MP 1,1-5,1 Upgrading MacPro 4.1 (mid 2010) High Sierra

[JacquiL]

My MacPro 4 (mid 2010) died a couple of weeks ago. I replaced the graphics card (a reconditioned like for like card) and the mac is again up and running. But it is struggling. I've watched many a video on replacing the CPU and graphics card for powerful up to date versions, but I'm confused now as to what to buy. It seems that I'll need to update the firmware before I can upgrade the graphics card, but I'm getting messages that say that I'm no longer able to update this. The screen shot details what the machine has and what it will and won't do. Is there a more powerful graphics card that I can install without having to update the firmware? Or is there a firmware hack that I can load modern graphic cards onto? As for the CPU, i was looking at a 3.33ghz but what brand to buy? Please bear in mind I'm a novice at these things and apologize upfront to tech savvy contributors. I love my MacPro4, and don't want to lose it. I'd be grateful for any advice.

Jacqui

 

[mattspace]

Just a tip - a 2010 machine is a 5,1 not a 4,1. Also, don't post your serial number in a public forum - it can lead to your machine losing iCloud functionality if someone else spoofs it on a hackintosh.

 

[Macschrauber]

First of all, thats a MP5,1

MP5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (BootROM upgrade instructions thread)

Please fully read this first post, you will probably find that you have one or more problems described into the various notes below. Mojave will only install if you have upgraded your BootROM to the current release and your Mac Pro have a Metal capable GPU*. If you are trying to install Mojave...

forums.macrumors.com

cMP {classicMacPro}{4,1 & 5,1} - Upgrade Guide Sticky Discussion

Hey Folks, Lets start a discussion and collect everything relevant for cMP upgraders out there. Topics to consider: CPU Upgrades Compatibility chart CPU Delid / standoffs 4,1 to 5,1 firmware upgrade Memory Compatibility and Upgrades UDIMM Model Numbers RDIMM Model Numbers RAM...

forums.macrumors.com

Regarding the Servus HDDs I guess you re in Germany or Austria, so I can help with hardware.

 

[JacquiL]

Just a tip - a 2010 machine is a 5,1 not a 4,1. Also, don't post your serial number in a public forum - it can lead to your machine losing iCloud functionality if someone else spoofs it on a hackintosh.

Thanks for the tip.

 

[avro707]

My MacPro 4 (mid 2010) died a couple of weeks ago. I replaced the graphics card (a reconditioned like for like card) and the mac is again up and running. But it is struggling. I've watched many a video on replacing the CPU and graphics card for powerful up to date versions, but I'm confused now as to what to buy. It seems that I'll need to update the firmware before I can upgrade the graphics card, but I'm getting messages that say that I'm no longer able to update this. The screen shot details what the machine has and what it will and won't do. Is there a more powerful graphics card that I can install without having to update the firmware? Or is there a firmware hack that I can load modern graphic cards onto? As for the CPU, i was looking at a 3.33ghz but what brand to buy? Please bear in mind I'm a novice at these things and apologize upfront to tech savvy contributors. I love my MacPro4, and don't want to lose it. I'd be grateful for any advice.

Jacqui

Is yours a single processor machine?

You can go up to Xeon X5690 on the MP 5,1 2010 - the X5690 is 6 cores and 3.46ghz and works brilliantly on its own in a single processor Mac Pro. They are not expensive to get from Amazon. With the X5690 you can also use 1333mhz RAM, up to 4x16GB 1333mhz ECC ram on a single processor machine with the X5690. This I've tested and confirmed.

On a dual processor Mac Pro, 2x X5690 gives you a lot of power and mine has 128GB ram. But this combination also runs a bit warm.

Look at the CPU compatibility list: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-pro-cpu-compatibility-list.1954766/

Graphics cards, what I did when upgrading my machine to Radeon RX580 was to gradually do all the upgrades up to Mac OS Sierra and High Sierra first. Those give firmware updates too.

Once High Sierra is on, you can use the newer graphics cards like RX580. Those newer ones most likely won't give you the traditional grey boot-up screens you are used to. Your screen stays blank until the operating system login screen appears.

In that case, you need to use Open Core - that gives you the boot screen and progress indicator. Unless you find a particular newer card that is a Mac version.

I still keep my old Radeon 5870 graphics card just in case I need to see the default Apple boot-up screens.

 

[Soba]

My MacPro 4 (mid 2010) died a couple of weeks ago. I replaced the graphics card (a reconditioned like for like card) and the mac is again up and running. But it is struggling. I've watched many a video on replacing the CPU and graphics card for powerful up to date versions, but I'm confused now as to what to buy. It seems that I'll need to update the firmware before I can upgrade the graphics card, but I'm getting messages that say that I'm no longer able to update this. The screen shot details what the machine has and what it will and won't do. Is there a more powerful graphics card that I can install without having to update the firmware? Or is there a firmware hack that I can load modern graphic cards onto? As for the CPU, i was looking at a 3.33ghz but what brand to buy? Please bear in mind I'm a novice at these things and apologize upfront to tech savvy contributors. I love my MacPro4, and don't want to lose it. I'd be grateful for any advice.

Jacqui

Mojave is fully supported on your 2010 system if you replace the graphics card with a card that supports Metal. Prices for graphics cards are very high right now, so shop carefully. Mojave will install an update for your BootROM (firmware) with many functionality, security, and performance improvements. You cannot install this BootROM update or upgrade to Mojave without a Metal-supported graphics card. After you install a Metal-supported card, you will be able to update the BootROM and install Mojave if you wish to.

Follow the instructions in the threads that Macschrauber linked above for more information on how to do this.

Mojave is the last version of macOS that is officially supported on your system, but you can install later versions with OpenCore. It's not very difficult to do, but OpenCore is software that is not supported by Apple and is maintained by regular people throughout the online community. Mojave is also a very good OS if you wish to stick with that. Note that Mojave will probably not be supported with security updates after macOS Monterey is released in the near future, so keep this in mind as you plan your next steps.

 

[avro707]

Also be extremely careful what graphics cards you buy. Try to stick to the recommended ones - like the Radeon RX580 (Sapphire Pulse). Some of the other even newer cards either won't work at all or they have very high power requirements. Even the RX580 needs a dual mini 6 pin to 8 pin power cable to run it, at the least.

Another thing is to watch out for pre-owned graphics cards, you don't want ones that have been used in bitcoin mining (probably burned out). And as Soba pointed out the graphics card market is crazy at the moment, prices are stratospheric!

See the following topic for GPU compatibility: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/gpu-compatibility-list-for-cmp.2174600/

As long as you proceed carefully, ask questions when not clear on anything you can really transform your old 2010 Mac Pro into a really high performing machine.

 

[fastlanephil]

I’ve read that it’s first the fans that can go bad on a GPU card. I see iFixit has a guide for replacing a fan on the RX 580. The fans are available on eBay. I imagine they are refurbished.

 

[JacquiL]

First of all, thats a MP5,1

MP5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (BootROM upgrade instructions thread)

Please fully read this first post, you will probably find that you have one or more problems described into the various notes below. Mojave will only install if you have upgraded your BootROM to the current release and your Mac Pro have a Metal capable GPU*. If you are trying to install Mojave...

forums.macrumors.com

cMP {classicMacPro}{4,1 & 5,1} - Upgrade Guide Sticky Discussion

Hey Folks, Lets start a discussion and collect everything relevant for cMP upgraders out there. Topics to consider: CPU Upgrades Compatibility chart CPU Delid / standoffs 4,1 to 5,1 firmware upgrade Memory Compatibility and Upgrades UDIMM Model Numbers RDIMM Model Numbers RAM...

forums.macrumors.com

Regarding the Servus HDDs I guess you re in Germany or Austria, so I can help with hardware.

Also be extremely careful what graphics cards you buy. Try to stick to the recommended ones - like the Radeon RX580 (Sapphire Pulse). Some of the other even newer cards either won't work at all or they have very high power requirements. Even the RX580 needs a dual mini 6 pin to 8 pin power cable to run it, at the least.

Another thing is to watch out for pre-owned graphics cards, you don't want ones that have been used in bitcoin mining (probably burned out). And as Soba pointed out the graphics card market is crazy at the moment, prices are stratospheric!

See the following topic for GPU compatibility: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/gpu-compatibility-list-for-cmp.2174600/

As long as you proceed carefully, ask questions when not clear on anything you can really transform your old 2010 Mac Pro into a really high performing machine.

I'm in the UK, so I'm uncertain of a reliable seller of GPUs. Even Amazon sell a lot of 'reconditioned' ones.

 

[JacquiL]

Also be extremely careful what graphics cards you buy. Try to stick to the recommended ones - like the Radeon RX580 (Sapphire Pulse). Some of the other even newer cards either won't work at all or they have very high power requirements. Even the RX580 needs a dual mini 6 pin to 8 pin power cable to run it, at the least.

Another thing is to watch out for pre-owned graphics cards, you don't want ones that have been used in bitcoin mining (probably burned out). And as Soba pointed out the graphics card market is crazy at the moment, prices are stratospheric!

See the following topic for GPU compatibility: https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/gpu-compatibility-list-for-cmp.2174600/

As long as you proceed carefully, ask questions when not clear on anything you can really transform your old 2010 Mac Pro into a really high performing machine.

Can you recommend where to buy? I've decided to go for the RX 580, but there seems to be a lot of different manufacturers.

 

[avro707]

Can you recommend where to buy? I've decided to go for the RX 580, but there seems to be a lot of different manufacturers.

You are going to have to search Amazon.com for Sapphire Pulse RX580 8GB - hope you can find a good one or maybe somewhere else has a new one left in stock. The prices are enormous. I've got an XFX RX580 GTS XXX edition on the way that I'm going to try on my other MP5,1 when it gets the X5690 processor. Apple recommends the Sapphire Pulse RX580 on their own website, but it's now hard to find.

You also need one of these power cables:

TeamProfitcom Dual Mini 6 Pin to 8 Pin PCI Express Video Card Power Adapter Braided Sleeved Cable for Mac Pro Tower/Power Mac G5 15-inches

Features: Dual Mini 6 Pin to 8 Pin PCI-e cable is to connect a PCIe video graphics card with 8 pin port to Mac motherboard with mini 6 pin port; Specification: Cable Length: 15-inches Connector 1: standard GPU 8 Pin male ; Connector 2 : 2x mini 6 pin male ( not standard 6 pin male);Gauge:18AWG In...

www.amazon.com

I got two just to have a spare one which is now very handy.

 

[KeesMacPro]

I've got an XFX RX580 GTS XXX edition on the way that I'm going to try on my other MP5,1

Generally XFX cards are known for issues running MacOS.
I hope you have a good return policy.

 

[avro707]

Generally XFX cards are known for issues running MacOS.
I hope you have a good return policy.

I know - but it's a brand new card, and the video card market is running scorching hot, I could resell it for 150% of purchase price if it doesn't work out. Okay, that's a bit of sarcasm but you know how the market is.

 

[avro707]

Generally XFX cards are known for issues running MacOS.
I hope you have a good return policy.

For the benefit of the person starting this post, I can report that it works - it's an "XFX Radeon RX580 GTS XXX edition".

In MacOS it shows up just as a normal RX580 8GB, I just slotted it straight in place of the Sapphire RX580:

Make sure to use the dual mini 6-pin to 8 pin power connector.

It appears to be running a little cooler than the Sapphire RX580 8GB.

One note: Make sure the correct BIOS mode is set. On the XFX card this is a TINY little switch near the power connector. Make sure this switch is set to the side closest the power connector. The other side appears to be for mining use.

This was a brand new card as well, really nice. This card has 3x displayport, 1x HDMI and 1x DVI, also a bit different to the Sapphire which has 2x DP, 2x HDMI and 1x DVI. All the 3 display ports are working okay.

 

[Dayo]

Now know about the reputation of XFX cards but didn't when I got my XFX RX580.

Thankfully never had an issue with mine. Might be that the issues are related to the BIOS setting unless their RX580 is an exception. Think the BIOS thing is most likely the cause as never spotted the switch on mine.

EDIT:
Yep, there is indeed a very, very tiny switch in the location mentioned!

 

[avro707]

Now know about the reputation of XFX cards but didn't when I got my XFX RX580.

Thankfully never had an issue with mine. Might be that the issues are related to the BIOS setting unless their RX580 is an exception. Think the BIOS thing is most likely the cause as never spotted the switch on mine.

EDIT:
Yep, there is indeed a very, very tiny switch in the location mentioned!

Yeah, you need eagle eyes to spot it, took me some Google work to find it because the included "manuals" don't mention it.