Will ES processors work as an upgrade on a 2009 Mac Pro?

Flocarino · Feb 19, 2012, 09:18 AM

I've seen a great deal on Ebay for these processors: Intel Xeon GULFTOWN X5675 Processor Q3QR 12MB 6-CORE(ES) for my 2009 2 x 2.26Ghz Mac Pro and would like to know if they are suited for the upgrade or I should stay away from Engineering Samples?
Thank you in advance.

Tutor · Feb 19, 2012, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flocarino

I've seen a great deal on Ebay for these processors: Intel Xeon GULFTOWN X5675 Processor Q3QR 12MB 6-CORE(ES) for my 2009 2 x 2.26Ghz Mac Pro and would like to know if they are suited for the upgrade or I should stay away from Engineering Samples?
Thank you in advance.

With this utility: http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,852.0.html
these: Intel Xeon GULFTOWN X5675
should work. I first put 5580's (mid 2009) and later 5680's (early 2011 - using a similar technique) in my system that was originally the very same as yours.

But whether you should buy ES or other used chips is a question for which I do not have an answer.

Flocarino · Feb 19, 2012, 04:53 PM

I already applied the firmware patch for 5.1.
What I need to know it's if an ES Intel Xeon 5675 will work or shoud I go with the retail version of the processor and NOT Engineering Samples?

ashman70 · Feb 19, 2012, 04:57 PM

One thing I know about ES is that they have unlocked multipliers which means they are ideal for over clocking. There is no way for you to tell if these chips were ever over clocked, or how far they were pushed. Also, I don't think its allowed to sell ES as they are meant for engineers to test, Intel sends them out as samples, they are not meant for the general public.

To be safe, I would go with a retail set, you get warranty and support.

Tutor · Feb 19, 2012, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flocarino

I already applied the firmware patch for 5.1.
What I need to know it's if an ES Intel Xeon 5675 will work or shoud I go with the retail version of the processor and NOT Engineering Samples?

ES Intel Xeon 5675 should work in a Mac (others have used ES chips successfully), but whether you should go with the retail version of the processor and not Engineering Samples is the question that I don't have an answer to.

Svoy · Jan 9, 2013, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tutor

ES Intel Xeon 5675 should work in a Mac (others have used ES chips successfully), but whether you should go with the retail version of the processor and not Engineering Samples is the question that I don't have an answer to.

I am interested as well in Intel Xeon X5675 ES compatibility with Mac pro 2010...
Can anybody else confirm it.

Thank in advance...

xcodeSyn · 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flocarino

Intel Xeon GULFTOWN X5675 Processor Q3QR 12MB 6-CORE(ES)

This processor seems fishy to me. For one thing, X5675 is in the family of Westmere-EP, not Gulftown. A quick search of Q3QR seems to confirm it is an ES processor with Gulftown core, which has a single-processor not dual-processor setting. Then there were two posters mentioned in this link that Q3QR processors did not work with the dual-processor motherboard of EVGA SR-2. Normally the right ES processors could work in MP, but in this particular case I wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole.

PowerPCMacMan · Jan 9, 2013, 10:53 PM

Hi,

I have a w3680 ES that I bought for my Mac Pro - Works like a charm! No problems whatsoever.

Your milage may vary though.. some batches of ES's are good others are bad.. I was lucky though.. but in most cases an ES will work just as the same as if you were to have a retail processor.

ES based processors can be cheaper in the long run.

Svoy · Jan 10, 2013, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcodeSyn

This processor seems fishy to me. For one thing, X5675 is in the family of Westmere-EP, not Gulftown. A quick search of Q3QR seems to confirm it is an ES processor with Gulftown core, which has a single-processor not dual-processor setting. Then there were two posters mentioned in this link that Q3QR processors did not work with the dual-processor motherboard of EVGA SR-2. Normally the right ES processors could work in MP, but in this particular case I wouldn't touch them with a ten-foot pole.

Thanks everybody for response...

Are you saying that if it will be "right" ES Westmere-EP not Gulftown processor it could work with the dual-processor Mac Pro?

xcodeSyn · Jan 10, 2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svoy

Are you saying that if it will be "right" ES Westmere-EP not Gulftown processor it could work with the dual-processor Mac Pro?

Except that I have not seen compatible Westmere-EP ES processors recently on eBay. It may make sense to consider ES processors when Intel first introduces its new generation CPU. Given that Westmere-EP is a more than 2-year old design, it makes more sense to buy the retail version (new or used) than the overclocked/abused ES processors.

Svoy · Jan 10, 2013, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcodeSyn

Except that I have not seen compatible Westmere-EP ES processors recently on eBay. It may make sense to consider ES processors when Intel first introduces its new generation CPU. Given that Westmere-EP is a more than 2-year old design, it makes more sense to buy the retail version (new or used) than the overclocked/abused ES processors.

ES version is twice or more cheaper than retail version...I've seen on Ebay as I recall it was Westmere-EP ES version for $400-455....I think its a good start, considering retail price...$900 for chip..

xcodeSyn · Jan 10, 2013, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Svoy

ES version is twice or more cheaper than retail version...I've seen on Ebay as I recall it was Westmere-EP ES version for $400-455....I think its a good start, considering retail price...$900 for chip..

This X5680 is currently sold for $695/each with 3-year warranty, and the price will probably go down further as OEM companies switching to Snady/Ivy Bridge-EP and dumping their Westmere-EP inventory. Also used processors are likely to appear later this year as most businesses coming off their 3-year leases. If you can actually find any Westmere-EP ES processors close to X5680 performance at $400-455, then by all means grab them.

ClassObject · Jan 10, 2013, 01:57 PM

it is illegal for ES Intel processors to be sold.

Svoy · Jan 10, 2013, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xcodeSyn

This X5680 is currently sold for $695/each with 3-year warranty, and the price will probably go down further as OEM companies switching to Snady/Ivy Bridge-EP and dumping their Westmere-EP inventory. Also used processors are likely to appear later this year as most businesses coming off their 3-year leases. If you can actually find any Westmere-EP ES processors close to X5680 performance at $400-455, then by all means grab them.

Hmm.... Weird thing...X5680 almost twice cheaper than X5675...NICE!!!I guess it worth to wait until price goes down more...

Feb 19, 2012, 09:18 AM	#1
Flocarino macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Montreal, Canada	Will ES processors work as an upgrade on a 2009 Mac Pro? I've seen a great deal on Ebay for these processors: Intel Xeon GULFTOWN X5675 Processor Q3QR 12MB 6-CORE(ES) for my 2009 2 x 2.26Ghz Mac Pro and would like to know if they are suited for the upgrade or I should stay away from Engineering Samples? Thank you in advance.
	0

Feb 19, 2012, 04:57 PM	#4
ashman70 macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2010	One thing I know about ES is that they have unlocked multipliers which means they are ideal for over clocking. There is no way for you to tell if these chips were ever over clocked, or how far they were pushed. Also, I don't think its allowed to sell ES as they are meant for engineers to test, Intel sends them out as samples, they are not meant for the general public. To be safe, I would go with a retail set, you get warranty and support. __________________ Iphone 4s 16GB, iPad Mini 32GB wifi Mac Pro 3,1 2x2.8GHz Xeon quad core, EVGA 670, 16GB RAM, 1x256GB SSD, 1x2TB, 4x3TB, LG Bluray burner, 3x Dell 23" LED
	0

Jan 9, 2013, 10:53 PM	#8
PowerPCMacMan Banned Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: PowerPC land	Engineering Sample Hi, I have a w3680 ES that I bought for my Mac Pro - Works like a charm! No problems whatsoever. Your milage may vary though.. some batches of ES's are good others are bad.. I was lucky though.. but in most cases an ES will work just as the same as if you were to have a retail processor. ES based processors can be cheaper in the long run.
	0

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Feb 19, 2012, 04:53 PM	#3
Flocarino Thread Starter macrumors member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Montreal, Canada	I already applied the firmware patch for 5.1. What I need to know it's if an ES Intel Xeon 5675 will work or shoud I go with the retail version of the processor and NOT Engineering Samples?
	0

Jan 10, 2013, 01:57 PM	#13
ClassObject macrumors regular Join Date: Mar 2010	it is illegal for ES Intel processors to be sold.
	0