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New Mac Pro single processor units

ash471 said:
I just got a mac pro with a single quad core. I had the same question all of you had and everyone on the internet seemed to be speculating one way or the other. However, everyone's "expert" advice based on their prior experience with Mac Pro is completely irrelevant since there were no single cpu Mac Pros until Harpertown. Thus, any upgrade prior to the new Mac Pro would have been a change to a totally different CPU, which is obviously complicated. What we are talking about with the Harpertown upgrade is simply going from 1 cpu to 2 cpu. It could be as simple a dropping in the second exact same processor if the board has the socket and heat sink. I called Apple and someone there told me "sure you can upgrade it later." I'm not sure whether the person I talked to has a technical understanding, but it was enough for me to buy the single CPU. (I probably wouldn't have paid for the second cpu version regardless). If you want me to look and see if my computer has the second socket and/or heat sink let me know where to look. Do you think I can open the box without voiding the warranty?
-Andrew
Click to expand...
You're not going to void the warranty of your Mac Pro by just opening it. I still wonder where users get this bizarre idea. If you do manage to follow the instructions in the manual to open the side panel please take pictures. Are are a lot of people waiting to see what the motherboard and processor sockets are like on the single processor Mac Pro.
 
Yes! do that, it's really easy. and also, the plastic piece that covers the processor(s) is really easy to remove too.

here's a couple shots of the heat sink in mine:

IMG_0697.jpg
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IMG_0700.jpg
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Actually, I had a chat back a week ago with one of the online rep. I did ask this question specifically because i was interested in getting a 4core too. I can't remember the exact words but roughly the same as follow.

I want to purchase a single processor MP, and wonder if I can add the other one later.
Yes.
Should I consider the cooling system and any other related parts when I add the other processor?
(then the rep told me to hold, and about 3 min later)
No, anything's ready for the second processor.

That's about it. I don't know how sure the rep was, at least he went somewhere and checked i hope.

I prob go with 8core because I doubt the price of this E5462 Xeon processor will go down by 50% of its current price(add by apple now is $400, retail now is $700+. Never heard of price of Xeon drop 50%).
 
conancn said:
Actually, I had a chat back a week ago with one of the online rep. I did ask this question specifically because i was interested in getting a 4core too. I can't remember the exact words but roughly the same as follow.

I want to purchase a single processor MP, and wonder if I can add the other one later.
Yes.
Should I consider the cooling system and any other related parts when I add the other processor?
(then the rep told me to hold, and about 3 min later)
No, anything's ready for the second processor.

That's about it. I don't know how sure the rep was, at least he went somewhere and checked i hope.

I prob go with 8core because I doubt the price of this E5462 Xeon processor will go down by 50% of its current price(add by apple now is $400, retail now is $700+. Never heard of price of Xeon drop 50%).
Click to expand...

Perhaps you are looking at a different Apple Store than I'm looking at, but mine says there is a $500 dollar difference in the 2:

One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (quad-core) [Subtract $500]
 
Roy said:
Perhaps you are looking at a different Apple Store than I'm looking at, but mine says there is a $500 dollar difference in the 2:

One 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon (quad-core) [Subtract $500]
Click to expand...

yep, i'm looking at ADC, but whatever, it's not gonna drop that much i believe.
 
I think the smart thing to do, if you are going the single processor route and upgrade later, is to upgrade in a couple of years. THen, not add another 2.8, but sell your single 2.8 and upgrade with a 3.2 or probably even faster by then processor.
 
welshy1812 said:
Do you have a single processor Mac Pro ?

Photos of the sockets if you do, please ! :)

I'm not ordering till I know I can upgrade down the line.
Click to expand...
Yeah I do.

I'll retry to dissassemble my MP today. But removing the fan parts appear to be hard. I saw the second unused socket, but taking a photo will be difficult because there's not enough space to do it as long as the fan parts are not removed.
 
sweedigel said:
Yeah I do.

I'll retry to dissassemble my MP today. But removing the fan parts appear to be hard. I saw the second unused socket, but taking a photo will be difficult because there's not enough space to do it as long as the fan parts are not removed.
Click to expand...


Thanks sweedigel, the effort is appreciated.
 
Anybody know how hell remove the front fans assembly ?? I removed the screw near the 1st hard drive bay, and then??
 
sweedigel said:
Here you can see the free "cpu-a" socket, with the protection on it. The harpertown is in the "cpu-b" one.
Click to expand...

I have no idea what I'm looking at in the 2nd photo but I guess this is good news that there would appear to be 2 sockets, all we need now is confirmation that a cpu will work in the 2nd one !
 
This is good news. I just purchased a single cpu MacPro with hopes of being able to add a second one later. Might even ditch the 2.8 single and drop in a couple of 3.2's.
 
4God said:
This is good news. I just purchased a single cpu MacPro with hopes of being able to add a second one later. Might even ditch the 2.8 single and drop in a couple of 3.2's.
Click to expand...

Now that we know there is a 2nd socket, hopefully someone can confirm that it is possible to insert another cpu.

Thanks again for taking the time sweedigel.
 
Hey folks, quick question from a "McN00B"...

In the PC world when you have 2 CPU's they have to be "Stepped Matched", in other words they have to be a matched pair like a matched set of mic's or tubes. Does this apply to Macs also?

I have upgraded a few dual CPU PC's and finding a matching CPU with the same "stepping #" for the one installed was a huge pain!
 
Smurf42 said:
Hey folks, quick question from a "McN00B"...

In the PC world when you have 2 CPU's they have to be "Stepped Matched", in other words they have to be a matched pair like a matched set of mic's or tubes. Does this apply to Macs also?

I have upgraded a few dual CPU PC's and finding a matching CPU with the same "stepping #" for the one installed was a huge pain!
Click to expand...

Mmmm..... good point. If that's the case then it looks like I'll be saving for those 3.2's.
 
Smurf42 said:
Hey folks, quick question from a "McN00B"...

In the PC world when you have 2 CPU's they have to be "Stepped Matched", in other words they have to be a matched pair like a matched set of mic's or tubes. Does this apply to Macs also?

I have upgraded a few dual CPU PC's and finding a matching CPU with the same "stepping #" for the one installed was a huge pain!
Click to expand...

i'm not sure about this, but i believe i've heard people say that they do need to be a matching pair, which makes me think that upgrading a single quad would require selling the bto xeon in favor of 2 new ones....

i could be wrong though, anybody else wanna chime in?
 
sweedigel said:
Anybody know how hell remove the front fans assembly ?? I removed the screw near the 1st hard drive bay, and then??
Click to expand...

you don't have to remove the fans to uncover the heatsinks. that plastic piece will snap right off of there (or at least it did on mine....) and you have to sort of lift it straight up so it can slide out between the sink and the fan assembly.

thanks for posting that! it'd be great to also get a shot with the sinks uncovered.
 
rockinrocker said:
you don't have to remove the fans to uncover the heatsinks. that plastic piece will snap right off of there (or at least it did on mine....) and you have to sort of lift it straight up so it can slide out between the sink and the fan assembly.

thanks for posting that! it'd be great to also get a shot with the sinks uncovered.
Click to expand...
There is no problem removing it, on the picture I had not pulled it out yet, but it's ok ;).
My problem is on both sides of the processor heatsink, no way to remove them :/ I'm stuck.
 
I think I remember reading another thread describing loosening (not removing completely) the memory cage in order to get the cover off without hassle. But don't quote me on that.
 
4God said:
I think I remember reading another thread describing loosening (not removing completely) the memory cage in order to get the cover off without hassle. But don't quote me on that.
Click to expand...

Ok let's stay on track, if you have 1 quadcore can you add another processor later???????????? :confused:
 
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