MP 1,1-5,1 Problem, but is it Mojave or the Radeon RX560, both newly installed?

[tsialex]

Hi, Alex. Yes, I tried to do a clean Mojave install and it failed. All went well initially and then near the end it just hung. Maybe because I tried to install it on one of my internal spinning drives? I erased that drive first, then rebooted the Mac in recovery mode and did the install. In the end the log said the internet connection was broken, which was not true. Unless something on Apple's side was faulty?

Download the Mojave installer, open it from macOS and select the disk you want to install instead of the main disk, this way you do a clean install without the need of a internet connection.

No, I am most definitely not forgetting that I will loose my Adobe apps when moving to a new Mac! How could I forget something so essential? My photography is the reason I need a desktop as I do everything else on my iPad. But I will not go to a subscription model and instead simply move away from Adobe altogether. It was inevitable anyway. I purchased Affinity last year and have been checking out raw converters.

Glad that you are fully aware of that.

As to the Mac Pro 6,1, the battery has not been replaced and the Mac comes with what the seller said are "expensive cables". I thought it was just a sales pitch, but apparently not. It is a private person though so no warranty of any kind and no option to return it.

Last year I've bought a late-2013 Mac Pro for my home office, top D500 model, made back in June 2018. I've been looking for a long time and I've finally found one that was not too old and not too expensive - just had to clean it internally with compressed air and replace the battery, around 9 months working without any problems. It's a very good Mac to look and work with, I really like it.

For the compute intensive jobs that I do is a much better fit than the dual CPU Mac Pro that I still have on my desk, except for storage, which is something that was definitively insufficient from day one with late-2013 Mac Pros. I'm still using my MacPro5,1 for that, most of the time on sleep, while I save enough money to buy a decent NAS.

Btw, did you asked about storage? It's the 512GB blade or the 1TB? If it's the 1TB, the price is acceptable.

 

[Levina]

Download the Mojave installer, open it from macOS and select the disk you want to install instead of the main disk, this way you do a clean install without the need of a internet connection.

Okay. Will try that. Thanks.

Last year I've bought a late-2013 Mac Pro for my home office, top D500 model, made back in June 2018. I've been looking for a long time and I've finally found one that was not too old and not too expensive - just had to clean it internally with compressed air and replace the battery, around 9 months working without any problems. It's a very good Mac to look and work with, I really like it.

For the compute intensive jobs that I do is a much better fit than the dual CPU Mac Pro that I still have on my desk, except for storage, which is something that was definitively insufficient from day one with late-2013 Mac Pros. I'm still using my MacPro5,1 for that, most of the time on sleep, while I save enough money to buy a decent NAS.

Nice. I was thinking along the same lines, in that if I were to buy this 6,1 I could use the 5,1 for storage. I don't know if I would be able to replace the battery myself though, so that is a concern.

Btw, did you asked about storage? It's the 512GB blade or the 1TB? If it's the 1TB, the price is acceptable.

It's the 1TB. RAM is 128gb. So that's nice. But I have no idea how old it actually is.

 

[tsialex]

It's the 1TB. RAM is 128gb. So that's nice.

Yes, price is now much more acceptable.

But I have no idea how old it actually is.

You can get an approximated build date checking the SSN with a service like the one below:

Klantenservice: Serienummers

For the real build date you need to dump the BootROM image.

 

[saudor]

Didn't the 6,1 have that GPU failing issue? Gotta be super careful with used 6,1. But yeah like others have said, it's worth trying a clean install of mojave.

There are other more complicated workarounds like undervolting to drop power usage further but better to do the easier ones first.

 

[Levina]

Okay, little update. I successfully installed Mojave on a fresh HDD from within MacOS. But, I'm getting the same stuttering in games as I did with Mojave on the SSD and I can't even get Photoshop to run. Maybe if I did a clean install of PS on the drive, but I'm not taking the trouble.

In itself Mojave does fine on the SSD. It's just in games it stutters a bit and Photoshop is not as smooth an experience as it is in High Sierra. Lightroom seems fine, as does Adobe Bridge.

So, is it the card after all?

If so, I could get another, better card.
Alternatively, I could just go back to High Sierra, swap the GPU for the old GT120. I mean the old card will run on firmware 144.0.0.0.0 right? It's just a pity because Mojave allows me to update a few apps that are important to me. In HS I would loose them again.

And by the way, I have decided not to get that 6,1.

 

[tsialex]

Okay, little update. I successfully installed Mojave on a fresh HDD from within MacOS. But, I'm getting the same stuttering in games as I did with Mojave on the SSD and I can't even get Photoshop to run. Maybe if I did a clean install of PS on the drive, but I'm not taking the trouble.

In itself Mojave does fine on the SSD. It's just in games it stutters a bit

Audio or video? If your Mac Pro still have the factory installed Nehalem Xeon, audio is known to stutter with Mojave.

early-2009 dual CPU Mac Pro with factory installed Nehalem Xeons = stuttering with audio with anything past High Sierra.

and Photoshop is not as smooth an experience as it is in High Sierra. Lightroom seems fine, as does Adobe Bridge.

So, is it the card after all?

Maybe, could be a combination of factors.

If so, I could get another, better card.
Alternatively, I could just go back to High Sierra, swap the GPU for the old GT120. I mean the old card will run on firmware 144.0.0.0.0 right?

Yes.

It's just a pity because Mojave allows me to update a few apps that are important to me. In HS I would loose them again.

And by the way, I have decided not to get that 6,1.

Ok.

 

[Levina]

Audio or video? If your Mac Pro still have the factory installed Nehalem Xeon, audio is known to stutter with Mojave.

early-2009 dual CPU Mac Pro with factory installed Nehalem Xeons = stuttering with audio with anything past High Sierra.

Both audio and video stutter.

I have not messed with the CPU. It's beyond my skill level.

What's the best way to go back to HS? Just erase the SSD, swap the GPU's, do a clean install of HS?

 

[tsialex]

Both audio and video stutter.

I have not messed with the CPU. It's beyond my skill level.

It's not extremely difficult, maybe one of the forum members from NL can do it for you. You don't need audio for PS, anyway.

What's the best way to go back to HS? Just erase the SSD, swap the GPU's, do a clean install of HS?

The best way is the way that is easier for you.

You can do it from multiple ways, like booting from a createinstallmedia High Sierra USB installer or even if you still have High Sierra Recovery somewhere.

 

[Levina]

I put High Sierra back on the spinning drive. I may keep the SSD with Mojave for a while, see how it goes.

Here's something that's weird. I have to keep reinstalling the drivers for my xbox 360 controller. I install them, the controller works well, next day, I boot the Mac and it doesn't work any longer. Until I reinstall the drivers again.

 

[tsialex]

I have to keep reinstalling the drivers for my xbox 360 controller. I install them, the controller works well, next day, I boot the Mac and it doesn't work any longer. Until I reinstall the drivers again.

Connected via USB or Bluetooth? If it's via BT, try a NVRAM reset.

 

[Levina]

Connected via USB or Bluetooth? If it's via BT, try a NVRAM reset.

No, it's wired.

 

[MrScratchHook]

Both audio and video stutter.

I have not messed with the CPU. It's beyond my skill level.

What's the best way to go back to HS? Just erase the SSD, swap the GPU's, do a clean install of HS?

After looking at your profile, the audio dropouts are the fact that you have a 2.26. i had this very same issue and fixed it by installing something newer like x5675/5680/5690. you can do it. its simple if you watch a few videos. i wont steer you wrong, if a computer illiterate guy like me can do it, so can you😁

 

[Levina]

After looking at your profile, the audio dropouts are the fact that you have a 2.26. i had this very same issue and fixed it by installing something newer like x5675/5680/5690. you can do it. its simple if you watch a few videos. i wont steer you wrong, if a computer illiterate guy like me can do it, so can you😁

You have a lot of confidence in me, but I don’t know… I did disassemble my Bondi Blue iMac long time ago, which was a piece of cake. I also replaced the hard drive in my flat 2006 iMac, which was not a piece of cake and not for the faint hearted as it involved removing the panel. But do a CPU swap? That’s on a different level for me.

I remember following a thread here over a decade ago of I think the first people to attempt this. And I remember some of the difficulties. And IIRC the 2009 Mac Pro’s were trickier than the 2010’s as the 2009 dual core CPU’s came without IHS/lids? Positioning the new processors was tricky, as was applying the right amount of pressure when screwing the heatsinks down. People were messing with extra washers and I know not what. And some Mac Pro’s were bricked even, I believe. I don’t remember all the particulars but I did realise this was not for me.

But thank you for that vote of confidence! 🙏💕

 

[MrScratchHook]

You have a lot of confidence in me, but I don’t know… I did disassemble my Bondi Blue iMac long time ago, which was a piece of cake. I also replaced the hard drive in my flat 2006 iMac, which was not a piece of cake and not for the faint hearted as it involved removing the panel. But do a CPU swap? That’s on a different level for me.

I remember following a thread here over a decade ago of I think the first people to attempt this. And I remember some of the difficulties. And IIRC the 2009 Mac Pro’s were trickier than the 2010’s as the 2009 dual core CPU’s came without IHS/lids? Positioning the new processors was tricky, as was applying the right amount of pressure when screwing the heatsinks down. People were messing with extra washers and I know not what. And some Mac Pro’s were bricked even, I believe. I don’t remember all the particulars but I did realise this was not for me.

But thank you for that vote of confidence! 🙏💕

watch this, study it, get your confidence up , watch other ones just like this, and get to work. lol😀

 

[Levina]

watch this, study it, get your confidence up , watch other ones just like this, and get to work. lol😀

I’ll watch it and study it. 🧐 Not sure about the going to work part though… 😉😄

EDIT: I watched it. Excellent video. They do make it seem easy.

 

[prefuse07]

I’ll watch it and study it. 🧐 Not sure about the going to work part though… 😉😄

EDIT: I watched it. Excellent video. They do make it seem easy.

Alternately, you could just buy the tray that comes with processors already installed, and then it's just a matter of plugging them in.

I did this with my 4,1 -- was having the same issues with my original dual quad cores @ 2.93gHz, having the audio problems (I use my mac for music production, so that was a big deal to me). So I check eBay and found someone selling a tray with 2x X5690's @3.46gHz, I bought it, and he even allowed me to "trade in" my old dual quad cores -- he gave me back some money after he received and tested my old tray.

The caveat is that this method will cost more than buying just the CPUs, but it gives you the convenience of not having to worry about whether you did everything correctly, whether you got the torque right, or used the right amount of thermal compound.

Just an alternative to keep in mind...

 

[Levina]

Alternately, you could just buy the tray that comes with processors already installed, and then it's just a matter of plugging them in.

I did this with my 4,1 -- was having the same issues with my original dual quad cores @ 2.93gHz, having the audio problems (I use my mac for music production, so that was a big deal to me). So I check eBay and found someone selling a tray with 2x X5690's @3.46gHz, I bought it, and he even allowed me to "trade in" my old dual quad cores -- he gave me back some money after he received and tested my old tray.

The caveat is that this method will cost more than buying just the CPUs, but it gives you the convenience of not having to worry about whether you did everything correctly, whether you got the torque right, or used the right amount of thermal compound.

Just an alternative to keep in mind...

OMG. I had no idea these were available! I looked on eBay and there is a whole bunch of them. That is indeed an alternative to keep in mind. Thank you very much!

 

[MrScratchHook]

OMG. I had no idea these were available! I looked on eBay and there is a whole bunch of them. That is indeed an alternative to keep in mind. Thank you very much!

it just cheaper to do it yourself, but if you wanna throw a few hundred out there? FINE🥶🤣👍🏼

 

[Levina]

I haven’t decided yet.

However, a fellow near me is selling the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX580 8GB for 90 euro and I decided I would try that first.

Do I need a dual mini 6-pin to 8 pin cable for this card, like this one: https://www.amazon.nl/iHaospace-Exp...in&qid=1679776533&sprefix=6pin,aps,92&sr=8-13

Or something else?

 

[tsialex]

I haven’t decided yet.

However, a fellow near me is selling the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX580 8GB for 90 euro and I decided I would try that first.

Good price for a known working Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX580 8GB. The audio issues will continue with Mojave, btw, not GPU related.

Do I need a dual mini 6-pin to 8 pin cable for this card, like this one: https://www.amazon.nl/iHaospace-Express-Video-Voeding-Stroomkabel/dp/B07PSL5XZ7/ref=sr_1_13?crid=16YNKP5KN20Q0&keywords=6+pin+to+8pin&qid=1679776533&sprefix=6pin,aps,92&sr=8-13

Or something else?

This is the correct cable.

I can't read Dutch, but the Amazon description have 300W listed, so, this cable is magic, 75 + 75 ≠ 300W

Even if the wire gauge could be correct for 300W, you will never ever get more than 95W continuous from each of the mini-PCIe power connectors (at the same time, at least) - the SMC will shutdown hard the PSU.

 

[MrScratchHook]

I haven’t decided yet.

However, a fellow near me is selling the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX580 8GB for 90 euro and I decided I would try that first.

Do I need a dual mini 6-pin to 8 pin cable for this card, like this one: https://www.amazon.nl/iHaospace-Express-Video-Voeding-Stroomkabel/dp/B07PSL5XZ7/ref=sr_1_13?crid=16YNKP5KN20Q0&keywords=6+pin+to+8pin&qid=1679776533&sprefix=6pin,aps,92&sr=8-13

Or something else?

yes dual 6 pin to one 8 pin

 

[Levina]

Good price for a known working Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX580 8GB. The audio issues will continue with Mojave, btw, not GPU related.



This is the correct cable.

I can't read Dutch, but the Amazon description have 300W listed, so, this cable is magic, 75 + 75 ≠ 300W

Even if the wire gauge could be correct for 300W, you will never ever get more than 95W continuous from each of the mini-PCIe power connectors (at the same time, at least) - the SMC will shutdown hard the PSU.

Thanks, Alex. Yes, I know the Sapphire won’t fix the audio as it’s CPU related. But I’m hoping it will fix the PS issue.

I just ordered the cable. Should be here Monday.

So, “the SMC will shutdown hard the PSU” meaning nothing will get fried?

 

[tsialex]

Thanks, Alex. Yes, I know the Sapphire won’t fix the audio as it’s CPU related. But I’m hoping it will fix the PS issue.

I just ordered the cable. Should be here Monday.

So, “the SMC will shutdown hard the PSU” meaning nothing will get fried?

MacPro System Managemnt Controller microcontroller will shutdown the Mac Pro the moment it detects an excessive power draw from the backplane PCIe power outputs, so it's safe, but you shouldn't install a GPU that will constantly trigger the emergency SMC shutdown, you will end damaging something.

Sapphire Pulse RX 580 is one of the Apple recommended GPUs for Mojave support and is the most powerful GPU that out of the box will not trigger a SMC shutdown when in maximum power draw/flat-out. There is also the AMD Radeon VEGA 56 that also works for Mojave without any Mac Pro modifications, but this one will only work without shutting down the Mac Pro if you configure it for low-power mode via a switch on the card, normal mode will shutdown the Mac Pro when gaming hard/rendering/running benchmarks.

 

[Levina]

Ah, then I more or less got it right. Thanks, Alex.

 

[RolfNoot]

I’ll watch it and study it. 🧐 Not sure about the going to work part though… 😉😄

EDIT: I watched it. Excellent video. They do make it seem easy.

I can do it for you if you still need it, have loads of x5675 and x5690’s on stock. Near Zwolle 🙂