MacPro4,1 Single CPU upgrade

ctguru said:

MacPro4,1 Single CPU upgrade

So after doing the EFI upgrade to 5,1, what are the best value CPU upgrades in peoples opinions? There are a few out there, just want some input. I really want the best bang for buck, so to speak. Are there any issues with particular upgrade CPU's?

W3565, X3570, X3680, X3690, i7-980X etc. (hope my list is correct)

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whoops maybe W instead of X in model number

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w3565...i think that is the one with 3.2x ghz?

W3670's are much cheaper used and excellent VFM compared to the faster 80/90 models. I buy them used off eBay with a DOA warranty long enough to test out thoroughly so I can return them if faulty, not had a duff one yet.

The X models are dual socket chips.

Best value in my opinion are the highest clocked quads.

Unless you can really take advantage of the 6 cores (and I mean really, not just trying to justify it in your head) or your job is to sit and look at Geekbench all day then a 3.33 quad core will be your best bang for the buck hands down. Also supports 1333 ram.

For example the 3.33 x5590 can be had for ~$200cdn compared to the 3.33 w3680 which is around $500-600 or more.

Gav Mack said:

The X models are dual socket chips.

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Again, No they are not!

My post from another thread:

flowrider said:

Actually not correct. The prefix alpha E, X or W have nothing to do with single or dual CPU capability. It is the first numeric after the Alpha that denotes single or dual CPU capability. The 3 is only for single CPU operation only, the 5 is for dual CPU Operation, but will also work in single CPU 5,1 or upgraded 4,1 Mac Pros.

Lou

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Lou

ctguru said:

MacPro4,1 Single CPU upgrade

So after doing the EFI upgrade to 5,1, what are the best value CPU upgrades in peoples opinions? There are a few out there, just want some input. I really want the best bang for buck, so to speak. r

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What CPU do you have currently? Is it the 2.66GHz quad?

If that is the case, and you don't need/want 6 cores, then a quad W3570 would be worth considering.

There appears to be a lot of leftover 3570s on OEM trays and that has made them inexpensive. A couple of sellers on ebay were selling tons of these 3570s brand new for $100-$130.
Last I checked, the W3565 and W3580 were both harder to come by and cost at least twice as much used.
The W3570 also supports 1333MHz ram (which would be usable with your EFI firmware flash).

Gav Mack said:

The X models are dual socket chips.

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X and W are TDP not dual/single identifiers.

funwithdesign said:

Best value in my opinion are the highest clocked quads.

Unless you can really take advantage of the 6 cores (and I mean really, not just trying to justify it in your head) or your job is to sit and look at Geekbench all day then a 3.33 quad core will be your best bang for the buck hands down. Also supports 1333 ram.

For example the 3.33 x5590 can be had for ~$200cdn compared to the 3.33 w3680 which is around $500-600 or more.

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You can get x5650 6 core for less than that $200 they work fine in machine that has the 2010 firmware. Added bonus they run cooler and use less power when doing so than the older 45nm processors.

MacUser2525 said:

You can get x5650 6 core for less than that $200 they work fine in machine that has the 2010 firmware. Added bonus they run cooler and use less power when doing so than the older 45nm processors.

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Trouble is, in the real world, next to no one will see any noticeable improvement moving from a 2.66 Quad to a 2.66 Hex core.

look for a W3580, or if you need 6 cores a W3680
both use 1333mhz ram, and turbo to the same speeds, only difference is one is quad, other is hex.

using a core i7 wont give you ECC for the memory
only Xeon supports ECC

funwithdesign said:

Trouble is, in the real world, next to no one will see any noticeable improvement moving from a 2.66 Quad to a 2.66 Hex core.

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Yeah same applies to the more money than brains crowd going for them 3.33 or 3.46 6 core chips. But if you need 6 cores that chip is the one to go for and if you need 6 cores on regular multiple times a day basis then the higher rated ones actually make sense.

GP-SE said:

look for a W3580, or if you need 6 cores a W3680
both use 1333mhz ram, and turbo to the same speeds, only difference is one is quad, other is hex.

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As is X5590 which for some reason can often be found cheaper than W3580.

Just bought this w3680 off of eBay, the seller still has two left. $440, which is much less than I've seen it from any other seller before and only about $100 more expensive than the w3670 (which has slower QPI and RAM speeds, as well as clock).

http://www.ebay.com/itm/INTEL-XEON-...MAC-PRO-LGA1366-SLBV2-PROCESSOR-/370996396977

all 3 gone

ctguru said:

can the X5590 cpu be used in a single CPU MacPro?

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Yes. That is what I run in mine.

ctguru said:

can the X5590 cpu be used in a single CPU MacPro?

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Again YES - As I stated in my post above!

Lou

Studio K said:

What CPU do you have currently? Is it the 2.66GHz quad?

If that is the case, and you don't need/want 6 cores, then a quad W3570 would be worth considering.
There appears to be a lot of leftover 3570s on OEM trays and that has made them inexpensive. A couple of sellers on ebay were selling tons of these 3570s brand new for $100-$130.
Last I checked, the W3565 and W3580 were both harder to come by and cost at least twice as much used.
The W3570 also supports 1333MHz ram (which would be usable with your EFI firmware flash).

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The 3570 is now as low as $30 now on ebay. I couldn't resist i want to go up to 1333mhz memory speed. I haven't installed it yet its in its package. I just worry it will run hot. Do you still have your w3570 is it running hot? My machine is just a 3mm allen wrench away from some SGII thermal paste and a dot pea method!

I don't think you need to worry about that. I am running a W3690, not hot at all. The cooling system still has plenty of buffer to handle more heat. For the single CPU 4,1, even a 130 TDP CPU, still impossible to make the fan run at 50% (assume normal OAT, and the heatsink is not cover by dust, etc.)

And the W3690 is now as low as $210.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fro....H0.XXeon+W3690.TRS0&_nkw=Xeon+W3690&_sacat=0