Please review my MacPro

[flat five]

The problem with the newer Mac Pro, is the base model isn't really worth it because it won't be much faster. You're better off with a 5K iMac or whatever for the cost.

i think that might be true with the 6.1 and maybe next version.. once the nmp is 4-5yrs old, there will probably be a more noticeable gap in performance.. or, more software will be making full use of the 2 gpus and the imac will still have the one.. single core stuff though, they'll probably stay about even.

 

[jzphoto]

Thanks all for your help.

I think a CPU upgrade would be best (beach balls are my biggest issue). What do you recommend for a CPU upgrade?

It looks like I can do a DYI or send my tray to OWC where they swap out the processors.

 

[monokakata]

Hmm. I hope I'm not breaking any rules here, but when the OP can't use MR's messaging service, I don't know what else to do:

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/sop/5025769352.html

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/sop/5025770022.html

 

[IowaLynn]

Thanks all for your help.

I think a CPU upgrade would be best (beach balls are my biggest issue). What do you recommend for a CPU upgrade?

It looks like I can do a DYI or send my tray to OWC where they swap out the processors.

Have you checked out
http://www.macperformanceguide.com

 

[Macsonic]

Thanks all for your help.

I think a CPU upgrade would be best (beach balls are my biggest issue). What do you recommend for a CPU upgrade?

It looks like I can do a DYI or send my tray to OWC where they swap out the processors.

You can perform the upgrade yourself as for single processor tray it's easy. Or you can purchase an upgraded tray without having to send over your tray to the one who will do the upgrade. Sometimes there are listings in eBay selling the whole tray with upgraded CPUs. You get to keep your own cpu tray as backup.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-App...702?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33a2aa1d46

 

[jzphoto]

Hmm. I hope I'm not breaking any rules here, but when the OP can't use MR's messaging service, I don't know what else to do:

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/sop/5025769352.html

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/big/sop/5025770022.html

Would love this but not sure how as I'm in New York City

 

[buster84]

Would love this but not sure how as I'm in New York City

To bad you didn't come back sooner, I tried to get ahold of you since I Found on one on eBay but it sold. These are really rare.

I'd contact those Craigslist adds and ask them if they can list them on eBay and send you the link. That would be the best safest method, either that or wait for one to show up in eBay.

 

[jzphoto]

Getting ready for CPU upgrade and have a few questions:

Are all W3680 the same or is there Mac compatible versions?

Do I need a bigger fan to run this CPU?

When do you need a bigger fan?

CPU upgrade parts list:

1)W3680
2)Thermal paste
3)long hex wrench ... Size?
4)A hope and a prayer

Many Thanks!

----------

Just wondering

Can Activity Monitor be used to see what component is causing the bottle neck (CPU, Memory, Disk)? i.e Is there a level for CPU on Activity Monitor when you know a CPU upgrade will help?

 

[PowerMike G5]

Hey-

Just know that I completly upgraded my 2010 Mac Pro with top end specs and it was so worth it! The speeds are incredible (mine's is actually spec'ed faster then the fastest nMP right now).

The CPU upgrade is a fairly simple operation. I would also recommend a better GPU and PCI-e SSD.

This should make it as fast, or faster (for multi-threaded applications, not single) then the new iMac.

There are a couple forum threads here that run the CPU replacement step by step. Good luck!

 

[jzphoto]

Do I need to upgrade my original heatsink/fan upgrade to go from

2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon > w3680/w3690?

----------

Ebay W3680 says it's a OEM Dell will this work in Mav Pro 5,1?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-...220?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35e9c0820c

 

[Macsonic]

Do I need to upgrade my original heatsink/fan upgrade to go from

2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon > w3680/w3690?

----------

Ebay W3680 says it's a OEM Dell will this work in Mav Pro 5,1?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-...220?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35e9c0820c

This thread on single CPU upgrade may help.
https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/21052211/

You don't need to upgrade your original heatsink/fan.

 

[jzphoto]

About to buy w3680 for CPU upgrade.

Can anyone confirm if all W3680s are the same?

Will one pulled from a Dell work in a Mac Pro?

Thanks!

 

[Synchro3]

Do I need to upgrade my original heatsink/fan upgrade to go from

2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon > w3680/w3690?

----------

Ebay W3680 says it's a OEM Dell will this work in Mav Pro 5,1?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-...220?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35e9c0820c

No, you can and you have to use the original heatsink. The W3680/W3690 has the same TDP as your old W3530:
http://ark.intel.com/de/products/41...or-W3530-8M-Cache-2_80-GHz-4_80-GTs-Intel-QPI
http://ark.intel.com/de/products/52...r-W3690-12M-Cache-3_46-GHz-6_40-GTs-Intel-QPI

Apart from that there are no other optional heat sinks.

 

[Zorn]

About to buy w3680 for CPU upgrade.

Can anyone confirm if all W3680s are the same?

Will one pulled from a Dell work in a Mac Pro?

Thanks!

There is no such thing as a Mac-specific W3680/90. Any 3680 or 3690 (or 5680/5690 for that matter) will work in a 5,1 flashed Mac Pro.

 

[flowrider]

About to buy w3680 for CPU upgrade.

Can anyone confirm if all W3680s are the same?

Will one pulled from a Dell work in a Mac Pro?

Thanks!

Yes, however you want a production model not a pre-production or engineering sample unit. Sometimes these are out there. Be Careful. Check the markings on the CPU.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1620885/

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1859498/

Lou

 

[jzphoto]

Is there a size difference between CPUs: 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon in my mac pro (mid 2010) and W3680 I bought to upgrade?

I watched an upgrade video for 2009 mac pro that used thermal tape to elevated the heatsink to compensate for the thicker chip.

Do I need to buy Thermal Tape before doing this instal?

 

[monokakata]

Is there a size difference between CPUs: 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon in my mac pro (mid 2010) and W3680 I bought to upgrade?

I watched an upgrade video for 2009 mac pro that used thermal tape to elevated the heatsink to compensate for the thicker chip.

Do I need to buy Thermal Tape before doing this instal?

I sent you an email. For 2010 and later, you don't need to worry about anything to do with chip thickness.
Just clean both surfaces (chip and heatsink) with heatsink cleaner (Arctic Silver makes a good one) and then use regular thermal paste (again, Arctic Silver is excellent), and reassemble.

The 2009 models were tricky, by all accounts. The 2010 and later, not.

 

[jzphoto]

CPU upgrade looks good so far no heat issues or fan.
Is there any problem with my 1066 RAM showing as 1333 in "About This Mac"?

p.s. Thanks all for your helpespecially you Don!

 

[monokakata]

CPU upgrade looks good so far no heat issues or fan.
Is there any problem with my 1066 RAM showing as 1333 in "About This Mac"?

p.s. Thanks all for your helpespecially you Don!

It's a benefit of the hex core. You probably had 1333 RAM already, but the quad core setup runs it at 1066. The hex runs it at full speed.

Congratulations on joining the CPU swap club.

 

[DPUser]

The 2009 models were tricky, by all accounts. The 2010 and later, not.

True statement as to 2009 DUAL CPU Mac Pros. However, 2009 SINGLE CPU MPs are just like the 2010's; they use lidded CPUs and have a CPU retainer clamp. The only difference is the 2009s need their firmware to be flashed to use the newer CPUs.