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Question: Number of processors?
- Thread starter shaun21gb
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Macsonic
macrumors 68000
Hi Shaun. The 3,1 2008 Mac Pro has 2 CPUs that are installed. It was released in January 2008 with cpu clock speeds of 2.8ghz, 3.0ghz and 3.2ghz as 8 cores. There was also a 4 core 2.8ghz model. Not a dumb question. 😎 Hope this helps.
NOTNlCE
macrumors 65816
Yes, this is 100% accurate. I used to own a "2.8GHz Quad Core 3,1" - what's unique about the 3,1 model is that despite being a "single processor" model, it has an open socket on the board just ready to take another processor and heatsink.
Doesn't it also take the rather "unique" FB-DIMM DDR2 RAM?
What processor is used for the 3.2Ghz? Is just a 2nd CPU and a heatsink needed?
NOTNlCE
macrumors 65816
Yes, a 3,1 does take FB-DIMMs, and can operate at up to 800MHz, but they're readily available on Ebay, and if you don't need more than 16GB of RAM, they're really not as expensive as they're cracked up to be. An 8x2GB @ 667MHz config costs about $50 from the right seller. It's when you start looking at 4GB FB-DIMMs that the price skyrockets.
The 3.2GHz Xeon is an E5482. Of course, you'd need a matched pair to run two of them (you can't have one at 2.8GHz and one at 3.2GHz.) If you've got a quad model, it has one 2.8GHz E5462 Xeon Processor in the top socket, and a spacer over top of the second socket. And yes, all you need to put another processor in the slot is a heatsink and a matched processor.
The performance gains you'd get by bumping the processors from 2.8GHz to 3.2GHz and by using 800MHz RAM over 667MHz RAM are minimal, and certainly not worth the premium in price they often command. Assuming you have a Quad Core 3,1 model, the most economical upgrade is the grab another 2.8GHz E5462 Xeon and a heatsink and 16GB of DDR2 667MHz FB-DIMMs in the 8x2GB config I mentioned. That's actually exactly what I did when I had my 3,1.
Small White Car
macrumors G4
Hi Shaun,
I swear that this is NOT one of those "why din't you Google this?" posts. I hate people that do that. Your question was perfectly ok!
Rather, I just wanted to share a site that I use all the time because I like it and think you'll find it useful too.
http://www.apple-history.com
This place maintains a vey well organized list of pretty much every Mac and lists the specs they shipped with. It's a good resource to have around!
flowrider
macrumors 604
^^^^IMO, it's better to have this application on your Mac. All information on every Mac model every made at your finger tips.
http://www.mactracker.ca
And it's FREE!
Lou
http://www.mactracker.ca
And it's FREE!
Lou
sigmadog
macrumors 6502a
MacTracker is a great app. I use it all the time when looking up specs and planning upgrades.
NOTNlCE
macrumors 65816
Ah, you're correct. It is an X5482 Xeon. However, the E-series Xeons are most certainly not for "just" single CPU systems. The "Dual Quad 2.8GHz" 3,1 most certainly uses "E5462" Xeons, and the Mac Pro 1,1 shipped with "E5150/5130/5160" Xeons.
flehman
macrumors 6502
One more note: although the 2.8 and 3.0 processors for the Mac Pro 2008 have a TDP of 80 watts, the 3.2 has a TDP of 130 watts. From what I understand and have read the heat sinks are the same regardless of the CPU speed, but just be prepared and watchful of temps if you install 3.2 processors. You should be fine with any top-tier thermal paste, other people have upgraded successfully to 3.2 processors.
flowrider
macrumors 604
^^^^You are correct, the Heatsinks appear to be the same, but the installation procedure is not. The 3.2 CPUs use a different type of grease and have some kind of special gasket. According to the Apple service manual the installation is also different. If the OP plans on using 3.2 GHz CPUs, he should familiarize himself with the installation procedures outlined in the Technicians Guide before attempting the swap.
Lou
Lou
Small White Car
macrumors G4
There's the rub. I find that I'm nowhere near my Mac the majority of the time these things come up.
I'll be trying that out, so thanks for that, but I know I'll still be needing a web-based solution too.
flehman
macrumors 6502
I've read the references to the "special" thermal paste used on the 3.2 processors, but I have also read from other sources that the factory thermal paste isn't always the greatest to begin with - so I have trouble reconciling these two supposed "truths" and don't know what to think. I upgraded from dual 2.8 to dual 3.0, opting to leave well-enough alone and not risk the 3.2 pitfalls. I have read reports from folks who upgraded to 3.2 using Arctic Silver or MX-4, both of which are highly effective and well-regarded thermal pastes, and not reported any problems, so I have trouble believing there is some super-secret, super-special thermal product that is better and has never made it onto the mass market in 7 years.
I wasn't aware of special gaskets though, so I guess I am that much luckier for not having attempted a 3.2 upgrade and cooking my machine. Reading the service manual for a procedure for your machine before attempting the repair/upgrade is always the best policy.
Kaspin
macrumors regular
The original silver-colored thermal grease on the 3.2s has something in it that reacts with air and that is why the gasket is there.
This paragraph is from the Apple service guide:
I upgraded my 3,1 from the 2.8 to 3.2 and used MX-4 with the original heatsinks. My temps stay around 65° C while transcoding videos with handbrake. If anything, it actually runs cooler now since my heatsinks aren't clogged up with giant dust bunnies any more.
This paragraph is from the Apple service guide:
I upgraded my 3,1 from the 2.8 to 3.2 and used MX-4 with the original heatsinks. My temps stay around 65° C while transcoding videos with handbrake. If anything, it actually runs cooler now since my heatsinks aren't clogged up with giant dust bunnies any more.
flehman
macrumors 6502
I remember the statements in the guide about not letting the substance exposed to air for more than 30 minutes. What is your temp at idle? I assume the 65 under load was coming from the diode? And it sounds like you just dispensed with the gaskets? The 3.0 (x2) in my 3,1 sit at 32-35 at idle on the diode and get into the 50s when pushing.