I just looked at the Processor upgrades for 2010 < MAC PROS on OWC! WOW! They sure are pricey! Might as well get a new MACPRO!
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Wow upgrades
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105.
Seriously though, I looked into that at one point and agree with OP. One would have to find a REALLY good deal on a used 2010 to break even on that processor upgrade vs. just buying it new from the get go.
105.
Seriously though, I looked into that at one point and agree with OP. One would have to find a REALLY good deal on a used 2010 to break even on that processor upgrade vs. just buying it new from the get go.
I've got a Mac Pro with two of the 2.26Ghz Xeon. Is it possible to upgrade with the same processor board, and how high speed can I go?
I assumed that upgrading the Mac Pro was impossible...
Thank you for the link but what I was looking for was something that might show a more direct table that tells what I can go up to, and maybe talk me out of it, but give me hope, and some idea on what is possible.
I don't use the Mac Pro much lately, and perhaps kicking it in the ass with an upgrade could put it back on the must use system list. I'll be involved in some heavy development soon, and might use it more then, but getting it revved up would help so I don't have to mortgage my soul to replace it.
Thanks!
Depends on if you have a 4,1 or a 5,1.
The 4,1 upgrade is a lot harder because of the lidless procs and will be limited to Nehalem processors unless you want to do an unauthorized firmware update.
Things are a lot better if you have a 5,1. Procs are the same as you would buy out of the box so you just replace the old ones, plus you can use Westmere quad or hex procs.
I believe that you can use the following procs. Obviously once you've picked one you should verify before starting.
4,1 Dual Proc:
W5590 3.33 GHz quad
W5580 3.2 GHz quad
X5570 2.93 GHz quad
X5560 2.8 GHz quad
X5550 2.66 GHz quad
E5540 2.53 GHz quad
E5530 2.4 GHz quad
5,1 Dual Proc:
X5690 3.46 GHz hex
X5680 3.33 GHz hex
X5675 3.06 GHz hex
X5670 2.93 GHz hex
X5660 2.8 GHz hex
X5650 2.66 GHz hex
X5677 3.46 GHz quad
X5667 3.06 GHz quad
E5640 2.66 GHz quad
E5630 2.53 GHz quad
E5620 2.4 GHz quad
The 4,1 upgrade is a lot harder because of the lidless procs and will be limited to Nehalem processors unless you want to do an unauthorized firmware update.
Things are a lot better if you have a 5,1. Procs are the same as you would buy out of the box so you just replace the old ones, plus you can use Westmere quad or hex procs.
I believe that you can use the following procs. Obviously once you've picked one you should verify before starting.
4,1 Dual Proc:
W5590 3.33 GHz quad
W5580 3.2 GHz quad
X5570 2.93 GHz quad
X5560 2.8 GHz quad
X5550 2.66 GHz quad
E5540 2.53 GHz quad
E5530 2.4 GHz quad
5,1 Dual Proc:
X5690 3.46 GHz hex
X5680 3.33 GHz hex
X5675 3.06 GHz hex
X5670 2.93 GHz hex
X5660 2.8 GHz hex
X5650 2.66 GHz hex
X5677 3.46 GHz quad
X5667 3.06 GHz quad
E5640 2.66 GHz quad
E5630 2.53 GHz quad
E5620 2.4 GHz quad
Just apply the darn Firmware to turn it(4.1) into a 5.1 and take your time to install both processors, it is easy 30 minutes. Done mine last month, from Dual 2.26 to Dual 2.93 and when the prices will drop on the X5675 3.06 GHz hex, I will simply do another processor replacement.
Easy is a matter of opinion, skill, and luck. Anandtech, who are hardly noobs, busted a processor trying to upgrade their 4,1. At least we all can learn from their experience.
I've done it from the first shot, without experience but with the proper tools, I've seen Anandtech pics but the real help came from members on this forum such as FEINS. The only thing you have to make sure 100%, DO NOT overtighten the screws on the processors heatsinks
I performed the processor swap first successfully in mid-June 2009 (originally dual quad 2.26 GHz) [https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/713934/], before Anand. http://blogs.computerworld.com/geekbench_reveals_next_3_3ghz_mac_pro_update Losing the warranty was not a concern to me.
Following Flocarino's recommendation saves you cash. Following ActionableMango's recommendation saves you time and the expenditure of patience , and possibly a lot of money if you don't do it right. Because of the timing of my first processor swap I went the route Flocarino recommends because there were no Mac Pro 2010/5,1s then. Plus my first swap used earlier quad core X5580s.
Here is the best Geekbench 2 score I achieved for X5680's subsequently placed in that Mac Pro 2009 refurb, after upgrading the EFI: http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/422811 Here is about the highest Geekbench 2 score you can expect to achieve with X5690s in a 2009 or 2010 Mac Pro: http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/422811 However, my WolfPack1 performs over 1.4x greater than the X5690s, with my dual X5680s. There were no X5690s in 2010 when I built my first WolfPack.
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