Mac Pro CPU Upgrade

I am somewhat new to the Mac World.
With a Mac Pro 2.66 dual core (OS-10.5), can one upgrade to 3.0 quad core CPU's ?
Assuming one can find the CPU's.
Thanks,
Ellen

They only run too hot if the fan controller firmware isn't working correctly. If your fans with a 5365 stick to 500 RPM, they will definitely run hot.
In my case, cooling 5355s in a Rev A case is actually really easy. The fans /do/ need to be willing to rev up a bit to cool 5365s under 100% CPU load for extended periods of time. If they don't, then you could be looking at crashes.

Similar Messages

  • Early 2009 Mac Pro CPU upgrade

    Hello all
    I just purchased a 2009 2.66 quad core Mac Pro. I am wondering if the CPU is upgradable. Since the new CPU sits on a slide out tray and shares the same CPU socket as the 8 core CPUs. Can a user upgrade the CPU later? Say if I want to upgrade my 3500 2.66Ghz CPU to 5500 2.9Ghz CPU?

    As a mac pro enthusiast this is something I have been trying to figure out as well. With this insanely high premium price on a new mid to top end model vs what it was a year ago I am curious if it would be doable to buy an oct-core 2.26 (or whatever the low end oct is) and upgrade to two nehalem processors myself at a later point. I work on computers inside and out for a living so replacing the CPU doesn't scare me. I just want to know what the part is, if its required to socket a Xeon in each slot or could it be done with just two Nehalem processors. Upgrading the CPU is very doable in a mac mini or a mac pro, its about what you have to socket into the slot. If anyone knows if the mac pro's i7 slot supports non-xeon processors that would be all the info I need.
    Thanks
    -Jacob

  • DIY: mac pro CPU upgrade

    What is the possibility of a DIY CPU upgrade after a couple of years of ownership?
    Is there an Apple  recommended path of upgrade for Mac Pro users in terms of CPU?

    while there is never any Apple sanctioned, even graphic card upgrades are cloaked in mystery, the "Early 2008" is the only model that is hard to find cpu.
    MacPro 2006-7 5355 8-core upgrade is very doable for $500 range, 2009-10 take Intel W3680 $620 drop in, only dual cpu Nehalem/Westmere are usuallu deemed way too expensive, but possible.
    use to be very popular going all the back to... SE/30 even, and 630 7100 PowerMac 7300 Beige G3/G4s

  • Early 2008 Mac Pro CPU Upgrade

    About 6 months ago, I purchased a early 2008 MacPro with a single quad-core 2.8 ghz CPU. Is it possible to add the second processor to this machine?

    Yes it is possible, but most likely not financially viable.
    You will void your warranty and of the more difficult items to track down will be the heat sink for the CPU! Mind you, finding a 2.8Ghz CPU will be difficult on it's own. But in essence, if you have some cash to blow and are willing to get your hands full of thermal paste, then yes, have a go!
    http://www.hardmac.com/articles/72/
    and
    http://www.o0o.it/pro/
    Remember, on your head be it!
    -Jacques

  • Mac Pro 2006 upgrading CPU

    I have a 2006 Mac Pro Intel with 2 2.66 dual cores and would like to upgrade them to 2 2.66 quad cores. I can't afford a faster unit. I use FCP 6 and it takes me forever to render video but at least these will help me speed it up a little.
    I emailed xlr8yourmac.com about this 2 weeks ago seeking help but got no response. I found no posts there or here in apple discussions to help with the questions I've listed below.
    Ebay has some used ones but I don't know what units to buy. I went to Intel and they list different "Categories" of (discontinued) Xeon X5355's like "FC-LGA6", "PASSIVE FC-LGA6" and "FC-LGA6 TRAY". Inside each "Category" there are 2 different "Socket" types: "PLGA771" and "LGA771". Then there are *"Spec Codes"*: "SLAEG", "SLAC4" and "SL9YM". I have no idea which would be appropriate if ANY of them are.
    I am NOT a techie...I do video & audio and send the computer out for repairs. The computer's way out of warranty but I've chek'd with 2 local apple authorized serv. centers and they said it may cost over $1600 to purchase and install the processors. I know this computer is old and slow but hopefully I can get another year or so out of it. I cannot afford to buy a new unit. That's not affordable right now so please don't suggest that.
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    These sorts of upgrades are not for hobbyists, especially if this is your Work computer. If you are not a technician, you are risking turning your computer into a non-functioning pile of junk. Sell the current one and buy a faster one, possibly a used one. Or look at the Apple refurbished here:
    http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/mac/mac_pro?mco=MTkyMTQ5MzA
    Many Macs doing these jobs are NOT compute-bound. Look at Activity Monitor and be certain your CPU is really maxed out. Often it will not be because the real problems are elsewhere. If you want to make it go faster, there are several things you can do:
    1) make sure you have enough real RAM memory. On the Activity monitor memory screen, you should be seeing Zero pageouts, and there should still be some green in the pie chart.
    2) Consider having a "System" drive, with Mac OS X, Applications, and paging only, no user files, no scratch files. This will reduce overall competition for the System Drive and make your Mac more responsive. If this is a really fast drive like a small 10,000 RPM velociraptor or Solid State Drive, that will be even better.
    3) make sure you are editing from one drive, to a different drive.
    Message was edited by: Grant Bennet-Alder

  • Buy low end Mac Pro now, upgrade later?

    Wondering if it makes sense to buy a low end 2ghz Mac Pro now, and then upgrade later (to for example, higher ghz or maybe a Clovertown cpu).
    The difference now is about $300 for a 2ghz versus a 2.66ghz, which I suppose would get me by for some time. Cpu upgrade later would mean having to sell the old cpus, can PCs use these as well as Macs? That would certainly make them easier to sell, and then buy new faster cpus or even a new processor class.

    It depends on whether you use the MacPro and applications that benefit from quad-core, from faster cpu, or whether you are memory bound.
    I rarely need or use iDVD or iLife and the 2GHz model is plenty for my needs it seems.
    I figured the cost of 2x512 extra from RAM (1GB isn't enough you really want 2GB, more if you run DTP or video editing) and I wanted to buy a 10K Raptor which I (and anyone) would find welcome addition.
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    Games? professional? bragging rights? I would never plan on having to upgrade cpu, or selling the OEM processor (might want them someday).

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  • Should I install old software in my new Mac Pro, then upgrade?

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    Lubella wrote:
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  • Mac Pro Graphics Upgrade

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