MP 1,1-5,1 CMP processor tray versions

[BlueMacawBird]

Regarding single processor trays, I was surprised to find that the processor trays in my 5,1 and 4,1 machines have the same revision number: 820-2482-A. I had always assumed the trays would be subtly different and warrant separate revision numbers. Are the trays interchangeable?

Thanks,

John

 

[ActionableMango]

I believe consensus is that they are physically identical but hold different firmware SMC. They are not totally compatible because the firmware difference causes the fans to operate at full speed all the time.

 

[tsialex]

Regarding single processor trays, I was surprised to find that the processor trays in my 5,1 and 4,1 machines have the same revision number: 820-2482-A. I had always assumed the trays would be subtly different and warrant separate revision numbers. Are the trays interchangeable?

Thanks,

John

Eearly-2009 CPU trays/backplanes have SMC firmware 1.39f5 while mid-2010/mid-2012 have 1.39f11.

When you install a mismatched backplane/CPU tray combo, the SMC enters fail safe mode and all Mac Pro fans run at maximum RPM all the time.

SMC firmware is not upgradeable outside Apple repair centers, no user or technician has the firmware source or the cryptographic key to do it.

So, it's not interchangeable, read this for more details:

Switching CPU tray from Mac Pro 2010 to Mac Pro 2012

SMC: The best way to know if your Mac Pro is a real mid-2010/mid-2012 is checking the SMC version with >AboutThisMac>SystemReport>HardwareOverview>SMCVersion(system). If the System SMC version is 1.39f5, it's an early-2009 Mac Pro. If the System SMC version is 1.39f11, it's a real mid-2010...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[BlueMacawBird]

Thanks, I figured the trays had to be different somehow. And the tip for identifying true mid 2010/2012 machines using the System SMC version will be useful. I had been looking up serial numbers to verify a machines pedigree.

 

[tsialex]

Thanks, I figured the trays had to be different somehow. And the tip for identifying true mid 2010/2012 machines using the System SMC version will be useful. I had been looking up serial numbers to verify a machines pedigree.

Serial number is a very flawed way for this, unless you know how to decode the MLB label code. Anyone that knows your way around a hex editor and knows how to calculate a valid checksum can tamper with the BootROM serial number easily. There are lot's of dishonest people around and the worst, they have the courage to ask me to do it.