What enclosures can I use?

[Jackp311]

howdy

I purchased a dual cpu tray for 2010 Mac Pro. And a backplane card for the same.

Can I swap these into ANY Mac Pro? 1,1 2,1 3,1???

I feel like I am effectively replacing the computer at that point.

I am asking because I bought a used tower from eBay. And the condition sucks. I’m going to return it.

 

[Draeconis]

howdy

I purchased a dual cpu tray for 2010 Mac Pro. And a backplane card for the same.

Can I swap these into ANY Mac Pro? 1,1 2,1 3,1???

I feel like I am effectively replacing the computer at that point.

I am asking because I bought a used tower from eBay. And the condition sucks. I’m going to return it.

No. 1,1, 2,1 and 3,1 all share a different design. 4,1 is virtually identical, but firmware on the daughterboard may prevent it from working (though if someone knows different please correct me!). 5,1 or bust really.

 

[Jackp311]

My research indicates 4 and 5 are swappable - I am told the EFI and SMC firmware are on the back plane logic board. Which I will replace. But, I believe 1,2,3 are of a different design.

 

[bsbeamer]

1,1; 2,1; 3,1 are all different.
4,1; 5,1 are similar.

You SHOULD be able to swap BOTH in either 4,1 or 5,1 but would suggest sticking to whatever original version the parts were pulled from. 4,1 original part stick with 4,1 enclosure. 5,1 original part stick with 5,1 enclosure.

 

[h9826790]

My research indicates 4 and 5 are swappable - I am told the EFI and SMC firmware are on the back plane logic board. Which I will replace. But, I believe 1,2,3 are of a different design.

EFI is on the logic board, SMC stored on BOTH logic board and CPU tray. That's why if you install a 2009 tray onto a 2010 Mac Pro, the computer will boot, but the mismatched SMC will cause all fans spin at max speed.

 

[Macschrauber]

As you have a pair of backplane Board and logic Board you virtually need just a front switch board and a power supply. Even without the front switch board the pair of backplane and cpu board runs.

I once put for a quick test a backplane with gpu and cpu board and a power supply together and powered it on by shorten the switch pads on the backplane board, it worked but had no cooling, just good for a quick run.