MP All Models Mac Pro CPU Compatibility List

[ActionableMango]

Bokkow and I have created a Mac Pro CPU compatibility list. The intent is to cover all relevant and compatible CPU upgrades for all Mac Pros. These are asked about over and over and over again, so I thought it would be nice to have it all in one place.

Constructive criticism, corrections to errors, pointing out omissions, etc. are all welcome. My intent is, after the content matures, to turn this first post into a wiki so that anyone can maintain it going forward from there.

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Notes:

• Any and all information here may be incorrect. Use at your own risk.
• This includes anything offered by Apple (BTO/CTO), third party upgrade guides and commercial services (such as Barefeats, OWC, or xlr8yourmac), or simply individuals claiming personal success in a forum somewhere (such as MacRumors and Netkas). There are probably many unverified CPUs that work, but these are not listed.
• Memory speed is included in these charts. This is important because in some cases the CPU choice makes a difference.
• Upgrading to a higher TDP (wattage) processor may increase temperatures and/or fan speed at max load. Macs Fan Control is a popular way to control your Mac's fan and it is available for both OS X and Windows, unlike most Mac fan software.
• Some used CPUs for sale on Ebay and elsewhere are Intel Engineering Samples. You can read more about these here, but they are basically "beta" versions of the CPU provided to OEMs for testing. These may or may not work in a Mac Pro. In my research at least one person bought an engineering sample that didn't work. Since Intel only loans them out and never sells them, they can also be considered stolen property. People have literally been arrested for selling Intel ES processors on Ebay.

Key	Description
-	Not compatible
x	Compatible
x*	Compatible, but see notes about firmware update

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Mac Pro 7,1

• 1TB or 2TB maximum RAM depending on processor

Architecture	Cores	Grade	CPU-Model	GHz	Turbo	RAM	Watt	Max RAM
Cascade Lake	28 core	Xeon W	W-3275M	2.5	4.4	2933	205W	2TB
Cascade Lake	28 core	Xeon W	W-3275	2.5	4.4	2933	205W	1TB
Cascade Lake	24 core	Xeon W	W-3265M	2.7	4.4	2933	205W	2TB
Cascade Lake	24 core	Xeon W	W-3265	2.7	4.4	2933	205W	1TB
Cascade Lake	16 core	Xeon W	W-3245M	3.2	4.4	2933	205W	2TB
Cascade Lake	16 core	Xeon W	W-3245	3.2	4.4	2933	205W	1TB
Cascade Lake	12 core	Xeon W	W-3235	3.3	4.4	2933	180W	1TB
Cascade Lake	8 core	Xeon W	W-3225	3.7	4.3	2666	160W	1TB
Cascade Lake	8 core	Xeon W	W-3223	3.5	4.0	2666	160W	1TB

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Mac Pro 6,1

• 128GB maximum RAM (reduced speed 1066Mhz)
• 64GB maximum RAM (full speed 1866Mhz)

Architecture	Cores	Grade	CPU-Model	GHz	Turbo	RAM	Watt
Ivy-Bridge	12 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2697 V2	2.7	3.5	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	12 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2696 V2	2.5	3.3	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	12 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2695 V2	2.4	3.2	1866	115W
Ivy-Bridge	10 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2690 V2	3.0	3.6	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	10 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2680 V2	2.8	3.6	1866	115W
Ivy-Bridge	8 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2687W V2	3.4	4.0	1866	150W
Ivy-Bridge	8 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2667 V2	3.3	4.0	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	8 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2673 V2	3.3	4.0	1866	110W
Ivy-Bridge	8 core	Xeon	E5-1680 V2	3.0	3.9	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	6 core	Xeon	E5-1660 V2	3.7	4.0	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	6 core	Xeon	E5-1650 V2	3.5	3.9	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	4 core	Xeon	E5-1620 V2	3.7	3.9	1866	130W

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Mac Pro 5,1 and 4,1
Xserve 3,1

• Maximum RAM:
  • 56GB in a single-processor Mac Pro using a single-processor-capable Xeon
  • 64GB in a single-processor Mac Pro using a dual-processor-capable Xeon
  • 160GB in a dual-processor Mac Pro
  • 48GB for a single-processor Xserve
  • 96GB in a dual-processor Xserve
• For the 4,1 to use Westmere CPUs and run RAM at 1333, it will need the firmware upgrade to 5,1, found here: https://web.archive.org/web/20220526182149/http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,852.0.html
• 5,1 Mac Pros shipped with 1333 RAM even when paired with a Nehalem (1066 only) processor. As shipped, the RAM runs at 1066 because of the CPU. However, if you upgrade to a 1333-capable CPU, your RAM will run at 1333 after an NVRAM reset.
• Consumer CPUs (i7 9xx) do not support ECC RAM, but Mac Pros 4,1 and 5,1 work fine with non-ECC RAM
• Installing a single "Dual Xeon" processor into a single-processor Mac Pro works fine, and actually increases its maximum RAM from 56 to 64GB.
• Installing just one single-processor-model CPU into a dual-processor Mac Pro technically works, but this causes an error state with the CPU fan going full blast.
• For two CPUs, you must install two "Dual Xeon" processors. You cannot use two i7 or single Xeon processors.
• The X#### CPU's tend to have a slightly higher maximum temperature rating than their W#### equivalents.
• 4,1 dual-processor CPU trays made before May 2009 are problematic with 130W Xeons.
• 4,1 dual-processor Mac Pro uses a special, "lidless" CPUs (the single-processor models use normal CPUs). This has a different height than the normal CPUs, so if you upgrade a dual-processor 4,1 Mac Pro with different processors, you need to deal with the height difference. There are several ways to do this:
  • Buy CPUs that someone has already de-lidded.
  • Buy normal CPUs and de-lid them yourself. Here is thread about delidding yourself and here is a video. (And here is a post warning against delidding yourself.)
  • Buy normal CPUs and pay for de-lidding service.
  • Keep the lids on, but be extremely careful about not tightening down the heat sink too much. (If you don't remove the lids it is very easy to tighten down the heat sink screws too much on a CPU that's too large, resulting in damage to the socket, CPU, and/or board.)
  • Other people have kept the lids on, but added washer stacks (of equivalent height to the lid difference) to where the tightening screws go--this is intended to prevent the heat sink from overtightening and causing damage. Here is an informational washer stack thread, and here is a really good post with pictures and a step-by-step procedure.
  • If you keep the lids on, the existing heat pad won't reach the heat sink due to the extra height of the lids. You need to make up for this gap by replacing the heat pad with a thicker pad.
• The Xserve 3,1 uses lidless CPUs for both single-CPU and double-CPU models. We don't know if the washer-stack trick will work in Xserves as they are physically different than MP, but the other solutions should work.
• No, the X5687 (3.6GHz quad-core) and the X5698 (4.4GHz dual-core) do not work in Mac Pros. I don't want to list every CPU that doesn't work with a Mac, but these two are asked about often enough to include here, and they've been verified as not working.

Architecture	Cores	Grade	CPU-Model	GHz	Turbo	RAM	Watt	MP4,1	MP5,1	XS3,1
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5690	3.46	3.73	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5680	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5679	3.20	3.60	1066	115W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5675	3.06	3.46	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5670	2.93	3.33	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5660	2.80	3.20	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5650	2.66	3.06	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	E5649	2.53	2.80	1333	80W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	E5645	2.40	2.67	1333	80W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	L5639	2.13	2.67	1333	60W	x*	x	-
Gulftown	6 core	Xeon	W3690	3.46	3.73	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Xeon	W3680	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Xeon	W3670	3.20	3.46	1066	130W	x*	x	-
Gulftown	6 core	Consumer	i7 990X	3.46	3.73	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Gulftown	6 core	Consumer	i7 980X	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Gulftown	6 core	Consumer	i7 970	3.20	3.46	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5687	3.60	3.86	1333	130W	-	-	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5677	3.46	3.73	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5672	3.20	3.60	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5667	3.06	3.46	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5647	2.93	3.20	1066	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5640	2.66	2.93	1066	80W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5630	2.53	2.80	1066	80W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5620	2.40	2.66	1066	80W	x*	x	-
Westmere	2 core	Dual Xeon	X5698	4.40	4.54	1333	130W	-	-	-
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	W5590	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x	x	x
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	W5580	3.20	3.46	1333	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5570	2.93	3.33	1333	95W	x	x	x
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5560	2.80	3.20	1333	95W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5550	2.66	3.06	1333	95W	x	x	x
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5540	2.53	2.80	1066	80W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5530	2.40	2.66	1066	80W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5520	2.26	2.53	1066	80W	x	x	x
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3580	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3570	3.20	3.46	1333	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3565	3.20	3.46	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3540	2.93	3.20	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3530	2.80	3.06	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3520	2.66	2.93	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 975	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 965	3.20	3.46	1066	130W	x**	x**	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 960	3.20	3.46	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 950	3.06	3.33	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 940	2.93	3.20	1066	130W	x**	x**	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 930	2.80	3.06	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 920	2.66	2.93	1066	130W	x**	x**	-

* Requires 4,1 to 5,1 firmware upgrade



** Some or all steppings of these CPUs don't work with certain newer Mac Pro firmware versions applied by High Sierra 10.13.5 updates and newer. See this thread. The thread also has a method for adding the code back to make the CPUs compatible again.

Note: Reports of GAINESTOWN (Xeon 5500-series) processors in Mojave experiencing audio related issues. See this thread for more information.

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Mac Pro 3,1
Xserve 2,1

• 64GB maximum RAM
• The 3,1 MP is not compatible with all steppings. Processors with a 5-digit sSpec starting with "SLB" do not work. Those that start with "SLA" work. The sSpec is marked on the top of the processor. sSpec numbers listed in this table should work.
• The 3,1 single-processor Mac Pro can be upgraded to dual-processor by adding a second CPU and appropriate heat sink. The CPUs must match including sSpec, so either get a second CPU that matches your existing CPU, or get two matching CPUs.

Architecture	Cores	Grade	CPU-Model	sSpec	GHz	RAM	Watt	MP3,1	XS2,1
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5482	SLANZ	3.2	800	150W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5460	SLANP	3.16	667	120W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5472	SLANR	3.0	800	80W	x	x
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5472	SLASA	3.0	800	120W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5450	SLASB	3.0	667	120W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5450	SLANQ	3.0	667	80W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5440	SLANS	2.83	667	80W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5462	SLANT	2.8	800	80W	x	x
Wolfdale	2 core	Dual Xeon	X5272	SLANH	3.40	800	80W	x	-
Wolfdale	2 core	Dual Xeon	X5260	SLANJ	3.33	667	80W	x	-

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Mac Pro 2,1 and 1,1
Xserve 1,1

• 32GB maximum RAM for 1,1 (increases to 64GB if flashed with 2,1 firmware)
• 64GB maximum RAM for 2,1 and Xserve1
• For the 1,1 to use Clovertown CPUs properly, it needs a firmware flashed to 2,1.
• The 1,1 to 2,1 firmware flash requires Snow Leopard (or newer) to run. It can be found here: https://web.archive.org/web/20220427154138/http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,1094.0.html

Architecture	Cores	Grade	CPU-Model	sSpec	Stepping	GHz	RAM	Watt** (TDP)	Watt** (idle)	MP1,1	MP2,1	XS1,1
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5365	SLAC3	B3	3.0	667	150W	50W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5365	SLAED	G0	3.0	667	120W	25W	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5355	SLAC4	B3	2.66	667	120W	50W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5355	SL9YM	B3	2.66	667	120W	50W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5355	SLAEG	G0	2.66	667	120W	25W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5345	SL9YL	B3	2.33	667	80W	n/a	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5345	SLAC5	B3	2.33	667	80W	n/a	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5345	SLAEJ	G0	2.33	667	80W	n/a	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5340	SL9MY	n/a	2.4	533	80W	30W	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5340	n/a	G0	2.4	667	80W	25W	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	L5335	SLAEN	G0	2.0	667	50W	24W	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	L5320	SLA4Q	B3	1.86	533	50W	24W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	L5320	SLAC9	B3	1.86	533	50W	24W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	L5320	SLAEP	G0	1.86	533	50W	24W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5320	SL9MV	B3	1.86	533	80W	30W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5320	SLACB	B3	1.86	533	80W	30W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5320	SLAEM	G0	1.86	533	80W	30W	x*	x	-
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5160	SL9RT	B2	3.0	667	80W	n/a	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5160	SLABS	B2	3.0	667	80W	n/a	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5160	SLAG9	G0	3.0	667	65W	8W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5150	SL9RU	B2	2.66	667	65W	24W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5150	SLABM	B2	2.66	667	65W	24W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5150	SLAGA	G0	2.66	667	65W	8W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5130	SL9RX	B2	2.0	667	65W	27W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5130	SLABP	B2	2.0	667	65W	27W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5130	SLAGC	G0	2.0	667	65W	27W	x	x	x

* 1,1 to 2,1 firmware upgrade recommended for stepping G0, _strongly_ recommended for earlier steppings.


** Values per CPU (-> x2 in a MP). Upgrade from DualCore to QuadCore CPU's usually requires fan control adjustments prior to stepping G0.

Sources used (among others): Techreport.com, Wikipedia.

​

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Credit

• Thanks to Bokkow for helping with this. The information is formatted and presented nicely due to his work with BBCode tables, and he has contributed with a lot of the data as well.
• Thanks to MacEFIROM and Netkas for creating and providing the firmware updates for Mac Pro. This has enabled countless people to upgrade to a newer generation of CPUs, which wouldn't be possible without the effort made by these two.
• Thanks to everyone who ever upgraded a CPU and took the time to post about it here--there's a chance it was your post I saw that led to a CPU being verified above.
• Thanks to those who took the time, money, and risk to shove more memory in their computer than others said was possible.
• Thanks to everyone who helps to push the limits and usefulness of our computers.
• Thanks to MacRumors and the mods for providing such a great forum for the above to happen in the first place. Especially the mod Arn, for enabling BBCode tables for this.

 

[flehman]

Bokkow and I have created a Mac Pro CPU compatibility list. The intent is to cover all relevant and compatible CPU upgrades for all Mac Pros. These are asked about over and over and over again, so I thought it would be nice to have it all in one place.

Right now it is an early draft. Sorry about the formatting--the "tabs" were lost when I inserted this into MacRumors, so the columns don't line up correctly. Bokkow is working to see if the formatting can be improved.

Constructive criticism, corrections to errors, pointing out omissions, etc. are all welcome. My intent is, after the content matures, to turn this first post into a wiki so that anyone can maintain it going forward from there.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes:

• Any and all information here may be incorrect. Use at your own risk.
• Memory speed is included for those Mac Pros where the CPU choice makes a difference.

Key:

* An asterisk denotes that I have found some sort of confirmation that this CPU worked. This includes anything offered by Apple (BTO/CTO), third party upgrade guides or commercial services (such as Barefeats, OWC, or xlr8yourmac), or simply individuals claiming personal success in a forum somewhere.
? A question mark denotes a processor that almost certainly works in a Mac Pro, and for which I found at least one person who recommends it. However, I have been unable to find a post which actually verifies that it does work in a Mac Pro.​

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Mac Pro 6,1

• 128GB maximum RAM

Model Cores Clock
E5-2697 v2* 12 2.70 GHz
E5-2690 v2* 10 3.00 GHz
E5-2667 v2* 8 3.30 GHz
E5-1680 v2* 8 3.00 GHz
E5-1660 v2* 6 3.70 GHz
E5-1650 v2* 6 3.50 GHz
E5-1620 v2* 4 3.70 GHz​

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Mac Pro 5,1 and 4,1

• To use 6-core models and run RAM at 1333, the 4,1 will need the firmware upgrade to 5,1, found here:http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,852.0.html
• One dual-processor-model CPU works fine in a single-processor Mac Pro, and increases its maximum RAM from 56 to 64GB.
• One single-processor-model CPU technically works in a dual-processor Mac Pro, but this causes an error state with the CPU fan going full blast.
• 4,1 dual-processor Mac Pros use special, "lidless" CPUs. You either need to buy lidless CPUs, de-lid them yourself, or pay for de-lidding service, so that the CPUs are the proper height. Failure to do this results in very expensive damage when the heatsink is tightened down. Some people have kept the lids on, but were extremely careful about not tightening down the heat sink too much. Other people have kept the lids on, but added washer stacks (of equivalent height to the lid difference) to where the tightening screws go--this is intended to prevent the heat sink from overtightening and causing damage.
• No, the X5687 (3.6GHz quad-core) and the X5698 (4.4GHz dual-core) do not work in Mac Pros. I don't want to list every CPU that doesn't work with a Mac, but these two are asked about often enough to note here.

Dual-Processor Xeon Models:

• 128GB maximum RAM for dual-processor Mac Pros
• 64GB maximum RAM for single-processor Mac Pros using one of these dual-processor-capable CPUs

Model Cores Clock MemClock
X5690* 6x2 3.46 GHz 1333
X5680* 6x2 3.33 GHz 1333
X5679* 6x2 3.20 GHz 1333
X5675* 6x2 3.06 GHz 1333
X5670* 6x2 2.93 GHz 1333
X5660* 6x2 2.80 GHz 1333
X5650* 6x2 2.66 GHz 1333
X5677* 4x2 3.46 GHz 1333
E5570* 4x2 2.93 GHz 1066
E5550* 4x2 2.66 GHz 1066
E5520* 4x2 2.26 GHz 1066​

Single-Processor Xeon Models:

• 56GB maximum RAM (3x16GB + 1x8GB)

Model Cores Clock MemClock
W3690* 6 3.46 GHz 1333
W3680* 6 3.33 GHz 1333
W3670* 6 3.20 GHz 1066
W3580* 4 3.33 GHz 1333
W3570* 4 3.20 GHz 1333
W3565* 4 3.20 GHz 1066
W3550? 4 3.06 GHz 1066
W3540* 4 2.93 GHz 1066
W3530* 4 2.80 GHz 1066
W3520* 4 2.66 GHz 1066​

Single-Processor i7 Models:

• All Mac Pros come with Xeons. The i7 equivalents are listed here because some of them have been verified compatible with Mac Pros and ECC memory, although the ECC function will not work. Xeons are recommended, but the i7 is a valid upgrade choice and multiple people here on MR have done so.
• The 56GB RAM limit for single-processor machines was tested on Xeons. The i7 CPUs probably have the same limit.

Model Cores Clock MemClock
i7-990X* 6 3.46 GHz 1333
i7-980X* 6 3.33 GHz 1333
i7-980 ? 6 3.33 GHz 1066
i7-970 * 6 3.20 GHz 1066
i7-975 * 4 3.33 GHz 1333
i7-965 * 4 3.20 GHz 1333​

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Mac Pro 3,1

• 64GB maximum RAM
• Single-processor Mac Pro 3,1 has 4 cores only, not the 4x2 listed below

Model Cores Clock
E5462* 4x2 2.8 GHz
E5472* 4x2 3.0 GHz
X5482* 4x2 3.2 GHz​

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Mac Pro 2,1 and 1,1

• 32GB maximum RAM for 1,1 (increases to 64GB if flashed with 2,1 firmware)
• 64GB maximum RAM for 2,1
• To use 4-core CPUs, the 1,1 will need a firmware flashed to 2,1.
• The 1,1 to 2,1 firmware flash requires Snow Leopard (or newer) to run. It can be found here: http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,1094.0.html

Model Cores Clock
X5365* 4x2 3.00
X5355* 4x2 2.66
E5345* 4x2 2.33
5160* 2x2 3.00
5150* 2x2 2.66
5130* 2x2 2.00
​

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Credit

• Thanks to Bokkow for helping with this.
• Thanks to everyone who ever upgraded a CPU and took the time to post about it here--there's a chance it was your post I saw that led to a CPU being verified above.
• Thanks to those who took the time, money, and risk to shove more memory in their computer than others said was possible.
• Thanks to everyone who helps to push the limits and usefulness of our computers.
• Thanks to MacRumors and the mods for providing such a great forum for the above to happen in the first place.

Thanks - this is a great resource. I wish there had been one wiki post with all this info in one place when I was doing my own research.

One small point I would make is that there can be minor differences between an X-class CPU and its W-class equivalent that aren't covered here. For instance, the high temp tolerance of the X5690 is slightly higher than that of the W3690, which might be one reason to look at the X5690 a little more closely even for a single-CPU 4,1 or 5,1.

 

[nigelbb]

Great work! Might I suggest that you also include the TDP for each processor as you had on the table to posted on another thread? I am not sure whether it's ever a consideration when upgrading but it would be a nice to have for completeness.

 

[bokkow]

Great work! Might I suggest that you also include the TDP for each processor as you had on the table to posted on another thread? I am not sure whether it's ever a consideration when upgrading but it would be a nice to have for completeness.

Thanks Nigelbb I will put this in the table as well, I agree with you that TDP can be a consideration when upgrading.

 

[ibarnett]

Bokkow and I have created a Mac Pro CPU compatibility list. The intent is to cover all relevant and compatible CPU upgrades for all Mac Pros. These are asked about over and over and over again, so I thought it would be nice to have it all in one place.

Right now it is an early draft. Sorry about the formatting--the "tabs" were lost when I inserted this into MacRumors, so the columns don't line up correctly. Bokkow is working to see if the formatting can be improved.

Constructive criticism, corrections to errors, pointing out omissions, etc. are all welcome. My intent is, after the content matures, to turn this first post into a wiki so that anyone can maintain it going forward from there.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Notes:

• Any and all information here may be incorrect. Use at your own risk.
• Memory speed is included for those Mac Pros where the CPU choice makes a difference.

Key:

* An asterisk denotes that I have found some sort of confirmation that this CPU worked. This includes anything offered by Apple (BTO/CTO), third party upgrade guides or commercial services (such as Barefeats, OWC, or xlr8yourmac), or simply individuals claiming personal success in a forum somewhere.
? A question mark denotes a processor that almost certainly works in a Mac Pro, and for which I found at least one person who recommends it. However, I have been unable to find a post which actually verifies that it does work in a Mac Pro.​

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mac Pro 6,1

• 128GB maximum RAM

Model Cores Clock
E5-2697 v2* 12 2.70 GHz
E5-2690 v2* 10 3.00 GHz
E5-2667 v2* 8 3.30 GHz
E5-1680 v2* 8 3.00 GHz
E5-1660 v2* 6 3.70 GHz
E5-1650 v2* 6 3.50 GHz
E5-1620 v2* 4 3.70 GHz​

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mac Pro 5,1 and 4,1

• To use 6-core models and run RAM at 1333, the 4,1 will need the firmware upgrade to 5,1, found here:http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,852.0.html
• One dual-processor-model CPU works fine in a single-processor Mac Pro, and increases its maximum RAM from 56 to 64GB.
• One single-processor-model CPU technically works in a dual-processor Mac Pro, but this causes an error state with the CPU fan going full blast.
• 4,1 dual-processor Mac Pros use special, "lidless" CPUs. You either need to buy lidless CPUs, de-lid them yourself, or pay for de-lidding service, so that the CPUs are the proper height. Failure to do this results in very expensive damage when the heatsink is tightened down. Some people have kept the lids on, but were extremely careful about not tightening down the heat sink too much. Other people have kept the lids on, but added washer stacks (of equivalent height to the lid difference) to where the tightening screws go--this is intended to prevent the heat sink from overtightening and causing damage.
• No, the X5687 (3.6GHz quad-core) and the X5698 (4.4GHz dual-core) do not work in Mac Pros. I don't want to list every CPU that doesn't work with a Mac, but these two are asked about often enough to note here.

Dual-Processor Xeon Models:

• 128GB maximum RAM for dual-processor Mac Pros
• 64GB maximum RAM for single-processor Mac Pros using one of these dual-processor-capable CPUs

Model Cores Clock MemClock
X5690* 6x2 3.46 GHz 1333
X5680* 6x2 3.33 GHz 1333
X5679* 6x2 3.20 GHz 1333
X5675* 6x2 3.06 GHz 1333
X5670* 6x2 2.93 GHz 1333
X5660* 6x2 2.80 GHz 1333
X5650* 6x2 2.66 GHz 1333
X5677* 4x2 3.46 GHz 1333
E5570* 4x2 2.93 GHz 1066
E5550* 4x2 2.66 GHz 1066
E5520* 4x2 2.26 GHz 1066​

Single-Processor Xeon Models:

• 56GB maximum RAM (3x16GB + 1x8GB)

Model Cores Clock MemClock
W3690* 6 3.46 GHz 1333
W3680* 6 3.33 GHz 1333
W3670* 6 3.20 GHz 1066
W3580* 4 3.33 GHz 1333
W3570* 4 3.20 GHz 1333
W3565* 4 3.20 GHz 1066
W3550? 4 3.06 GHz 1066
W3540* 4 2.93 GHz 1066
W3530* 4 2.80 GHz 1066
W3520* 4 2.66 GHz 1066​

Single-Processor i7 Models:

• All Mac Pros come with Xeons. The i7 equivalents are listed here because some of them have been verified compatible with Mac Pros and ECC memory, although the ECC function will not work. Xeons are recommended, but the i7 is a valid upgrade choice and multiple people here on MR have done so.
• The 56GB RAM limit for single-processor machines was tested on Xeons. The i7 CPUs probably have the same limit.

Model Cores Clock MemClock
i7-990X* 6 3.46 GHz 1333
i7-980X* 6 3.33 GHz 1333
i7-980 ? 6 3.33 GHz 1066
i7-970 * 6 3.20 GHz 1066
i7-975 * 4 3.33 GHz 1333
i7-965 * 4 3.20 GHz 1333​

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mac Pro 3,1

• 64GB maximum RAM
• Single-processor Mac Pro 3,1 has 4 cores only, not the 4x2 listed below

Model Cores Clock
E5462* 4x2 2.8 GHz
E5472* 4x2 3.0 GHz
X5482* 4x2 3.2 GHz​

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mac Pro 2,1 and 1,1

• 32GB maximum RAM for 1,1 (increases to 64GB if flashed with 2,1 firmware)
• 64GB maximum RAM for 2,1
• To use 4-core CPUs, the 1,1 will need a firmware flashed to 2,1.
• The 1,1 to 2,1 firmware flash requires Snow Leopard (or newer) to run. It can be found here: http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,1094.0.html

Model Cores Clock
X5365* 4x2 3.00
X5355* 4x2 2.66
E5345* 4x2 2.33
5160* 2x2 3.00
5150* 2x2 2.66
5130* 2x2 2.00
​

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Credit

• Thanks to Bokkow for helping with this.
• Thanks to everyone who ever upgraded a CPU and took the time to post about it here--there's a chance it was your post I saw that led to a CPU being verified above.
• Thanks to those who took the time, money, and risk to shove more memory in their computer than others said was possible.
• Thanks to everyone who helps to push the limits and usefulness of our computers.
• Thanks to MacRumors and the mods for providing such a great forum for the above to happen in the first place.

[doublepost=1454790632][/doublepost]Great work.
You can add to Mac Pro 5,1 dual CPU:
W5590 3.33GHz
I have a pair working well here

 

[m4v3r1ck]

Bokkow and I have created a Mac Pro CPU compatibility list. The intent is to cover all relevant and compatible CPU upgrades for all Mac Pros. These are asked about over and over and over again, so I thought it would be nice to have it all in one place.

And yet another GREAT resource, thanks guys!!!

Cheers
[doublepost=1454791419][/doublepost]

Great work! Might I suggest that you also include the TDP for each processor as you had on the table to posted on another thread? I am not sure whether it's ever a consideration when upgrading but it would be a nice to have for completeness.

Good additional info's!

Cheers

 

[bokkow]

I have a whole Excel spreadsheet with separate tabs and even Xserve models included but there is no way to put a table on this forum for now. Still figuring out what would be best to do. I have W5590 on the list as well, thanks for the confirmation

 

[bokkow]

@arn was kind enough to implement table possibility in BBCode for MacRumors right away So tables in the startpost will be up as soon as possible! (I'm hoping to finish up around the same time tomorrow)

 

[ActionableMango]

Bokkow has been doing a lot of work on this, to get it better organized and more presentable. I've seen a draft table and it looks great. As soon as he's done I'll get the first post updated.

 

[pastrychef]

I think at least one of the forum members have X5687 running in their 5,1. I'm curious if X5698 will work in the 4,1 and 5,1s.

 

[NOTNlCE]

I can safely submit that the 1,1 and 2,1 are compatible with Xeon L5335 Low Voltage Quad Cores @ 2.0GHz, I run them in my 1,1 and my Xserve.

Also, the 1,1 -> 2,1 flash was NOT done on my machine, the processors are seen as Unknown, but work fine.

 

[bokkow]

I think at least one of the forum members have X5687 running in their 5,1. I'm curious if X5698 will work in the 4,1 and 5,1s.

Hey Pastrychef, would be great if it worked, fastest single core chips in the family, however, 4.1 and 5.1 firmware do not recognize X5687 or X5698, it has been confirmed quite a few times when you search the forum. If you find a user who has it up and running please let me know!

I can safely submit that the 1,1 and 2,1 are compatible with Xeon L5335 Low Voltage Quad Cores @ 2.0GHz, I run them in my 1,1 and my Xserve.

Also, the 1,1 -> 2,1 flash was NOT done on my machine, the processors are seen as Unknown, but work fine.

Thanks! Will add this to the list! Great to know that some low voltage CPU's work; for the persons who want to make their MP low in energy consumption. If other people have low voltage models (which are not on the chart yet): please come forward

 

[ActionableMango]

I'm curious if X5698 will work in the 4,1 and 5,1s.

I really wanted the X5698 to work, because that chip would probably be ideal for me. When they finally became affordable enough on Ebay, I looked into it. Many people have said it wouldn't work, but I still held out hope because they hadn't actually tried so themselves.

But eventually I found the following post. The MP won't boot with it installed:
http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,852.msg11014.html#msg11014

 

[pastrychef]

Hey Pastrychef, would be great if it worked, fastest single core chips in the family, however, 4.1 and 5.1 firmware do not recognize X5687 or X5698, it has been confirmed quite a few times when you search the forum. If you find a user who has it up and running please let me know!

Oops. I just found the post and the guy was using X5677.
[doublepost=1454956883][/doublepost]

I really wanted the X5698 to work, because that chip would probably be ideal for me. When they finally became affordable enough on Ebay, I looked into it. Many people have said it wouldn't work, but I still held out hope because they hadn't actually tried so themselves.

But eventually I found the following post. The MP won't boot with it installed:
http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,852.msg11014.html#msg11014

Thanks for the info.

 

[ActionableMango]

I've updated the first post with Bokkow's formatting. It is much improved! He also added Xserve compatibility and TDP wattage information.

I've also removed the two processors that were likely compatible, but for which I could not find any verification (i7 980 and W3550). So the list is now entirely processors where I could find verification somewhere.

 

[m4v3r1ck]

I've updated the first post with Bokkow's formatting. It is much improved! He also added Xserve compatibility and TDP wattage information.

I've also removed the two processors that were likely compatible, but for which I could not find any verification (i7 980 and W3550). So the list is now entirely processors where I could find verification somewhere.

Kudo's! Looking clean & mean...

Cheers

 

[bokkow]

Happy to contribute! And again, special thanks to @arn for adding table functionality to MacRumors almost instantly after request.

By the way, any suggestions/additions are welcome so that we can make the list as complete as possible! It's a list for and by the community

 

[Macsonic]

Great Work @ActionableMango and @bokkow on this resource. I've shared this thread to some of my clients who plan to upgrade their cMac Pros CPUs in their studios. Their cMac Pros are still running fine helping them bringing in incomes.

 

[scott.n]

Suggest adding some notes about the RAM types and requirements:

DDR2 for 1,1 through 3,1 (with perhaps an additional note re: heatsinks)
DDR3 for for 4,1 through 6,1
Can't mix Registered and Unregistered
ECC vs non-ECC

etc.

Also, the XServe3,1 uses lidless processors, like the dual MacPro4,1.

 

[ActionableMango]

Suggest adding some notes about the RAM types and requirements:

DDR2 for 1,1 through 3,1 (with perhaps an additional note re: heatsinks)
DDR3 for for 4,1 through 6,1
Can't mix Registered and Unregistered
ECC vs non-ECC

This is a good idea. Also:
When 3 (or 6) sticks is better
When 4 (or 8) sticks is better
Heatsink requirements in a 1,1/2,1
How to tell if you need more RAM or if it won't help at all
Valid configurations (pairs are required in 1,1 and 2,1 for example)

It's added to the to-do list, but I'm a bit busy right now with just the CPU updates.

Also, the XServe3,1 uses lidless processors, like the dual MacPro4,1.

Just the dual-CPU versions, or also the single-CPU version?

 

[p.l]

I can confirm a E5 2696 v2 @ 2.5ghz working in a nMP

 

[bokkow]

This is a good idea. Also:
When 3 (or 6) sticks is better
When 4 (or 8) sticks is better
Heatsink requirements in a 1,1/2,1
How to tell if you need more RAM or if it won't help at all
Valid configurations (pairs are required in 1,1 and 2,1 for example)

It's added to the to-do list, but I'm a bit busy right now with just the CPU updates.

Quite a lot of info for side notes, maybe additional (small) tables would provide overview. Going to experiment a bit with that idea perhaps tomorrow, I am a bit busy at work in the coming days.

How to tell if you need more ram can be captured in a general side-note, applicable for any machine running OSX

Just the dual-CPU versions, or also the single-CPU version?

Both, just checked. Not sure if you can do with adding washers and 'normal' CPU's

 

[ActionableMango]

I updated the list with recent comments, to sort the fastest processors at the top, and to add additional, verified processors:

• E5 2696 v2
• E5320
• L5320
• E5340 (Weird processor... I couldn't find it in Intel ARK, but there are plenty of other resources that mention it)

If you posted here or PM'd me with a verified processor not on the list, thank you for verifying and letting me know.

Quite a lot of info for side notes, maybe additional (small) tables would provide overview. Going to experiment a bit with that idea perhaps tomorrow, I am a bit busy at work in the coming days.

It may be enough information to warrant its own separate thread.

 

[NOTNlCE]

A note on those L5335s - they run fine WITHOUT a flash in the 1,1 not necessarily required. Also, they run great in my Xserve 1,1 - simply seen as Unknown, but spot on performance.

 

[ActionableMango]

A note on those L5335s - they run fine WITHOUT a flash in the 1,1 not necessarily required. Also, they run great in my Xserve 1,1 - simply seen as Unknown, but spot on performance.

Okay, I've changed "required" to "recommended" and added the Xserve.

I do have a concern about it when I was researching 1,1 CPU upgrades to Clovertown processors. Some people reported they worked fine (other than the "unknown" label). Others reported they worked fine most of the time, but unfortunately had occasional kernel panics--and then when the firmware update came out and they updated, the kernel panics went away. There were multiple reports of these KPs that went away with the firmware update, so I hesitate to indicate that they work 100% without it.