What is the cost to bring a 2009 Mac Pro to 2010 Mac Pro specs?

[Ravich]

Aside from the processor. Newegg prices are fine.

 

[Hellhammer]

You need 2010 Mac Pro's logic board unless someone flashes the EFI from 2010 MP to 2009 MP

 

[Ravich]

Need the 2010 logic board for what?

 

[Umbongo]

Do you want faster quad core, faster 8 core, 6 core or 12 core? Graphics card too? Airport?

 

[Ravich]

I am trying to figure out the advantage of buying 2010 instead of 2009 given that I dont think the westmere upgrade is significant for me.

 

[gnasher729]

Aside from the processor. Newegg prices are fine.

The easiest and cheapest way is via eBay. Put the old MacPro on eBay, buy a new one.

 

[Hellhammer]

Need the 2010 logic board for what?

Oh, you said aside the CPUs. Well, you need a faster GPU, nothing more really. Not sure how much 5770 will cost, maybe 200$.

 

[Umbongo]

I am trying to figure out the advantage of buying 2010 instead of 2009 given that I dont think the westmere upgrade is significant for me.

The advantages are faster processors or 2 more cores, faster memory support on the 3 more expensive systems, airport included, faster graphics card, support for Westmere processors.

 

[eawmp1]

I am trying to figure out the advantage of buying 2010 instead of 2009 given that I dont think the westmere upgrade is significant for me.

Didn't we have this debate in 2009 between the 2008's and the Nehelem's?

 

[Ravich]

What does faster memory support refer to?

 

[CaptainChunk]

Well, then... The only advantages aside from the processor would be a standard Airport card (if you don't already have one), a faster GPU and a slightly larger standard hard drive. You also get faster memory (1333MHz DDR3 versus 1066MHz DDR3) on the 6/12 core models.

But unless I'm missing something, I think that's it.

 

[Umbongo]

What does faster memory support refer to?

The top tier of Intel's processors (those costing $900+) support 1333MHz memory, Apple disabled this on the 2009 models.

 

[nanofrog]

Need the 2010 logic board for what?

Firmware. And it's very likely it's the daughterboard that you'll need, not the backplane board (one that has the PCIe slots on it). Please keep in mind, this would only work if none of the hardware's actually changed (no part substitutions anywhere that would affect the ROM). This isn't likely, but without confirmation, the mention of this condition is necessary IMO.

SP daughterboards can be had for $350, and the DP versions $400 as I understand it. The backplane board is $300. This would work if no means of flashing the ROM becomes available, and Apple doesn't release it to 2009 system owners voluntarily.