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OWC processor upgrade program for '09 / '10 systems

T

Transporteur

macrumors 68030
Original poster
Nov 30, 2008
2,729
3
UK
I just stumbled over OWCs new offer to upgrade ANY '09 or '10 system to a 12 core with up to 3.33GHz.

Check this out: Click

Till now, anyone said that it is not possible for the '09 owners to drop in some hex cores. I'm confused. How are they doing it? Updating the firmware or replacing the hole daughterboard?
 
I could but I doubt that they'll me how they do it, they wanna make profit with this upgrade, don't you think? ;)

Maybe anybody here has, or will do the upgrade and can give some information about it.

I'm in the UK and can't work without the Mac Pro so sending in the board for at least a week is no option for me which is why I'd like to upgrade the system myself ('09 octad).
 
There's no harm in trying, especially since you're the one who's curious :p

Plus it's just an email... I'm sure the electrons that work to send your email won't be too hassled.
 
The site says "Processor Upgrades up to 3.33GHz 12-core ".

Let me translate.... "Your model may not be able to get to 12 cores and 3.33 GHz, but we can up it till your wallet bleeds."
 
hyram said:
The site says "Processor Upgrades up to 3.33GHz 12-core ".

Let me translate.... "Your model may not be able to get to 12 cores and 3.33 GHz, but we can up it till your wallet bleeds."
Click to expand...

No, up to means that you can chose from other options like 2.93GHz, too.
The site clearly says that you can get a 12 core 3.33GHz out from ANY Mac Pro.
 
cube said:
This is not practical. They should sell a kit.
Click to expand...

Yes and no...

If you buy a kit, it's on you if you ***** it up.

It's on them if they do - e.g. if they accidentally bend the pins on a new CPU, they have to get another one at no expense of the customer.
 
Vylen said:
Yes and no...

If you buy a kit, it's on you if you ***** it up.

It's on them if they do - e.g. if they accidentally bend the pins on a new CPU, they have to get another one at no expense of the customer.
Click to expand...

So, are you going to ship your board from Australia?
 
Brilliant.

This could be useful once we know the prices and will get even more useful as time goes on and prices inevitably drop.

I thought they had different (what's the word? not BIOS, ROM) though between Nehalem and Westmere?

aah EFI ;)
 
englishman said:
Brilliant.

This could be useful once we know the prices and will get even more useful as time goes on and prices inevitably drop.

I thought they had different (what's the word? not BIOS, ROM) though between Nehalem and Westmere?
Click to expand...

They will do a board swap, probably costs them $250 or so for the board. Don't expect this to be cheap. I'm curious to see how the price it and what sort of rebate you get on the processors you send them.
 
Umbongo said:
They will do a board swap, probably costs them $250 or so for the board. Don't expect this to be cheap. I'm curious to see how the price it and what sort of rebate you get on the processors you send them.
Click to expand...

I believe when Anand replaced their CPU board (they bent some pins in the CPU socket trying to upgrade their 2009 Octo) it cost them $400 for the board.

It may be just cheaper to sell your system and buy one you want. I guess we'll know soon enough.
 
hyram said:
Sorry... I don't read it that way. I hope you're right, I just don't think you are.
Click to expand...

It depends on if the EFI is on the slide in/out board or not.

If it isn't the 2009 Mac Pro 4,1 is limited to 3.33Ghz Quads and the 2010 can go to the 3.33Ghz 6-core chips.

Personally im keeping my 2009 until the SB 2011 MP comes out and buying a nearly new 3.33Ghz 2010 Mac Pro for 60% of new.

1st year of ownership is a killer :(
 
Concorde Rules said:
Personally im keeping my 2009 until the SB 2011 MP comes out and buying a nearly new 3.33Ghz 2010 Mac Pro for 60% of new.

1st year of ownership is a killer :(
Click to expand...

Yeah. I like the latest and greatest but it doesn't feel much on an upgrade to me at the moment unless I could do it cheaply. 2x26 -> 2.8 or ?
 
englishman said:
Yeah. I like the latest and greatest but it doesn't feel much on an upgrade to me at the moment unless I could do it cheaply. 2x26 -> 2.8 or ?
Click to expand...

That's exactly what I think. My current work, which is basically office, doesn't require more processor speed (2.26 octad) at all (my processors are always 100% idling), I'm constantly looking for a processor upgrade on ebay though. Maybe one can make a nice deal.
Since it is still dirt cheap to buy in the US (compared to Europe prices) the new OWC offer could be a reasonable option.

Would be even better if they found a way (firmware upgrade) to not replace the daughter board. Maybe they took the '10 firmware and put it on the old Mac Pro.
We'll see.
 
Ok, i've had Roman23 email me this info cos he is banned:

Roman23 by email said:
Given already that we now know that the 2010 mac pro is NOTHING more than a full breaded 2009 just with westmere firmware and new GPUS, I am happy to report that the following has now been confirmed:

THE EFI ROM IS ON THE BACKPLANE OF THE 2010.. BY REMOVING THE 09'S backplane board and replacing with the 2010's, THE 09 can now recognize westmere.. The processor tray was the same in the 09.. as westmere processors will fit in the same socket.. As you have noticed, the same part number for the single quad processor tray is the same for both 09 and 10..

SO, YES... THE 09 IS NOW A WESTMERE... This was also tested with the dual setup as well. So, there you have it. The EFI ROM is on the backplane board.. replace that, and you have the westmere..

The board can be had between 250-350 depending on the place you can find it. Applecomponents.com has the board for close to 300.. but it is WELL worth it for those not wanting to spend over 3000 or more for a "new" mac pro..

Yes, the processors are expensive, but at least the possibility of getting westmere from a 250-300 dollars board is NOW IN REACH for everyone.
Click to expand...

Personally I can't be bothered with the faff, esp as I have a three year warranty!!

But it appears, the 2009 Quad can turn into a 2010 12-core!
 
Concorde Rules said:
Personally I can't be bothered with the faff, esp as I have a three year warranty!!

But it appears, the 2009 Quad can turn into a 2010 12-core!
Click to expand...

That's great news! Thank you very much.
But wouldn't the replacement of the main board (not a user serviceable item that's for sure) void the warranty?
 
Yes, 2 x 2.26 -> 2 x 2.4 just doesn't seem worth it for me +.14

What are the benefits of Westmere? I know I'm lazy and should look for threads but I'm quite relaxed in this nice warm one.
 
englishman said:
What are the benefits of Westmere?
Click to expand...

Basically there are none if you keep the core count. There are some advancements in cache and instructions sets, nothing too fancy though. Not a noticeable speed bump.

If you upgrade, go for much higher clock speed (no need for a board replacement) or more cores (new board required). Both would be best of course ;)
 
englishman said:
Being nosy why'd he get banned?
Click to expand...

No idea!

I think he only emailed me because I was interested in upgrading to the W3580 from the W3520 in my MP, but I decided against it.

£400 minimum when this plus another £400 or so can be used next year to get a 6 core with a 5870.
 
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