Xeon X5680s Now $45... October 2018
Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2014 9:23 am
Just an FYI for those interested in supercharging their 4,1 and 5,1 Mac Pros. Lots of used Xeon X5680 CPUs are available on Ebay. Prices have been dropping as servers around the world are updated and the Xeon Westmeres are replaced. You can now pick up X5680s (3.33 hex CPUs) for under $200. Here's an example:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-Six- ... 566d20bc0a
These CPUs will work in any 4,1 (single or dual CPU) that has its firmware flashed to 5,1 using the simple (and free) software available here (fourth post down):
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread. ... are+netkas
Note the single CPU 4,1 upgrade is super simple, but dual 4,1s are a lot more fiddly due to Apple's use of unlidded CPUs and no CPU retainer clamp in the 4,1 dual. If you have a 4,1 dual, proceed with caution and do your homework before you upgrade!
These CPUs will also work in any 5,1 (single or dual CPU) without any firmware changes, and the dual CPU upgrade is just as easy as the single.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1122551 has lots of info.
In August 2012, I paid a tad under $600 for my Xeon 3680. That was a good price then. My 4,1 almost doubled in CPU horsepower as a result. The prices available now make the upgrade a COMPLETE NO BRAINER for anybody with a 4,1 single or 5,1. single or dual CPU Mac Pro. If you install two X5680s in your 4,1 or 5,1, your Mac will be almost as fast as the latest trashcan 12 core Mac Pro. Single CPU Macs upgraded to 5680 will be faster than the quad trashcan MP. (Relative speeds for CPU intensive tasks, like running DP. You can also upgrade GPUs if you need video processing horsepower, but that's a story for another day.)
Note that the X5680 CPU works in single OR dual CPU Macs, the X3680 works only in Single processor Macs. Used X3680s are now more expensive than X5680s, because they weren't used in as many servers.
EDIT: Changed thread Title to reflect reality October 2018. Just checked eBay and found multiple X5680 U.S. Seller offers $45 or under.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-Xeon-Six- ... 566d20bc0a
These CPUs will work in any 4,1 (single or dual CPU) that has its firmware flashed to 5,1 using the simple (and free) software available here (fourth post down):
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread. ... are+netkas
Note the single CPU 4,1 upgrade is super simple, but dual 4,1s are a lot more fiddly due to Apple's use of unlidded CPUs and no CPU retainer clamp in the 4,1 dual. If you have a 4,1 dual, proceed with caution and do your homework before you upgrade!
These CPUs will also work in any 5,1 (single or dual CPU) without any firmware changes, and the dual CPU upgrade is just as easy as the single.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1122551 has lots of info.
In August 2012, I paid a tad under $600 for my Xeon 3680. That was a good price then. My 4,1 almost doubled in CPU horsepower as a result. The prices available now make the upgrade a COMPLETE NO BRAINER for anybody with a 4,1 single or 5,1. single or dual CPU Mac Pro. If you install two X5680s in your 4,1 or 5,1, your Mac will be almost as fast as the latest trashcan 12 core Mac Pro. Single CPU Macs upgraded to 5680 will be faster than the quad trashcan MP. (Relative speeds for CPU intensive tasks, like running DP. You can also upgrade GPUs if you need video processing horsepower, but that's a story for another day.)
Note that the X5680 CPU works in single OR dual CPU Macs, the X3680 works only in Single processor Macs. Used X3680s are now more expensive than X5680s, because they weren't used in as many servers.
EDIT: Changed thread Title to reflect reality October 2018. Just checked eBay and found multiple X5680 U.S. Seller offers $45 or under.