Upgrade CPU or buy Applecare

[dndlnx]

I want to drop a 3.06ghz w3550 into an entry 2009 Mac Pro. Its a good upgrade for my budget, I think.


I also dont want to "keep the other CPU" around, for the sake of swapping back if I need to redeem Applecare services. I'd rather sell it on ebay to make back some of the money.


I'm covered under the 1 year until August, at which point I'd swap the CPU. Is it safe to assume that after the first year of consistently running the machine OK, its going to last me into the future with minimum problems? This seems to have been the case with most of my computers.

Good or bad idea?

 

[neckarb]

Definitely a good idea! Upgrade away.

 

[dndlnx]

So ditch applecare?

 

[goMac]

I'm not sure the act of swapping the CPUs voids AppleCare. But AppleCare certainly wouldn't cover the new CPUs. But if you had trouble you can always swap the old ones back in.

I've certainly heard of a few people who damage their machines during CPU swaps, and the AppleCare isn't voided. Apple makes you pay to fix the damage, but the AppleCare doesn't disappear.

 

[dndlnx]

Oh so...get Applecare and swap the CPU anyway?


I have an unused "open-box" AC that I got for $100. I don't know whether I should use it.

 

[goMac]

Oh so...get Applecare and swap the CPU anyway?


I have an unused "open-box" AC that I got for $100. I don't know whether I should use it.

Personally, I'd use it, with the disclaimer that if Apple decides you damaged your machine due to the upgrades, they may not want to service any related part.

But the CPUs come on separate boards. And you can always swap them back so it looks like you didn't change anything. If the mainboard, video card, etc, ever died, you could get service.

 

[Umbongo]

Just a note that the W3550 has been replaced by the W3565 on the $294 price point now if you were looking at buying a new processor.

 

[dndlnx]

You sure thats US Dollars? Link?

It jumps to double $ from w3550 to w3565, from what I'm seeing on Newegg...

 

[Umbongo]

You sure thats US Dollars? Link?

It jumps to double $ from w3550 to w3565, from what I'm seeing on Newegg...

Yeah that is because it is a price drop rather than a new part. Happened on the 14th of Feb. So most retailers will have filled their inventory at around $600 and won't want to lose money just because Intel have changed wholesale prices.

Intel's price list: http://www.intc.com/pricelist.cfm

Some sites have lowered the price, but you should see it flatten to what the other Xeons at that ~$300 price point go for in the coming couple of months.

http://www.provantage.com/intel-bx80601w3565~7ITEP3CF.htm

http://www.futurepowerpc.com/scripts/product.asp?PRDCODE=1052-BX80601W3565&REFID=FR

 

[dndlnx]

Ahhh I see. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[dndlnx]

Okay so I registered my machine w/ the AC.

Many of the components are no longer "Apple" parts, but its probably worth it...If even just to cover the Power Supply, Main Board, and Processor board.

I still dont plan to keep the w3520. I figure - if the time came where I need to "fake" the processor was never changed, I could track one down cheap on the web.