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

Is there a correlation between CPU and serial number on 6,1?

MarkJames68

MarkJames68

macrumors 6502
Original poster
Sep 24, 2017
394
246
A while back I bought a 6-core on eBay that was still eligible for AppleCare so I bought it and registered it w/AC.

After getting a great deal on an 8-core CPU E5-2667 V2, not an Apple shipped option) I did the upgrade, and suspect that the 6-core D300 was itself upgraded from a 4-core.

Is there a way to tell from the serial number or any other way? Wondering in case I need to ever get a repair done.
 
I assume that internally they have a record of which serial corresponds to which Mac was purchased and what factory upgrades were applied.

You can look up your serial number on the Apple website but it doesn't reveal anything much about the Mac, mainly if your Apple Care is still valid and which type of Mac you have.

You can always ask Apple if swapping a processor will void your warranty (I assume yes as it's much more involved than swapping memory).
 
MarkJames68 said:
If it is proven, I imagine so. I would change it back first.
Click to expand...
Thought they added tamper proof stickers to the screws holding the CPU in place ? Also you believe someone already swapped the CPU ? "suspect that the 6-core D300 was itself upgraded from a 4-core." then how would that work with Apple care ? I'd like to swap mine but don't want to void the warranty/AppleCare.
 
Last edited:
There's a lot of that going around with refurbs and 3rd party sellers. You'd think that with all of the hardware replacement that is done on those devices, Apple wouldn't be so picky. But, the Xeons are probably not what's causing failures, anyway. Don't forget your thermal paste, kids!
 
carpsafari said:
Yes, when you check the serial, it will show the original cpu.

http://www.appleserialnumberinfo.com/Desktop/index.php
Click to expand...

with my serial number all the field are marked as CTO.

Processor
CPU speed: - CTO
CPU Type: - Intel Xeon E5 v2
CPU Model: - CTO
Cores: - CTO
Bus Speed: - 5 GT/s (Direct Media Interface)
Cache: - CTO
64-bit: - Yes
Turbo Boost: - CTO
Memory
Installed RAM: - CTO
Max. Amount: - 64 GB (Apple), 128 GB (3rd party)
Nr. of Slots: - 4
RAM Speed: - 1866 MHz
RAM Type: - PC3-14900, DDR3 ECC SDRAM

Storage and Media
Hard Drive: - CTO
Drive Brand: - Unknown.
Drive Bus: - PCIe
Optical Drive: - None
Optical Bus: - -
Other Media: - None
Part Information (coming soon)
Logic Board: -
AirPort: -
Bluetooth: -
Power Source: -
Battery: -
-
-
-

Graphics
Display Size: - -
Graphics Card: - CTO
Card Memory: - CTO
Max. Resolution: - -
BLU / Coating: - -
 
Thanks all - must have typed it in wrong the first time. Both the Apple and the Dutch site show it as a quad core, RAM is CTO. So my original suspicion of it being upgraded when I bought it is correct.
 
You may want to cancel AC and get a partial refund. Because the machine has been tampered with and you don't have the original quad-core to put back in. If its been within 30 days, I think you can get a full refund.
 
Mlrollin91 said:
You may want to cancel AC and get a partial refund. Because the machine has been tampered with and you don't have the original quad-core to put back in. If its been within 30 days, I think you can get a full refund.
Click to expand...
Something to consider, thanks. But I could also source and replace the quad core, and while they might make a stink about the logic board other parts like the GPU, power supply, etc. would still be covered.
 
MarkJames68 said:
Something to consider, thanks. But I could also source and replace the quad core, and while they might make a stink about the logic board other parts like the GPU, power supply, etc. would still be covered.
Click to expand...
Are CPUs stamped with serial numbers? I don’t have much experience with MacPros but something tells me Apple would stamp them to make sure they are original parts before doing repairs. But what do I know. :)
 
Mlrollin91 said:
Are CPUs stamped with serial numbers? I don’t have much experience with MacPros but something tells me Apple would stamp them to make sure they are original parts before doing repairs. But what do I know. :)
Click to expand...
Extremely doubtful, but who knows. It’s not like anyone makes knockoff Chinese CPUs so any E5-1620 v2 is the same as any other (as long as it’s the same stepping).

My intent isn’t to defraud, but my lesson was learned that I should have validated the CPU upgrade BEFORE purchase.
 
Uhhhh, if this does have Apple care as you say, if something goes wrong GPU,MB etc... won't they void Apple care due to the CPU swap ? Only reason I ask is I've thought about upgrading to a 12 core but I've heard Apple added tamper proof stickers to the 4 bolts holding the CPU in place. I could be wrong. So switching them back to original CPU would be pointless since the stickers would show it has been tampered with.
 
I haven’t asked yet, nor am I likely to. Obviously if I don’t have to use AppleCare so much the better...
[doublepost=1508366818][/doublepost]
circuitt said:
Uhhhh, if this does have Apple care as you say, if something goes wrong GPU,MB etc... won't they void Apple care due to the CPU swap ? Only reason I ask is I've thought about upgrading to a 12 core but I've heard Apple added tamper proof stickers to the 4 bolts holding the CPU in place. I could be wrong.
Click to expand...
Read up on Magnusson Moss...no different than putting an aftermarket exhaust on your car not voiding the transmission warranty.

I doubt that Apple would make a fuss if I had a claim and put an original 4 core back in. Unless I broke something ;)
 
MarkJames68 said:
I haven’t asked yet, nor am I likely to. Obviously if I don’t have to use AppleCare so much the better...
[doublepost=1508366818][/doublepost]
Read up on Magnusson Moss...no different than putting an aftermarket exhaust on your car not voiding the transmission warranty.

I doubt that Apple would make a fuss if I had a claim and put an original 4 core back in. Unless I broke something ;)
Click to expand...

I don’t think that the car analogy is a sound one. There are plenty of car manufacturers that will void warranty for unrelated components of the car if it was modded. VW is a stictler on that. Otherwise I would have modded my GTI by now. But VW has a strict no mod policy for warranty. Even swamping our tail lights is enough to void engine/transmission/turbo warranty. I have been wanting to put Euro tails on my car for 3 years. But I have a 6 year warranty. Only 3 years to go.
 
Mlrollin91 said:
I don’t think that the car analogy is a sound one. There are plenty of car manufacturers that will void warranty for unrelated components of the car if it was modded. VW is a stictler on that. Otherwise I would have modded my GTI by now. But VW has a strict no mod policy for warranty. Even swamping our tail lights is enough to void engine/transmission/turbo warranty. I have been wanting to put Euro tails on my car for 3 years. But I have a 6 year warranty. Only 3 years to go.
Click to expand...
I don’t doubt what a carmaker will try and do, but Magnusson Moss is pretty clear - if you changed the taillights and VW denied an engine warranty claim it is VW’s obligation to PROVE the taillight change CAUSED the problem.
 
MarkJames68 said:
I don’t doubt what a carmaker will try and do, but Magnusson Moss is pretty clear - if you changed the taillights and VW denied an engine warranty claim it is VW’s obligation to PROVE the taillight change CAUSED the problem.
Click to expand...
Fair. But VW has deeper pockets. But back to my original post; it might be a good idea to just get a AC refund so you never have to cross the bridge.
 
MarkJames68 said:
I don’t doubt what a carmaker will try and do, but Magnusson Moss is pretty clear - if you changed the taillights and VW denied an engine warranty claim it is VW’s obligation to PROVE the taillight change CAUSED the problem.
Click to expand...
This could be very easy for Apple to do: Static electricity.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mlrollin91
mp2017 said:
This could be very easy for Apple to do: Static electricity.
Click to expand...
True enough. Covers a lot of bases...despite me building and upgrading at least 100 systems over the past 30 years I’ve yet to lose a single one due to static discharge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back