MacPro4,1 (2009) Processor Upgrade

[andersjohanson]

Ladies and gentlemen. I know that a whole lot has been written about the firware flash from MacPro4,1 to MacPro 5,1, and furthermore the processor upgrade to a single W3680 3,33 Ghz Westmere, and I'm doing this on a single 2,66 Ghz Nehalem as soon as the W3680 arrives.

However, I can't seem to get any wiser on the best upgrade for the dual 2,26 Ghz Nehalem (also 4,1, 2009). The new X56XX-processors from Intel all seem to ”run” at 32 nm instead of 45 nm.

So! As you may have guessed by now, my question remains: Which of the current Intels are the best/most price worth upgrade for a dual 2,26 Ghz Nehalem? Is it still the X5570 / 2,93 GHz 8-core Nahalem solution, or is there a Westmere 6-Core Hex to fit in the current 2,26 Ghz setup?

Thanks in advance!
Anders, Stockholm

[spoonie1972]

i'm ahemming-ahhaing right now, waiting for my thermal padding to arrive before i jump in, and so far, it seems:

2.93 (cost effective, decent upgrade)
w5590 (between $700-800 USD)
X5680 (between 1300-1600USD)

are the main choices out there.

[KBS756]

Originally Posted by andersjohanson

Ladies and gentlemen. I know that a whole lot has been written about the firware flash from MacPro4,1 to MacPro 5,1, and furthermore the processor upgrade to a single W3680 3,33 Ghz Westmere, and I'm doing this on a single 2,66 Ghz Nehalem as soon as the W3680 arrives.

However, I can't seem to get any wiser on the best upgrade for the dual 2,26 Ghz Nehalem (also 4,1, 2009). The new X56XX-processors from Intel all seem to ”run” at 32 nm instead of 45 nm.

So! As you may have guessed by now, my question remains: Which of the current Intels are the best/most price worth upgrade for a dual 2,26 Ghz Nehalem? Is it still the X5570 / 2,93 GHz 8-core Nahalem solution, or is there a Westmere 6-Core Hex to fit in the current 2,26 Ghz setup?

Thanks in advance!
Anders, Stockholm

I just completed upgrading my Mac pro from dual 2.93 GHz Quad Cores to dual 3.33 GHz Hex cores X5680 with no real issues. so for a flashed 4,1 you should be able to do the same with little issue.

[andersjohanson]

Originally Posted by KBS756

I just completed upgrading my Mac pro from dual 2.93 GHz Quad Cores to dual 3.33 GHz Hex cores X5680 with no real issues. so for a flashed 4,1 you should be able to do the same with little issue.

Good times. Was that a MacPro4,1 or a ”true” 5,1 (2010) you upgraded?

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Originally Posted by spoonie1972

i'm ahemming-ahhaing right now, waiting for my thermal padding to arrive before i jump in, and so far, it seems:

2.93 (cost effective, decent upgrade)
w5590 (between $700-800 USD)
X5680 (between 1300-1600USD)

are the main choices out there.

So two X5680 can actually be used with no issues at all? Thought the stepping was wrong to make these work in a MacPro4,1. Please advise.

[paulrbeers]

Originally Posted by andersjohanson

Good times. Was that a MacPro4,1 or a ”true” 5,1 (2010) you upgraded?

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So two X5680 can actually be used with no issues at all? Thought the stepping was wrong to make these work in a MacPro4,1.

If you flash the 4,1 with the 5,1 firmware (which can be done because they are the same computer), then you can use up to dual hex 3.33ghz processors. There's a bit more work to it (needing to use some spacers and what not). Search my friend.

[666sheep]

Originally Posted by paulrbeers

If you flash the 4,1 with the 5,1 firmware (which can be done because they are the same computer), then you can use up to dual hex 3.33ghz processors. There's a bit more work to it (needing to use some spacers and what not). Search my friend.

This, but do not buy ES X5680. These do have CPUID 206C1 and 5,1 EFI lacks microcode for this. SLBV5 will work OK.

[andersjohanson]

Originally Posted by paulrbeers

If you flash the 4,1 with the 5,1 firmware (which can be done because they are the same computer), then you can use up to dual hex 3.33ghz processors. There's a bit more work to it (needing to use some spacers and what not). Search my friend.

That much I understand, however, while searching, some people seem to advice against using 32 nm processors, claiming they simply don't match the 45 nm of the daughter board. X5680 running at 32 nm would simply not work. Can anyone either confirm that this is the case, or doesn't b0-stepping or 45 nm matter at all?

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Originally Posted by 666sheep

This, but do not buy ES X5680. These do have CPUID 206C1 and 5,1 EFI lacks microcode for this. SLBV5 will work OK.

So which Intel processor running at 3,33 Ghz 6-core would most definitely work in this dual MacPro4,1 setup?

[666sheep]

Originally Posted by andersjohanson

That much I understand, however, while searching, some people seem to advice against using 32 nm processors W, claiming they simply don't match the 45 nm of the daughter board. X5680 running at 32 nm would simply not work. Can anyone either confirm that this is the case, or doesn't b0-stepping or 45 nm matter at all?

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So which Intel processor running at 3,33 Ghz 6-core would most definitely work in this dual MacPro4,1 setup?

X5680 SLBV5, after flashing to 5,1 like KBS756 did. "W3xxx" CPUs don't work on dual boards because they lack second QPI channel.

[andersjohanson]

Originally Posted by 666sheep

X5680 SLBV5, after flashing to 5,1 like KBS756 did. "W" CPUs don't work on dual boards because they lack second QPI channel.

Wondrous! X5680 SLBV5 it is then. Thanks so much for clearing this up, and so fast. Have a great weekend!

[KBS756]

Originally Posted by andersjohanson

Wondrous! X5680 SLBV5 it is then. Thanks so much for clearing this up, and so fast. Have a great weekend!

How much are you looking to spend and where are you buying from? I purchased mine from ITCreations and their customer service was great with dealing with the issue I did have and I got the x5680s from them.

As other poster mentioned I used washers for spacing because 4,1s have lidless when dual processor configured. And yes mine is a 4,1 flashed to be 5,1

[andersjohanson]

Originally Posted by KBS756

How much are you looking to spend and where are you buying from? I purchased mine from ITCreations and their customer service was great with dealing with the issue I did have and I got the x5680s from them.

As other poster mentioned I used washers for spacing because 4,1s have lidless when dual processor configured. And yes mine is a 4,1 flashed to be 5,1

I'm doing the single processor upgrade to my own 4,1, and the dual upgrade to the video editing 4,1 at work. For the latter it may be better to buy all parts here in Sweden because of issues that may appear along the way, however, prices on e-bay with international shipping are quite appealing of course.

If we're buying here in Sweden, the X5680 costs around 1700 USD + our tax of 25%. I know. E-bay seems better and better...

Swedish Intel reseller Misco:
http://www.misco.se/Product/Product....itab.6087594.2

My only worries were the nm values and the steppings, but I trust you on the X5680 SLBV5!

***

On another note:

Since I have the Apple SSD carrier, I was wondering whether I can bring an SSD from a MacBook Pro, running Mountain Lion straight into the MacPro, and make it boot, or not? Is a fresh install the only way to go?

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Oh yeah, when it comes to washers, it's just 2 mm thick, and about 5 mm diameter around every screw of the heatsink right? Are there any images of this on the forum?

[andersjohanson]

EDIT: Using an SSD from a MacBook Pro running Mountain Lion in a Mac Pro, worked beautifully. Some apps bought from the App Store had to be imported again though, other than that, no issues!

[ljonesj]

I dont need it but i want a mac pro this is just a wish
delete this please