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Question: Number of processors?

shaun21gb

shaun21gb

macrumors member
Original poster
Sep 30, 2014
45
0
sydney NSW
Hi guys,

Dumb question time again.

Can anybody please tell me how many processors are fitted in a mac pro 3.1? not cores but processors .

i know there are two cpu fittings with two coolers.

Thanks for your help

shaun
 
Last edited by a moderator:
shaun21gb said:
Hi guys,

Dumb question time again.

Can anybody please tell me how many processors are fitted in a mac pro 3.1? not cores but processors .

i know there are two cpu fittings with two coolers.

Thanks for your help

shaun
Click to expand...

Hi Shaun. The 3,1 2008 Mac Pro has 2 CPUs that are installed. It was released in January 2008 with cpu clock speeds of 2.8ghz, 3.0ghz and 3.2ghz as 8 cores. There was also a 4 core 2.8ghz model. Not a dumb question. :cool: Hope this helps.
 
Macsonic said:
Hi Shaun. The 3,1 2008 Mac Pro has 2 CPUs that are installed. It was released in January 2008 with cpu clock speeds of 2.8ghz, 3.0ghz and 3.2ghz as 8 cores. There was also a 4 core 2.8ghz model. Not a dumb question. :cool: Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Yes, this is 100% accurate. I used to own a "2.8GHz Quad Core 3,1" - what's unique about the 3,1 model is that despite being a "single processor" model, it has an open socket on the board just ready to take another processor and heatsink.
 
NOTNlCE said:
Yes, this is 100% accurate. I used to own a "2.8GHz Quad Core 3,1" - what's unique about the 3,1 model is that despite being a "single processor" model, it has an open socket on the board just ready to take another processor and heatsink.
Click to expand...

Doesn't it also take the rather "unique" FB-DIMM DDR2 RAM?

What processor is used for the 3.2Ghz? Is just a 2nd CPU and a heatsink needed?
 
dmylrea said:
Doesn't it also take the rather "unique" FB-DIMM DDR2 RAM?

What processor is used for the 3.2Ghz? Is just a 2nd CPU and a heatsink needed?
Click to expand...

Yes, a 3,1 does take FB-DIMMs, and can operate at up to 800MHz, but they're readily available on Ebay, and if you don't need more than 16GB of RAM, they're really not as expensive as they're cracked up to be. An 8x2GB @ 667MHz config costs about $50 from the right seller. It's when you start looking at 4GB FB-DIMMs that the price skyrockets.

The 3.2GHz Xeon is an E5482. Of course, you'd need a matched pair to run two of them (you can't have one at 2.8GHz and one at 3.2GHz.) If you've got a quad model, it has one 2.8GHz E5462 Xeon Processor in the top socket, and a spacer over top of the second socket. And yes, all you need to put another processor in the slot is a heatsink and a matched processor.

The performance gains you'd get by bumping the processors from 2.8GHz to 3.2GHz and by using 800MHz RAM over 667MHz RAM are minimal, and certainly not worth the premium in price they often command. Assuming you have a Quad Core 3,1 model, the most economical upgrade is the grab another 2.8GHz E5462 Xeon and a heatsink and 16GB of DDR2 667MHz FB-DIMMs in the 8x2GB config I mentioned. That's actually exactly what I did when I had my 3,1.
 
shaun21gb said:
Hi guys,

Dumb question time again.

Can anybody please tell me how many processors are fitted in a mac pro 3.1? not cores but processors .

i know there are two cpu fittings with two coolers.

Thanks for your help

shaun
Click to expand...

Hi Shaun,

I swear that this is NOT one of those "why din't you Google this?" posts. I hate people that do that. Your question was perfectly ok!

Rather, I just wanted to share a site that I use all the time because I like it and think you'll find it useful too.

http://www.apple-history.com

This place maintains a vey well organized list of pretty much every Mac and lists the specs they shipped with. It's a good resource to have around!
 
NOTNlCE said:
Yes, a 3,1 does take FB-DIMMs, and can operate at up to 800MHz, but they're readily available on Ebay, and if you don't need more than 16GB of RAM, they're really not as expensive as they're cracked up to be. An 8x2GB @ 667MHz config costs about $50 from the right seller. It's when you start looking at 4GB FB-DIMMs that the price skyrockets.

The 3.2GHz Xeon is an E5482. Of course, you'd need a matched pair to run two of them (you can't have one at 2.8GHz and one at 3.2GHz.) If you've got a quad model, it has one 2.8GHz E5462 Xeon Processor in the top socket, and a spacer over top of the second socket. And yes, all you need to put another processor in the slot is a heatsink and a matched processor.

The performance gains you'd get by bumping the processors from 2.8GHz to 3.2GHz and by using 800MHz RAM over 667MHz RAM are minimal, and certainly not worth the premium in price they often command. Assuming you have a Quad Core 3,1 model, the most economical upgrade is the grab another 2.8GHz E5462 Xeon and a heatsink and 16GB of DDR2 667MHz FB-DIMMs in the 8x2GB config I mentioned. That's actually exactly what I did when I had my 3,1.
Click to expand...

Do you mean X5482? Are E-series just for single CPU systems?
 
dmylrea said:
Do you mean X5482? Are E-series just for single CPU systems?
Click to expand...

Ah, you're correct. It is an X5482 Xeon. However, the E-series Xeons are most certainly not for "just" single CPU systems. The "Dual Quad 2.8GHz" 3,1 most certainly uses "E5462" Xeons, and the Mac Pro 1,1 shipped with "E5150/5130/5160" Xeons.
 
One more note: although the 2.8 and 3.0 processors for the Mac Pro 2008 have a TDP of 80 watts, the 3.2 has a TDP of 130 watts. From what I understand and have read the heat sinks are the same regardless of the CPU speed, but just be prepared and watchful of temps if you install 3.2 processors. You should be fine with any top-tier thermal paste, other people have upgraded successfully to 3.2 processors.
 
^^^^You are correct, the Heatsinks appear to be the same, but the installation procedure is not. The 3.2 CPUs use a different type of grease and have some kind of special gasket. According to the Apple service manual the installation is also different. If the OP plans on using 3.2 GHz CPUs, he should familiarize himself with the installation procedures outlined in the Technicians Guide before attempting the swap.

Lou
 
flowrider said:
^^^^You are correct, the Heatsinks appear to be the same, but the installation procedure is not. The 3.2 CPUs use a different type of grease and have some kind of special gasket. According to the Apple service manual the installation is also different. If the OP plans on using 3.2 GHz CPUs, he should familiarize himself with the installation procedures outlined in the Technicians Guide before attempting the swap.

Lou
Click to expand...

I've read the references to the "special" thermal paste used on the 3.2 processors, but I have also read from other sources that the factory thermal paste isn't always the greatest to begin with - so I have trouble reconciling these two supposed "truths" and don't know what to think. I upgraded from dual 2.8 to dual 3.0, opting to leave well-enough alone and not risk the 3.2 pitfalls. I have read reports from folks who upgraded to 3.2 using Arctic Silver or MX-4, both of which are highly effective and well-regarded thermal pastes, and not reported any problems, so I have trouble believing there is some super-secret, super-special thermal product that is better and has never made it onto the mass market in 7 years.

I wasn't aware of special gaskets though, so I guess I am that much luckier for not having attempted a 3.2 upgrade and cooking my machine. Reading the service manual for a procedure for your machine before attempting the repair/upgrade is always the best policy.
 
The original silver-colored thermal grease on the 3.2s has something in it that reacts with air and that is why the gasket is there.

This paragraph is from the Apple service guide:
When removing or replacing the heatsink and/or processor, do not allow the heatsink to be separated from the processor for more than 30 minutes. The special coating on the heatsink and processor degrades with exposure to air; more than 30 minutes exposure could result in damage to the computer and a repeat, multi-part repair.
Click to expand...

I upgraded my 3,1 from the 2.8 to 3.2 and used MX-4 with the original heatsinks. My temps stay around 65° C while transcoding videos with handbrake. If anything, it actually runs cooler now since my heatsinks aren't clogged up with giant dust bunnies any more.
 
I remember the statements in the guide about not letting the substance exposed to air for more than 30 minutes. What is your temp at idle? I assume the 65 under load was coming from the diode? And it sounds like you just dispensed with the gaskets? The 3.0 (x2) in my 3,1 sit at 32-35 at idle on the diode and get into the 50s when pushing.
 
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