MP 1,1-5,1 Best Linux for Mac Pro 2010 5,1

[realitydistortion]

Windows 10 is EoL late-2025 and Windows 11 is not supported on the 4,1/5,1 Mac Pro.

Monterey might stop getting security fixes late-2024 too (assuming 3 years from release date).

Windows 10 looks like it might get a paid subscription based security update service for consumers (as opposed to business customers) for up to 3 years at an escalating cost, but that might not be appetising for some and will come to an end too.

It’s not like the moment late-2024 or 2025 rolls around you should be immediately panicking about security etc, but given this, I was keen to understand what the general consensus is (if any) on which distribution of Linux is best (whatever that means) specifically for the Mac Pro 4,1/5,1.

Is it as simple as ‘just use Ubuntu’?

Interested in hardware support including Wi-Fi (including newer Apple cards), on-board ports, NVMe support, sleep/wake support etc.

Also keen to understand if any risk to bootrom in the same vein as Windows certificates etc.

 

[tsialex]

Windows 11 works relatively fine with a MacPro5,1 once you use OpenCore ProtectSecureboot disable TPM and the processor check. Use Rufus to create the Windows11 USB-key installer, it will bypass the processor check and TPM.

There is no best Linux for a MacPro5,1, each distribution have different problems, AFAIK no one will correctly configure MacPro5,1 hardware 100% at first. Ubuntu is not always the best choice, but try it and see if works for you.

Linux does not have SecureBoot signing of the BootROM, so, only Windows UEFI installed cause issues with Mac Pro BootROM that ultimately led to corruption.

 

[realitydistortion]

Thanks.

Will look into that. In the interim do you know if Windows 11 automatic updates work when installed in this manner? Or situation with updates in general.

 

[tsialex]

… do you know if Windows 11 automatic updates work when installed in this manner? Or situation with updates in general.

Yes, Windows Update works.

 

[crjackson2134]

Interesting, a future project for me to explore. Can it be installed on NVME yet?

 

[tsialex]

Interesting, a future project for me to explore. Can it be installed on NVME yet?

Windows only install to NVMe blades if installed via UEFI.

If you have OC ProtectSecureBoot enabled you are protected from Windows SecureBoot, but sometimes Windows Updates can bypass OC at boot and you always have the risk of getting the NVRAM messed up.

MATT card usage is advised.

 

[crjackson2134]

Windows only install to NVMe blades if installed via UEFI.

Yeah, I won’t be doing that.

 

[realitydistortion]

but sometimes Windows Updates can bypass OC at boot and you always have the risk of getting the NVRAM messed up.

Ah right, that's no good. Is the ability for Windows updates to bypass OC unique to NVMe installs, UEFI installs or is this even seen for legacy installs?

 

[crjackson2134]

UEFI installs

 

[Tratkazir_the_1st]

Windows only install to NVMe blades if installed via UEFI.

Wrong. Currently installed to SATA SSD (at home), with OCLP.
About subject - using Gentoo as main OS, transferred from previous system (Dual LGA1366 too). Some rebuilds & all I need works (wifi not required).

 

[tsialex]

Wrong. Currently installed to SATA SSD (at home), with OCLP.
About subject - using Gentoo as main OS, transferred from previous system (Dual LGA1366 too). Some rebuilds & all I need works (wifi not required).

Sorry, but you are wrong. Only Windows UEFI installed supports NVMe, there is no CSM/BIOS/Bootcamp support for NVMe with Windows. This is a Windows design choice.

 

[Tratkazir_the_1st]

NVMe is only supported with Windows UEFI installed

Only 2 NVME SSD's I 've installed - are used by Gentoo. I'll drop some pictures when get home, OK?

 

[tsialex]

Only 2 NVME SSD's I 've installed - are used by Gentoo. I'll drop some pictures when get home, OK?

Please read my post again, this is about @crjackson2134 question about NVMe + Windows 11.

I'm not talking about the requirements of NVMe + Linux.

 

[Tratkazir_the_1st]

@tsialex
Excuse me, my bad. Got the opposite meaning of question.

 

[foliovision]

Fedora does very well with Mac Pro 4,1 and 5,1 hardware. Apparently with 2011 MBP as well but I haven't tested that myself.

Fans are working perfectly on my Mac Pro 5,1 6-core 32GB Radeon RX580 8GB under Fedora 40 Kinoite (KDE Plasma, immutable OS) install.

Fans work much better than on the Big Sur OpenCore (hat tip to you @tsialex for all the help getting graphics acceleration on Radeon) where they run fast for no good reason (have to manage them with Mac Fans Control).

I also have all my USB ports back at last (most of them stopped working reliably under OpenCore BigSur). I also have no issues with audio, both Spotify (app) and Qobuz (browser) sound great through the built-in headphone jack. Will be trying some DACs soon.

Apple trackpad works great straight out of the box, just have to plug it in. Huge win. Turn off natural scrolling and off to the races (I don't use gestures, I like to keep it simple).

In any case, big thumbs up to Fedora for amazing Mac hardware compatibility.

 

[flygbuss]

Fedora does very well with Mac Pro 4,1 and 5,1 hardware. Apparently with 2011 MBP as well but I haven't tested that myself.

Fans are working perfectly on my Mac Pro 5,1 6-core 32GB Radeon RX580 8GB under Fedora 40 Kinoite (KDE Plasma, immutable OS) install.

Fans work much better than on the Big Sur OpenCore (hat tip to you @tsialex for all the help getting graphics acceleration on Radeon) where they run fast for no good reason (have to manage them with Mac Fans Control).

I also have all my USB ports back at last (most of them stopped working reliably under OpenCore BigSur). I also have no issues with audio, both Spotify (app) and Qobuz (browser) sound great through the built-in headphone jack. Will be trying some DACs soon.

Apple trackpad works great straight out of the box, just have to plug it in. Huge win. Turn off natural scrolling and off to the races (I don't use gestures, I like to keep it simple).

In any case, big thumbs up to Fedora for amazing Mac hardware compatibility.

Running latest Fedora on a cMP 1,1 -> 2,1 with updated CPU, GPU and 32GB RAM and everything worked out of the box, even magic mouse (no scrolling) and apple wireless keyboard without upgrading bluetooth. With a bluetooth dongle I get scrolling as well.
Installation was a bit of a hassle because of the 32 Bit EFI but with a DVD it eventually worked.
It's kinda crazy that this old machine is still quite capable with a modern OS.

 

[Matty_TypeR]

Linux mint works perfectly for me on a mac pro 5.1 i am even using 6950xt in it and it loads via M2 samsung pro 1tb drive. it has been rock solid for over a year and is fast and updates regular.

 

[aednichols]

Linux mint works perfectly for me on a mac pro 5.1 i am even using 6950xt in it and it loads via M2 samsung pro 1tb drive. it has been rock solid for over a year and is fast and updates regular.

How are you powering the GPU? I thought there was a max of 225W (slot 75W + 2 x 75W 6 pins).

 

[Tratkazir_the_1st]

Using Gentoo. Everything works (didn't check WiFi, its just unneeded).

 

[avro707]

How are you powering the GPU? I thought there was a max of 225W (slot 75W + 2 x 75W 6 pins).

Probably did pixlas mod.

 

[Matty_TypeR]

I have done the Pixlas mod, it runs fine its the AMD reference 6950XT and fits nicely. linux mint runs perfectly and is snappy and all works including Bluetooth, wifi, all works very well. plus updates and security. I even use a Mac based theme.

 

[avro707]

That's very neat! Obviously some differences but it looks nice and clean.