonable price!

Tom

 

[Theophilos]

Tried again this afternoon, since doing the firmware revive + OS reinstall this morning, with new thermal paste, no dice, same issue. Filed for a return. Reinstalled the factory CPU and back up and running. Once that's complete I'll try and snag an OEM part domestically and see if I have better luck. Not sure what else to do. Will update here when there's some progress.

@cobra521 that seller is using the same product photo as the guys I got this last chip from, different username, also from Shenzen

Cheers,
Nate

Hey Nate,

Did you ever find out what the issue was? Is it working now? As someone who plans to upgrade an 8-core Mac Pro to a more powerful processor, I'd love to hear about your results.

 

[n.reeves]

Unfortunately, no. I ended up trying in total 3 different W3275M chips, across the price spectrum, but could not get one working. With the factory chip working fine on each reinstallation I decided it was beyond my ability to isolate the issue, and took it back to Apple on the last day of my return window.

I had no trouble in any of the chip returns either, sellers confirmed they worked properly on receipt, which makes me think it may have been an isolated issue with that particular 7,1 hardware. Hardware diagnostics showed no issue, but I needed to get back to work and there's no point in that chassis for me w/o a clear path to 28-core (and even then with the single thread ARM speeds it's a questionable investment to make now for my workflow.)

I ended up going hybrid, built a 3990x w/2x RTX3090's and am snagging an ARM Air to tide me over until the next gen MPs drop. Was a learning experience for sure, but no regrets. Appreciate everyone's time and effort on here. (thank you!)

 

[JWatt69]

Upgraded today from base 8 core to 3275x 28 core. Simple upgrade, no issues. Running Big Sur 11.2 before upgrade. Didn't have to reset T2 or recover firmware. Swapped out cpu, booted and straight into OS X without any prompts or errors.

 

[n.reeves]

@JWatt69 Excellent, as it should be. Hope it's a stable workhorse for you.

 

[Jotronic]

Upgraded today from base 8 core to 3275x 28 core. Simple upgrade, no issues. Running Big Sur 11.2 before upgrade. Didn't have to reset T2 or recover firmware. Swapped out cpu, booted and straight into OS X without any prompts or errors.

Care to share your source and pricing please?