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Upgrading my 2009 Mac Pro - need advice

powers74 said:
I just put 8gigs from OWC in my early 2009. Fired it up and it never booted; graphics card just whirred and whirred. Any thoughts on what the problem is? I got it with the base 6gigs in 123 and 567 and put the 4gs in 4&8. Cool to know the cpu's can be upgraded. Might try that in a year or two.

Update: I did the ctrl+opt+p+r on startup and got me no further. If it was some slightly different combo, don't worry, I tried it too.
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You can't just mix any type of RAM in to the machine, first rule of thumb is that 1-4GB modules cannot work with 8GB and 16GB modules. As such, if you have a single 1GB module in there.. the system would not boot.

So make sure your 8GB modules go in without any other modules and test..

next is the speed, while many modules will be capable of switching back to lower speeds, the 2009 model will only support the lowest speed of 1066Mhz, and 1333Mhz ONLY if flashed to 5.1 AND the CPU supports the new 1333Mhz standard. Since you did not upgrade, your memory is stuck at 1066Mhz.

Check the memory speed you have purchased, and perhaps the 5.1 upgrade will make the memory work (with lower speeds).

Then you have RDIMM and UDIMM modules, again, they cannot be mixed.. if you have the 5.1 upgrade, rumors are UDIMMS are also supported.. but always one type in the machine.. mixing not supported.

@everyone else.. correct me if i'm wrong ;)
 
RCZ said:
You can't just mix any type of RAM in to the machine, first rule of thumb is that 1-4GB modules cannot work with 8GB and 16GB modules. As such, if you have a single 1GB module in there.. the system would not boot.
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You have the right direction but you aren't quite right. 8GB dimms can be mixed (I am using 2x 8GB and 2x 2Gb).

The type of DIMM being mixed is the key. It's more likely to be a question of UDIMM vs RDIMM or dual rank vs quad rank.

Also there are reported issues using slots 4/8 on the dual cpu systems. Do a search.
 
funwithdesign said:
Y I got it with the base 6gigs in 123 and 567 and put the 4gs in 4&8.
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I believe that it is necessary, when mixing different sizes, to place the largest dimms in first SLots. The new OWC ram should, therefore, be placed in slots 1 and 5. And then populate the remaing slots with the smaller ram.

There is also the issue of ram speed (mentioned previously I think). If your stock ram is 1066MHz and the new stuff is 1333MHz, then there may be problems.

The 'optimal' arrangement is triple-channel. 3 dimms per CPU leaving slots 4 and 8 empty. If your older ram is only 1GB, then it may be worthwhile to sacrifice the extre 2GB worth of dimms for potentially faster ram performance.
 
Thanks for the advice guys, looks like I have made a couple of these mistakes including the 1066/1333 one. I was under the assumption it was all 1333 and just bought it. Should have double checked. Btw it's two 4gig sticks, not eight. But yeah, I might just go from 6 to 8 for now and just buy some more 1333 sticks in a couple months. Thanks again.

Quick update:

So I went ahead and put the two 4gig sticks in slots 1&5 figuring what the hell. I booted using opt+cmd+p+r and I'm up and running with this friendly little message.

"The memory modules are installed in the recommended slots"

I can notice a little speed increase, but not quite as speedy as I was thinking it would be. Should I just yank out all the 1gig sticks and be happy with the 6-8 jump for now, or leave it in and swap it for a couple more 4gig sticks in a couple weeks / whenever I get around to it? Do you think there would be any detrimental effects from leaving it in?
 
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powers74 said:
I can notice a little speed increase, but not quite as speedy as I was thinking it would be. Should I just yank out all the 1gig sticks and be happy with the 6-8 jump for now, or leave it in and swap it for a couple more 4gig sticks in a couple weeks / whenever I get around to it? Do you think there would be any detrimental effects from leaving it in?
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All depends on whether you are getting page-outs with the less amount of RAM. The speed slowdown from installing sticks in groups of 4 instead of 3 will be less than if you are running out of memory.
 
funwithdesign said:
All depends on whether you are getting page-outs with the less amount of RAM. The speed slowdown from installing sticks in groups of 4 instead of 3 will be less than if you are running out of memory.
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OK... cool. My hard drive does seem to be going nuts, but I mean, it was doing that before. Could you rephrase your second sentence? Sorry, I really am not understanding what you're trying to say :eek:
 
powers74 said:
OK... cool. My hard drive does seem to be going nuts, but I mean, it was doing that before. Could you rephrase your second sentence? Sorry, I really am not understanding what you're trying to say :eek:
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No problem.

In a nutshell:

The MacPro's memory will run theoretically faster in sets of three. However if you are running out of memory, the benefits of this will be secondary to the speed deficit you will see from page outs. You are therefore much better to run the max memory you need regardless of configuration. Notice I said need rather than can.

If you can run the max you need in sets of three then you will have the best of both worlds.
 
After many days/weeks deliberating which processors to get a finally went with the x5660's over the w5590.

I hope they live up to my expectations!

Thanks to everyone who helped with my decision :-D
 
wispy007 said:
After many days/weeks deliberating which processors to get a finally went with the x5660's over the w5590.

I hope they live up to my expectations!

Thanks to everyone who helped with my decision :-D
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Good choice. You could always pick up a pair of x5690 in a couple years if you need it.

CPUs are pretty stout.
 
Installed and running :)

Some before and after stats attached.
 

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Hey guys,

I don't have time to read this thread now but I need to make a choice beetween a single or bi-cpu Nehalem macpro quickly and buy it. What would you recommend ?
What is the tricky part during bi-cpu replacment ? thank you
 
MrTed said:
Hey guys,

I don't have time to read this thread now but I need to make a choice beetween a single or bi-cpu Nehalem macpro quickly and buy it. What would you recommend ?
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It depends on your budget and usage. Only you know that.


What is the tricky part during bi-cpu replacment ? thank you
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Allowing for the difference in CPU thicknesses. Opinions are divided as to how to achieve this.

There are no easy answers. You need to do your own research.

Sorry, that's just how it is...
 
cal6n said:
It depends on your budget and usage. Only you know that.




Allowing for the difference in CPU thicknesses. Opinions are divided as to how to achieve this.

There are no easy answers. You need to do your own research.

Sorry, that's just how it is...
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Budget is not really a problem. I will use this computer in parallel with my 2013 macpro using logic X and vienna ensemble pro. I need the second computer to be as good as a i7 imac 3,4 Ghz I had for tests.
I want the old macpro case for my actual drives. But if it's too complicate I'll go for a i7 imac + 2big or 5big. I have the opportunity to buy a Nehalem macpro 2X2,26 or a mono one.
What is this CPU thickness problem ? if I take a bi-cpu i'll go for x5680 or x5690 if mono maybe W3690
thanks
 
OK.

In your case, I'd choose a mono with a W3680 or W3690. And I'd also add a GTX680, either EVGA Mac edition or flashed PC reference card.
 
cal6n said:
It's your choice. You asked for a system comparable to an i7 iMac. They have a fairly decent graphics chipset.
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I asked for a system as good as an i7 imac but if I can get a 12 core 3,46 macpro that's good too. All softwares I use are multi-thread. I don't need any good graphic card.
I need to know what is the problem with 2,26 gh CPU replacment. What is difficult to do and what is it easier with mono CPU ! thx
 
MrTed said:
I need to know what is the problem with 2,26 gh CPU replacment. What is difficult to do and what is it easier with mono CPU ! thx
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Dual CPUs had the tops removed. When you replace with normal CPUs (with heat spreader lids attached), then the heatsinks are sitting higher up. So you then need a taller thermal pad that can reach the motherboard surface.
And you have to take care not to tighten too much. Some use washers to help prevent over-tightening.

Mono CPU is simple drop-in replacement. No concerns about height or thermal pads.
 
Studio K said:
Dual CPUs had the tops removed. When you replace with normal CPUs (with heat spreader lids attached), then the heatsinks are sitting higher up. So you then need a taller thermal pad that can reach the motherboard surface.
And you have to take care not to tighten too much. Some use washers to help prevent over-tightening.

Mono CPU is simple drop-in replacement. No concerns about height or thermal pads.
Click to expand...

Ok so that's only a height issue.The original CPU Apple installed are smaller, is that it ? So what washers or taller thermal pad do I need to add, what's their references exactly and where can I buy them ?
Is their a picture or video of this fix somewhere to understand better ? thank you
 
MrTed said:
Ok so that's only a height issue.The original CPU Apple installed are smaller, is that it ? So what washers or taller thermal pad do I need to add, what's their references exactly and where can I buy them ?
Is their a picture or video of this fix somewhere to understand better ? thank you
Click to expand...

Not really smaller, but shorter.

I don't have the references but if you Google 'Pindelski Mac Pro', then you may find some information there. It's a lengthy blog, but he details the process of upgrading the dual 2.26 cpus.
 
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