Snakedoc1306

Level 1 (5 points)

Q: Upgrading Mac Pro (2006) to 8-core Processor?

Hello i just purchased a Mac Pro locally for $775, and it has 2 x 2.66 intel xeon duo processors, making it a quad-core machine. I've read that you can upgrade the quad core setup to an 8-core setup. Is this true? And if it is, would this be something that would be difficult to do?

I read that the Intel Xeon x5355 quad processors (code name: "clovertown")are plug and play. Would these processors be able to sit right in the original heatsink? I know you could configure the Mac Pros to 8-cores, and I assume the MOBO is the same on all Mac Pros from the 2006 line. If so, would I have to buy new heatsinks for the quad-processors, or would the original heatsinks work just fine?

Thanks guys!

Power Mac G5 (2.0ghz dual/320gb HD/1gb RAM/802.11n wifi/bluetooth), Mac OS X (10.5.8), original iPhone (16gb)/500gb Time Capsule/Logitech MX Mouse & wireless keyboard

Posted on Jan 26, 2011 9:38 AM

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Q: Upgrading Mac Pro (2006) to 8-core Processor?

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by tedtv,

tedtv Mar 16, 2011 5:27 PM in response to The hatter
Level 1 (4 points)

Mac OS X

Mar 16, 2011 5:27 PM in response to The hatter

Thanks. I'll check out the links
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by Techblast,

Techblast Jul 14, 2011 11:09 AM in response to Kappy
Level 1 (0 points)

Jul 14, 2011 11:09 AM in response to Kappy

Kappy,

OK, just ordered dual x5365 3GHz Quad Core's on my 2006 Mac Pro 1,1. Of course I have 16GB of DDR2 667MHz ECC RAM, but you indicated that DDR2 800MHz ECC RAM would work. Do I need to do anything else to make the system operate at a higher bus frequency? 20% gains in speed sounds like a justifiable upgrade.
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by The hatter,

The hatter Jul 14, 2011 12:26 PM in response to Techblast
Level 9 (60,935 points)

Jul 14, 2011 12:26 PM in response to Techblast

the 800MHz won't do anything for you, you'd need to change the front side bus too to 1600MHz from the 1333MHz your Mac uses.
--

(June 2011) Latest of several reader reports on low-cost 8-Core (Dual Quad-Core) CPU Upgrades to earlier Mac Pro models.
(Also Includes links to several other Mac Pro CPU Upgrade reports from 2011.)

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/systems.html
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by Techblast,

Techblast Jul 14, 2011 12:47 PM in response to The hatter
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Jul 14, 2011 12:47 PM in response to The hatter

Is it possible to change this front side bus speed or is this hard wired into the Motherboard?
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