Upgrading CPU in older MacPro

[JB97031]

I have a MacPro with a 2 x3 GHz Dual - core xeon processor. I can't upgrade my OS above 10.6.8 and thus can't run some of the newer programs.

Can I put in a 3.2 quad core in the computer or should I just turn it into a door stop.

 

[jav6454]

Door stop sounds like a better idea. Upgrading a CPU can be expensive, plus the work regarding the actual change process will be complicated or hard.

 

[flowrider]

I have a MacPro with a 2 x3 GHz Dual - core xeon processor. I can't upgrade my OS above 10.6.8 and thus can't run some of the newer programs.

Can I put in a 3.2 quad core in the computer or should I just turn it into a door stop.

You haven't given us enough information. What model Mac Pro do you have? And, no matter what model it is, it should be upgradeable to at least OS 10.7.5. Why don't you think you can upgrade it further? I'll assume you have a 1,1 Mac Pro. If so, you can upgrade the firmware to 2,1 and it will accept early generation quad core CPUs.

How much RAM in your machine?

Lou

 

[JB97031]

You haven't given us enough information. What model Mac Pro do you have? And, no matter what model it is, it should be upgradeable to at least OS 10.7.5. Why don't you think you can upgrade it further? I'll assume you have a 1,1 Mac Pro. If so, you can upgrade the firmware to 2,1 and it will accept early generation quad core CPUs.

How much RAM in your machine?

Lou

I've tried to upgrade it and I keep getting the message that I can't install Mt Lion.

Info:
MacPro 1,1
16 GB Ram
Bus Speed 1.33 GHZ

 

[MacVidCards]

You can get 5365 chips that have 4 cores each, only real CPU upgrade.

Ml is 10.8, you can do 10.7.5, ie LION

 

[flowrider]

I've tried to upgrade it and I keep getting the message that I can't install Mt Lion.

Info:
MacPro 1,1
16 GB Ram
Bus Speed 1.33 GHZ

That's true - You can't install Mountain Lion (10.8), but you can install the latest release of Lion (10.7.5). Nothing you do to your machine will allow it to run ML unless you hack the machine, but something tells me that's a wee bit above your skill level. However, IMO, Lion will let you run all your programs. I don't think there's anything out there that's ML specific yet.

Lou

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You can get 5365 chips that have 4 cores each, only real CPU upgrade.

Ml is 10.8, you can do 10.7.5, ie LION

If he does that, he'd need to firmware upgrade his machine to a 2,1. Don't think he's ready for that.

Lou

 

[ChrisFerri]

I recently put in Xeon X5355 into my Mac Pro 1,1. Got it for $75 on eBay. Really bumped up the power. Only trouble I had was getting the fan array out but other then that it was pretty seamless.

 

[JB97031]

That's true - You can't install Mountain Lion (10.8), but you can install the latest release of Lion (10.7.5). Nothing you do to your machine will allow it to run ML unless you hack the machine, but something tells me that's a wee bit above your skill level. However, IMO, Lion will let you run all your programs. I don't think there's anything out there that's ML specific yet.

Lou

Lou - many thanks. You are right. This is above my skill level by more than a wee bit. Looks like Lion will work for me and be fine for the couple of upgrades to programs I want. Really appreciate all the help for such a noob like me.