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Is the six-core CPU in SP Mac Pro the X3680 or X5680?
- Thread starter MythicFrost
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The X5680 is compatible with dual CPU systems. It's the processor Apple could have put as the top dog in the twelve core Mac Pro had they wanted to.
The X5680 is designed exclusively to reside in dual CPU configurations, while the W3680 is built for single CPU rigs.
For lots of minutiae, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nehalem_(microarchitecture)#32_nm_processors
Edit: Too slow! Yeah- what Spanky said....
I think the heat-sink fan combo's in the dual processor systems are only good for 90W of TDP each... the Quad has a bigger heat sink and can handle 130W TDP processors, so I don't think they could have put the X5680 in the DP machines without redesigning the case to accommodate larger HSF's.
You can drop an DP Nehalem or Westmere in a compliant SP board (has the necessary firmware + socket), and they'll work (second QPI channel shuts itself off). But it's a waste of money.
The reverse is not possible though.
Another possibility, is that a DP board is used with a single DP processor. It can allow for a second CPU to be added at a later time, and systems have actually been sold this way (perhaps still are). But I don't really see this as a good solution (not cost effective, as the parts can get harder to find - particularly the correct cooler-, and won't be covered under the warranty). Either save up for a true DP system (add the second CPU and cooler during the order), or get an SP system and upgrade the whole thing when necessary IMO.