Sierra 10.12.4 on Mac Pro 4.1->5.1?

[SteveJobzniak]

Sierra 10.12.4 contains firmware updates for a lot of Macs.

Is it safe to install 10.12.4 on a Mac Pro 4.1 that has been previously flashed to 5.1 to run modern CPUs?

Just wanna be sure there isn't a sudden incompatible firmware update that bricks my machine.

 

[h9826790]

Sierra 10.12.4 contains firmware updates for a lot of Macs.

Is it safe to install 10.12.4 on a Mac Pro 4.1 that has been previously flashed to 5.1 to run modern CPUs?

Just wanna be sure there isn't a sudden incompatible firmware update that bricks my machine.

Once flashed, it's a real 5,1. The firmware is identical as the real 5,1. As long as Apple says 10.12.4 officially support the real 5,1. You flashed 5,1 will be fine.

Anyway, I did the update already, it's safe.

 

[Synchro3]

Would be funny if Apple releases a firmware update for Mac Pro 5,1 in 2017.

But no fear, MP 5,1 is on the ignore list.

 

[DPUser]

I have updated two 4,1>5,1 Mac Pros to 12.4 successfully.

 

[theitsage]

The Mac Pro towers have no firmware issues in 10.12.4. Late 2016 MacBook Pro is one seeing the most changes. The firmware upgrade on these Thunderbolt 3 MBP effectively breaks AMD compatibility for eGPU.

 

[chrfr]

Sierra 10.12.4 contains firmware updates for a lot of Macs.

Is it safe to install 10.12.4 on a Mac Pro 4.1 that has been previously flashed to 5.1 to run modern CPUs?

Just wanna be sure there isn't a sudden incompatible firmware update that bricks my machine.

10.12.4 doesn't update the firmware on any Mac Pro older than the late 2013 model, so there's no concern.

 

[joebclash]

The Mac Pro towers have no firmware issues in 10.12.4. Late 2016 MacBook Pro is one seeing the most changes. The firmware upgrade on these Thunderbolt 3 MBP effectively breaks AMD compatibility for eGPU.

How nice of apple to do that. Does apple hate their users?

 

[theitsage]

How nice of apple to do that. Does apple hate their users?

My guess is Apple doesn't like a disruption to its Mac lineup hierarchy. I've recently tested the $80 RX 460 2GB in an eGPU enclosure. The RX 460 eGPU is running faster than Radeon Pro dGPUs in Late 2016 15" MBP.

 

[ActionableMango]

Does anyone know what the firmware update does? I looked at Apple's firmware update pages but the latest entry for the 2013 Mac Pro is the old firmware update from October 2015. This new one is not listed yet.

How nice of apple to do that. Does apple hate their users?

Yes, but only those of us who upgrade and extend the useful life of our computers.

I'm sure Apple loves the users that buy a new computer every year.

 

[chrfr]

Does anyone know what the firmware update does? I looked at Apple's firmware update pages but the latest entry for the 2013 Mac Pro is the old firmware update from October 2015. This new one is not listed yet.

It most likely has some security fixes for some computers, and also changes how internet recovery works: https://support.apple.com/HT204904

 

[SteveJobzniak]

Thanks everyone for all the answers! I will be upgrading.

 

[Jayson A]

If someone flashes a 4,1 to a 5,1 is there any way to tell if it has ever been a 4,1 Mac? I just bought a 5,1 on eBay and I wanna know if I got a "real" 5,1 or if it's a 4,1 that has been flashed.

 

[owbp]

@Jayson A , In System Report Serial Number and SMC Version cannot be changed.
In About This Mac it should say what year and model it is but it can be easily changed.

 

[CapnDavey]

If someone flashes a 4,1 to a 5,1 is there any way to tell if it has ever been a 4,1 Mac? I just bought a 5,1 on eBay and I wanna know if I got a "real" 5,1 or if it's a 4,1 that has been flashed.

If you computer say its an early 2009 mac pro its a 4,1 upgraded

 

[h9826790]

If someone flashes a 4,1 to a 5,1 is there any way to tell if it has ever been a 4,1 Mac? I just bought a 5,1 on eBay and I wanna know if I got a "real" 5,1 or if it's a 4,1 that has been flashed.

There is a little sticker at the back of the Mac Pro (near the bottom PCIe slot, should be just below your graphic card's port). It should say model number A1289. If the EMC is 2629, that's a real 5,1. For 4,1, the EMC is 2314.

Check the SMC version is also a reliable way. A "flashed 5,1" will show 1.39f5.

However, don't trust the info in "About this Mac", that's totally editable. To make it shows Mid 2012 is easy, In fact, you can make it shows something like this.

 

[Jayson A]

There is a little sticker at the back of the Mac Pro (near the bottom PCIe slot, should be just below your graphic card's port). It should say model number A1289. If the EMC is 2629, that's a real 5,1. For 4,1, the EMC is 2314.

View attachment 694663

Check the SMC version is also a reliable way. A "flashed 5,1" will show 1.39f5.
View attachment 694664

However, don't trust the info in "About this Mac", that's totally editable. To make it shows Mid 2012 is easy, In fact, you can make it shows something like this.

View attachment 694661

Thanks for the info! I knew you could manually change the system info plist. I've done it in the past to get around software installer blocks.

 

[ipodman999]

Once flashed, it's a real 5,1. The firmware is identical as the real 5,1. As long as Apple says 10.12.4 officially support the real 5,1. You flashed 5,1 will be fine.

Anyway, I did the update already, it's safe.

I have a 4.1 with 5.1 firmware and it wants to update the firmware to install

 

[AndreeOnline]

Yes, for High Sierra there is a firmware install. This thread was originally about Sierra.

The firmware upgrade won't break anything—but you'll need a gfx card with boot screen. An Apple original gfx card is recommended.

 

[jobarreiro]

I downloaded the 5.1 Firmware upgrade, but when I try to install it, I get some message "running Mac Pro EFI Update 1.5 (for the 2010 Mac Pro) brings up a 'This software is not supported on your system' So, anyone knows what's the "catch?" I desperately need to flash to 5.1. Please!

 

[h9826790]

I downloaded the 5.1 Firmware upgrade, but when I try to install it, I get some message "running Mac Pro EFI Update 1.5 (for the 2010 Mac Pro) brings up a 'This software is not supported on your system' So, anyone knows what's the "catch?" I desperately need to flash to 5.1. Please!

What’s your current firmware version?

 

[owbp]

I downloaded the 5.1 Firmware upgrade, but when I try to install it, I get some message "running Mac Pro EFI Update 1.5 (for the 2010 Mac Pro) brings up a 'This software is not supported on your system' So, anyone knows what's the "catch?" I desperately need to flash to 5.1. Please!

It sounds to me, from your post and error you’re getting , that you’re trying to run 5,1 firmware update directly from Apple’s website.
You have to run it through script on netkas forum, to skip Mac model check and other incompatibility issues.