Do you think the below would work in the Mac Pro? I am looking to install two of these, to replace my 2x1GB sticks.
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Upgrade Mac Pro 3.1 (2008)
- Thread starter r6mile
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Do you think the below would work in the Mac Pro? I am looking to install two of these, to replace my 2x1GB sticks.
As long as the specs are correct, they should. You should check the specs again those of the stock Apple memory to be sure.
MacDann
These are the specs I found :- 2RX4 PC2 5300F 555-11
I ordered the following 8GB 2RX4 PC2 5300F 555-11 ram modules on ebay for my Mac Pro 3,1
So far, so good, they work, no issues.
I order 48GB as I also added a Samsung SM951 and 56GB is apparently the max you can use with it in a 3,1.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...e-48-gb-fast-disks-why.1940030/#post-22360887
I ordered the following 8GB 2RX4 PC2 5300F 555-11 ram modules on ebay for my Mac Pro 3,1
So far, so good, they work, no issues.
I order 48GB as I also added a Samsung SM951 and 56GB is apparently the max you can use with it in a 3,1.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...e-48-gb-fast-disks-why.1940030/#post-22360887
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Are all your modules 667Mhz?
These are the specs I found :- 2RX4 PC2 5300F 555-11
I ordered the following 8GB 2RX4 PC2 5300F 555-11 ram modules on ebay for my Mac Pro 3,1
So far, so good, they work, no issues.
I order 48GB as I also added a Samsung SM951 and 56GB is apparently the max you can use with it in a 3,1.
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads...e-48-gb-fast-disks-why.1940030/#post-22360887
No, the two 4GB modules are 800Mhz from OWC, which I purchase shortly after I bought the machine in 2008.
You are definitely the exception to the general rule that the X2 works perfectly in a 3,1. Apricorn specifically advertises that this card works in a 3,1, and I know mine has been working flawlessly for over a year now. Zero boot issues. In fact, you are the first person I've seen that has problems using the X2. Perhaps you have a bad card?
OP, the single greatest thing you could do to improve the performance of your 3,1 is to use a PCIe card with an fast SSD, and I highly recommend the Solo X2/Samsung 850 combo.
I would challenge your statement about Apricorn specifically advertising that this card works in the 3,1, as that does not appear to be the case. See below:
I tried the card in every slot and it would not boot from any of them using an SSD or a mechanical drive mounted on it. In every case I could see the drive and card once the machine booted, but I couldn't get it to boot from the card.
I know the card is good because I sold it to someone with a MP 5,1 who uses it to boot from an SSD mounted on it.
It's a mystery to me as well, but when I spoke to the Apricorn support folks that's what they told me. I even had them verify that the card was, in fact, a Solo X2, as they're not clearly marked. Here is the quote from their email follow up:
"The card is a Solo X2 card. The Mac 3,1 is the biggest problem child of all the Mac Pros, and the X2 seems to be affected the most. I typically recommend removing all other cards from the Mac except for the Solo card since it typically does not function properly with other cards, depending on the controller being used."
They even mention this in their product description, as you can see if you read through to the end of it on this Amazon page:
http://www.amazon.com/Apricorn-Velo...srs=2528945011&ie=UTF8&qid=1453559715&sr=8-16
"The 2008 Mac Pro 3,1 is EFI64 but does not boot reliably, and therefore is not supported."
I'm good since I was able to use the logic board SATA ports, which were unknown to me until that point. Had I been aware of their existence I would never have tried the Apricorn card to begin with.
MacDann
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You are taking info from a 3rd party vendor site? From Apricorn's website, scroll down to the table that compares the X1 and the X2, and look under "Bootable Mac Pro Support". Or look under "System Requirements" under the "Specifications" tab on this same page:
http://www.apricorn.com/vel-solox2.html
There are literally dozens of threads in THIS site that show people successfully using the X2 in a 3,1....it's one of the most recommended PCIe options for the 3,1 because it just works. You are literally the ONLY person I've read about here that can't get it to work, and given the fact that I have used the card myself for over a year tells me that you are in a tiny minority.
Perhaps your difficulties come from using multiple PCIe cards? Most people are using just the Solo X2 and a graphics card, like me. Don't believe Apricorn's own website? Just do a search for yourself on this site and see just how many people are using the X2 successfully in a 3,1.
http://www.apricorn.com/vel-solox2.html
There are literally dozens of threads in THIS site that show people successfully using the X2 in a 3,1....it's one of the most recommended PCIe options for the 3,1 because it just works. You are literally the ONLY person I've read about here that can't get it to work, and given the fact that I have used the card myself for over a year tells me that you are in a tiny minority.
Perhaps your difficulties come from using multiple PCIe cards? Most people are using just the Solo X2 and a graphics card, like me. Don't believe Apricorn's own website? Just do a search for yourself on this site and see just how many people are using the X2 successfully in a 3,1.
I'm not going to get into a dispute over something that the vendor confirmed to me in writing and I confirmed through exhaustive testing. As a certified Apple, HP and CompTIA A+ tech I'm confident in my abilities to properly test this thoroughly to assure that it did not, in fact, work in my MP 3,1.
The only other card that was being used at any time was an ATI 5870 graphics card, which got moved around as well to see if the X2 would boot from slot 1.
Apricorn did acknowledge they were responsible for the disparities between their product descriptions on their web site and Amazon, and they also agreed that they have had a number of instances where an X2 would not reliably boot in a MP 3,1. Hence the disclaimer and confirmation of the same in their phone call and follow up email to me, indicating that I am not the ONLY one who has experienced the problem.
The only other card that was being used at any time was an ATI 5870 graphics card, which got moved around as well to see if the X2 would boot from slot 1.
Apricorn did acknowledge they were responsible for the disparities between their product descriptions on their web site and Amazon, and they also agreed that they have had a number of instances where an X2 would not reliably boot in a MP 3,1. Hence the disclaimer and confirmation of the same in their phone call and follow up email to me, indicating that I am not the ONLY one who has experienced the problem.
So you're a tech, and you didn't even contemplate the possibility that you simply have a bad card??
Ah, so a quick search revealed others have already told you that the current X2s work fine, but you are choosing to ignore this:
I also see you bought a used X2 card from someone on the board....perhaps that's why you couldn't simply exchange it for a new working one under the manufacturer's warranty?
Ah, so a quick search revealed others have already told you that the current X2s work fine, but you are choosing to ignore this:
I also see you bought a used X2 card from someone on the board....perhaps that's why you couldn't simply exchange it for a new working one under the manufacturer's warranty?
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You're making this into a childish matter of being "most right". Where I bought the card doesn't matter, it was a current version confirmed by Apricorn using the card's serial number, and I had a friend try it out in their MP 5,1 to verify that it did work. Happy?
I'm not ignoring anything - I bought the card with the intention of using it in my MP 3,1 based on Apricorn and MR members' experiences.
And again, as you continue to choose to conveniently ignore, Apricorn confirmed that they have encountered issues with this card and Mac Pro 3,1 models.
End of story. Let it go.
I'm not ignoring anything - I bought the card with the intention of using it in my MP 3,1 based on Apricorn and MR members' experiences.
And again, as you continue to choose to conveniently ignore, Apricorn confirmed that they have encountered issues with this card and Mac Pro 3,1 models.
End of story. Let it go.
Here's a thread with 4 posters successfully using the Solo X2 in a 3,1 helping a 5th poster who had it in the wrong slot:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-pro-3-1-boot-problem-velocity-solo-x2.1663739/
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-pro-3-1-boot-problem-velocity-solo-x2.1663739/
Yep, me too. Tons of posters here have Solo X2s working perfectly in their 3,1s, and lots of videos showing others as well how to do it. I'm no computer tech, but I had the Solo X2 up and running in my 3,1 in about 20 minutes start to finish, and that included cloning my normal boot up drive.
Here's one of the many You Tube videos showing successful 3,1 SSD upgrades with the Solo X2 (at the 6:40 mark):
I have just checked, and annoyingly the 'Sonnet Tempo' card which was on the eBay description is not a PCIe SSD card, it is simply a card that adds eSATA ports. I have a Samsung 850 EVO on the way. Do you think it is worth buying a PCIe SSD card, seeing as I plan on reselling the PowerMac? An OWC Accelsior S card costs £49.99 and Apricorn Velocity X1 costs £42.99. Is it worth it?
Any PCIe card with SSD makes a huge difference in speed. When I last researched it, there were several slightly lower cost alternatives to the Solo X2 that work in the 3,1, the OWC being one of them. As I recall the OWC was slightly slower read/write speeds, but nothing major. If you search there is a thread on the two.
Thanks - I've just ordered the OWC card for £49.99 + shipping (the solo x2 was £79.99). No point in throttling the speed of an SSD by using the SATA II port.
[doublepost=1454122323][/doublepost]I have a 2008 intell 3,1. 8 gig DDR2 800 MHZ ram, Nvidia GeForce GT 120 512M graphics card and software 10.8.5. I need to install 1 gig graphic card. I have purchased a ATI Radeon HD5770 windows card. I've tried to get this card to work but to no avail. Any suggestions on a decent 1gig card or how to get this one to work? Also, I've wanted to upgrade my ram to a faster Mhz?? Also, has anyone successfully upgraded the CPU on this machine?
Thanks.
Hdfilmmaker
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Why a 1GB card? Why not get a 2GB GTX680? It can be easily flashed to give an Apple boot screen.
There are no faster MHz FB-DIMMs than the 800MHz ones that you have. Why do you think it matters? A good upgrade for a 2008 Mac Pro 3,1 is to buy 32GB (8x4GB) used 667MHz FB-DIMMs pulled from a Dell or HP Xeon server. They are really cheap & the slightly slower RAM only operates 4% slower in benchmarks & in real life no difference will be seen
I'd like to get any card that will work and can be flashed for my system. Thats why I bought the ATI Radeon 5770. But I've learned that it can't be flashed. I will see if I can find that 667MHz ram. thanks
Hi
Can you elaborate here re the plastic grease / fans please.
I assume you need to take the fans out, possibly strip them down to get at the bearings to apply grease?
Unless plastic grease is something different - its not something I've come across before tbh.
I have a 3,1 and would like to do what I can to keep it running smoothly.
This thread has been most helpful! I have a MP 3,1 as well...I'm looking to get it up to speed (as much as possible) to handle 4K editing better (PPro & FCPX). I didn't realize 667Hz memory was such a good buy and with only a 4% performance hit. NICE! And I already installed a SSD, but in the native bays...so, now I'm thinking about this Apricorn product: http://amzn.com/B00NTQGZH4 (Apricorn Velocity Duo). Anyone have one?
Also, what graphics card would be a good choice (flashable or not) to use for 4K purposes?
Thanks!
Also, what graphics card would be a good choice (flashable or not) to use for 4K purposes?
Thanks!
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The main advantages I see in modern CPUs vs the 08 is faster single thread speed. Still important for many purposes. And memory that is faster than the FB memory of that vintage.
My 8800GT went Tango Uniform last week, will this card work in my early 2008 Mac Pro?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-NV...&qid=1459708087&sr=8-3&keywords=geforce+750ti
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Probably, but there are some caveats:
1.) It needs a 6pin power cord.
2.) Install the NV web driver before (!) you install the card.
3.) You don't get no boot screen, if you don't have another boot screen capable card. Since there seems no easy way to flash newer Nvidia cards, you have to live with that.
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