MP 1,1-5,1 i got a 3,1 Mac Pro, what can i do to make it epic?

[firelighter487]

so uh, i got 2 2008 3,1 Mac Pro's for €50, seller listed them as faulty but both work. one is an 8-core and the other is a Quad, i'm looking for ways to make them epic machines even going into 2022.

currently the one i plan to use as main machine is configured as follows:
2 2.8Ghz Xeons
22GB Ram
250GB SSD
1TB HDD
Nvidia 8800GT
macOS High Sierra (dosdude patcher)

i tried booting Big Sur or Monterey with OCLP but it didn't install. got about halfway, then rebooted and didn't detect any OS. so i put High Sierra on it, because it did want to boot that and it plays nice with the 8800GT.

i'm getting a Radeon 7770 from a friend soon that i'm putting in it, that should make it a lot faster gpu wise.

what else can i try to get a more modern macOS on it? because it straight up refused to install. it did install Catalina but i didn't get gpu acceleration with the 8800GT.

 

[KeesMacPro]

Hi,

IMO this might be the best choice for OpenCore on a MP 3,1:

MyBootMgr: RefindPlus|OpenCore

This is a guide to using OpenCore and RefindPlus, to multiboot Classic MacPros (3,1 to 5,1) as well as equivalent Xserve (2,1 and 3,1). It involves booting Mac OS from one or more OpenCore instances chain-loaded from RefindPlus and booting other OS types directly from RefindPlus. The guide is...

forums.macrumors.com

Also, there's an OC thread specifically for the MP 3,1:

OpenCore and the 2008 Mac Pro 3,1

At the request of @tsialex, I've created this thread to consolidate questions, issues, and solutions revolving around OpenCore and its implementation on the early 2008 Mac Pro 3,1. If you have one of these machines and are interested in installing OpenCore, or already have OpenCore running...

forums.macrumors.com

A GPU that performs much better than a 8800GT is highly recommended I think, but TBH I dont know the 7770 , so maybe others can chime in ....
In case you consider any other GPU:

GPU Compatibility List for cMP

Content: 1. Summary 2. Information on common GPUs that can be used in cMP 3. GPU power consumption 4. Color compatibility 5. Flashing nuances 6. What to choose? 7. Useful links. 1. Summary 1.1. There are 50+ GPU types that are compatible with cMP (classic MacPro = Mac Pro 1.1-5.1/...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[sfalatko]

There are a couple of things to consider - one is what firmware version they both have.

 

[Nguyen Duc Hieu]

what else can i try to get a more modern macOS on it? because it straight up refused to install. it did install Catalina but i didn't get gpu acceleration with the 8800GT.

1. Gut it out.
2. Repaint the case (optional)
3. Install new parts (MB with intel chipset 560, CPU core i9, DDR4 RAM, RX6900XT)
4. Do a hackintosh with Monterey.

Now your MP3,1 is epic....

 

[firelighter487]

There are a couple of things to consider - one is what firmware version they both have.

how to i check that?

 

[firelighter487]

1. Gut it out.
2. Repaint the case (optional)
3. Install new parts (MB with intel chipset 560, CPU core i9, DDR4 RAM, RX6900XT)
4. Do a hackintosh with Monterey.

Now your MP3,1 is epic....

🤦‍♀️ the whole point is that i got them both for super cheap. i can't afford new parts at all.

 

[firelighter487]

A GPU that performs much better than a 8800GT is highly recommended I think, but TBH I dont know the 7770 , so maybe others can chime in ....

i put a spare 1030 in the 8-core for now but that still limits me to High Sierra...

 

[KeesMacPro]

i put a spare 1030 in the 8-core for now but that still limits me to High Sierra...

Prices for GPUs are insane at the moment, but for installing an OS newer than HS, you'll need a METAL card one way or another...
You could take a look at the GPU link I posted, short version: a Kepler nVidia or a newer AMD card will work.
Cheapest option with an acceptable performance could be e.g. a GTX 680.

 

[firelighter487]

Prices for GPUs are insane at the moment, but for installing an OS newer than HS, you'll need a METAL card one way or another...
You could take a look at the GPU link I posted, short version: a Kepler nVidia or a newer AMD card will work.
Cheapest option with an acceptable performance could be e.g. a GTX 680.

i own a GTX 690 but don't have the power cables at the moment. however, i'm getting a Radeon HD7770 from a friend in a few weeks, that should do it right?

 

[sfalatko]

how to i check that?

Open "About this Mac" and the select "System Report". You will see the "Boot ROM Version:" in the Hardware Overview list

 

[firelighter487]

Open "About this Mac" and the select "System Report". You will see the "Boot ROM Version:" in the Hardware Overview list

Boot ROM Version: MP31.006C.B05

 

[DIY Monkey]

Boot ROM Version: MP31.006C.B05

That is the very latest Boot Rom for Mac Pro 3,1. you good to go boot ROM wise.

 

[flowrider]

^^^^Four years later

I'm sure he's happy to know.

Lou

 

[OS6-OSX]

 

[firelighter487]

^^^^Four years laterView attachment 2586135 I'm sure he's happy to know.

Lou

i'm a she, and lol. i still use it as my daily machine with some upgrades so

 

[DIY Monkey]

i'm a she, and lol. i still use it as my daily machine with some upgrades so

have you tried Martin Lo's 1.0.1 pre config'ed OC? i have a 3,1 and i know it works on that with no editing
of the OC config.Plist needed.

a metal vid card will let you run mojave up to Monterey very cleanly.

the 3,1 has a 64bit boot efi so you can run LOTS of different OS distro's on them,
unlike the 1,1 and 2,1 which boot from 32bit boot efi then run in 64bit efi,
just need to research which is the most stable and compatible OS for the 3,1.

Also have a look at linux distro's for intel mac pro's,
Some Linux Distro's run VERY well on the 3,1 with full hardware compatibility, and updates
they also boost performance for gaming, SSD drives really boost the performance as well.

it all depends on what do you want the machine to do, gaming, office apps ect.