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MP All Models 2013 Trashcan possible upgrade
- Thread starter Garyed055
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lambda_foo
macrumors newbie
I've done the CPU upgrade recently for my TrashCan, tried out the 8 core E5-2667 V2 and the 12 core E5-2697 V2. Ended up going with the 8 core as it was faster for the work I was doing (mostly compiling software with Linux).
The ifixit instructions were good, follow them very carefully and give yourself plenty of time. I had to disassemble once after the system wouldn't boot, I'd bumped a power connector while reassembling things and it wouldn't even turn on.
The ifixit instructions were good, follow them very carefully and give yourself plenty of time. I had to disassemble once after the system wouldn't boot, I'd bumped a power connector while reassembling things and it wouldn't even turn on.
mreg376
macrumors 65816
If you work slowly and methodically it's not too bad.
I made sure to keep a lot of zip lock bags with the various screws and labelled each bag. Maybe overkill but they are complicated to work on compared to a Mac Pro 7,1 for instance, which is just a dream to work on or upgrade.
keksikuningas
macrumors regular
is there a noticeable difference in compilation times between your 5,1 and the 6,1?
lambda_foo
macrumors newbie
The 5,1 is suffering from a broken power supply, so I can't benchmark that until I find a replacement. But for the 6,1 upgrade compiling llvm-project, there is a good speedup (~1.35 - ~1.25). Most of the other compilation work shows similar speedups. Of course a modern Ryzen just smokes things but no PC looks as cool as the TrashCan sitting on my desk.
| CPU | Target | Elapsed (min) |
| E5-1680 v2 | lldb | 54.60 |
| E5-1680 v2 | clang | 51.03 |
| E5-2667 v2 | lldb | 40.35 |
| E5-2667 v2 | clang | 40.75 |
| Ryzen 9 9950X | lldb | 9.14 |
| Ryzen 9 9950X | clang | 8.85 |
Fractal Design North Momentum Edition is a pretty nice one - that's a understated and elegant PC case:
North Momentum Edition
North Momentum Edition is a performance-focused expression of a modern design icon, crafted to integrate seamlessly into the gaming station. Featuring a blackened oak front, dark alloy accents, and three powerful Momentum 12 fans, it delivers a cohesive aesthetic and enhanced airflow out of the box.
www.fractal-design.com
Fractal Mood is also a really nice one:
Mood
www.fractal-design.com
But not very practical. Seen reports it is difficult to build and thermal performance isn't the best.
I say that as I look at a maximum spec 6,1 Mac Pro sitting in the corner of my desk.
Last edited:
keksikuningas
macrumors regular
yeah. i remember my M3 Max being several times faster at compiling a small macOS swift project with xcodebuild from scratch (something like 48 secs vs 15 secs), but it still feels nice to provide a big number of threads to the job count option and hear the fans spin up in this powerhouse from 16 years ago
eRondeau
macrumors 65816
I have the 6-core MP2013 w/ D500 GPU’s as well. I get the attraction of upgrading the CPU, I really do. Although installing a 12-core is certainly a cool exercise — and you’ll see the difference on Geekbench scores — it probably won’t “feel” that much faster in day-to-day use. (And an M1 Mac mini will still be faster.) You’ll still be stuck on Monterey (unless you OCLP too). IMHO you’d be much better off increasing the internal SSD storage speed & capacity and treat it as a NAS server.
You need to look at your use case. More cores means a slower single CPU score. If the bulk of your usage is not dependent upon 6+ multicores, then upping the core count will be counterproductive. The six core tops out at 3.7GHz (turbo 4.0GHz) and the 12 core at 2.7GHz (turbo 3.5GHz). That is not marginal.
I settled upon an 8 core as the best compromise. Don't be put off by the iFixit guide. As long as you take your time, it's not too bad. Just be gentle as the cables are fragile. It's worth doing as you can repaste the CPU and GPUs, which should need a bit of TLC after 13 years or so.
lambda_foo
macrumors newbie
Fractal Design North Momentum Edition is a pretty nice one - that's a understated and elegant PC case:
North Momentum Edition
North Momentum Edition is a performance-focused expression of a modern design icon, crafted to integrate seamlessly into the gaming station. Featuring a blackened oak front, dark alloy accents, and three powerful Momentum 12 fans, it delivers a cohesive aesthetic and enhanced airflow out of the box.
I love the Fractal cases too. I have the [Torrent](https://www.fractal-design.com/products/cases/torrent/torrent/black-solid/) with the 9950x in it. Conceptually very similar to the 5,1 two large fans at the front and heaps of room inside for extra cards and things.
If you're going to the trouble to re-paste the CPU/GPU I would get the 8-core E5-2667 V2 to install.
I love storage upgrades, you find use for space. But SSD prices are roughly triple where they should be today. Due to the AI datacenter buildout buying up most of the available RAM and SSD production worldwide.
The thing is, I don't think most of those AI datacenters are much past the breaking-ground stage. Or even stuck in permitting. I think the AI companies are just stacking up all that RAM and SSD in warehouses. Waiting for the buildings to get built. Then the servers to be ordered. Then finally, they'll plug the RAM and SSDs into place. Until then, we're paying through the nose so they can hoard chips. Kinda like those toilet paper freaks during the pandemic, who filled their garages with lifetime supplies of TP. Leaving the rest of us to panic and pay high prices.
Anyway, if you upgrade storage today, you'll pay through the nose for the privilege. So I suggest surviving on what your 6,1 has already. Until the AI bubble bursts, or production catches up with their insane demand. Which might not happen until at least 2030. I'd only buy if you have to, and/or find a sweetheart deal. Perhaps from a friend.
I believe the 10 core E5 2690 V2 is probably the best one, lots of cores but still fairly fast at 3.0ghz.
Apple never sold the 6,1 with that but it works.
Given your circumstances, I really wouldn’t worry about the CPU upgrade. I’ve got a six core 2013 Mac Pro, run Arch Linux on it and game via Steam (within reason for a 13 year old computer), and it’s fine.