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OWC Processor Upgrade
- Thread starter swpmac
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It's just expensive that it's like buying another computer. User usually prefer to do the upgrading themselves.
i managed to do an upgrade on the "tricky" 2009 machine... I can't imagine why anyone (except someone VERY nervous around electronics) would bother sending something out to do it on a 2010+.
Also, their prices, while likely reasonable when they first offered the service, seem a bit high now.
Also, their prices, while likely reasonable when they first offered the service, seem a bit high now.
I've got a 2010 2 x 2.4 GHz Quad-Core Intel... I spent 20 years in IT (PC)... did plenty of hardware upgrades(not CPU) so it sounds like something I could do. I've seen many different links on 'how-to'... where did you look for your instructions?
Identical?
In the standard config OWC pops up for a 2010 it is swapping a 3530 for a 3565. Price $949.
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/turnkey/MacPro/2009_2010_Xeon_Processor/Apple_Mac_Pro_2010_1
Newegg price for a 3565 , $324.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117244
Even if have to buy $100 of custom screwdrivers and thermal paste there is a gap.
The only thing that is somewhat close is swapping two 5620s for a single 3680.
Here's what I have and wanting to upgrade to:
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/turnkey/MacPro/2009_2010_Xeon_Processor/Apple_Mac_Pro_2010_2
Price is $3619
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117228&Tpk=x5680
Price is $1704 for 1 six core ($3408 for 2)... so is doing it myself only going to save $200?
http://eshop.macsales.com/shop/turnkey/MacPro/2009_2010_Xeon_Processor/Apple_Mac_Pro_2010_2
Price is $3619
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819117228&Tpk=x5680
Price is $1704 for 1 six core ($3408 for 2)... so is doing it myself only going to save $200?
Are you looking at the price at the bottom of the page?
For example, taking a quadcore 2.8 and going to a hexcore 3.33 is "only +550" but the overall cost at the bottom is 1499. Newegg's cost for this processor is $620.
Further, the point about "you might as well buy new" is pretty solid especially if you are doing an upgrade from say a 2.8ghz quad core all the way to dual 2.93ghz from OWC. That upgrade cost is $4200 where brand new w/ 3.06ghz processors from Apple (with full warranty and slightly faster processors) is 6200. You could probably sell your 2010 base and get half (if not more) of the difference back.
Obviously OWC has to charge a lot to protect against any damage they might do, plus the processors are still very expensive, in the end if you really want to upgrade to faster processors you are better off doing it yourself or just selling your old one and buying new.
Just my .02 worth. At least someone is offering this as a service (although a bit cheaper would be better).
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Price is $1704 for 1 six core ($3408 for 2)... so is doing it myself only going to save $200 + you can turn around and sell your processors on ebay for whatever you can add additionally. However, with that said, yours would be about the only way it would make any financial sense to have OWC do it. Any others and the cost variance is wayyy to high.
You can buy them from eBay for $700, superbiiz and amazon for $1200. I don't know why you'd use newegg or OWC.
I will say it like this..
If you have the Single Quad-core 2009, flash the 4,1 to 5,1 firmware... get the w3680 or w3690(your choice), but bear in mind if you have the Quad-core w3580 at 3.33 Ghz, your best bet would be the w3680 as w3690 does NOT provide too much more in performance..
Thats it.. all you need to spend money on is a processor and I have seen w3680's for under 400 dollars. Forget OWC's turnkey method!
If you have a 2009 Dual system... it will wind up costing you $$$ as not only would you have to replace the heatsinks, but you will also have to get the x56xx series processors and those alone for two of them will run you over the cost of a 5,1 machine itself.
In my opinion, best to sell off the 4,1 for the 5,1 dual.. unless you know someone who has the parts you need at a reasonable price.
Single quad users like myself only have to flash the firmware and then get the processor. I don't see too much difference between 1333 mhz and 1066 mhz DDR3 memory.
If you have the Single Quad-core 2009, flash the 4,1 to 5,1 firmware... get the w3680 or w3690(your choice), but bear in mind if you have the Quad-core w3580 at 3.33 Ghz, your best bet would be the w3680 as w3690 does NOT provide too much more in performance..
Thats it.. all you need to spend money on is a processor and I have seen w3680's for under 400 dollars. Forget OWC's turnkey method!
If you have a 2009 Dual system... it will wind up costing you $$$ as not only would you have to replace the heatsinks, but you will also have to get the x56xx series processors and those alone for two of them will run you over the cost of a 5,1 machine itself.
In my opinion, best to sell off the 4,1 for the 5,1 dual.. unless you know someone who has the parts you need at a reasonable price.
Single quad users like myself only have to flash the firmware and then get the processor. I don't see too much difference between 1333 mhz and 1066 mhz DDR3 memory.