Xeon X5680s Now $45... October 2018

[danworks]

Unfortunately, you would need to get your hands on a dual processor tray and two heatsinks, an a and a b, to convert a single CPU Mac to dual CPU. These parts are not cheap.

If you want a hot single CPU Mac Pro, the best deal now is to buy a 2009 quad ($500 at MacOfAllTrades.com), flash the firmware to 5,1, and install an X5680 or 90 or W3680 or 90.

Thanks for your answer.

I was imagining I could install 2 CPU in one single CPU machine but as you explained, it would be a complicate and expensive task.

I'm just looking for a dual 5,1 or at this point if it's not complicate even a 4,1 macpro. I would like to substitute my second macpro (3,1) which it could be upgradeable, but apparently the bench test difference on the 3,1 between stock CPU and faster CPU are negligible so the CPU game is not worth.

If you have any other model advice, I'll appreciate. Thank you so much

ciao

[HCMarkus]

Sounds like you have a good understanding of the situation; upgrading a 3,1 is probably not worth it.

[HCMarkus]

Updating this thread for the benefit of anyone who might have missed it before or is contemplating what is still the best deal in Mac computing for audio work.

I just flashed another 2009 from 4,1 to 5,1 successfully. Had a little trouble making the EFI update stick initially, remedied by booting under OS 10.8.5 and using a patched version of the updater available here:

http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,852.960.html

See Reply 966 for pigsyn's patched EFI updater.

Purchased my "new" machine on ebay for $575 including 32 gigs of RAM. I have a W3690 on the way (got it for $175, also on ebay) and will soon have a slightly faster twin to hang out with my other '09 W3680. So… that's $750 for an expandable Mac that will geek bench around 16,000. Not bad! A couple of SSDs will make it fly.

The new Mac will serve as a studio backup, for graphic work, and, if it becomes necessary, a networked mule to use with Vienna Pro.

[kgdrum]

That's great HC
I'd love to find a 2010 8 core and make it into a 12core monster,I don't have the patience for the firmware/flash EFI stuff.
Even if I have to spend a bit more it will still be a good deal for a cMP........
You have me thinking again,dangerous stuff lol

[Henry Robinett]

I did it with my two cMP recently. I had a Quad 2.66 4,1 and a Quad 2.8 5,1 and dropped a W3690 and a X5690 bringing them both up to 3.46. Relatively painless, except one of the CPU sellers on eBay was a crook. eBay refunded me and I was off to the races again. First time that's ever happened.


All the best,
www.henryrobinett.com
Check out my latest CD on iTunes.
I Have Known Mountains by Henry Robinett
https://itun.es/us/pi6C_

[williemyers]

hey guys (HC, kc, Henry, et al...)
I've got a 3,1 2.8ghz 8 core that's beginning to fail. And my next machine will be another MP (btw, what's a "c"MP? Clone Mac Pro?), a 4,1 or 5,1, so I've been reading (and re-reading) this thread with great interest.

I think I've got enough experience to do the proc upgrades - I'm good at following YouTube videos! - but the firmware stuff seems a bit scarier. Anyway, I'd like to wind up with a killer machine for $750 as HC describes. I guess my main question might be, even if I'm not able to do all of the upgrading immediately, which 4,1 or 5,1 would be the best cost v. performance "base" MP to get now, with plans of upgrading later?

Many thanks and please keep this great thread going!

[HCMarkus]

Will, the single-CPU 4.1 offers great value and does;t present the deluded cpu issue the 4,1 dual cpu models pose. Right now, the W series cpus (work in single cpu Macs only) are priced lower than the X series that works in single or dual cpu Macs. The only advantage posed by the single cpu 5,1s (other than less age) is the lack of need to do the EFI update. If going with a dual cpu Mac, the 5,1's don't use delidded cpus and are thus easier to upgrade.

You can get used 4,1 single CPU 2.66 for $500 at Macofalltrades.com. Or Ebay.

[Henry Robinett]

Oh and cMP is classic MP AFAIK.


All the best,
www.henryrobinett.com
Check out my latest CD on iTunes.
I Have Known Mountains by Henry Robinett
https://itun.es/us/pi6C_

[kgdrum]

@ HC

When you buy a MacPro on eBay do you go the auction route or do you just purchase?

Also do you buy only from dealers or would you buy from an individual?

What kind of seller history and ratings do you look for or do you just rely on the eBay buyer protection?

Also do you check serial #s etc.....?


As always,Thanks.

[HCMarkus]

@ HC

When you buy a MacPro on eBay do you go the auction route or do you just purchase?

Also do you buy only from dealers or would you buy from an individual?

What kind of seller history and ratings do you look for or do you just rely on the eBay buyer protection?

Also do you check serial #s etc.....?


As always,Thanks.

Hi KG. I'm not Joe Experienced when it comes to Ebay. My recent seller had solid ratings and was a dealer. I sent a question re packing and got a prompt response. Mac arrived non dusty and well packed, but it would have been nice if they bagged it first so I would't have had to spend 30 minutes vacuuming styrofoam bits from the case…

Not so worried about serial numbers when buying a 4,1. I know what they look like and the photos told the story. If buying a 5,1 I would be very careful the seller isn't just calling an upgraded 4,1 a 5,1. I've seen a lot of those. A real 5,1 costs more than an upgrade, and it should. It's newer, doesn't need the EFI updated, and the duals use normal lidded CPUs.

Just dropped in the used W3690 in my 4,1 single CPU tonite and popped the upgraded CPU tray in the studio Mac. Authorizing BFD was the only hassle. Got it done by deauthorizing, quitting and restarting DP. Noticeably faster than the W3680? Can't say. But it works great! I'll keep using the new one with 32 gigs of RAM (recognized as 1333 post-upgrade) in the studio for now, knowing a backup is ready to roll if ever I need it.

It has been fun doing another one of these. Maybe I should go into business… nah. Rather make noise with the tools.

[kgdrum]

[/quote]




It has been fun doing another one of these. Maybe I should go into business… nah. Rather make noise with the tools. [/quote]


I would have said: You're hired!

[HCMarkus]

Bumping the thread for Emu

[emulatorloo]

Bumping the thread for Emu

Thanks for the bump!

Am afraid I thought this thread was dead so posted a new one here:

Has anybody installed "lidded" processors in a Mac Pro 2009?
http://www.motunation.com/forum/viewtop ... =2&t=61654
Appreciate your and Michael Canavan's help in that thread!

[BobK]

Attempting to resurrect this thread 'cause I'm considering a CPU upgrade for my 2009 8-core 2.26 GHz Mac Pro 4,1.

In a forum post somewhere (maybe netkas.org) someone mentioned that after the 4,1 to 5,1 firmware update, they had problems with iCloud - I think Apple didn't recognized their computer.

Have any of you had problems with any iCloud services or the Mac App Store after doing the firmware update and/or processor upgrade?

I use iCloud for syncing Contacts, Calendar, Safari Bookmarks, Photos, Notes, and occasionally iCloud drive and reminders.

Thanks!

Bob

[HCMarkus]

Have any of you had problems with any iCloud services or the Mac App Store after doing the firmware update and/or processor upgrade?

I use iCloud (Contacts & Calendar) without issue on two 4,1 > 5,1 machines. However, I did the firmware/CPU upgrade on one or both Mac Pros prior to setting up iCloud on those Macs.

I don't think you will run into a computer ID problem that could not be resolved by registering your upgraded machine as a "new" Mac.