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MacPro4,1 Single CPU upgrade

C

ctguru

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 18, 2009
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MacPro4,1 Single CPU upgrade

So after doing the EFI upgrade to 5,1, what are the best value CPU upgrades in peoples opinions? There are a few out there, just want some input. I really want the best bang for buck, so to speak. Are there any issues with particular upgrade CPU's?

W3565, X3570, X3680, X3690, i7-980X etc. (hope my list is correct)

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whoops maybe W instead of X in model number
 
ctguru said:
MacPro4,1 Single CPU upgrade

So after doing the EFI upgrade to 5,1, what are the best value CPU upgrades in peoples opinions? There are a few out there, just want some input. I really want the best bang for buck, so to speak. Are there any issues with particular upgrade CPU's?

W3565, X3570, X3680, X3690, i7-980X etc. (hope my list is correct)

----------

whoops maybe W instead of X in model number
Click to expand...

w3565...i think that is the one with 3.2x ghz?
 
W3670's are much cheaper used and excellent VFM compared to the faster 80/90 models. I buy them used off eBay with a DOA warranty long enough to test out thoroughly so I can return them if faulty, not had a duff one yet.

The X models are dual socket chips.
 
Last edited:
Best value in my opinion are the highest clocked quads.

Unless you can really take advantage of the 6 cores (and I mean really, not just trying to justify it in your head) or your job is to sit and look at Geekbench all day then a 3.33 quad core will be your best bang for the buck hands down. Also supports 1333 ram.

For example the 3.33 x5590 can be had for ~$200cdn compared to the 3.33 w3680 which is around $500-600 or more.
 
Gav Mack said:
The X models are dual socket chips.
Click to expand...

Again, No they are not!

My post from another thread:

flowrider said:
Actually not correct. The prefix alpha E, X or W have nothing to do with single or dual CPU capability. It is the first numeric after the Alpha that denotes single or dual CPU capability. The 3 is only for single CPU operation only, the 5 is for dual CPU Operation, but will also work in single CPU 5,1 or upgraded 4,1 Mac Pros.

Lou
Click to expand...

Lou
 
ctguru said:
MacPro4,1 Single CPU upgrade

So after doing the EFI upgrade to 5,1, what are the best value CPU upgrades in peoples opinions? There are a few out there, just want some input. I really want the best bang for buck, so to speak. r
Click to expand...

What CPU do you have currently? Is it the 2.66GHz quad?

If that is the case, and you don't need/want 6 cores, then a quad W3570 would be worth considering.

There appears to be a lot of leftover 3570s on OEM trays and that has made them inexpensive. A couple of sellers on ebay were selling tons of these 3570s brand new for $100-$130.
Last I checked, the W3565 and W3580 were both harder to come by and cost at least twice as much used.
The W3570 also supports 1333MHz ram (which would be usable with your EFI firmware flash).
 
funwithdesign said:
Best value in my opinion are the highest clocked quads.

Unless you can really take advantage of the 6 cores (and I mean really, not just trying to justify it in your head) or your job is to sit and look at Geekbench all day then a 3.33 quad core will be your best bang for the buck hands down. Also supports 1333 ram.

For example the 3.33 x5590 can be had for ~$200cdn compared to the 3.33 w3680 which is around $500-600 or more.
Click to expand...

You can get x5650 6 core for less than that $200 they work fine in machine that has the 2010 firmware. Added bonus they run cooler and use less power when doing so than the older 45nm processors.
 
MacUser2525 said:
You can get x5650 6 core for less than that $200 they work fine in machine that has the 2010 firmware. Added bonus they run cooler and use less power when doing so than the older 45nm processors.
Click to expand...

Trouble is, in the real world, next to no one will see any noticeable improvement moving from a 2.66 Quad to a 2.66 Hex core.
 
just found one of these for $400

Intel Core i7-980X Extreme SLBUZ CPU Socket 1366

Is the only downside (compared to Xeon) the 1066 RAM speed?
 
ctguru said:
just found one of these for $400

Intel Core i7-980X Extreme SLBUZ CPU Socket 1366

Is the only downside (compared to Xeon) the 1066 RAM speed?
Click to expand...

scratch that, i7 doesn't support ECC memory (which I have)
 
look for a W3580, or if you need 6 cores a W3680
both use 1333mhz ram, and turbo to the same speeds, only difference is one is quad, other is hex.

using a core i7 wont give you ECC for the memory
only Xeon supports ECC
 
funwithdesign said:
Trouble is, in the real world, next to no one will see any noticeable improvement moving from a 2.66 Quad to a 2.66 Hex core.
Click to expand...

Yeah same applies to the more money than brains crowd going for them 3.33 or 3.46 6 core chips. But if you need 6 cores that chip is the one to go for and if you need 6 cores on regular multiple times a day basis then the higher rated ones actually make sense.
 
thanx for the help guys

W5590 4 core are a lot cheaper on ebay than the 6 core
 
Studio K said:
What CPU do you have currently? Is it the 2.66GHz quad?

If that is the case, and you don't need/want 6 cores, then a quad W3570 would be worth considering.
There appears to be a lot of leftover 3570s on OEM trays and that has made them inexpensive. A couple of sellers on ebay were selling tons of these 3570s brand new for $100-$130.
Last I checked, the W3565 and W3580 were both harder to come by and cost at least twice as much used.
The W3570 also supports 1333MHz ram (which would be usable with your EFI firmware flash).
Click to expand...

The 3570 is now as low as $30 now on ebay. I couldn't resist i want to go up to 1333mhz memory speed. I haven't installed it yet its in its package. I just worry it will run hot. Do you still have your w3570 is it running hot? My machine is just a 3mm allen wrench away from some SGII thermal paste and a dot pea method!
 
I don't think you need to worry about that. I am running a W3690, not hot at all. The cooling system still has plenty of buffer to handle more heat. For the single CPU 4,1, even a 130 TDP CPU, still impossible to make the fan run at 50% (assume normal OAT, and the heatsink is not cover by dust, etc.)
 
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