How to tell original 2010 MP from firmware upgraded 2009?

[iOrbit]

title says it all really. i have no doubts my MP is an original 2010 build but it would be nice to know if i can tell for certain.

is there any serial numbers in a specific place somewhere or maybe something specific in the "about this mac hardware" in os x?

 

[h9826790]

Check the SMC version, my Mac Pro is a 4,1 flashed to 5,1. Your SMC should be different.

The about this Mac can say whatever you want, don't trust that.

And yes, there are some webpage can check the serial number, but I don't know how accurate they are. Also, in general, check the SMC version is good enough.

It looks like you have a 12 cores 5,1. A 100% accurate method is to check the processor tray, if it use normal CPU, then it's a real 5,1. If it use de-lidded CPU, then it was a 4,1. But I don't think it's a good idea to open the Mac Pro just because you want to check if it's a real 5,1.

 

[scott.n]

SMC version as described above, or else look at the serial number sticker on the back to check the original configuration (especially the processor and GPU).

 

[iOrbit]

SMC version as described above, or else look at the serial number sticker on the back to check the original configuration (especially the processor and GPU).

Check the SMC version, my Mac Pro is a 4,1 flashed to 5,1. Your SMC should be different.
View attachment 624726

The about this Mac can say whatever you want, don't trust that.
View attachment 624728

And yes, there are some webpage can check the serial number, but I don't know how accurate they are. Also, in general, check the SMC version is good enough.

It looks like you have a 12 cores 5,1. A 100% accurate method is to check the processor tray, if it use normal CPU, then it's a real 5,1. If it use de-lidded CPU, then it was a 4,1. But I don't think it's a good idea to open the Mac Pro just because you want to check if it's a real 5,1.

i noticed my broken superdrive has a manufacture date of 2011

 

[h9826790]

Yes, that's the 5,1 SMC. And everything shows that's a real 5,1.

 

[Macsonic]

i noticed my broken superdrive has a manufacture date of 2011

Yes your Mac Pro was built on March 2012 in Cork Ireland according to this site http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

Sometimes I go to this site before buying a used Mac Pro. After entering the machine's serial number, it shows all the details including the default CPU specs. One time I was viewing an ad in eBay of a used cMac Pro. The seller said, it is a 12-core 3.06ghz Xeon and did not disclose it was an upgraded 2009. Upon checking Appleserialinfo site when he provided the serial number, the specs showed it was originally a dual 2.26 Ghz Xeon so it is an upgraded 2009 cMac Pro. But his price was reasonable as a 2009 cMac Pro at that time. Eventually the unit got sold the day after. Screenshot of your cMac Pro attached.

 

[iOrbit]

Yes your Mac Pro was built on March 2012 in Cork Ireland according to this site http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php

Sometimes I go to this site before buying a used Mac Pro. After entering the machine's serial number, it shows all the details including the default CPU specs. One time I was viewing an ad in eBay of a used cMac Pro. The seller said, it is a 12-core 3.06ghz Xeon and did not disclose it was an upgraded 2009. Upon checking Appleserialinfo site when he provided the serial number, the specs showed it was originally a dual 2.26 Ghz Xeon so it is an upgraded 2009 cMac Pro. But his price was reasonable as a 2009 cMac Pro at that time. Eventually the unit got sold the day after. Screenshot of your cMac Pro attached.

thanks a lot, thats a really handy site - I'm surprised such a thing exists with that much detail to provide.

from what i can tell, the mac is not customised at all - all 3 hard drives have apple logos on them, the GPU and other specs look like standard apple builds.

the mac being 4 years old as opposed to 6 years old isn't bad either - quite handy for me because if i can get away with it for a year or so, i will not repast the chips.

i think the previous owners used the GPU intensively maybe. (since the fan is slightly noisy)