MacPro1,1 Processor Upgrade Question

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Is my Mac Pro 1,1 upgradeable to 3GHz Quad Core ???

Its currently 2 x 2.66GHz Dual-Core Intel Xeon - Serial number CK7480WUOGP if that helps

Im also confused on the letters at the end of the descriptions i.e SLBBE , SLASB What do i need ??

Also if the upgrade is possible because the Macpro1,1 isn't 64Bit if i upgrade does that turn it into 64Bit ?
 
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You can upgrade to 2.66GHz quads 5355 CPU's. Try and get a matched pair, i.e.identical serial numbers. They do come up on eBay from time to time. Be aware the cost may be too much considering the 32bit EFI which will always limit the 1.1 to Lion natively, although there are a number of work around to run the Mac Prop to what is known as a Hackintosh. And alas it will always remain a 32bit. No way around that or we would have all done it. Just Google CPU upgrade Mac Pro 1.1 as there are many online tutorials. Not the easiest job in the world and purchase the correct 8" torque driver.


http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1433635
 
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Thanks for your help i take it the 2.66 Ghz option is the cheapest or is there a 3Ghz version ?
 
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There is a 3GHz option, the 5365, but usually rare as hens' teeth. Here is a matched pair for $200 if you are quick:-



http://www.ebay.com/itm/MATCHED-PAI...TED-/141000611524?pt=CPUs&hash=item20d44a96c4

Remember still be a 32bit EFI Up to you to work out if feasible considering cost, amount you could get for the Mac Pro 1.1 as is, about $400-500, and later models start at about $800. Model 3.1 and later are 64bit EFI.
 

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Back in about 2011...when I had my 2006 "Quad-Core" Mac Pro (2 x 2.66ghz dual-core cpu's)...I looked into upgrading the cpu's in it. And found that the price of the cpu's was way too expensive to be worth it.

Like Harry mentioned...if you compare the cost of the cpu upgrade to the current value of a 2006 quad-core Mac Pro...it just isn't worth it.

If you took the money from selling your 2006 Mac Pro + the cost of the cpu upgrade...you would probably have close to enough money to purchase a 2008 8-core Mac Pro (ready to go).

And with a 2008 8-core Mac Pro you will have other improvements vs. a 2006 Mac Pro (faster logic board, faster ram, more graphics card choices, 64-bit EFI).

Then the last thing to think about (even if the cost of upgrading the cpu's in a 2006 Mac Pro was financially a good idea)...what if you screw it up?? Swapping cpu's in a Mac Pro can be done wrong...and then you may end up with a dead Mac Pro...AND money down the drain for the upgrade cpu's.

- Nick
 
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Nick your a wise man and i must admit you have opened my eyes a little wider. I think i will weigh up my options once again. But my question is do you think that i would see a difference with a Intel Xeon X5355 2.66 GHz Quad-Core (HH80563KJ0678M) CPU SLAC4?
 

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But my question is do you think that i would see a difference with a Intel Xeon X5355 2.66 GHz Quad-Core (HH80563KJ0678M) CPU SLAC4?

Are you saying that you would be going from 2 x 2.66ghz dual core to 1 x 2.66 quad core? If so, you might as well install 2 of them for 8-cores.

I checked e-Bay...and these 5355 cpus seem to be selling pretty inexpensively. I saw a pair selling for $50 US. These cpu's weren't that cheap two years ago.

So I would say give it a try. 8-cores will certainly be faster than 4-cores.

I don't think that the EFI situation will change. I think that the EFI is a logic board thing...not a cpu thing.

FYI...there are some step by step You Tube videos doing this exact cpu upgrade. Check them out.

If I still had my Mac Pro 1,1...with the 5355 cpu's selling for just $50 bucks US...I would definitely do it.:)

- Nick
 
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my personal opinion is that I wouldn't be upgrading a MacPro 1,1, because they're really obsolete.. And I mean that literally.

You can't run 10.8 on the 1,1.
It runs a 1.5gb Sata bus ( ie. "slow")
No thunderbolt, fewer options,
RAM is more expensive..

I'd sell it off for as much as I can, then turn around and get a 2008 or 2009 MacPro.

it'll likely be cheaper, less hassle, and long-term a better investment...
 

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At VAMountaineer and chas_m.

90+% of the time would agree with you guys:)...and I would be saying the same exact thing (look at what I mentioned earlier in this thread).

But after looking into things...I think that spending $50 bucks to upgrade a 2006 Mac Pro from 4-cores to 8-cores is about as cheap as it gets when it comes to perfomance upgrades.

$50 bucks is a drop in the bucket!;)

- Nick

p.s. I certainly agree with the limitations VAMountaineer listed. But $50 bucks to go from 4 to 8 cores is pretty cool!:) I wish I still had my 2006 Mac Pro 1,1...I would do this upgrade in a heartbeat (if for nothing else...just for fun)!:):)
 
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I appreciate all your feedback guys but as nick said to spend £66 on eBay for two Quad Core 2.66's from just my Dual Core i must be able to see a difference
 

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I appreciate all your feedback guys but as nick said to spend £66 on eBay for two Quad Core 2.66's from just my Dual Core i must be able to see a difference

I do have to mention one thing (in case you're not aware). Many applications are not written (or written well) to take advantage of all those cores. So don't expect all your apps to all of a sudden "fly" when going from 4 to 8 cores.

When I sold my 2006 Mac Pro...I purchased/upgraded to a 2009 8-core Mac Pro (16 virtual cores). After about 6-9 months or so...I realized that many of my computing tasks were not taking advantage of all those cores...and I sold it.

So I just wanted to mention this...so if/when you notice this...you will know ahead of time. But still...for the small amount of money we're talking...I would still do the project!:)

- Nick
 
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If the latest operating system, and future systems, are not that important, suggest sticking with the 1.1 and popping in an SSD which is the best bang you can get for your buck.
 
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Fortunately i sold some stuff on ebay which can pay for the CPU upgrade going for the Quad Core 2.66 Ghz Xeon so extra cheap option but have to make sure they are a pair
 
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If the latest operating system, and future systems, are not that important, suggest sticking with the 1.1 and popping in an SSD which is the best bang you can get for your buck.

Absolutely correct... SSD drive (for OS and applications) will net you more performance boost than nearly anything else...
 

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Fortunately i sold some stuff on ebay which can pay for the CPU upgrade going for the Quad Core 2.66 Ghz Xeon so extra cheap option but have to make sure they are a pair

Harry's SSD suggestion is right on the money!:)

Although I am in agreement with you that upgrading your Mac Pro from 4 to 8 cores with this relatively inexpensive cpu upgrade...the SSD (although more expensive)...will probably provide much more of a noticeable speed boost.

As I mentioned earlier...this cpu upgrade is a fun project to do.:) But as I also mentioned...much of the software you probably run will not know the difference between 4-cores & 8-cores. Most of the software you currently run probably doesn't use/recognize more than 2-cores.

If you were upgrading to a different cpu speed than you currently have (higher than 2.66ghz)...then even the 2-cores that are usually used would/could seem a bit faster. But since the upgrade would be from 2.66ghz (4-cores) to 2.66ghz (8-cores)...again...not going to notice a difference.

If you were doing a lot of Photoshop work...or video editing work (applications that usually are written to utilize more cores if available)...then you would see a BIG speed increase going from 4 to 8 cores.

So overall...the install of an SSD will probably provide more of a noticeable speed boost than a 4-core to 8-core cpu upgrade.

- Nick
 
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If possible if anyone can quickly answer my little question i have managed to find Intel Xeon QUAD CORE X5450 3.0 GHz / 12MB / 1333 MHz SLASB - Socket 771 CPU will they be ok in my Mac Pro 1,1 2007 Model
 
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Took the plunge and bought 2 x Intel SL9YM Xeon Quad Core 2.667GHz 8M 1333 Socket 771 X5355 fingers crossed all ok
 

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Took the plunge and bought 2 x Intel SL9YM Xeon Quad Core 2.667GHz 8M 1333 Socket 771 X5355 fingers crossed all ok

Congrats & fingers crossed! I'm excited to hear how it all turns out.:)

- Nick
 

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