Dual Cpu Tray For Mac

Although the rumors of a new, modular Mac Pro have already started making the rounds, the word on the street is that it won't make an appearance until some time in 2019. That's a pretty nebular time frame as it could mean anywhere from 9 to 21 months of waiting from today. In the meantime, if you need updated CPU prowess you can always opt to upgrade some components on your older Mac Pro to tide you over until a newer model is released.

Mac Pro with processor tray With, an upgrade to a faster CPU or more CPU cores is made easy. As of late 2014, OWC can upgrade the CPU in the 2009 or 2010.

I'm upgrading a 2009 4,1 Mac Pro with two 2.26GHZ 4 core 8 thread Nehalem CPUs to two 3.33GHZ 6 core 12 thread Westmere CPUs. This will give me not only more clock speed, cores and threads (from 16 to a whopping 24!) but also better instructions per cycle (IPC) which will give me better single threaded and multithreaded performance clock for clock.

Here's how to upgrade your CPU in your older Mac Pro.

The CPU Kit

As these are aging machines, new parts are difficult yo come by so I used eBay for procuring my hardware. Although I could have opted with the cheapest solution of just buying two paired x5680 CPUs and trying to figure out the rest, I decided instead buy an actual upgrade kit from a vendor.

The kit not only comes with the actual CPUs, but it also comes with everything you need for the installation of the CPUs including the tools, cleaning pads, thermal pads and paste, washers, and instructions. This not only made it easy to get started, but gave me peace of mind knowing I'd be able to complete the project in one go.

The process

The process is straight forward. No tools other than what was provided with the kit was required. If you have a 2009 Mac Pro, however, you need to first upgrade your 4,1 firmware to the 5,1 specification before swapping the CPUs. If you're already at 5,1 or have a 2010 - 2012 Mac Pro, you're good to go.

1. Shutdown your Mac Pro. The instructions provided state to keep the Mac plugged in.
2. Release the rear latch.
3. Take off the side cover.
4. Depress the two CPU tray latches.
5. Pull out the CPU tray.

6. Using the provided hex wrench to remove 4 or 8 screws (depending on having either a single core or dual core system) from the CPU heatsinks.

7. Carefully remove the heatsinks upward as the CPUs will be connected to the heatsinks as you remove them.
8. Carefully detach the cabling from the CPU tray daughterboard.

9. Remove the CPUs from the heatsinks.

10. Use the provided cleaning pad to clean the old thermal paste off of the heatsinks.

11. Free the cable plug from both the side channel and the hole it protrude through (push sideways and then down).

12. On the plug there exist 5 tabs. On the side that has 3 tabs you'll need to remove the 2 outer tabs leaving the centre tab intact. I used a needle nose plier to remove them.
13. Feed the plug back through the hole it was initially contained in once again, allowing for some slack for easier access to reconnecting the wire.

14. If you have a 2009 Mac Pro, you'll need to add 3 provided metal washers to each CPU screw post. If you have a 2010 - 2010, you must skip this step.

15. Place your CPUs into the CPU socket making certain to line it up properly. Hint, the bottom pins are asymmetric and you can determine it's orientation by looking at the bottom pins relative to the holes in the socket.
16. Remove the old thermal strip completely and attach the new thermal strip. For dual CPU computers, the strip for CPU A will be shorter than for CPU B.

17. Add a pea-sized drop of thermal paste on top of each CPU.

18. Connect the heatsink plug into its socket resting the heatsink on its side.
19. Tilt the CPU heatsinks onto the CPU posts lining them up as carefully as possible.
20. Press down firmly on the heatsinks.

21. Retighten the hex screws on the heatsinks with the provided hex wrench very tightly using a cross diagonal tightening pattern similar to when you tighten the lug nuts on a car wheel.

22. Connect your CPU tray back into your Mac Pro.
23. Attach the side panel.
24. Lock the latch.
25. Power up your Mac Pro.
26. Done!

The results

I made some quick and dirty before and after upgrade comparisons to give you an idea of the performance increases.

Cinebench R15

Old CPU

• OpenGL: 43.05 fps
• Multithreaded CPU test: 749
• Single threaded CPU Test: 73

New CPU

• OpenGL: 64.29 fps
• Multithreaded CPU test: 1529
• Single threaded CPU Test: 107

Wow! Of course I expected better multithreaded results going from 4 core to 6 cores but getting a 100% increase in multithreaded performance was not anticipated. On top of that, I got an increase %50 in OpenGL capabilities as the CPU was now better able to feed the GPU the graphical instructions required for better performance due to the near 30% increase in single threaded capabilities.

LuxMark

• Old CPU: 1721
• New CPU: 2909

Again an impressive increase.

Blender

• OLD CPU Render time for Splash279: 4:23
• New CPU Render time for Splash279: 2:34

Hey a greater than 80% increase is pretty nice!

Final comments

Although I didn't take down any numbers, my gaming performance also increased noticeably. I had less hitching and better minimum frame per second and I noticed far less reprojection when running VR applications in both macOS and on Windows via bootcamp. All in all, I am very satisfied with my CPU upgrade. It makes a still relevant old Mac Pro even more relevant and at times can give the new iMac Pro a run for its money.

Will you be waiting to get a new Mac Pro in 2019? Or do you need to upgrade now? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

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How do you upgrade the processors in the 'Early 2009/Nehalem' Mac Pro models? How are the processors mounted?

Please note that this Q&A explains how to upgrade the processors in the 'Early 2009' Mac Pro models (model identifier MacPro4,1).

EveryMac.com also provides processor upgrade instructions for other Mac Pro models -- the original and 'Early 2008' (MacPro1,1, MacPro2,1, and MacPro3,1) and 'Mid-2010' and 'Mid-2012' (MacPro5,1) systems.

Officially, Apple does not state whether or not the processors in the 'Early 2009/Nehalem' models can be upgraded. Pro tools 8 hd crack mac.

The memory and hard drives are designed to be upgraded by end-users, and doing so is quite simple, but Apple does not intend for one to upgrade their own processor(s). Consequently, EveryMac.com cannot recommend that one upgrade the processor(s) in a 'Early 2009' Mac Pro models themselves.

However, for the technically skilled, upgrading the processors in the 'Early 2009' Mac Pro models is quite possible.

Photo Credit: Apple, Inc. (Early 2009 Mac Pro)

Identification Help

If you're not sure if you have an 'Early 2009' Mac Pro or another model, the A1289Model Number is insufficient as this identifier is shared by multiple subsequent Mac Pro lines.

However, the 'Early 2009' Mac Pro models can be identified collectively by the Model Identifier in software and externally by EMC Number. More details about each identifier is provided in EveryMac.com's extensive Mac Identification section.

To locate the model identifier, select 'About This Mac' under the Apple Menu on your computer and click the 'More Info..' button. If the Mac Pro is running OS X 'Lion' (10.7) or later, click the 'System Report' button after clicking 'More Info..' as well. All 'Early 2009' Mac Pro models share model identifier MacPro4,1.

The EMC number is located on the rear of the system in small type. As hand noted by EveryMac.com, each 'Early 2009' Mac Pro model shares EMC number 2314.

Specifically, these are the systems in the 'Early 2009' Mac Pro line:

EveryMac.com's Ultimate Mac Lookup feature -- as well as the EveryMac app -- also can identify these models by their Serial Numbers.

Original Custom Processor Options

At the time of purchase, Apple originally offered the stock 'Quad Core' model -- the Mac Pro 'Quad Core' 2.66 (2009/Nehalem) -- with a single 2.93 GHz Quad Core Xeon W3540 processor as a US$500 upgrade. On December 4, 2009, Apple began offering it with a single 3.33 GHz Quad Core Xeon W3580 processor for US$1200 more and lowered the price of the 2.93 GHz processor upgrade to US$400.

Apple, likewise, offered the stock 'Eight Core' model -- the Mac Pro 'Eight Core' 2.26 (2009/Nehalem) -- with dual 2.66 GHz Quad Core Xeon X5550 processors or dual 2.93 GHz Quad Core Xeon X5570 processors for an additional US$1400 or US$2600, respectively.

It is fairly straightforward to upgrade a slower system with one of the faster processors that Apple offered new at the initial time of purchase.

Processor Upgrade Instructions (Most Straightforward Options)

All 'Early 2009' Mac Pro models have the processors mounted on LGA 1366 sockets and Apple did not impose any firmware restrictions, either. However, as is common with Mac upgrades, significant hurdles apply.

As part of a longer upgrading piece, the hardworking hackers at the always excellent AnandTech successfully upgraded the stock 2.26 GHz Quad Core Xeon E5520 processors in the 'Eight Core' model with two 2.93 GHz Quad Core Xeon X5570 processors.

Photo Credit: AnandTech (Unscrewing Mac Pro Heatsink)

Essentially, one needs to slide the processor tray out of the Mac Pro, unscrew the heatsinks with a long 3mm hex key, remove the heatsinks, clean off thermal paste residue, remove the processors, install the new processors, re-apply thermal paste, reattach the heatsinks, reinsert the processor tray, and close up the computer.

However, it is critical to note that the Apple uses custom processors without an 'integrated heat spreader' or 'lid' and Apple does not make it easy for an individual to be able to purchase these on the resale market (although some may be available through graymarket sources). AnandTech instead installed processors with an integrated heat spreader and upon the first time reattaching the heatsinks killed one of the new processors, the Mac Pro processor board, and one of the heatsinks. This mistake cost nearly US$2000 to remedy.

In a well written step-by-step article, The Mac Observer had better luck on the first try and successfully upgraded a stock Mac Pro 'Eight Core' 2.26 (2009/Nehalem) with dual 3.33 GHz Xeon W5590 processors. Although the upgraded processors also had an integrated heat spreader, the author was able to carefully install them without damaging the processors or the system.

Firmware Hack Option

For really adventurous hardware hackers, there is a second option that involves not only an officially unsupported hardware upgrade but also a firmware hack -- or 'firmware update' if you prefer -- for the 'Early 2009' Mac Pro models.

Skilled hacker 'MacEFIRom' from the Netkas Forums has released a utility that updates the firmware in the 'Early 2009' Mac Pro (MacPro4,1) models to the same one used by the 'Mid-2010' (MacPro5,1) models.

As elaborated upon by ArsTechnica, this later firmware provides support for faster processors and faster RAM as well as enabling audio support on the Mini DisplayPort:

Perhaps of primary interest is that users will be able to install 32nm Westmere Xeons, including six-core variants used in the high-end 2010 Mac Pro, into their older machine. Single-socket machines can use W-series CPUs, while dual-socket machines will need dual-QPI enabled chips including the E5600 and X5600-series chips. (A source who applied the firmware update told Ars that Westmere CPUs are identified with 'B1' stepping in the identification code.)

Even if you didn't plan to upgrade the CPU, though, there are other benefits. Some Nehalem CPUs can support 1333 MHz DRAM speeds, but are limited to 1066 MHz on the older Mac Pros. The firmware update will enable the full 1333MHz speed if you have a CPU and RAM combo that can support it. And, the updated firmware will channel audio signals through the Mini DisplayPorts on installed GPUs, making it easier to use with HDMI displays.

This firmware update reportedly is reversible, but proceed with caution. Should you apply any firmware hacks, backup everything first, and be prepared to accept any consequences.

Processor Upgrade Summary

Ultimately, it is quite possible for one to upgrade the stock processors in the 'Early 2009' Mac Pro models with faster ones available at the time the system was new or even more modern processors by taking advantage of firmware hacks.

However, due to the fact that Apple uses different processors than those commonly available for resale, even a skilled hardware hacker should proceed with caution. This is most definitely not an upgrade for those with limited hardware hacking experience.

By reading the above as well as the linked tutorials, it is hoped that you will be able to decide whether or not upgrading the processors in your 'Early 2009' Mac Pro is something you feel skilled enough to handle or whether it is better to leave well enough alone.

Successfully upgraded the processor in any Mac Pro model? Please share the results of your labor. Thank you.

Also see:

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• How do you upgrade the processors in the 'Original/Early 2008' Mac Pro models? How are the processors mounted?
• How do you upgrade the processors in the 'Mid-2010' and 'Mid-2012' Mac Pro models? How are the processors mounted?

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