I remember when the first 8 Cores came I saw that people where buying the quad cores an replacing the processors with the 8 core processors. So what I am wondering is if there is any way to upgrade a 8 core Clovertown to an 8 core Nehalem? Obviously this is not something apple would offer and I am sure it would void your warranty, but has anyone done this?
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
How to upgrade 8 core clovertown to 8 core nehalem
- Thread starter speters
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Nope: the CPUs don't run on the same sockets so you need a whole new logic board, memory (they don't use FB-DIMMs) etc. The only way to "upgrade" is to sell your current machine and buy a new one.
No, as you would mix up two different processor families. A CPU swap works only if you replace one CPU with another of the same series. For example 53XX Xeons are in the 2006 Macpros, 54XX in the 2008 MP and the Nehalem Xeons belong to the 55XX family...
The nice jump from dual to quadcore CPUs can only be done on the 2006 models because they were originally equipped with dualcore processors. After that, quadcore 53XX became available.
I think the best cpu you can install in a 2008 Mac Pro is a X5492 which is clocked at 3.4 GHz. This would roughly lead to a 20% speed increase for a veeery high price.
The nice jump from dual to quadcore CPUs can only be done on the 2006 models because they were originally equipped with dualcore processors. After that, quadcore 53XX became available.
I think the best cpu you can install in a 2008 Mac Pro is a X5492 which is clocked at 3.4 GHz. This would roughly lead to a 20% speed increase for a veeery high price.
Thankfully used Mac Pro prices mean it's not too expensive to do this. Though certainly more than the cost of two new processors due to increase in Mac Pro pricing from Apple.
Who is offering conversion kits for 2006 quad cores then? I would be interested to look at the option. Is there a thread to cover this on this board?
NewEgg sells quad 2.93 GHz Nehalem Xeons for US$1,450 a whack, so for two, that's nearly $3,000. Assuming you have no way of getting a really good deal on these from somewhere else, it'd be much cheaper/less hassle to just buy a new Mac Pro. 
You can get 2.66GHz or 3.0GHz Quad core chips from various sources. They're not usually cheap though.
NewEgg sells quad 2.93 GHz Nehalem Xeons for US$1,450 a whack, so for two, that's nearly $3,000. Assuming you have no way of getting a really good deal on these from somewhere else, it'd be much cheaper/less hassle to just buy a new Mac Pro.
Those will *not* work in a 2006 Mac Pro.
So when I browse Neweggs server CPU offerings I can find a Harpertown L5430 @ 2,66 GHz with 771-pin socket and 80 W. I would assume that a pair of these would double my processing power at under 1000 $.
Sadly the 5400 series processors don't work on the 2006 Mac Pros. Probably a firmware issue that Apple have no interest in fixing. Your best bet is searching eBay for Xeon 5355. You can get them for under $400 each sometimes.
It is probably due to different node density. the 5355 has 65 nm and the 5430 45 nm.
the pair of 5355 I can presently get NEW at 500€. sounds quite interesting for doubling the oumpf of the machine.
5150 (4M Cache, 2.66 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB) X5355 (8M Cache, 2.66 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB)
Lithography 65 nm 65 nm
Max TDP 65 W 120 W
1ku Price $690.00 $744.00
Number 5150 X5355
# of Cores 2 4
Clock Speed 2.66 GHz 2.66 GHz
Cache 4 MB L2 Cache 8 MB L2 Cache
System Bus 1333 MHz 1333 MHz
Instr. Set 64-bit 64-bit
Core Volt. 1.00V-1.50V 1.0-1.5V
Tcase 65°C 70°C
Size 37.5mm x 37.5mm 37.5mm x 37.5mm
Die Size 143 mm2 286 mm2
#Transist. 291 million 582 million
Sockets LGA771 LGA771, PLGA771
I wonder about the different Thermal Design Power going up from 65W to 120 with only 5 °C higher case temperature. Is that supposed to be done with the same passive heat sink that Apple uses, or do you have to go active heat sink?
Yes, I know.
My point was that even if they did work (and they obviously won't) it'd be goofy to do a CPU upgrade instead of just ordering a new Nehalem MP from Apple.
I will start looking for 3565 from Proliant servers. If I can lay my hand on two of those for a decent price I will have a 10% speed bump and a good gain with rendering programms.