Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

caliguy1965

Suspended
Original poster
Feb 7, 2008
51
3
I just picked up a used Mac Pro with 2x 3.46gb 6 Cores but when I took out the CPU Tray to clean it I noticed a little rattling noise like some was loose and moving but I can't see anything moving around nor did anything drop out. It seems to only be if I turn the tray upside down and back up again.....almost like a spring or something.
Anything I should be concerned about?
 
I'll order some thermal paste etc and check it out.
SO, now I have:
1. Mid 2010 logic board with 2x 2.66 6-Core Intel Xeon
2. Early 2009 logic board with 2x 3.46 6-Core Intel Xeon.

Assuming the 2x 3.46 6-Core is good after I check it out for the rattle noice........should I pair that with the 2010 or 2009 board?

I would think the 3.46 should have a noticeable difference to the 2.66......correct?

I'll be using 8x8gb ram = 64gb
 
early-2009 dual CPU tray requires de-lided Xeons.
mid-2010/mid-2012 CPU trays require lided Xeons.

You can't install de-lided Xeons to a mid-2010/mid-2012 dual CPU tray.

early-2009 SMC firmware version is 1.39f5.
mid-2010/mid-2012 SMC firmware version is 1.39f11.

An early-2009 backplane must be paired to an early-2009 CPU tray, while a mid-2010/mid-2012 backplane must be paired to a mid-2010/mid-2012 CPU tray - you can't mix and match.

If you not do so, the SMC firmware (not upgradeable) will be mismatched and the fans will run full time at full RPM without any software control possible.
 
Last edited:
So the 3.46 on the 2009 was not standard and upgraded after I assume onto the existing CPU Tray.
The only way to do this would be to move the 3.46 CPU (when I take it apart) to the 2010 tray.

I will check if normal or de-lided
 
In your opinion which is the better option here..... the 2009 with 3.46 or the 2010 with 2.66 both are 2x 6-Core and 5,1
 
There are lot's of unknowns at play here, you won't be capable to install the de-lided X5690 to the mid-2010 CPU tray.
 
I wouldn't swap them, just leave them with the logic board they're on.
Forgot to mention:
They both came in Mac Pros that I picked up locally ..... So the 2009 is a full system and same with the 2010. I'll change the ram and graphics card etc while I'm at it
 
Last edited:
I'd tear it down and fully inspect it, maybe something like a screw is trapped between the PCB and the tray.
So I took it apart and it looks like the bottom of the CPU post have these circular spacers on them and they are loose (think they're meant to be like that) and they're making the rattling sound when I move the CPU Tray.
Does that mean the previous owner didn't tightening the heatsinks to the board tight enough??
I've attached a pic.....they didn't add washers, unsure if ir needs them now.
 

Attachments

  • 20250509_175211.jpg
    20250509_175211.jpg
    887.2 KB · Views: 54
Last edited:
I picked up a 2009 Mac Pro with 2x 3.46Ghz 6-Core processors and when I removed the heatsinks (I could hear some rattling noise, when I took out the CPU Tray) I realized that the previous owner did not de-lid the processors or add washers & Thermal tape on order to use the lided CPU's.
So do I need to add washers & thermal tape or can I just put it back together.
Thank you for any response in advance.
 
My 2009 had been upgraded by the previous owner, and they used lidded CPUs. If memory serves, some hardware for delidded use was missing - I chose to upgrade further with lidded rather than revert to delidded.

It took spacer washers and thermal paste - I didn't use any tape. For a time afterwards, I had a RAM slot that didn't always register, which I attribute to the pins having been bent slightly by the previous work. I got my spacer washers even, so my heat sinks are definitely level.

It's worked reliably for years since, and the one RAM slot gradually became reliable again on its own. I'd definitely fuss about a loose rattle until it was fixed - rattling is not normal.
 
Imo lidded CPUs in a 2009 dual CPU board is no way good. And this is the diplomatic version…

Keep it as close as it was from factory and it works well. Delidd, polish the die. Keep the spacer, remove all remains of the silicon glue.

If I think of the voltage regulator circuits without proper contact to the heat sink, I wonder those machines survived.

Counting turns of the heat sink screws… oh my, oh my… and with luck almost all memory slots work, or not, or after turning the screws a bit. Or never, cause the processor pressure damaged the socket pins.

Its quite some work, to do it properly.
 
I remember it being a pain in the butt, and took several tries to dial in. But my factory spacers were missing, removed by the previous upgrader. So my options were limited.
 
I picked up a used 2010 for next to nothing and decided to put the 2x x5690 CPU's in there since the 2010 CPU's are lidded.
Unfortunately, something didn't go quite right and the system will not boot or any chimes etc ......to see if it's a CPU issue I put in a 2009 CPU tray with 2x 2.26 quad core and it booted into OS but as expected the fans went crazy.
The 2010 had 2x 2.66 6-core CPU's which I swapped out for the x5690's.
So what could have I done wrong?
Did I miss something that needs doing?
 
Last edited:
Any action from the diagnostic LEDs when you try to boot?

Try swapping the x5690 CPUs. If the one in socket A were bad (or not making contact on all pins), the system would play dead. Swap them, and see if it boots. If it does, see if CPU B is seen.

Also, make sure there's at least one RAM stick in each bank of RAM slots. If one CPU isn't making contact on all pins, the system won't see RAM in those four slots. If there were no sticks in the other bank, the MP will not boot - no RAM visible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: caliguy1965
Any action from the diagnostic LEDs when you try to boot?

Try swapping the x5690 CPUs. If the one in socket A were bad (or not making contact on all pins), the system would play dead. Swap them, and see if it boots. If it does, see if CPU B is seen.

Also, make sure there's at least one RAM stick in each bank of RAM slots. If one CPU isn't making contact on all pins, the system won't see RAM in those four slots. If there were no sticks in the other bank, the MP will not boot - no RAM visible.
Will try tomorrow and report back, thank you
 
Try CPU A alone, the one close to the backside.

One Ram stick in a slot, try 1 to 4. Clean and inspect the CPU backside pads.

But even if both CPUs work as single, they could have a broken memory bus link, avoiding to work as a pair.
 
Last edited:
Any action from the diagnostic LEDs when you try to boot?

Try swapping the x5690 CPUs. If the one in socket A were bad (or not making contact on all pins), the system would play dead. Swap them, and see if it boots. If it does, see if CPU B is seen.

Also, make sure there's at least one RAM stick in each bank of RAM slots. If one CPU isn't making contact on all pins, the system won't see RAM in those four slots. If there were no sticks in the other bank, the MP will not boot - no RAM visible.
The "GPU OK" flashes green other 2 above that are solid green
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.