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Upgrading a Mac Pro 1.1

C

CountBrass

macrumors regular
Original poster
Mar 17, 2009
114
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I've upgraded pretty much everything you normally upgrade on an MP: memory, disk, graphics.

So - and I realise this is a long shot - are there any options around upgrading / replacing the motherboard / cpu (not just faster but a newer architecture) / firmware? I realise that if such a thing exists it would be third part and void my warranty (ha!ha!).
 
CountBrass said:
I've upgraded pretty much everything you normally upgrade on an MP: memory, disk, graphics.

So - and I realise this is a long shot - are there any options around upgrading / replacing the motherboard / cpu (not just faster but a newer architecture) / firmware? I realise that if such a thing exists it would be third part and void my warranty (ha!ha!).
Click to expand...

The boards are Cheapish but the processors are WOW!! when I looked last they were about $1000 each
 
About the only thing left is the processors. You need clovertown processors. Just looked on ebay and a 3Ghz is running around 4 to 500 US dollars per processor. Could get lucky and find cheaper ones. Probably better to sell it while you can and get at least an 09 model if you can afford one. The 08's are not bad but still old technology. At least the the 08's are 64 bit though.
 
Thanks for the responses.

I think I'll have a look at at a 2009 or 2010 model instead.

Cheers.
 
bearcatrp said:
You need clovertown processors. Just looked on ebay and a 3Ghz is running around 4 to 500 US dollars per processor. Could get lucky and find cheaper ones.
Click to expand...

They seem to be much cheaper these days.

I picked up a matched pair for $565 total about a month ago, and I believe I paid too much. Looking through the completed listings, most matched pairs of Intel Xeon X5365 (8M Cache, 3.00 GHz, 1333 MHz FSB) processors with SPEC code SLAED selling for $479/pair, with a range of $420-499/pair.

Check out the current completed listings:

http://completed.shop.ebay.com/i.html?LH_Complete=1&_nkw=X5365

After I swapped the processors, I later added an OCZ Vertex 3 SSD. It's a whole new 2006 Mac now. It'll give any more modern Mac Pro a run for the money.
 
Mr. Zarniwoop said:
After I swapped the processors, I later added an OCZ Vertex 3 SSD. It's a whole new 2006 Mac now. It'll give any more modern Mac Pro a run for the money.
Click to expand...

Is it literally a matter of pulling the old cpus and plugging in the new ones?
 
CountBrass said:
Is it literally a matter of pulling the old cpus and plugging in the new ones?
Click to expand...

Yes!

Except to get to that point, you have to essentially remove everything inside the Mac Pro case that's below the hard drive bays.

Here's the video that really helped me: http://www.waitingoutside.com/2010/...pple-mac-pro-11-with-2-xeon-x5355-processors/

Don't try it until you get the long 3mm Torx screwdriver. My local Ace hardware had one for $4.

I am very happy with the Octo-core 3GHz upgrade. The system runs stable with the CPUs at 3.31Ghz when overclocked.
 
Last edited:
I did this upgrade with the 3.0's, not that hard if you look around and find some guides, it is just a pain to tear everything out and put it all back together.
 
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