2x2.66 GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon - processor upgrade

[sphoenix77]

So I recently purchased a Mac Pro and it's awesome. BUT I wanted to know is it possible to swap out the processors for maybe 2 quad cores or even 2 3.0 GHz processors and if so, how would you do it?

Is this possible? (pictures of the motherboard are attached)

[gglockner]

I originally wrote:


Short answer: Can't be done. Better off selling the Mac Pro and buying another one.

Long answer: Read what happened when Anandtech tried it. http://www.anandtech.com/show/2800/1


I misread the OP - I thought he was asking about a Nehalem 2009 Mac Pro.

[bozz2006]

the previous poster is mistaken. He's assuming you have a nehalem mac pro, which you don't. upgrading the processors in your mac pro is simple, cheap, and a very good upgrade. Search the forums. It has been done by a large handful of folks on here. There's lots of help available.

[bearcatrp]

Am presuming your Mac pro is the 1.1 version. If so, you can upgrade the processors using clovertown processors. I did my dual 2ghz dual core to 2 2.33 quad cores. The highest is the 3ghz clovertowns. But the problem is you will be stuck on 32 bit unless apple comes out with a firmware upgrade, which is very doubtful. Plus, the clovertowns are still expensive. Check ebay for some used ones. If you have the cash, sell it and buy what you can afford. My 2.8 rocks and don't plan on upgrading for awhile. Good luck.

[sphoenix77]

Am presuming your Mac pro is the 1.1 version. If so, you can upgrade the processors using clovertown processors. I did my dual 2ghz dual core to 2 2.33 quad cores. The highest is the 3ghz clovertowns. But the problem is you will be stuck on 32 bit unless apple comes out with a firmware upgrade, which is very doubtful. Plus, the clovertowns are still expensive. Check ebay for some used ones. If you have the cash, sell it and buy what you can afford. My 2.8 rocks and don't plan on upgrading for awhile. Good luck.

thanks for the information... I'll search the forums. What did you mean though with 'stick in 32 bit'? Any idea why that would happen with just upgrading the processor

[nanofrog]

thanks for the information... I'll search the forums. What did you mean though with 'stick in 32 bit'? Any idea why that would happen with just upgrading the processor
The fastest Quad core you can use, is the X5365. As per the 32 bit aspect, that system uses EFI32, which restricts you to the 32 bit Kernel of OS X (MP 1,1 and 2,1 systems are EFI32 = '06 and '07 systems). '08 and newer use EFI64.

Currently, OS X has both K32 and K64 (both 32 and 64 Kernels), and K64 CANNOT work as you need EFI64. There will be no update to the firmware to make it EFI64. Worse, OS X won't support dual Kernel versions for long. It will disappear in either 10.7 or perhaps 10.8, as Apple's already announced that they won't keep it going (they don't like interim products, but didn't state which version would be the last to have dual Kernels).

It also is limiting you on graphics card choices, as the newer nVidia models are EFI64 only, while the ATI products are currently using EBC (EFI Byte Code), which allows them to work in either EFI32 or EFI64 based systems.

So long as your software will do what you need in 32 bit Kernel version, you're fine that way. ATI will likely continue to use EBC, so you may be able to continue upgrading graphics as needed before your system hits EOL for you.

Also, that system will run 64 bit Windows or Linux just fine, and under either of those operating systems, any PC PCIe graphics card will work, so long as there's drivers for the specific OS version used.

Odd that it's getting to the point it has more life as a Windows/Linux box, but there it is. :eek: :rolleyes: :apple:

[sphoenix77]

The fastest Quad core you can use, is the X5365. As per the 32 bit aspect, that system uses EFI32, which restricts you to the 32 bit Kernel of OS X (MP 1,1 and 2,1 systems are EFI32 = '06 and '07 systems). '08 and newer use EFI64.

Currently, OS X has both K32 and K64 (both 32 and 64 Kernels), and K64 CANNOT work as you need EFI64. There will be no update to the firmware to make it EFI64. Worse, OS X won't support dual Kernel versions for long. It will disappear in either 10.7 or perhaps 10.8, as Apple's already announced that they won't keep it going (they don't like interim products, but didn't state which version would be the last to have dual Kernels).

It also is limiting you on graphics card choices, as the newer nVidia models are EFI64 only, while the ATI products are currently using EBC (EFI Byte Code), which allows them to work in either EFI32 or EFI64 based systems.

So long as your software will do what you need in 32 bit Kernel version, you're fine that way. ATI will likely continue to use EBC, so you may be able to continue upgrading graphics as needed before your system hits EOL for you.

Also, that system will run 64 bit Windows or Linux just fine, and under either of those operating systems, any PC PCIe graphics card will work, so long as there's drivers for the specific OS version used.

Odd that it's getting to the point it has more life as a Windows/Linux box, but there it is. :eek: :rolleyes: :apple:

thank you for educating me :) Hmm well then I need to get as much as I can out of this and maybe when the 6 cores come out, sell it and use the funds to help me get one. Would be nice to have a top of the line Mac for once...

[gglockner]

the previous poster is mistaken. He's assuming you have a nehalem mac pro, which you don't.

Oops, thanks. I misread the OP.