Mac Pro Dual-Core Intel Xeon 2x2.66 Upgrade

Dark Phoenix · Sep 15, 2013

So I am relatively new to this site so please forgive me if this has already been answered. I currently have a Mac Pro 1,1 2x2.66 processor. Now that their are 12 cores out there, I was thinking I could upgrade my processors to maybe 2x4 core or even 2x6 core. Just not certain as to how or what to get... HELP!

Please advise if this is even possible and what to do...

Macsonic · Sep 15, 2013

Dark Phoenix said:
So I am relatively new to this site so please forgive me if this has already been answered. I currently have a Mac Pro 1,1 2x2.66 processor. Now that their are 12 cores out there, I was thinking I could upgrade my processors to maybe 2x4 core or even 2x6 core. Just not certain as to how or what to get... HELP!

Please advise if this is even possible and what to do...

If your machine is the Ist gen 2006, I think there are no 12 core processors compatible to that model unless I am mistaken. The 12 core CPUs start at the Xeon 5600 series and higher models. Your logicboard also has a different spec and may not accomodate certain CPUs. Sorry if my inputs are not on a positive note.

flowrider · Sep 15, 2013

Masonic is correct. Both the the 1,1 and 2,1 Mac Pro utilize Woodcrest or Clovertown CPUs which have an LGA-771 socket. The 5500 and 5600 series Xeon CPUs which fit in the 4,1 and 5,1 machines utilize a later CPU design that utilize the LGA-1366 socket.

Lou

Mr. Zarniwoop · Sep 15, 2013

You can upgrade to quad-core "Clovertown" CPUs, either the X5355 or X5365, so you'd have an 8-core Mac Pro.

Some people have reported very minor problems that are resolved by upgrading the SMC firmware from the 2007 Mac Pro (2,1) which had identical hardware but included Intel microcode for quad-core CPUs as it shipped with the X5365.

troutweed · Sep 17, 2013

Hi Dark Phoenix. Welcome. This forum is a treasure trove of info for these sorts of projects.

I did this upgrade last year, and found the thread below contained all the info you need. Very informative.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/745426/

It's a really worthwhile upgrade.

I also put in an SSD and 5770 graphics card. Great machine.

Good luck!

sphoenix77 · Sep 18, 2013

troutweed said:
Hi Dark Phoenix. Welcome. This forum is a treasure trove of info for these sorts of projects.

I did this upgrade last year, and found the thread below contained all the info you need. Very informative.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/745426/

Wow! Tons of information. I got dizzy reading it. LOL! The video is great and I already bought the parts to turn my Mac Pro 1,1 from a 2x 2.66 Dual Core to a 2x 3.0 Quad core!

However, it brings up other questions. I read that most things are going 64 bit and the Mac Pro 1,1 runs 32 bit and may become obsolete? Is there a firmware update to make it 64 bit? Please advise.

comatory · Sep 18, 2013

sphoenix77 said:
Wow! Tons of information. I got dizzy reading it. LOL! The video is great and I already bought the parts to turn my Mac Pro 1,1 from a 2x 2.66 Dual Core to a 2x 3.0 Quad core!

However, it brings up other questions. I read that most things are going 64 bit and the Mac Pro 1,1 runs 32 bit and may become obsolete? Is there a firmware update to make it 64 bit? Please advise.

you cant make it 64 bit, although technically it is. Apple never bothered to update firmware for these old Mac Pros.

but you can easily install new version of OS by tricking the installer. I believe the tool is called Multibeast - it will treat your computer as another PC but it will let you install the newest OS versions. personally, I'd go for it, you can always revert back.

Dark Phoenix · Sep 18, 2013

comatory said:
you cant make it 64 bit, although technically it is. Apple never bothered to update firmware for these old Mac Pros.

but you can easily install new version of OS by tricking the installer. I believe the tool is called Multibeast - it will treat your computer as another PC but it will let you install the newest OS versions. personally, I'd go for it, you can always revert back.

Thanks for the information. I looked up Multibeast and found this:

http://tonymacx86.blogspot.com/2010/02/multibeast-ultimate-post-installation.html

Is this the program? I'm very curious about how it would trick an installer and how it would be needed. I'm running 10.7.5 on my desktop. Would 10.8 or 10.9 require Multibeast to install on my computer?

comatory · Sep 18, 2013

Dark Phoenix said:
Thanks for the information. I looked up Multibeast and found this:

http://tonymacx86.blogspot.com/2010/02/multibeast-ultimate-post-installation.html

Is this the program? I'm very curious about how it would trick an installer and how it would be needed. I'm running 10.7.5 on my desktop. Would 10.8 or 10.9 require Multibeast to install on my computer?

ok it was either this or Chimera/Chameleon bootloader. I never used it and never built mackintosh but I know people use this process to load newest OSes on old Mac Pro's. Someone around here should give you more info.

Check this: http://www.jabbawok.net/?p=47

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Mac Pro Dual-Core Intel Xeon 2x2.66 Upgrade

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