Possible to upgrade a Mac Pro 4,1 single quad processor to a dual quad processor?

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russo25 Author

Level 1

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Possible to upgrade a Mac Pro 4,1 single quad processor to a dual quad processor?

The current hardware configuration is:

Model Name: Mac Pro

Model Identifier: MacPro4,1

Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Xeon

Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz

Number of Processors: 1

Total Number of Cores: 4

L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB

L3 Cache: 8 MB

Memory: 12 GB

Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s

Boot ROM Version: MP41.0081.B07

SMC Version (system): 1.39f5

SMC Version (processor tray): 1.39f5

Thanks

MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.1)

Posted on Feb 5, 2014 12:34 PM

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Answer 1

Best reply

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Feb 5, 2014 12:38 PM in response to russo25

upgrades to a 6-core are easy as single cpu, but needs firmware from a 5,1 also easy

dual 55xx/56xx are more expensive and harder. Whether price and what you want to undertake, it can be done, OWC has their expensive upgrade service too.

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Answer 2

Studio K

Level 2

359 points

Feb 5, 2014 5:41 PM in response to russo25

Your current processor tray has only one socket. If you want 2 CPUs then you must purchase a dual-socket processor tray, which may be quite expensive (considering you will also need to buy 2 CPUs).

You must also make sure to get a 2009 tray and not 2010, which has a different SMC firmware.

Hatter's suggestion of faster 6-core CPU is much less expensive. The performance boost will be considerable (assuming you would truly benefit from so many cores). Just buy one CPU and install it.

But..............flash the firmware FIRST.

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