3,1 Mac pro - CPU & thunderbolt upgrade question

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DJstylus Author

Level 1

13 points

3,1 Mac pro - CPU & thunderbolt upgrade question

Hey guys,

I have an early 2008 3,1 Mac Pro, dual quad 2.8 with 8gig of ram - I have 2 questions:

1. Considering a CPU upgrade. Would like to keep this machine for a few more years yet & still "relevant" tech wise.

I am wondering if I should update the CPUs to something a little more "today".

Wondering what CPU would be a good choice, the expected cost, & difficulty of doing the job myself.

2. I'm also wondering if I should take advantage of the thunderbolt technology for connecting multiple USB devices via a USB to thunderbolt hub?

I mainly use my Mac Pro for facebook, youtube...& occasionally trying to make music & gaming...

cheers

Mal

Posted on Jun 17, 2015 12:57 AM

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Answer 1

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jun 17, 2015 3:05 AM in response to DJstylus

There is no way to add Thunderbolt to a Mac Pro. Thunderbolt has to be built into the logic board.

What is the present CPU configuration of your Mac?

How much memory?

What apps do you run?

http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/mac_pro/faq/mac-pro-how-to-upgrade-process ors.html

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Replacing-Upgrading+Mac+Pro+Processors+(Early+2008) /17562

http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/early-2008-mac-pro-processor-upgrade.1586171 /

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Answer 2

DJstylus Author

Level 1

13 points

Jun 25, 2015 2:08 AM in response to lllaass

Hi - thanks for the response.

As I mentioned in my question - my MP is a dual quad 2.8 with 8gb of ram.

I was hoping I could add a PCIE thunderbolt card. If not will a PCIE USB3 card work?

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Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Jun 25, 2015 2:12 AM in response to DJstylus

There is not PCle crd that ADDS Thunderbolt capability. There are PCLe cards that add extra Thunderbolt ports but the logic board has Thunderbolt built in.

Yes, you can get PCle USB 3 cards. Yu can't boot from a device connect to them .

http://forums.macrumors.com/threads/what-is-the-state-of-usb-3-0-on-mac-pro.1501 482/

http://www.sonnettech.com/product/allegrousb3pcie4port.html

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