Proof Of Concept.

[Transporteur]

I can confirm that it works. I do not have a 6 core CPU but my W5580 is detected correctly and the ram is running at 1333mhz.

Nice to hear that the RAM update already works. Now it's time for someone to pop in some hex cores.

Found a pretty good deal on a X5680 on ebay. 700 quid a pop. That would be less than 1000 quid for the whole upgrade from 2.26GHz to a 3.33 hex core (which already has more performance and leaves the option to pop in another one of those ) + a new set of RAM (only 4 slots would work, so double the capacity per DIMM is required).

 

[RedReplicant]

oh man this is tempting..

http://cgi.ebay.com/Intel-Xeon-X568...GHz-/190530991541?pt=CPUs&hash=item2c5c8835b5

Be careful, that is an ES chip - engineering sample. They have no warranty and are illegal to sell.
You can't read it in the pics given, but the second line on the chip will say INTEL CONFIDENTIAL. Some retail features might not be implemented in the chip yet and they generally have unlocked multipliers (not that it matters in a Mac Pro).

 

[TheStrudel]

The whole Hackintosh universe is pretty much built on copyrighted material.

Nothing has happened yet, afaik.

As long as you don't sell it,  doesn't seem to care.

That actually seems pretty fair to me. I don't care if they refuse to license to other manufacturers and maintain control over their software...as long as they continue to turn a blind eye to what individual users do and distribute (for non-commercial purposes).

 

[nanofrog]

Damn it. Thanks for the info.
Time to figure out what would be cheaper, a single 5600 series CPU (which will work on the DP system), or a 3600 CPU with a new daughter board.

Depends on what you can find, and for what price. I've no idea the cost for a 2010 SP daughterboard (or 2009 if it's cheaper, and flash it) + W3680 vs. X5680 (assuming highly clocked Hex cores).

Found a pretty good deal on a X5680 on ebay. 700 quid a pop. That would be less than 1000 quid for the whole upgrade from 2.26GHz to a 3.33 hex core (which already has more performance and leaves the option to pop in another one of those ) + a new set of RAM (only 4 slots would work, so double the capacity per DIMM is required).

Found the X5670 for £1,066.10 (incl. VAT rates in GPB prices) at scan.co.uk, so that's a nice deal (didn't have the X5680 listed, but the X5690 goes for £1,235.47).

Snag a pair if at all possible, as those are hard to find at a discount right now (£700 = $1146.27 according to xe.com, and they go for $1640 <£1001.45> each here in the US @ newegg).

BTW, is it an ES unit or used?

As long as you don't sell it,  doesn't seem to care.

...as long as they continue to turn a blind eye to what individual users do and distribute (for non-commercial purposes).

This is what saves their proverbial butts as I understand US IP law. The instant someone tries to sell it, they're in violation, and what sent Apple after Psystar (based in the US).

From what I can tell, PearC is still in business (site's still active). But they're not in the US (based in Germany), so the differing laws must be protecting them.

 

[TheStrudel]

This is what saves their proverbial butts as I understand US IP law. The instant someone tries to sell it, they're in violation, and what sent Apple after Psystar (based in the US).

From what I can tell, PearC is still in business (site's still active). But they're not in the US (based in Germany), so the differing laws must be protecting them.

Also philosophically, though - they could make OS X more difficult to install on non- hardware, but they just don't support other configurations, plus it requiring EFI makes it a bit more difficult. They're not actively trying to lock it out, or so I understand. And the findings detailed on this thread support that.

 

[0488568]

A while back I was able to purchase 2 W5580 retail for around 350€ each. You just need to keep an eye open in ebay and have the search saved. Took me about a month.

-Cheers


P.S for those looking to upgrade on a budget.

 

[Transporteur]

Found the X5670 for £1,066.10 (incl. VAT rates in GPB prices) at scan.co.uk, so that's a nice deal (didn't have the X5680 listed, but the X5690 goes for £1,235.47).

Snag a pair if at all possible, as those are hard to find at a discount right now (£700 = $1146.27 according to xe.com, and they go for $1640 <£1001.45> each here in the US @ newegg).

BTW, is it an ES unit or used?

It's a used unit, couple of days old. I think that's fine, definitely better than a ES unit.
Here is the ebay link: Click.

I can't afford a new one, yet two of them.
That being said, I really don't need the performance of two hex cores. I hardly ever max out my 2.26 chips, but a little more single threaded performance would be nice. The 2.26 cores have maximum Turbo of 2.53GHz, the 2.93 ones go up to 3.3 if I'm not mistaken.

If I sell both E5520s plus my current RAM, the upgrade shouldn't be much more than £200 to £300.

 

[nanofrog]

It's a used unit, couple of days old. I think that's fine, definitely better than a ES unit.
Here is the ebay link: Click.

I can't afford a new one, yet two of them.

I like used (just not abused to the point of they've been damaged). I trust them better than ES units (should posess fewer bugs), and cheaper than new too.

That being said, I really don't need the performance of two hex cores. I hardly ever max out my 2.26 chips, but a little more single threaded performance would be nice. The 2.26 cores have maximum Turbo of 2.53GHz, the 2.93 ones go up to 3.3 if I'm not mistaken.

If I sell both E5520s plus my current RAM, the upgrade shouldn't be much more than £200 to £300.

Sounds like one of these would do you nicely.

BTW, Yes, Turbo pushes it to 3.33GHz. So for single threaded performance, you should see a difference from what you have now.

 

[tobyg]

If I sell both E5520s

Is there a market for the used E5520's? They are lidless (no integrated heat spreader) and pretty much useless on anything but the dual processor 2009 Mac Pro board. I guess the only one interested might be someone who is attempting to build their own 2009 Mac Pro (2010 DP board seems to not use the lidless ones anymore). But anyone else who already has a 2009 DP system has at least the W5520, they didn't come with anything slower.

 

[0488568]

Is there a market for the used E5520's? They are lidless (no integrated heat spreader) and pretty much useless on anything but the dual processor 2009 Mac Pro board. I guess the only one interested might be someone who is attempting to build their own 2009 Mac Pro (2010 DP board seems to not use the lidless ones anymore). But anyone else who already has a 2009 DP system has at least the W5520, they didn't come with anything slower.

Yes there is a market. I sold mines in ebay right quick. Modders and overclockers would prefer direct access to the core. Water cooling and all that stuff.

-Cheers

 

[mjsmke]

So how do i do this hack?

I've read this http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,852.msg5004.html#msg5004 but it doesnt really tell me a step by step how to.

 

[AZREOSpecialist]

So how do i do this hack?

I've read this http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,852.msg5004.html#msg5004 but it doesnt really tell me a step by step how to.

Download the zip file in the netkas.org thread, extract, launch and just follow the on-screen instructions. It couldn't be simpler. I did this last night and now I have a 2010 Mac Pro at work! I've already been running on a 3.32 GHz W3580 since March 2009 (did my own upgrade), and now after installing the firmware I can pop in a W3690 3.42 GHz and I have a pretty slick upgrade!

So... since we know how to get the firmware file installed, any chance of actually modifying the firmware file itself to overclock our CPUs to a specific frequency? That would be a Mac Pro owners wet dream fantasy...

 

[0488568]

Download the zip file in the netkas.org thread, extract, launch and just follow the on-screen instructions. It couldn't be simpler. I did this last night and now I have a 2010 Mac Pro at work! I've already been running on a 3.32 GHz W3580 since March 2009 (did my own upgrade), and now after installing the firmware I can pop in a W3690 3.42 GHz and I have a pretty slick upgrade!

So... since we know how to get the firmware file installed, any chance of actually modifying the firmware file itself to overclock our CPUs to a specific frequency? That would be a Mac Pro owners wet dream fantasy...

Did you read the post on how it was done?
A string with the name of a file and its checksum is not the same a decompiling or trying to reverse engineer compiled code.

 

[Ravich]

So for us normal folk, what does this likely mean for the future?

 

[beto2k7]

So for us normal folk, what does this likely mean for the future?

Hexacores, faster ram, audio over miniDP. Other than that nothing

 

[freeman727]

Hexacores, faster ram, audio over miniDP. Other than that nothing

Essentially an 2009 MP = 2010 MP now!

I'm getting more and more upset with many of Apple's business practices, this issue and their in app purchases policy.

2010 is the same as 2009 MP with a different EFI as the singular difference. Shame on Apple for trying to get people to purchase an entirely new computer.

In app purchase policy is an astronomically high 30% going back to the fruit company! They are aiming to capitalize on profits based on a monopoly and drive out competition (iBooks).

These things will hurt Apple at the end!! They are starting to look more and more like the evil empire (MicroSoft) that they were trying so hard to differentiate themselves from!

 

[beto2k7]

Essentially an 2009 MP = 2010 MP now!

I'm getting more and more upset with many of Apple's business practices, this issue and their in app purchases policy.

2010 is the same as 2009 MP with a different EFI as the singular difference. Shame on Apple for trying to get people to purchase an entirely new computer.

In app purchase policy is an astronomically high 30% going back to the fruit company! They are aiming to capitalize on profits based on a monopoly and drive out competition (iBooks).

These things will hurt Apple at the end!! They are starting to look more and more like the evil empire (MicroSoft) that they were trying so hard to differentiate themselves from!

Nobody forces you into doing business with apple. Imo

 

[nanofrog]

Nobody forces you into doing business with apple. Imo

The initial choice is certianly the users, but after they've gone with a Mac, Apple tends to find ways that "urge" them to use Apple's products and services (i.e. App store and iDevices, or iTunes for music; either due to difficulties, or there may not be an option, such as Apps for the devices).

 

[freeman727]

Nobody forces you into doing business with apple. Imo

True and therefore if they continue to do what they do, they will lose customers. The pendulum can swing and no one maintains momentum forever (e.g. Microsoft).

 

[Ravich]

Hexacores, faster ram, audio over miniDP. Other than that nothing

I dont have to so much as touch any of the hardware?

Is there any risk involved?

Obviously the processor swap would require tampering, but what about memory? Can that just be plopped in like a normal upgrade?

 

[beto2k7]

I dont have to so much as touch any of the hardware?

Is there any risk involved?

Obviously the processor swap would require tampering, but what about memory? Can that just be plopped in like a normal upgrade?

If you won't change your processors then don't apply the hack. IMHO ram speed is negligible .. plus 1333Mhz ram has higher cas latency (9). So without a faster processor you won't see any noticeable speed increase. Audio over miniDP is nice though... but I'd rather get a decent set of optical out speakers.

 

[freeman727]

I dont have to so much as touch any of the hardware?

Is there any risk involved?

Obviously the processor swap would require tampering, but what about memory? Can that just be plopped in like a normal upgrade?

No risks so far, this for many is about future proofing as the hexcore chips are little expensive. We can step up when the need or cost/benefit ratio is favorable. As the previous member said, the audio over mini-DP is a great plus. I have my MP currently connected to the TV via DVI to HDMI and Optical Out but will change over to a one cable system as soon as exams are over.

 

[netkas]

btw, I think minidp audio can be done with a simple kext, just need to set one key.

 

[Inconsequential]

Wow, this *really* works?

I'm amazed.

Almost tempted to run it on my MP2009 just to see that it does work.

This has changed my upgrade path, for sure...

W3520 to W3680, hmmmmmm!

 

[mjsmke]

It really does work. Ive run the hack on my 2009 MP and now planning on upgrading to a W3690 next year.

This could then half my rendering times.