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Just upgrade my 2009 dual 2.26 to dual 2.93 GHz

A

Amethyst

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 8, 2006
600
292
I've just upgrade my old 8-core 2.26 GHz Mac Pro to use a new pair of x5570.
Thats means now i've own a mac that once time its cost 5,899 USD!!!!!

Form my experience i want to share 5 things.

1.) I've using 2.1 mm of washer (0.7mm x 3), and it work great!! you just tighten the screw and it set, no fan problem ho heat problem. (Idle 44c under Ambient 39c very hot in Thailand)
2.) I doesn't adjust, modify fan connector just use it as it come.
3.) I've add 2mm thermal pad to my heatsink, Add from pink thermal pad.
4.) It's very very easy. Doesn't need to hesitate.
5.) About the processor.
- I choose x5570 over 6-core variant because it much cheaper.I've paid just $380 for two of these. (vs $400 for just one of 6-core 2.4GHz that much lower frequency)
- I choose x5570 over w5590. Because it TDP is 95watt, follow Apple specification, I know w5590 can use without problem in 2009 pro. but my home is very very hot so i think i need lower TDP than +0.3 GHz max frequency.
- Another thing is about my dream, in 2009 I've dream to own the most expensive mac money can buy (8x2.93 Nehalem). That time i can't do. Today it very affordable to do.Why not?

299085_10151270993950674_500108521_n.jpg
 
A

Amethyst

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 8, 2006
600
292
spoonie1972 said:
congrats! geekbench before and after on your particular system?
Click to expand...

Before (2xE5520) = 13429
http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/1225318

After (2xX5570) = 18069
http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/1515217

My Collection FYI
Custom 2009 Mac Pro (6-core 3.2 GHz) = 14864
http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/934285

2009 Mac Pro (Quad 2.66GHz) = 9555
http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/699714

Custom 2006 Mac Pro (8x1.83GHz(BSEL2.33GHz)) = 9154
http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/614672

2996 Mac Pro (2xDual 2.66GHz) = 5535
http://browser.primatelabs.com/geekbench2/569046
 
S

spoonie1972

macrumors 6502a
Aug 17, 2012
573
153
wow, seems like a very inexpensive way to bump up the performance (i also have a 2.26x8 right now).
 
A

Amethyst

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 8, 2006
600
292
dual processor - build an Apps for iOS, Software development, design retina-class website, web development, Do my Phd research. etc.
single processor - A server for my family business. (3-stars Hotel in Thailand) mainly use about hotel billing. collaboration service. In this picture it under my desk but now it moved to server room.
 
Last edited:
S

shelant

macrumors member
Jan 20, 2008
41
1
US
Where did you get 2 processors for $380?
It's a great a price. So, if the ambient temps in my house are not to high, would you suggest me to go the w5590 route. I do a lot of Adobe Lightroom and video encoding (handbrake), so the extra 0.3 would really help me.
Although, I understand the power consumption problem. Do you think, if I wanted to instal a powerful video card (ATI 5870 for example) in addition to upgrading to 2x3.20 (w5590), would I have problems with not enough power? Just FYI, I also have 6 HDDs inside my Mac Pro 2009 dual 2.26.
Thank you for your help.
 
A

Amethyst

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 8, 2006
600
292
ebay guys. $175 per processor, $30 shipping to Thailand.

----------
shelant said:
Where did you get 2 processors for $380?
It's a great a price. So, if the ambient temps in my house are not to high, would you suggest me to go the w5590 route. I do a lot of Adobe Lightroom and video encoding (handbrake), so the extra 0.3 would really help me.
Although, I understand the power consumption problem. Do you think, if I wanted to instal a powerful video card (ATI 5870 for example) in addition to upgrading to 2x3.20 (w5590), would I have problems with not enough power? Just FYI, I also have 6 HDDs inside my Mac Pro 2009 dual 2.26.
Thank you for your help.
Click to expand...
I still recommend X5570 over W5590. cause do something under spec is better.
but if extra 0.3 really help you you can go that route. PSU of our mac pro can do just fine.
 
A

Amethyst

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Aug 8, 2006
600
292
666sheep said:
You need X5590 not W5590. "W" are for single CPU setup only.
Click to expand...
W5590 is right.

Single setup is xeon 3000 series.
Dual setup is xeon 5000 series.

W prefix is tell processor have 130w TDP.
X prefix is tell processor have 95w TDP.

There're 2 of W prefix processor in 5000 series.
W5580 at 3.2 GHz turbo boost 3.43 GHz
W5590 at 3.3 GHz turbo boost 3.6 GHz
 
666sheep

666sheep

macrumors 68040
Dec 7, 2009
3,686
291
Poland
Amethyst said:
W5590 is right.

Single setup is xeon 3000 series.
Dual setup is xeon 5000 series.

W prefix is tell processor have 130w TDP.
X prefix is tell processor have 95w TDP.

There're 2 of W prefix processor in 5000 series.
W5580 at 3.2 GHz turbo boost 3.43 GHz
W5590 at 3.3 GHz turbo boost 3.6 GHz
Click to expand...

Oh, my bad :eek:

Need another coffee ;)
 
X

xcodeSyn

macrumors 6502a
Nov 25, 2012
548
7
Amethyst said:
W prefix is tell processor have 130w TDP.
X prefix is tell processor have 95w TDP.
Click to expand...
Also E prefix for 80W TDP, and L prefix for <80W TDP. However for the 56XX series, all 130W TDP processors such as 5677,5680 and above still have X prefix instead of W, therefore the confusion. Intel apparently abandoned these prefixes in their Sandy/Ivy Bridge-EP lineup.
 
S

Spacedust

macrumors 6502a
May 24, 2009
999
160
Mine is dual X5570 directly from Apple, but hey how did you get 1333 MHz RAM to work at max speed ?

I've got 1333 MHz RAM and it runs only at 1066 MHz !

My machine is flashed to firmware 5,1.
 
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X

xcodeSyn

macrumors 6502a
Nov 25, 2012
548
7
Spacedust said:
Apple CPU's must be locked at 1066 MHz.
Click to expand...
That's a bummer. It's bad enough that Apple used lidless processors in the first place, and now no memory speed bump even with 5,1 flash. There may be very little performance improvement from 1066 to 1333, but I could understand your frustration.
 
T

tjlazer

macrumors member
Jul 27, 2005
93
3
Tacoma, WA USA
So I can install a i7 970 in my single processor 2009 Mac Pro? How does that CPU compare to the proper Xeon Hex core w36x0? :confused:
 
Last edited:
X

xcodeSyn

macrumors 6502a
Nov 25, 2012
548
7
tjlazer said:
So I can install a i7 970 in my single processor 2009 Mac Pro? How does that CPU compare to the proper Xeon Hex core w36x0? :confused:
Click to expand...
Yes, you can if you choose to after upgrading to firmware 5,1 of course. The i7 970 is equivalent to the W3670 Xeon but without ECC memory support and only supports memory speed up to 1066MHz. Your ECC memory would be wasted and you can use non-ECC desktop memory instead.
 
Last edited:
S

Spacedust

macrumors 6502a
May 24, 2009
999
160
xcodeSyn said:
That's a bummer. It's bad enough that Apple used lidless processors in the first place, and now no memory speed bump even with 5,1 flash. There may be very little performance improvement from 1066 to 1333, but I could understand your frustration.
Click to expand...

Don't worry - I will switch to X5670's or X5675's in about two year time.
 
T

tjlazer

macrumors member
Jul 27, 2005
93
3
Tacoma, WA USA
xcodeSyn said:
Yes, you can if you choose to after upgrading to firmware 5,1 of course. The i7 970 is equivalent to the W3670 Xeon but without ECC memory support and only supports memory speed up to 1066MHz. Your ECC memory would be wasted and you can use non-ECC desktop memory instead.
Click to expand...

Thanks! I also started my own thread, this is good news indeed if you can find a cheap i7, it seems they are pretty prices still.
 
S

shelant

macrumors member
Jan 20, 2008
41
1
US
Did you use nylon or metal washers? Also, did you use 2mm thermal pad? Silicone? Is this one good enough?

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008X0UKV8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A1THAZDOWP300U

Thanks

Amethyst said:
I've just upgrade my old 8-core 2.26 GHz Mac Pro to use a new pair of x5570.
Thats means now i've own a mac that once time its cost 5,899 USD!!!!!

Form my experience i want to share 5 things.

1.) I've using 2.1 mm of washer (0.7mm x 3), and it work great!! you just tighten the screw and it set, no fan problem ho heat problem. (Idle 44c under Ambient 39c very hot in Thailand)
2.) I doesn't adjust, modify fan connector just use it as it come.
3.) I've add 2mm thermal pad to my heatsink, Add from pink thermal pad.
4.) It's very very easy. Doesn't need to hesitate.
5.) About the processor.
- I choose x5570 over 6-core variant because it much cheaper.I've paid just $380 for two of these. (vs $400 for just one of 6-core 2.4GHz that much lower frequency)
- I choose x5570 over w5590. Because it TDP is 95watt, follow Apple specification, I know w5590 can use without problem in 2009 pro. but my home is very very hot so i think i need lower TDP than +0.3 GHz max frequency.
- Another thing is about my dream, in 2009 I've dream to own the most expensive mac money can buy (8x2.93 Nehalem). That time i can't do. Today it very affordable to do.Why not?

Image
Click to expand...
 
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