Early 2009 Dual Processor Mac Pro
While I agree that the 2009 4-core single CPU Mac Pro is a much easier machine to upgrade ( necessarily using processors with the IHS intact ), the OP of this thread specifically addressed the 2009 8-core dual CPU Mac Pro.
Regarding the 2009 8-core dual CPU Mac Pro - another point I often see being made is the "lower risk" associated with installing "expensive" CPU's ( with the IHS intact ) on $400-$500 logic boards using spacers. The argument is that the processors are more expensive than the logic boards, thus the "best" approach is to risk damage to the least expensive item - the logic board. The assumption here is that only the first logic board is damaged and that all subsequent attempts to install CPU's with the IHS intact on newly acquired logic boards are successful. That assumption is not valid and yields a false confidence.
On his blog, I believe that Thomaspin makes the argument that the older 2009 Mac Pro's should be considered based on their return on investment. Since the 2009 8-core dual CPU MP processor upgrade is not generally considered easy - these machines are being sold at a discount relative to the newer MP's, yet ( when upgraded with a faster CPU ) the performance is comparable to the newer machines.
When I first acquired a 2009 DP MP, I elected to purchase a pair of W5590's at a cost of $450. Having subsequently read several posts about installing the CPU's with spacers, I decided to pursue removing the IHS as a challenge and concluded that some additional custom tools would significantly reduce the risk of damage to the CPU. Those tools have been acquired and now I am confident that this is the "best" approach - provided that the process is well controlled ( both cutting and de-soldering ).
Lastly - being a geek, I soon wanted to install a pair of X5670's at a cost of $1100 - selling the W5590's without their IHS on eBay for $675. As Thomaspin pointed out in a PM, the return on investment argument could not be made with this upgrade based on the lower incremental performance improvement. Still - I am a geek and I wanted the X5670's. The larger point here is that there are many options for the 2009 DP MP and those options will offer a significant return on investment in the future as the price of the fast CPU's deteriorates.
As an example, the Thomaspin blog indicates that on 08 July:
the W5590 sold for $475 ( $400 today ),
the X5650 sold for $950 ( $550 today ),
the X5670 sold for $1750 ( $1050 today ).
Those are three examples of CPU price deterioration that brings value to the 2009 DP MP. Everyone has their own application for the MP and everyone can decide for themselves which approach is best. The information that Thomaspin has provided in his blog is there to augment that decision.
While I agree that the 2009 4-core single CPU Mac Pro is a much easier machine to upgrade ( necessarily using processors with the IHS intact ), the OP of this thread specifically addressed the 2009 8-core dual CPU Mac Pro.
Regarding the 2009 8-core dual CPU Mac Pro - another point I often see being made is the "lower risk" associated with installing "expensive" CPU's ( with the IHS intact ) on $400-$500 logic boards using spacers. The argument is that the processors are more expensive than the logic boards, thus the "best" approach is to risk damage to the least expensive item - the logic board. The assumption here is that only the first logic board is damaged and that all subsequent attempts to install CPU's with the IHS intact on newly acquired logic boards are successful. That assumption is not valid and yields a false confidence.
On his blog, I believe that Thomaspin makes the argument that the older 2009 Mac Pro's should be considered based on their return on investment. Since the 2009 8-core dual CPU MP processor upgrade is not generally considered easy - these machines are being sold at a discount relative to the newer MP's, yet ( when upgraded with a faster CPU ) the performance is comparable to the newer machines.
When I first acquired a 2009 DP MP, I elected to purchase a pair of W5590's at a cost of $450. Having subsequently read several posts about installing the CPU's with spacers, I decided to pursue removing the IHS as a challenge and concluded that some additional custom tools would significantly reduce the risk of damage to the CPU. Those tools have been acquired and now I am confident that this is the "best" approach - provided that the process is well controlled ( both cutting and de-soldering ).
Lastly - being a geek, I soon wanted to install a pair of X5670's at a cost of $1100 - selling the W5590's without their IHS on eBay for $675. As Thomaspin pointed out in a PM, the return on investment argument could not be made with this upgrade based on the lower incremental performance improvement. Still - I am a geek and I wanted the X5670's. The larger point here is that there are many options for the 2009 DP MP and those options will offer a significant return on investment in the future as the price of the fast CPU's deteriorates.
As an example, the Thomaspin blog indicates that on 08 July:
the W5590 sold for $475 ( $400 today ),
the X5650 sold for $950 ( $550 today ),
the X5670 sold for $1750 ( $1050 today ).
Those are three examples of CPU price deterioration that brings value to the 2009 DP MP. Everyone has their own application for the MP and everyone can decide for themselves which approach is best. The information that Thomaspin has provided in his blog is there to augment that decision.
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