11-30-2011, 11:28 AM

Hello, I'm looking to buy a Mac pro 1.1 2.66ghz dual CPU quad core. I'm wanting to know could i upgrade the CPU's to Intel Xeon 5160 3.0 GHz 771 dual core, or these pricey Intel Xeon X5365 3Ghz quad-core's? I know i have to buy the CPU's in a pair and all that. I've tackled Many repairs and upgrades before quite few to say the least but can it be done and what would i need to do other the the CPU's and Arctic Silver Thermal Paste FTW! I've seen the how to's online it looks to be easy just wanting to know if i can upgrade to them. and if i need to update the EFI or firmware. Also is it worth the upgrade? And the ram I'd be upgrading for sure, and the Video card all in time.
Help!

11-30-2011, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by TylerHartman

Hello, I'm looking to buy a Mac pro 1.1 2.66ghz dual CPU quad core. I'm wanting to know could i upgrade the CPU's to Intel Xeon 5160 3.0 GHz 771 dual core, or these pricey Intel Xeon X5365 3Ghz quad-core's?

This can be done...but with the additional cost of the cpu's + the original purchase cost of the computer...you would be better off with a newer model Mac Pro.

- Nick

11-30-2011, 12:23 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

This can be done...but with the additional cost of the cpu's + the original purchase cost of the computer...you would be better off with a newer model Mac Pro.

- Nick

Yes true, But i've found a mac pro 2.66 dual CPU dual core's for about 550.00 free shipping and i can get my hands on some Intel Xeon 5160 3.0ghz dual core for 30-40 for a pair is the 2006 1.1 mac pro not worth it or is it just not worth it to upgrade it much? when a newer one isn't that much more out of the realm? do you know if apple will keeping sporting it software wise? I'm coming from a mac mini 1.83 and i hate that i can't upgrade it at all. and i want something with a punch! and i've always had a thing for a mac pro haha.

Thanks! Tyler

11-30-2011, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by TylerHartman

Yes true, But i've found a mac pro 2.66 dual CPU dual core's for about 550.00 free shipping and i can get my hands on some Intel Xeon 5160 3.0ghz dual core for 30-40 for a pair...

Those prices do look pretty attractive...and if this is the case...then I would say go for it.

When I mentioned things would/could get expensive...I was mostly thinking in terms of the Xeon X5365 3Ghz quad-core's you mentioned. These things can cost $250-$300 each on e-Bay...thus if you added that $500-$600 to your Mac Pro purchase price of $550...you would have approx. $1100 into it...which might be enough (or close to enough) to get a newer model Mac Pro.

Sounds like for about $600 you can have a pretty nice older Mac Pro.

- Nick

11-30-2011, 03:40 PM

Do not buy the X5160 CPU's. A far better investment is a pair of Intel X5365 3GHz Quad Cores as Nick suggests. They are pretty pricey, so consider what I did, installed a pair of X5355 2.66GHz Quad Cores. The Quads give the Mac Pro a huge boost. Geekbench score increased by 92%.

Next best update is an SSD which are much faster the platter HDD. Also a graphics card upgrade will improve things. There is ever so much you can upgrade on your Mac Pro.

As for the Apple support who knows? They are in the business of selling computers after all. Thought I was set when lashed out on a G5 Dual Core, then PowerPC support was dropped with the introduction of Snow Leopard. Early Intel purchasers who spent money on a Core Duo cannot run Lion, as you have learnt. Called marketing and progress.

11-30-2011, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by harryb2448

Do not buy the X5160 CPU's. A far better investment is a pair of Intel X5365 3GHz Quad Cores as Nick suggests. They are pretty pricey, so consider what I did, installed a pair of X5355 2.66GHz Quad Cores. The Quads give the Mac Pro a huge boost. Geekbench score increased by 92%.

Hey Harry...I knew that you upgraded the cpu's in your Mac Pro...but I didn't realize that you upgraded it with two quad core cpu's (went from 4 cores to 8 cores). Very nice!!!

I was going to do this with my 1st Generation Mac Pro...but then decided to sell it...and get a newer used Mac Pro. My one unknown with the 4-core to 8-core upgrade was...was there any issues with the heat sinks?

Did the original "quad-core" setup have the heat sinks needed for the 8-core upgrade...or did you have to purchase heat sinks as well as the two quad-core cpu's?

- Nick

11-30-2011, 03:55 PM

Nick I simply purchased the X5355 and used the original heat sinks and have not had any problems (touches wood) so the originals do fit the bill.

11-30-2011, 04:00 PM

Originally Posted by harryb2448

Nick I simply purchased the X5355 and used the original heat sinks and have not had any problems (touches wood) so the originals do fit the bill.

I know that the original Mac Pro's had two "dual-core" cpus...for a total of 4 cores. So it sounds like since there were 2 separate cpu's (2x dual-core) that there were also 2 heat sinks.

I'm comparing this to newer Mac Pros that only have a single quad-core cpu (with just one heat sink). Thus if someone wanted to upgrade a newer "quad-core" Mac Pro to 8-cores...they might have to find a 2nd heat sink setup for the 2nd quad-core cpu.

That was certainly an awesome upgrade!!!

- Nick

12-02-2011, 02:27 AM

So go for it?, Maybe i could take the 64GB SSD out of my laptop and put in it!

Haha, Off topic i went to take trash out where i live, and Found a iMac G5 2.0G, NO RAM, HD OR CD drive, but rest is there and needs some caps replaced.. So i'll have some spare cash once i sell that too. But still haven't ordered a Mac pro they ran out i hope they get more in stock though.

12-02-2011, 07:29 AM

Originally Posted by TylerHartman

But still haven't ordered a Mac pro they ran out i hope they get more in stock though.

Too much talking!!! I said "go for it" 1 hour after you started this thread...that was lunchtime Wednesday!

Maybe they'll get more!

- Nick

p.s. Yes you could use your SSD in the Mac Pro...you just need an adapter bracket.

12-02-2011, 01:20 PM

Originally Posted by pigoo3

This can be done...but with the additional cost of the cpu's + the original purchase cost of the computer...you would be better off with a newer model Mac Pro.

- Nick

Originally Posted by harryb2448

Do not buy the X5160 CPU's. A far better investment is a pair of Intel X5365 3GHz Quad Cores as Nick suggests. They are pretty pricey, so consider what I did, installed a pair of X5355 2.66GHz Quad Cores. The Quads give the Mac Pro a huge boost. Geekbench score increased by 92%.

Next best update is an SSD which are much faster the platter HDD. Also a graphics card upgrade will improve things. There is ever so much you can upgrade on your Mac Pro.

As for the Apple support who knows? They are in the business of selling computers after all. Thought I was set when lashed out on a G5 Dual Core, then PowerPC support was dropped with the introduction of Snow Leopard. Early Intel purchasers who spent money on a Core Duo cannot run Lion, as you have learnt. Called marketing and progress.

So, I can put X5355 2.66GHz Quad Cores in it? So dual quad cord making this a 8Core unit? that's freaking awesome i never knew that i fig'd cause they weren't shipped with them you can't install it I stand corrected.

12-02-2011, 01:32 PM

Originally Posted by TylerHartman

So, I can put X5355 2.66GHz Quad Cores in it? So dual quad cord making this a 8Core unit? that's freaking awesome i never knew that i fig'd cause they weren't shipped with them you can't install it I stand corrected.

"Harryb" has already done it (in his Mac Pro now)...and there's DIY instructions on the internet.

- Nick

12-02-2011, 02:12 PM

I'm debating this same thing myself, but I already have the Mac Pro. My question is, after all the upgrading that would eventually run in the $5-600 price range (at least) is it worth it? I intend to use mine for mostly gaming and maybe some Photoshop, Illustrator or Quark stuff. Wouldn't a newer Windows machine in this price range be faster?

12-02-2011, 02:24 PM

Originally Posted by DrtyFrank

Wouldn't a newer Windows machine in this price range be faster?

Kind of a different topic. It's not just about speed...it's about the experience of using the Mac OS.

- Nick

12-02-2011, 03:36 PM

Okay, with the help of Google i found a DIY.

Mac Pro upgraded with 2 Intel Xeon x5355 processors | Waiting Outside. Photography and Tech

So if i get a mac pro, and do this CPU upgrade will the fan speed increase alot this is going to be in my bedroom so i don't want to be sleeping next to a jet lol. If i wanted that i'd buy a PC hehe.