misticini

Q: Macbook Pro 15" too slow after logic board replacement

Hello,

 

I have a macbook pro 15" mid 2009 and i've replaced my logic board. Before the upgrade i have a logic board with a core 2 duo 2.53 GHZ. After the upgrade i have a logic board with a Core 2 Duo 2.66GHZ (and a 9600M GT graphic card). I haven't replaced anything else. I have the same HDD with the same OS X install as i have before. But now my macbook pro is too slow some times. For example after opening a folder, the preview of the images is too slow. And crash many times.

 

I have to do a clean install to my macbook pro for everything works fine?\

 

PS: I also see that my memory ram is almost close to the max value (4 GB).

MacBook Pro, OS X Yosemite (10.10.1)

Posted on Dec 22, 2014 5:46 PM

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Q: Macbook Pro 15" too slow after logic board replacement

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  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Dec 23, 2014 5:03 AM in response to misticini
    Level 9 (52,313 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 23, 2014 5:03 AM in response to misticini

    It appears that you have installed a logic board from a model identifier 5.3 MBP in a model identifier 5.4 MBP.  Have you considered that they may not be interchangeable and there may be differences that are causing your problems?

     

    The unfortunate situation that you face is that Apple will not assist you.  I would post on other web sites such as iFixit.com and see if you can get information there.

     

    In short, you have a near unique problem where there are very, very few people that may be able to help you.

     

    Ciao.

  • by misticini,

    misticini misticini Dec 23, 2014 7:34 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 23, 2014 7:34 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    But what's the problem? The new logic board is better. It's only a logic board..Whats the problem?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Dec 23, 2014 7:50 AM in response to misticini
    Level 9 (52,313 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 23, 2014 7:50 AM in response to misticini

    The logic board is for a different model MBP and you are assuming that it is compatible.  Do you have any evidence that it is compatible?  The CPU is different but that may be the case for many other components which may (or may not) be the source of your difficulties. 

     

    When you install a logic board from a different MBP model there are too many unknowns and thus many risks.

     

    Ciao.

  • by misticini,

    misticini misticini Dec 23, 2014 8:04 AM in response to OGELTHORPE
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 23, 2014 8:04 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

    Hello,

     

    I understand that, but the logic board came from a model of the same bundle (mid 2009) and the rest of the components don't have a big difference between them. A simple HDD, simple memory rams, a optical drive etc. What a **** can cause this problem?

     

    Anyone can help me ?

  • by OGELTHORPE,

    OGELTHORPE OGELTHORPE Dec 23, 2014 10:26 AM in response to misticini
    Level 9 (52,313 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 23, 2014 10:26 AM in response to misticini

    If all components are functioning as designed then:

     

    1. If you replace the logic board with one that is identical with the original, the MBP should function as designed.

     

    2. If you replace the logic board with a different CPU but still for the same model identifier, the odds are in your favor that it should work.  But there is no guarantee.

     

    3.  If you change the logic board from a MBP with a model identifier different than the one you are installing it into, then all bets are off.  It may work, it may not.

    misticini wrote:

     

    I understand that, but the logic board came from a model of the same bundle (mid 2009) and the rest of the components don't have a big difference between them.

    The fact that both MBPs are 2009 is not relevant.  Ask your self the question: Why do they have different model identifiers?  The answer is, because there are differences.  They may not be 'big', but they exist.  If the differences were insignificant, then you would not have these problems and posted your query.

     

    Do not treat my comments as a personal insult.  I am simply pointing out that what you make like to be true may not be true.  I do hope that you find that individual who has tried the same type of swap and either tells you what needs to be done for success or tell you that you are on a fruitless journey.

     

    Ciao.

  • by spudnuty,

    spudnuty spudnuty Dec 23, 2014 3:03 PM in response to misticini
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 23, 2014 3:03 PM in response to misticini

    I think Ogelthorpe has pretty much answered your question:

    "It appears that you have installed a logic board from a model identifier 5.3 MBP in a model identifier 5.4 MBP"

    That would cause a problem.

    So you went from here:

    "MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53 GHz, Mid 2009)

    Whose logic board is # 661-5222

    To here:

    MacBook Pro (15-inch, Mid 2009)

    Whose compatible logic boards are # 661-5212, 2.66 GHz, # 661-5213, 2.8 GHz and # 661-5214, 3.06 GHx (CTO)

    The Apple Service Diagnostic (ASD) is the same (3S132)

    and the builds:

    "

    Mid 2009)Jun 200910.5.710.69J3050, 10A432
    MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2.53 GHz, Mid 2009)Jun 200910.5.710.69J3050, 10A432

    "

    From:

    Mac OS X versions (builds) for computers - Apple Support

    are also the same.

    In general I wouldn't expect that you could swap logic boards across even the same models with different 661 numbers. They will swap with compatible boards of the same model and year. Even though this is the same year the repair manuals are different. If you did get this to work then more power to you!

    Even though everything is the same I would still reinstall the OS just to make sure it is done "in situ".

     

    A bigger problem:

    " I also see that my memory ram is almost close to the max value (4 GB)"

    Yes and also you're running Yosemite. I was running this 13" MBP 2011 w/ 4 GB of RAM, Mavericks (10.9.5) and a standard HD. It also was running slow. I bumped the RAM to 8 GB and put a 120 GB SSD in there, still running OS 10..9.5 and the machine is like night and day!

    So that would really increase the speed of your machine vrs. the small gain in upgrading the logic board where the ∆ would only be .13 GHz. Pretty impressive though!

  • by misticini,

    misticini misticini Dec 23, 2014 7:44 PM in response to spudnuty
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 23, 2014 7:44 PM in response to spudnuty

    Hello,

     

    Thank you all for your answer. I appreciate them

     

    My bigger problem is that before the change the macbook pro wasn't too slow as it is at the moment. Anything is wrong with that. In another forum they say that i can have a faulty sata cable. Do you think that sata cable can cause this?

     

    Regards

    mistic

  • by spudnuty,

    spudnuty spudnuty Dec 24, 2014 12:37 AM in response to misticini
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 24, 2014 12:37 AM in response to misticini

    "Do you think that sata cable can cause this?"

    Yes, they can be very fragile and easily damaged.

    Do you have a USB drive you can boot from?

    Or obtain a USB - SATA dongle and boot your drive from that.


  • by misticini,

    misticini misticini Dec 24, 2014 6:26 PM in response to spudnuty
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Dec 24, 2014 6:26 PM in response to spudnuty

    Hello,

     

    Thank you all for your answers

     

    I will try to replace the sata cable and i will post here the results.

     

    One last observation: the original hdd reports a very strange behavior. He reports a 1.5gbps negotiated speed. This has to be 3gbps right? I'm more convinced that this can be problem of sata cable.

     

    Regards

    mistic

  • by spudnuty,

    spudnuty spudnuty Dec 24, 2014 6:48 PM in response to misticini
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 24, 2014 6:48 PM in response to misticini

    Well this site:

    http://lowendmac.com/2009/15-macbook-pro-mid-2009/

    reports:

    "drive bus: SATA 1 (1.5 Mbps)"

    Which is pretty slow.

    Go to "Apple - About This Mac - More Info - System Report"

    This is what my 2011 13" MBP reports under SATA/SATA Express:

    "Product:                             6 Series Chipset

      Link Speed:                        6 Gigabit

      Negotiated Link Speed:      6 Gigabit"

     

      Pr

  • by spudnuty,

    spudnuty spudnuty Dec 24, 2014 7:51 PM in response to misticini
    Level 5 (7,097 points)
    Mac OS X
    Dec 24, 2014 7:51 PM in response to misticini

    Ah Hah!

    http://appleinsider.com/articles/09/06/22/apple_issues_fix_for_slow_sata_speeds_ on_new_macbook_pros.html

    "MacBook Pro EFI Firmware Update 1.7 (3.4MB) mends a problem with the just-refreshed notebook line which effectively downgraded their SATA II drive interfaces to the original SATA specification."

    "has been a thorn in the side for those hoping to use solid-state drives, or SSDs."