New 3.2GHZ Nehalem spotted on Ebay [Archive]

zeigerpuppy

Oct 22, 2009, 05:01 AM

Looks like the Mac Pro line may be getting an upgrade, there are 10 new 3.2GHz Quad Core 2009 Mac Pros for sale on Ebay

processor is listed as Intel Xeon W3570 3.2GHz

hopefully this will see a drop in price of the other models?

http://cgi.ebay.com/FASTEST-2009-QUAD-CORE-MAC-PRO-3-2GHz-16GB-DDR3-4TB-HDD_W0QQitemZ130334610267QQcmdZViewItemQQptZApple_Desktops?hash=item1e588c535b

Also noticed same seller has 3.33GHZ octo cores
looks legit....

http://cgi.ebay.com/2009-EIGHT-CORE-MAC-PRO-3-33GHz-32GB-DDR3-4TB-HDD_W0QQitemZ130336543733QQcmdZViewItemQQptZApple_Desktops?hash=item1e58a9d3f5

The Rominator

Oct 22, 2009, 05:04 AM

..yawn........somebody posted a link to this some days ago

next

Tesselator

Oct 22, 2009, 05:29 AM

zeigerpuppy

Oct 22, 2009, 05:53 AM

Thanks for the info, sorry I missed the other post.

This guy should be reported to Ebay then, applecare would surely not cover these mods... it says "sealed in box"

Hmmmm, oh well

Macinposh

Oct 22, 2009, 06:28 AM

The second link (as well as the 1st) violates Leopard and Snow Leopard's license agreement which specifies it is only to be installed on Apple Sold hardware. As the processors did NOT come from Apple, running OS X on it is technically illegal - errr, against Apple policy.

You have to remember though that EULA is not legally valid all around the world...EU does not recognize it,afaik...

Not that it would matter in this case though...:D

SingleBurg3rz

Oct 22, 2009, 08:07 AM

thank for info.:apple:

forester54

Oct 22, 2009, 11:55 AM

that 3.33 would be badass but for $9700 ill pass

fr4c

Oct 22, 2009, 03:03 PM

You can do the same thing yourself for much less.... assuming you know how. I guess this is for the suckers out there :p

Tesselator

Oct 23, 2009, 12:20 AM

that 3.33 would be badass but for $9700 ill pass

Indeed. Man!!! What you can build these days for $9,700... Puts any mac to a shameful death of utter shame! Seriously! Like workstation grade system and parts with 8 physical cores at ~ 4 GHz (OC), 720 cores of Tesla (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tS71lqZx6c) (3 teraflops) plus a nice display card, 32 GB RAM, 8-Drive RAID for 12 Terabytes of storage, 6 or 8 open SAS connections, case and power solution of your choice, TV, WiFi, BlueTooth, BlueRay, any cooler you want, professional grade multi-track 32 bit audio, etc. etc.

dcpmark

Oct 26, 2009, 01:04 AM

Technically neither one is legit. The first link says it has Apple Care and that's BS! The second link (as well as the 1st) violates Leopard and Snow Leopard's license agreement which specifies it is only to be installed on Apple Sold hardware. As the processors did NOT come from Apple, running OS X on it is technically illegal - errr, against Apple policy.

Well, the OS would be running on Mac Pro hardware from Apple when it is first installed, thereby violating nothing. If the Mac Pro is later upgraded with a faster processor, it's the hardware warranty that is the concern, is it not? Query: can't a processor upgrade qualify as a "user-installable upgrade" that does NOT violate the hardware warranty??

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=13946

gugucom

Oct 26, 2009, 05:26 AM

Tesselator

Oct 26, 2009, 08:12 AM

Well, the OS would be running on Mac Pro hardware from Apple when it is first installed, thereby violating nothing. If the Mac Pro is later upgraded with a faster processor, it's the hardware warranty that is the concern, is it not?

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=13946

I'm not a lawyer but that doesn't sound right to me. This is a user upgrade? The machines are being sold as new right?

Query: can't a processor upgrade qualify as a "user-installable upgrade" that does NOT violate the hardware warranty??

Guessing Apple, I would say no. But look it up if you're interested. It's probably easy to find.

nanofrog

Oct 26, 2009, 10:10 AM

Guessing Apple, I would say no. But look it up if you're interested. It's probably easy to find.
This would be my take on it. The processors in these units aren't the originals, and I'd be totally amazed if Apple would honor the warranty at all.

Going by gugucom's indication there's evidence of tampering, even with the OEM processors back in the system, Apple's certainly going to deny any warranty claim. So warranty work will be vapor, no matter what.

Sun Baked

Oct 26, 2009, 10:18 AM

I'm not a lawyer but that doesn't sound right to me. This is a user upgrade? The machines are being sold as new right?

Guessing Apple, I would say no. But look it up if you're interested. It's probably easy to find.

Or simply an outright scam, almost seems like the deluxe everything included machine scams offering $15k systems with everything including Mac OS Server and all the SW for $2k.

Except, simply lower the number of options included and raise the price to entice the suckers. And let them think they are getting a pre-release machine.

---

Or simply overclocked systems ... which is what they are doing with the PCs.

dcpmark

Oct 26, 2009, 10:32 AM

To do this kind of upgrade you have to do some destructive measures, that cannot be reversed. So it is impossible to hide. Due to the nature of the socket design it is also an extremely damage prone operation. When it was first done a CPU and the CPU/RAM tray got destroyed in the process.

Got it. From a newbie's perspective it seemed like you were just dropping in a new processor....I didn't know that the process screwed up anything.

The funny part is that "user-installable upgrade" is not really defined. Forget about the eBay guy.....if I get a stock Mac Pro for my personal use, and install a new processor myself, is that not a "user-installed upgrade"?? You would have thought that Apple's lawyers would have not left that so open-ended.

gugucom

Oct 26, 2009, 03:22 PM

Got it. From a newbie's perspective it seemed like you were just dropping in a new processor....I didn't know that the process screwed up anything.

The funny part is that "user-installable upgrade" is not really defined. Forget about the eBay guy.....if I get a stock Mac Pro for my personal use, and install a new processor myself, is that not a "user-installed upgrade"?? You would have thought that Apple's lawyers would have not left that so open-ended.

Apple uses CPUs without heat spreader. They are not available on the open market. When you fit a different CPU they are almost 2 mm higher and the automatic connection mechanism of the internal heat sink (booster) fans fails. You cannot get the CPUs to POST without irreversible mods to the connector design. This is the first thing that an AASP worth his salary will check if you make a CPU related claim.

nanofrog

Oct 26, 2009, 03:38 PM

Apple uses CPUs without heat spreader. They are not available on the open market. When you fit a different CPU they are almost 2 mm higher and the automatic connection mechanism of the internal heat sink (booster) fans fails. You cannot get the CPUs to POST without irreversible mods to the connector design. This is the first thing that an AASP worth his salary will check if you make a CPU related claim.
Ah. I would have thought it was a float with limit type connector (allowing it to slide up and down a bit to make sure it alligned properly, then attach when the screws were used on the HS assy). Silly me... :D :p

I presume you had to cut the retaining tabs and connect it manually then (rather carefully as well, to make sure of connection)?

gugucom

Oct 26, 2009, 04:18 PM

I presume you had to cut the retaining tabs and connect it manually then (rather carefully as well, to make sure of connection)?

Yeah, the heat sink side of the connector has to be unclipped from the heat sink aluminum casting. Then the connector has to be stripped off the injection molded clips that locks it in the casting. And finally the connector has to be closed manually before the heat sinks is lowered back on the CPU in the open socket. The first thing you notice if you ever remove a heat sink is that the connector will not disconnect automatically any more.

nanofrog

Oct 26, 2009, 04:41 PM

Yeah, the heat sink side of the connector has to be unclipped from the heat sink aluminum casting. Then the connector has to be stripped off the injection molded clips that locks it in the casting. And finally the connector has to be closed manually before the heat sinks is lowered back on the CPU in the open socket. The first thing you notice if you ever remove a heat sink is that the connector will not disconnect automatically any more.
If it works, then it's a necessary compromise, given Apple's design choices with it. But it seems like a bit of a PITA. :D :p

At least it's not something you should have to remove often, if ever again. :D

zeigerpuppy

Oct 26, 2009, 06:29 PM

The missing heat spreader is only an issue on the octocore, the quad core has a standard design and socket...

dcpmark

Oct 26, 2009, 06:44 PM

The missing heat spreader is only an issue on the octocore, the quad core has a standard design and socket...

That was what I thought I had read, but since I didn't know much about it, I differed to you guys.

For the record, I'm talking about putting a 3.2 ghz in a quad core. An easy "user-installed upgrade", or not??

nanofrog

Oct 26, 2009, 07:11 PM

For the record, I'm talking about putting a 3.2 ghz in a quad core. An easy "user-installed upgrade", or not??
Fairly. You don't have to bother with thermal gap material on the voltage regs, or getting the fan connector loose from the CPU cooler either.

But from what I've read on the posts, it's not quite as easy to remove/reinstall the cooler as some of the units used by other vendors. Or 3rd party offerings usually used in OC'ed systems on the PC side either.

Caution and patience should get you through it without causing any damage though. ;)

galstaph

Oct 26, 2009, 11:24 PM

Your new Custom Mac Pro includes a three year limited parts and labor warranty. Our warranty covers any and all parts we used to customize your Mac that may not be covered by Apple. You must obtain an RMA number before returning your Mac or affected parts for warranty service. All shipping charges to us will be at the buyer's expense. Shipping charges back to the buyer for repaired or replaced items will be at our expense unless the item is determined to be non-defective, in which case return shipping charges will be at the buyer's expense.
Seems they acknowledge it is a custom build and THEY are doing the warranty - still expensive though

dcpmark

Oct 26, 2009, 11:30 PM

What is the cheapest way to get a 3.2 ghz 2009 Mac Pro quad with any kind of warranty?

I ask because I think this is way I might want to go for my video work.

mac88

Oct 26, 2009, 11:33 PM

dcpmark

Oct 26, 2009, 11:48 PM

Seems they acknowledge it is a custom build and THEY are doing the warranty - still expensive though

I spec'd out my desired quad machine on Apple's site, and it came to $3599 with a 2.93ghz processor. The eBay guy gave me a quote for the same specs but with the 3.2ghz, and it was $3999. Assuming for the sake of argument that their own warranty is good, is the jump in processor speed worth the $400, or is it still too expensive?

gugucom

Oct 27, 2009, 12:37 AM

The only thing they guarantee is the Intel processor. They do not add any other parts. But if you have any thing else fail and Apple reject the warranty claim due to tempering you are on your own. It may be different on a quad if that job is reversible but your Apple warranty is legally void if you buy from these people. I have accepted that I have no claim on Apple and anybody buying modded Macs should do the same. You are dishonest with yourself or Apple if you think you can claim warranty.

nanofrog

Oct 27, 2009, 12:58 AM

Seems they acknowledge it is a custom build and THEY are doing the warranty - still expensive though
After reading the quote you posted off the item's page, I'd have to go with gugucom on this one, that it covers the processor/s and maybe the gap material. That's it, and expect the users to go through Apple for the remainder of the system.

But Apple's going to deny any warranty work due to the modifications. So it's buyer beware, as the warranty is essentially non existant.

The only thing they guarantee is the Intel processor. They do not add any other parts. But if you have any thing else fail and Apple reject the warranty claim due to tempering you are on your own. It may be different on a quad if that job is reversible but your Apple warranty is legally void if you buy from these people. I have accepted that I have no claim on Apple and anybody buying modded Macs should do the same. You are dishonest with yourself or Apple if you think you can claim warranty.
It think the Quads might be doable in terms of "covering up" the mod, but the OEM processor would need to be retained as well to place back into the system if it ever did need warranty work.

From what you've described with the Octads, I don't see how that's possible. The AASP would have to be oblivious not to notice a connector cut loose from the cooler in cases of a logic board replacement. Graphics cards, drives,... it may not. But it's a gamble in those cases, not a guarantee, even if the swapped CPU hadn't anything to do with the failed part.

goMac

Oct 27, 2009, 01:10 AM

As the processors did NOT come from Apple, running OS X on it is technically illegal - errr, against Apple policy.

Processors are user serviceable and do not impact the OS X EULA in any way. The machine is still an Apple branded computer, which satisfies the EULA.

Processor upgrades have always been supported on Apple towers since the very beginning. Apple will sometimes say OS upgrade require a computer with an original processor, but that was usually because the processor upgrade on the PowerPC had funny enablers that Apple couldn't necessarily support. (It was also possible to do stuff like cram a G3 into a Power Mac 7300, which wasn't what Apple was intending when they made the G3 a requirement.)

I have not heard any fuss being made over Intel processor upgrades in the same manner.

seisend

Oct 27, 2009, 04:18 AM

I think this is a very interesting thread. Having a Mac Pro with 3 years Apple care and upgrading that thing one day with a faster CPU would be a nice thing without loosing apple care warranty...

Tesselator

Oct 27, 2009, 07:34 AM

What is the cheapest way to get a 3.2 ghz 2009 Mac Pro quad with any kind of warranty?

I ask because I think this is way I might want to go for my video work.

Hackintosh. By a huge difference margin!

Tesselator

Oct 27, 2009, 07:40 AM

I have not heard any fuss being made over Intel processor upgrades in the same manner.

I have. And it's sold by Apple not just Apple Branded Right?

Anyway I've read several messages here where Apple replaces the machine in a warrantee claim and the user ends up with a MP less ALL of the upgrades they added themselves. RAM, CPUs, gone and reset to purchase contract specs.

I read that from I think two different members here but I could be wrong - it might have been three. :)

goMac

Oct 27, 2009, 01:20 PM

I have. And it's sold by Apple not just Apple Branded Right?

I've worked in AppleCare shops. While a processor upgrade itself is not covered by a warranty, the ability to upgrade a processor is supported by Apple, and is considered "legal".

In fact, IIRC, the 2008 Mac Pro manual even had details on replacing your processor. I don't think the 09's have the same deal in since they use slightly different CPU's.

If Apple didn't want you replacing the processors, they wouldn't make them user serviceable parts. The key to the EULA is "Apple branded hardware". Changing a processor does not change the branding of the hardware.

Anyway I've read several messages here where Apple replaces the machine in a warrantee claim and the user ends up with a MP less ALL of the upgrades they added themselves. RAM, CPUs, gone and reset to purchase contract specs.

I read that from I think two different members here but I could be wrong - it might have been three. :)

Again, being a former tech in an AppleCare shop, what do you expect? Apple didn't sell you those upgrades with the machine, they're not going to take care of them for you.

Usual practice is that Apple will remove any aftermarket upgrades you have done, give them back to you, and then give you a new machine. You can put them in your new machine if they work with the new machine.