Quick CPU upgrade question

[stinkweasels]

I just upgraded my factory 2.66GHz quad to a W3550 3.066GHz quad. Everything appears to be working great, but have a tiny problem. The 5th screw(far left, furthest from the CPU) on the heat sink won't catch to the motherboard. I've tried clockwise and counter clockwise to no avail. It came loose easily when it was removed.

Anyone else have this problem? or a fix?

The CPU is running 35-37 degrees with internet and mail open. 43-45 degrees playing a 1080p movie, a 720p movie, and itunes playing a song(all at the same time). I believe those temps are normal....

Thanks!

 

[stinkweasels]

Ran a dvd through handbrake on high profile at it 65 degrees tops

 

[ZennZero]

Your temps seem normal, but it would still make me nervous. You aren't distributing pressure evenly on the CPU -- I've seen cores crushed this way before. Mobo can crack, as well.

Look closely at the threads of the screw. Does it look stripped? If so, replacing the screw is easy enough.

 

[stinkweasels]

Your temps seem normal, but it would still make me nervous. You aren't distributing pressure evenly on the CPU -- I've seen cores crushed this way before. Mobo can crack, as well.

Look closely at the threads of the screw. Does it look stripped? If so, replacing the screw is easy enough.

It actually doesn't look like there are threads in the hole or on the screw

The pressure on the cpu should be even as there are 4 screws over the cpu. The 5th screw just appears to be there just to stabilize the front end since the heat sink is so long. Its just weird that that screw won't catch. Thought maybe I was trying to refasten it incorrectly

 

[stinkweasels]

And for those curious about installing a W3550, cinebench is:

Rendering (Single CPU): 4107 CB-CPU
Rendering (Multiple CPU): 16467 CB-CPU

 

[3587]

And for those curious about installing a W3550, cinebench is:

Rendering (Single CPU): 4107 CB-CPU
Rendering (Multiple CPU): 16467 CB-CPU

So, you had the '09 Quad? How much did you pay for the upgrade? Where did you get it from? Was it easy to install? What are the steps? I wouldn't mind doing this upgrade sometime soon...

 

[stinkweasels]

So, you had the '09 Quad? How much did you pay for the upgrade? Where did you get it from? Was it easy to install? What are the steps? I wouldn't mind doing this upgrade sometime soon...

Yes.$599 for the cpu. Newegg. Yes(minus the 5th screw thing stated above)

Its just like doing a PC cpu swap:

Remove heat sink (3mm hex/allen wrench)
Open clip
Remove Old CPU
Place new CPU in
Close clip
Apply thermal paste
Put heat sink back on(there are pins and the fan connector that make it easy to line up)

 

[ZennZero]

Hmm - only 4 screws on the 2008, and I've not installed a CPU on the 2009s. Someone like gugucom might have some insight, as he (she?) dropped a couple of 3.3GHz CPUs into his (her?) Nehalem MP.

 

[gugucom]

Hmm - only 4 screws on the 2008, and I've not installed a CPU on the 2009s. Someone like gugucom might have some insight, as he (she?) dropped a couple of 3.3GHz CPUs into his (her?) Nehalem MP.

The 5500 and 3500 trays are different in the 2009 Mac Pro. The quad has a proper CPU socket with clamp. The octad has two clamp less sockets where the CPUs are clamped between the socket and the heat sink by the four heat sink bolts. It is an unbelievably scary procedure to fit those 5500 parts because the original CPUs are lid less and the upgrade CPUs have heat spreaders. This causes additional issues with the heat sink instrumentation connector and some voltage regulators on the tray.

 

[stinkweasels]

It turns out the screw post was no good(not attached properly to the board). AppleCared it for a new one.

I ran Apple Hardware Test and it shows my CPU clock speed higher than it is...Probably doesn't mean anything...

 

[tsmiller]

I just upgraded my factory 2.66GHz quad to a W3550 3.066GHz quad. Everything appears to be working great, but have a tiny problem. The 5th screw(far left, furthest from the CPU) on the heat sink won't catch to the motherboard. I've tried clockwise and counter clockwise to no avail. It came loose easily when it was removed.

Anyone else have this problem? or a fix?

The CPU is running 35-37 degrees with internet and mail open. 43-45 degrees playing a 1080p movie, a 720p movie, and itunes playing a song(all at the same time). I believe those temps are normal....

Thanks!

I'm considering the w3550 for my Mac Pro.

I was curious if you are happy with the upgrade, and if it made a noticeably worthwhile difference in speed.

Many thanks.

 

[sbb155]

is there a thread on 2009 MP upgrade from single processor quad core MP? With pictures? And which models of xeons will work?