Upgrading Mac Pro CPU

[villagemusicman]

Hi,

After reading all the informative posts with regards upgrading the MP CPU, i've embarked on a search to find 2 x Intel Xeon Quad Core X5365. Understandably there's not much in the way of bargains, although there's a used pair going on eBay. Even better is a pair of Harpertown X5470's but am i correct in thinking MP 1,1 can't handle them? If so it's a shame as they are both going for under £500.

Anyway back to the point ;-)

Is it right the highest CPU upgrade i can opt for is the X5365?

Thanks,

VMM

[maghemi]

In the 1,1 Mac pro that is correct. The x5365 is as good as it gets

[villagemusicman]

Thanks for the clarification, am i able to use any other versions like: E5345, L5320, E5405 etc. or should i stick to X5365?

BTW is there a list of compatible CPUs for the MP 1,1?

Thanks again,

VMM

[Umbongo]

Thanks for the clarification, am i able to use any other versions like: E5345, L5320, E5405 etc. or should i stick to X5365?

BTW is there a list of compatible CPUs for the MP 1,1?

Thanks again,

VMM

You can use any 5100 or 5300 series. Not 5200 or 5400. You can get a list of these from Intel's price list (google the phrase) or on Wikipedia (though that is a little cluttered). If you search for 5365 and 5355 on this sub-forum you should get an idea of what prices you can find them for with a few weeks daily eBay searching.

[nanofrog]

AFAIK, there's no definitive list. So watch the VID values for the parts. Those used by Apple have VID's of 1.000 - 1.500V DC (65nm).

45nm parts run on lower voltages (54xx parts), and the firmware may not be able to go that low (it would take a microcode adjustment to use them, which wasn't or ever is, to arrive).

Parts that end in 0 (i.e. 53x0) use a 1066MHz FSB. Those that use a 1333MHz FSB end in a 5 (i.e. 5365). As it happens, the chipset is capable of 1333MHz FSB, so I'd stick with those that end in a 5, which seem to all use the same VID spec of 1.000 - 1.500 V DC. ;)

Hope this helps. :)

[hyram]

Processor selection can be any 5100 or 5300 processor that has a 0x06Fx or 0x0F6x CPUID signature. Be advised that microcode will only be updated for:

MP1,1 0x6F0 0x6F1 0x6F4 0x6F5 0x6F6
MP2,1 0x6F0 0x6F1 0x6F4 0x6F5 0x6F6 0x6F7

Note that the X5355 (0x06F7 and 0x06FB) and X5365 (0x06FB) are not on the MP1,1 list, and that they seem to run just fine without the microcode update.

[hyram]

AFAIK, there's no definitive list.

Correct, but the guidelines I just listed are about as good as you're going to get.

So watch the VID values for the parts. Those used by Apple have VID's of 1.000 - 1.500V DC (65nm).

45nm parts run on lower voltages (54xx parts), and the firmware may not be able to go that low (it would take a microcode adjustment to use them, which wasn't or ever is, to arrive).

Nano, that's not correct. There is nothing in the EFI or microcode that adjusts the voltage or freq. Both of these are set automatically by the SM reading pullup/pulldown pins on the processor and setting the voltage and freq before power is even supplied to the processor.

There seems to be more than one reason that the 54xx's won't run, but mostly because of a couple of un-documented MSR's that the code wants to access that don't seem to be supported on the 54xx's.

[nanofrog]

Nano, that's not correct. There is nothing in the EFI or microcode that adjusts the voltage or freq. Both of these are set automatically by the SM reading pullup/pulldown pins on the processor and setting the voltage and freq before power is even supplied to the processor.
I've seen numerous boards going to a separate controller for VR's and clocks (not just OC capable enthusiast boards either), as it makes sense IMO for Intel's Tick-Tock cycle. One board (socket used) can be manufactured for 2yrs. Newer versions are likely to come out, but are based off of the earlier boards (systems eng.). It's easier to get a new CPU working (no hardwiring/circuits to deal with).

The code for those controllers are included in the firmware, rather than a separate binary. Users may not have access though, if it's not a board meant for OC capabilities.

Such code isn't the primary reason for microcode changes, but it can be part of it (i.e. more accustomed to it for things like changes in the steppings).

[hyram]

I've seen numerous boards going to a separate controller for VR's and clocks (not just OC capable enthusiast boards either)

Yep, but even those boards us the pullup/pulldown for intialization.... the processor's got to run at something before the firmware has complete control and even gives a inkly of being able to adjust. MP's do the same, the VR chip has the capability of being adjusted, it's just that apple doesn't provide any easy hooks in the firmware to tweak.

[nanofrog]

Yep, but even those boards us the pullup/pulldown for intialization.... the processor's got to run at something before the firmware has complete control and even gives a inkly of being able to adjust. MP's do the same, the VR chip has the capability of being adjusted, it's just that apple doesn't provide any easy hooks in the firmware to tweak.
I understand where you're coming from now (intitial power setting is set via circuit design not code during POST), but that voltage is safe for that purpose (CPU's not under anything close to full load, so if the voltage is a tad on the high side, there's not really a chance of roasting the poor thing :p).

I thought you meant older designs that didn't use programmable VR's, and were just fixed in the VR circuit. :o

[villagemusicman]

Wow guyz,

y'all really know your stuff! If i wasn't confused before, i certainly am now ;-) So just to clarify, i can choose between the 51XX and 53XX . Plus they can start with with either E5 or L5 ?

I've put out the feelers for any of the X53XX but would also like to ask, what is the performance difference (If any) between the clovertown & Harpertown processor?

Thanks,

VMM

EDIT: Just found Intel Xeon X5365 3Ghz 8mb 1333FSB for £299 inc VAT So my question is:
Coming from a Dual Core 2.66, will i notice a considerable difference in performance given the majority of my work is Audio ? I use apps like Cubase, Live etc.

[Raidersmojo]

so even with the first verison of the mac pro you can switch out the processor it currently has with the x5365 with no problem whatsoever?

I was looking to upgrade mine to 8 cores, if I can do this and easily then that would be awesome. I have never changed a processor on a dual processor system (let alone a mac) is it as easy as removing the two former processors and putting in two x5365?

sorry for the noob question. I want to get around to learning how to do this.

[bozz2006]

so even with the first verison of the mac pro you can switch out the processor it currently has with the x5365 with no problem whatsoever?

I was looking to upgrade mine to 8 cores, if I can do this and easily then that would be awesome. I have never changed a processor on a dual processor system (let alone a mac) is it as easy as removing the two former processors and putting in two x5365?

sorry for the noob question. I want to get around to learning how to do this.

Read this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=745426&highlight=5355) and this thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=661839&highlight=5355) and you will know pretty much all you need to know.

[bozz2006]

Wow guyz,

y'all really know your stuff! If i wasn't confused before, i certainly am now ;-) So just to clarify, i can choose between the 51XX and 53XX . Plus they can start with with either E5 or L5 ?

I've put out the feelers for any of the X53XX but would also like to ask, what is the performance difference (If any) between the clovertown & Harpertown processor?

Thanks,

VMM

EDIT: Just found Intel Xeon X5365 3Ghz 8mb 1333FSB for £299 inc VAT So my question is:
Coming from a Dual Core 2.66, will i notice a considerable difference in performance given the majority of my work is Audio ? I use apps like Cubase, Live etc.

I am not familiar with those programs. What kind of stress does it put on your 4 cores currently? If it pegs all 4, chances are it can utilize 8 cores.

[Raidersmojo]

thanks!

[villagemusicman]

Hey Bozz,

At this point, Cubase is pushing the CPU quite hard but we're trying to ascertain if the issues i'm having are plug-in related (poorly coded) or slow CPU. Either way, i think by upgrading the CPUs, should see some increase in performance..........i hope ;-)

VMM


BTW if i do change the CPUs for the X5365, is it essential to both use thermal paste and only run the Mac 2 hours at a time till the new CPUs are run in?

[bearcatrp]

Coming from a Dual Core 2.66, will i notice a considerable difference in performance given the majority of my work is Audio ? I use apps like Cubase, Live etc.
You will see a difference with programs that will use all cores. I upgraded my 2Ghz quad to a 2.33 octo (then sold it) and definatly seen a boost when using handbrake. Go for it!

[villagemusicman]

Right guyz am about to bite the bullet and get 2 x X5365 but want to check the specs one more time.

So is the following ok for a Mac Pro 1,1 Dual Core 2.66

sSpec Number: SLAED
CPU Speed: 3Ghz
Bus Speed: 1333 MHz
Bus/Core Ratio: 9
L2 Cache Size: 8mb
L2 Cache Speed: 3 GHz
Package Type: LGA 771
Manuf Tech: 65 nm
Core Stepping: G0
CPUID String:06FBh
Thermal Design Power: 120 W
Thermal Spec: 63C
VID Voltage Range: 1.35V

If this is ok, the next thing is will i need to get Thermal paste and if so which one is best recommended ?

Thanks for taking the time to read ;-)

VMM

[Renderz]

If this is ok, the next thing is will i need to get Thermal paste and if so which one is best recommended ?

I used Artic Silver. It's expensive for what it is (£7) but I didn't want anything to go wrong so I didn't risk anything.

[tomllama]

VMM: please do cinebench measurements and some other meaningful (to you) benchmarks before and after the upgrade. I'm debating the same change and would like to here your impressions. (At $650 each on eBay for new chips, it's not worth it to me yet.)

[Spacedust]

Please note: stepping doesn't matter. I got two E5345's from different series and they work together since about a year :)

[NoManIsland]

What are the available CPU upgrades for a 2.8 Ghz 2008 MP? Obviously Nehelem is out because of the architecture changes, but are there other options?

[nanofrog]

What are the available CPU upgrades for a 2.8 Ghz 2008 MP? Obviously Nehelem is out because of the architecture changes, but are there other options?
E5472 = 3.0GHz
X5472 = 3.0GHz
X5482 = 3.2GHz
X5492 = 3.4GHz (untested AFAIK)

All of the above parts have a 1600MHz FSB, which is one of the major advantages the Harpertowns had over previous systems.

X parts use more power than their E cousins.

[villagemusicman]

Sorry about the delay. Have been thinking hard before i went ahead. But just bought two new/boxed X5365 for £608 all in. I'll do some performance tests before i install the new chips, but which apps give the best overall performance indicator? I've got cinebench but the other day at a party, a mate wasn't too impressed with that app. Actually he wasn't too impressed about upgrading the CPUs. His advice was simply 'buy a new machine'. Which i would, if i had £3,500 just hanging around!

Anyways any Performance app suggestions other then cinebench?

Thanks,

VMM

[bearcatrp]

Run cinebench if you can. Suggest you use handbrake and rip a movie. Then do the same movie again with the new processors. Clock both tests. Handbrake uses all cores so this will give you a good measurement. I did my quad 2ghz to a 2.33 octo and have good improvements all around. Also suggest you install smcfancontrol as your temps will climb with the upgrade.

[villagemusicman]

Damn! Just got an email from the vendor saying they're out of stock but at the time of purchase they had plenty !?

Uuuurgh

EDIT: They do have the X5355 (2.66) but for the sake of an extra £60, i'm thinking i should wait for the X5365 to come back into stock. What do y'all think?

[cpnotebook80]

E5472 = 3.0GHz
X5472 = 3.0GHz
X5482 = 3.2GHz
X5492 = 3.4GHz (untested AFAIK)

All of the above parts have a 1600MHz FSB, which is one of the major advantages the Harpertowns had over previous systems.

X parts use more power than their E cousins.

I have the 2x2.8ghz cpus on my mp3,1, ive been told instead of upgrading the cpu just put more ram and update the video card, will that boost performance more than the cpu?

I just bought this MP used last week. Geekbench shows 10700 for it. HAs 2gb ram and ill be adding another 2gb to quad it.

If maybe new cpus are way to go, where would u buy them and can I upgrade them myself?

[bozz2006]

cpnotebook80, your situation is different. you already have 2 quad-core processors. The original poster wants to upgrade from 2 dual-core processors to 2 quad-core processors. cpnotebook80, adding extra RAM, I would recommend buying four 2BG sticks. That should give you a huge performance help coming from 2GB total.

villlagemusicman, for the price difference, if you can verify that the 5365s will be back in stock in the foreseeable future, I would wait for them.

[bozz2006]

double posted, sorry.

[cpnotebook80]

duplicated elsewhere

[jamwerks]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_4; it-it) AppleWebKit/533.16 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0 Safari/533.16)

Hi, I own a MacPro 1.1 (2 x 2.66 Ghz dual-core Intel Xeon) and am thinking about buying two X5355's to make it into a 8 core machine. I've read positive remarks about the change. These chips go for around $430 each new.

I'm wondering about buying used. Do chips even go bad? Do they were out? Any other reasons to/not to buy used?

I'm also wondering about the tools needed to do the change. Are there any good standard toolkits available?

Thanks in advance!

[cryingrobot]

Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Macintosh; U; Intel Mac OS X 10_6_4; it-it) AppleWebKit/533.16 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/5.0 Safari/533.16)

Hi, I own a MacPro 1.1 (2 x 2.66 Ghz dual-core Intel Xeon) and am thinking about buying two X5355's to make it into a 8 core machine. I've read positive remarks about the change. These chips go for around $430 each new.

I'm wondering about buying used. Do chips even go bad? Do they were out? Any other reasons to/not to buy used?

I'm also wondering about the tools needed to do the change. Are there any good standard toolkits available?

Thanks in advance!

Where do you even find these chips new? I have been looking everywhere and have been unsuccessful. The few ebay auctions I have been involved in always ends up with someone jacking the bid like crazy in the last 2 minutes...i suspect the seller is out there doing this to raise the price. If there is a legit seller out there for these 5355 or 5365 chips I would pick them up to revitalize my 1,1.

On that point, I had put the 1,1 up for sale and received an offer from a guy in Nigeria willing to pay for shipping. It sounds awfully dodgy.

[bozz2006]

Yeah, I'd stay away from that "buyer"...

[dondog]

I purchased from bay 2x Intel Xeon E5345 Quad Core 2.33 GHz MATCHED PAIR CPU. They were Confidential Engineering Samples and one had the markings:

Intel Confidential
QWTW ES Costa Rica
imc '05 HH80563QJ0538M
3720A955 e4

The other had similar markings.

I used them to replace the original 2.66 GHz processors in my Mac Pro 1,1 (2006). Upon startup I got a "panic" the first line of which read:

panic (cpu B caller 0x295aab): "Should have 2 Cores, but only found 1 for Die 2"
@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-1504.7.4/osfak / i386/cpu_threads.c:1118

Any suggestions????

[jamwerks]

Hi Dondog,

I have heard (I made be wrong) that X5355 & X53565 were the only two possible prossesor replacements.


Good luck

[Midphase]

Just posted part 1 of a 2 part video tutorial on how to swap the CPU in the 1st gen Mac Pro here:

http://youtu.be/wmz7gPw31L0

I should have part 2 up this week-end, but this will give you a good idea on the basics of what's involved and what to purchase before getting started.

Enjoy!

[PurpleLogix]

Anyone figure how to change processor type in Lion to show what they are?

Tried to edit the plist, but it is not changing.

[chromafile]

Anyone figure how to change processor type in Lion to show what they are?

You have to install CPUInjector.kext

[PurpleLogix]

You have to install CPUInjector.kext

stupid question, but how?

[chromafile]

stupid question, but how?

Get CPUInjector.kext from here
http://digitaldj.net/?p=2364

Get Kext Utility for lion from here
http://bit.ly/mUtSu5

Drag & drop CPUInjector.kext onto kext Utility.
Kext Utility takes care of everything but you might have to reboot.
Then check 'About This Mac';)

[PurpleLogix]

Thank you so much.

It now shows the correct details.

[nambuccaheadsau]

Tried this with no joy. CPU Injector already shows that file and date, and Kext Utility runs, installs, repairs permissions etc but no change to Apple System profiler, still reads Processor 2.66GHz Unknown' even after reboot. Any suggestions please?

[PurpleLogix]

Are you on Lion or SL? Did you buy those CPU from me from MacTalk?

[chromafile]

Doesn't matter whether you're on Lion or on SL. CPUInjector.kext works on both, I think.
Delete CPUInjector.kext from /System/Library/Extensions/
Reinstall it and check again.

[nambuccaheadsau]

Running Lion and just does not work sorry.

Removed CPUInjector.kext from Extensions to Desktop, reinstall and advised cannot be used - refer to vendor. Processor still reads unknown in About This Mac.

[chromafile]

Are all CPUs recognized as Xeon x5355?
Try MacCPUID and check CPUs
http://software.intel.com/en-us/articles/download-maccpuid/

[nambuccaheadsau]

MacPUID recognises processors as genuine Intel X5355 but does nothing to change 'About this Mac' in Apple System Profiler. There must be something changed in Lion to prevent these packaging updating "Processor 2.66GHz unknown' to 'Processors 2.66GHz Intel Xeon Quad Core X5355'.

Apple System profiler under Lion is completely utility different to Snow Leopard etc.

[PurpleLogix]

Its really strange, I have the same CPU and mine is all ok. You dragged the CPUinjector.kext into the kext utility?

I had to reboot as well

[chromafile]

I have the same CPU and mine is all ok.
So is mine. Hm, reinstall Lion:confused:

[bearcatrp]

I purchased from bay 2x Intel Xeon E5345 Quad Core 2.33 GHz MATCHED PAIR CPU. They were Confidential Engineering Samples and one had the markings:

Intel Confidential
QWTW ES Costa Rica
imc '05 HH80563QJ0538M
3720A955 e4

The other had similar markings.

I used them to replace the original 2.66 GHz processors in my Mac Pro 1,1 (2006). Upon startup I got a "panic" the first line of which read:

panic (cpu B caller 0x295aab): "Should have 2 Cores, but only found 1 for Die 2"
@/SourceCache/xnu/xnu-1504.7.4/osfak / i386/cpu_threads.c:1118

Any suggestions????

Send them back and get non ES chips. The mac pro's require particular stepping (ie B1). I know 2.33 work as I did my old 2006 mac pro with them. Cant remember the stepping though.

[nambuccaheadsau]

Just to be sure I am not missing anything.

Go into System/Library/Extensions and there is CPUInjector.kext. Dragged it out on to the desktop, replaced and get the check with vendor message. Also tried to use the downloaded 1.1 next from three or four posts ago with identical result.

No sign of a Kext Utility to be seen. Where would it be located please?

[chromafile]

No sign of a Kext Utility to be seen. Where would it be located please?

What you're doing is completely wrong. I didn't write, to put Kext Utility into anywhere.
Kext Utility is a helper application to install a kext file into /System/Library/Extensions.
You just did drag & drop CPUInjector.kext into /System/Library/Extensions and this isn't working.
Read my post again, you have to drag & drop CPUInjector.kext onto Kext Utility.

[nambuccaheadsau]

Thank you for your kind help and that last post explained it much better. Now up and running as

Processor 2 x 2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon

[cryingrobot]

Finally did this and it was so worth it. Upgraded from dual core to 2*2.66 and also put in a SSD boot drive and maxed out the ram. Total cost was about 1k but it is essentially a new computer. previous geekbench was about 5600 and I can break 11000 now. Should now be set for 3 more years.

Am considering moving the SSD to the optical bay and already installed the L shaped esata wire when I was dropping the new CPUs but it seems unecessary at the moment.

Am not going to run Lion for the time being since SL runs so smoothly.

[Mr Ski 73]

Finally did this and it was so worth it. Upgraded from dual core to 2*2.66 and also put in a SSD boot drive and maxed out the ram. Total cost was about 1k but it is essentially a new computer. previous geekbench was about 5600 and I can break 11000 now. Should now be set for 3 more years.

Am considering moving the SSD to the optical bay and already installed the L shaped esata wire when I was dropping the new CPUs but it seems unecessary at the moment.

Am not going to run Lion for the time being since SL runs so smoothly.

Your Geekbench score looks very high, which chips did you put in, the 2.66s the 3.0 quads. I am also keen to know how much RAM you are using and what is the configuration

[cryingrobot]

Your Geekbench score looks very high, which chips did you put in, the 2.66s the 3.0 quads. I am also keen to know how much RAM you are using and what is the configuration

Its 2*2.66. I have 8*2gb ram chips. I cant break 11000 using the 32bit benchmark but I can consistently hit 10900 to over 11000 using the 64bit benchmark.

[Mr Ski 73]

Its 2*2.66. I have 8*2gb ram chips. I cant break 11000 using the 32bit benchmark but I can consistently hit 10900 to over 11000 using the 64bit benchmark.

Thanks, I have 2x2.66 quads but can only hit 9500. I think this may be due to my memory config. I have 2x4GB dims in the top riser and 4x1GB in the lower riser. Any views?

[cryingrobot]

Thanks, I have 2x2.66 quads but can only hit 9500. I think this may be due to my memory config. I have 2x4GB dims in the top riser and 4x1GB in the lower riser. Any views?

I have to admit I do not know exactly how the benchmark numbers are made. The cpu/floating point number is pretty much always over 17500 when I run the test and the memory tests seem to bring the number down a bit. Memory performance comes in about 2200-2300 and memory bandwidth about 1800 or so.

[Neodym]

Thanks, I have 2x2.66 quads but can only hit 9500. I think this may be due to my memory config. I have 2x4GB dims in the top riser and 4x1GB in the lower riser. Any views?
I remember that i read an extensive article regarding that topic, but can't find it right now. Conclusion in a nutshell (from the top of my head):

The sweet spot is to have two matching FB-DIMMS in the upper and 2 matching FB-DIMMS in the lower riser.

Reason is that with less slots populated you miss out on the amount of Ram available and with more slots populated the RAM latency increases too much (inherent problem with all FB-DIMM's), thus effectively impairing your system performance.

Another thing to look after is the rank & organisation of the module - some are said to be faster than others (sorry, i'm too tired to google it for you). Can't tell whether that is an urban myth, though.

With the abovementioned population (2 upper, 2 lower) you can theoretically also get quad-channel iirc, but i can't remember whether you need to have 4 identical DIMM's or if it is sufficient to have 2 pairs per Riser. And the effect on real-world performance is disputed.

As comparison: I have a pair of 2GB modules and a pair of 4GB modules (= total of 12GB) on a Dual-2,66 MP1,1 - ran a quick Geekbench 32bit (free) test and got a total score of 5146. That is with EyeTV, Firefox with over a dozen tabs, Safari with 3 tabs and AppleMail all running in the backgorund (plus a dozen smaller tools and programs).

Edit: Forgot the memory scores, so i did the test again, this time with no big programs running and after a fresh reboot. Total score: 5574, mem performance: 2200, mem bandwidth performance: 1848.

[ambientexposure]

hopefully i did not skim over it, but i too want to upgrade a mac pro 1.1 with 2 5365 to an octo.

i do not mean to jack the thread, but would one upgrading need to change out the old 667mhz ram & upgrade to the newer 800mhz or 1066mhz? or would that even work?

[chromafile]

i do not mean to jack the thread, but would one upgrading need to change out the old 667mhz ram & upgrade to the newer 800mhz or 1066mhz? or would that even work?

You don't have to upgrade memory, though 800MHz works but it works as 667MHz.
FB-DIMM DDR2 1066MHz doesn't exists. DDR3 1066MHz doesn't work with 2006 Mac Pro

[filmguy1974]

I'm looking to upgrade an MP 1,1 to an octo if I can find a good deal on a pair of x5365's. I found a pair of ES ones for a good price, and I've confirmed that they use the same stepping (GO) as the officially released retail x5365's.

Is there any reason to assume these won't work, or should I stay away from ES's altogether?

[bearcatrp]

Using ES chips is always a risk. If you trust the person your buying them from and a real good price, go for it. See if there is a good return policy, just in case. Am currently using a pair of E5640 ES in a PC with no problems.

[Midphase]

If anyone is interested I made a video tutorial for the CPU swap:

Part 1:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wmz7gPw31L0

Part 2:

http://youtu.be/phzn8MPaDtQ

Enjoy!

[lemuelianus]

E5472 = 3.0GHz
X5472 = 3.0GHz
X5482 = 3.2GHz
X5492 = 3.4GHz (untested AFAIK)

All of the above parts have a 1600MHz FSB, which is one of the major advantages the Harpertowns had over previous systems.

X parts use more power than their E cousins.

So no "L" CPUs that the FSB are all 1333 or less are not compatible with 2008 model?

[nanofrog]

So no "L" CPUs that the FSB are all 1333 or less are not compatible with 2008 model?
So long as the Low Power (L) variants have the same stepping as the CPU's Apple selected (B0) they will work. Newer parts have E0 stepping, and won't work (when they went Halogen Free).

But given the lower clock frequencies, most haven't been interested in them from what I've seen.

[lemuelianus]

Thanks nanofrog. I`ll run back home to check what stepping mine is.

But still the low voltage is tempting for a guy like me who will use it as as a server;)

[nanofrog]

Thanks nanofrog. I`ll run back home to check what stepping mine is.

But still the low voltage is tempting for a guy like me who will use it as as a server;)
ark.intel.com isn't giving the stepping data any longer, but the 5 letter code needs to start with: SLA for C0 stepped parts.

For example, the E5462 Apple selected has the 5 letter code of SLANT. Any 54xx CPU with SLB as the beginning of the 5 letter code is E0, so those won't work in your MP.

Hope this helps a bit :) (why did Intel have to stop placing stepping information on ark.intel.com?!?!?! - it was so much easier for users then... :rolleyes: :().

[bearcatrp]

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Xeon/Intel-Xeon%20E5462%20-%20EU80574KL072N%20-%20AT80574KL072N.html

[nanofrog]

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Xeon/Intel-Xeon%20E5462%20-%20EU80574KL072N%20-%20AT80574KL072N.html
Another good source (where I double checked the stepping BTW), though sometimes a bit confusing for users not accustomed to looking up the details (just want a CPU, and search by series P/N <5xxx>) or incomplete as well.

[thekev]

Finally did this and it was so worth it. Upgraded from dual core to 2*2.66 and also put in a SSD boot drive and maxed out the ram. Total cost was about 1k but it is essentially a new computer. previous geekbench was about 5600 and I can break 11000 now. Should now be set for 3 more years.

Am considering moving the SSD to the optical bay and already installed the L shaped esata wire when I was dropping the new CPUs but it seems unecessary at the moment.

Am not going to run Lion for the time being since SL runs so smoothly.

That sounds like amazing longevity out of a single machine. Nice job dude.

[lemuelianus]

http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Xeon/Intel-Xeon%20E5462%20-%20EU80574KL072N%20-%20AT80574KL072N.html

Thanks bearcatrp, I too came across this site. Mine is SLARP and according to this site it`s C0 Stepping. It`s not B0 but from the sound of you guys it looks OK with my MPro. I also came across this page: http://ark.intel.com/products/33929/Intel-Xeon-Processor-L5420-(12M-Cache-2_50-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB) and here it says down mid-way that SLARP is "Halogen Free - No"--- also supporting that it`s MPro 2008 compatible.

Please correct me if I am wrong. And thank you two for the guidance.

[nanofrog]

Thanks bearcatrp, I too came across this site. Mine is SLARP and according to this site it`s C0 Stepping. It`s not B0 but from the sound of you guys it looks OK with my MPro. I also came across this page: http://ark.intel.com/products/33929/Intel-Xeon-Processor-L5420-(12M-Cache-2_50-GHz-1333-MHz-FSB) and here it says down mid-way that SLARP is "Halogen Free - No"--- also supporting that it`s MPro 2008 compatible.

Please correct me if I am wrong. And thank you two for the guidance.
It's C0 stepped, so it would work in a 2008 model (3,1). :)

[nambuccaheadsau]

For what it is worth running X5355 on a Mac Pro 1.1, the bench tests improved by 92% to 9416, with an OWC SSD. With the X5365 imagine it would be around 102%?

[shissler1987]

I also upgrated my mac pro 2010 from a xeon 2.8GHz to a xeon W3680 3.33 GHz. Everything sems to work fine... The only thing i m concerned about are the high core temperatures.... somethimes that goes up to 80 C ... can anyone tell me if thats normal? because that seams a little high....

[wonderspark]

I also upgrated my mac pro 2010 from a xeon 2.8GHz to a xeon W3680 3.33 GHz. Everything sems to work fine... The only thing i m concerned about are the high core temperatures.... somethimes that goes up to 80 C ... can anyone tell me if thats normal? because that seams a little high....
80C is really hot. I've pushed mine to 66C when rendering a long video project. During normal use, I see 43C at the most.

According to this Intel spec page (http://ark.intel.com/products/47917/Intel-Xeon-Processor-W3680-%2812M-Cache-3_33-GHz-6_40-GTs-Intel-QPI%29) the Tcase is 67.9C.

Did you apply the thermal paste correctly? How are you measuring 80C?

[shissler1987]

80C is really hot. I've pushed mine to 66C when rendering a long video project. During normal use, I see 43C at the most.

According to this Intel spec page (http://ark.intel.com/products/47917/Intel-Xeon-Processor-W3680-%2812M-Cache-3_33-GHz-6_40-GTs-Intel-QPI%29) the Tcase is 67.9C.

Did you apply the thermal paste correctly? How are you measuring 80C?

mhh... yes i have been reading that too... i just wonder why it gets hot? The fans are all working and thermal paste is also applied correctly.

thanks for tha fast response

I m measuring the temperature with "hardware monitor" ... and i think speedfan in windows (in windows i can only measure the core temps. and not the tcass) ... i also reseted the smc fan control settings of the mac allready...