MP All Models Mac Pro CPU Compatibility List

[ActionableMango]

I feel the need to add a warning to the first post about this, but I think a warning is all that can be done. There isn't enough information to provide clear guidance.

 

[tsialex]

I feel the need to add a warning to the first post about this, but I think a warning is all that can be done. There isn't enough information to provide clear guidance.

Just add a note that early-2009 dual CPU trays made before May 2009 are problematic with 130W Xeons, no need to include anything else since green/red/black with all buttons are extremely rare.

 

[MrCheeto]

I just started a thread about a Pro project. Long story short, I want a machine that is isolated from the internet and intended to essentially exist as it did in 2008. Old software, old peripherals, that good old “It Just Works” performance.

Sometimes I feel like “unplugging” and going back to the good old days. It sounds crazy to some now, but how many of us have a Mac that only runs Classic?

Leopard is going on 15-years old. It’s a classic now.

So, how do I go about choosing a Mac Pro and set of CPU’s to both support Leopard and give me basically the best performance in the apps of the time, such as Adobe suite, Final Cut, Resolve etc?

Can a 5,1 accept Leopard? If I get a 4,1, install Leopard, then swap in a 5,1 board...?

Are there Intel processors that would either not boot Leopard, or would boot but wouldn’t allow me to take advantage of the tech such as HT, the full battery of Cores, in-built overclocking...?

I’d like the best performing chip, not just the highest benchmarks or server performance. This is going to be a machine where I’m messing around with music and video production as a hobby. I tend to shoot stuff with a DV cam or VHS camcorder, so I have realistic expectations.

 

[tsialex]

I just started a thread about a Pro project. Long story short, I want a machine that is isolated from the internet and intended to essentially exist as it did in 2008. Old software, old peripherals, that good old “It Just Works” performance.

Sometimes I feel like “unplugging” and going back to the good old days. It sounds crazy to some now, but how many of us have a Mac that only runs Classic?

Leopard is going on 15-years old. It’s a classic now.

So, how do I go about choosing a Mac Pro and set of CPU’s to both support Leopard and give me basically the best performance in the apps of the time, such as Adobe suite, Final Cut, Resolve etc?

Can a 5,1 accept Leopard? If I get a 4,1, install Leopard, then swap in a 5,1 board...?

Are there Intel processors that would either not boot Leopard, or would boot but wouldn’t allow me to take advantage of the tech such as HT, the full battery of Cores, in-built overclocking...?

I’d like the best performing chip, not just the highest benchmarks or server performance. This is going to be a machine where I’m messing around with music and video production as a hobby. I tend to shoot stuff with a DV cam or VHS camcorder, so I have realistic expectations.

MacPro5,1 macOS support starts with a special build of 10.6.4, maybe you can boot Leopard with an early-2009 GPU and -no_compat_check added to the boot-args.

Changing boards won’t help, first it’s the GPU support that Leopard and up to 10.6.4 normal update don’t have. macOS installers check the board-ID.

Also, a cross-flashed early-2009 is a MacPro5,1 for the installer.

 

[LightBulbFun]

MacPro5,1 macOS support starts with a special build of 10.6.4, maybe you can boot Leopard with an early-2009 GPU and -no_compat_check added to the boot-args.

Changing boards won’t help, first it’s the GPU support that Leopard and up to 10.6.4 normal update don’t have. macOS installers check the board-ID.

Also, a cross-flashed early-2009 is a MacPro5,1 for the installer.

Leopard does not have any sort of board ID checks, that started with Lion

Leopard will happily boot on a MacPro5,1 so long as you have Nehalem CPUs

(although you will need a MacPro4,1 era GPU if you want graphics acceleration)

 

[MrCheeto]

Woo-Hoo! So I could enjoy Leopard on a Dual X5590 5,1? That’s just what I need!

 

[tsialex]

Woo-Hoo! So I could enjoy Leopard on a Dual X5590 5,1? That’s just what I need!

X5690 is a Westmere Xeon, X5590 don't exist.

 

[MrCheeto]

HAH, W5590

Original post left for posterity ?

 

[Macbookprodude]

If I recall, on 4,1 Leopard didn't come with the 2009 Mac Pro, as it was early Snow Leopard or was that 10.6.4 with 2010? I never really used 2009 as I got rid of the boards long ago for the 2010/2012 boards. Also, is possible to install Monterey with 2010/2012 boards 5,1 ?

 

[tsialex]

If I recall, on 4,1 Leopard didn't come with the 2009 Mac Pro, as it was early Snow Leopard or was that 10.6.4 with 2010? I never really used 2009 as I got rid of the boards long ago for the 2010/2012 boards.

Early-2009 Mac Pro was announced in January 2009 to be released in March with 10.5.6.

Snow Leopard was released only in late August 2009. It was mid-2010 Mac Pro that came with the special build of 10.6.4.

Also, is possible to install Monterey with 2010/2012 boards 5,1 ?

Not officially, Mojave is the last officially supported macOS release for a MacPro5,1.

If you have a METAL GPU and upgraded AirPortExtreme you can easily install OpenCore and run Monterey with a MacPro5,1.

 

[howiest]

A few years ago I purchased a base model Mac Pro 4,1 in great condition (for $295.00 CDN) mainly as a parts machine for my everyday upgraded Mac Pro.
It's not yet been needed for parts, so I installed a Snow leopard volume in it and use it to play a myriad of old nostalgic Mac games. Medal of Honour, Max Payne, Return to Castle Wolfenstein, CoD, and many more from 20 years ago.
It has an ATI Radeon HD 4870 so the games all play exactly the way they did originally. No hiccups at all.
It's fun to revisit the classic Mac games from days gone by, and most of them stand up quite nicely, even today.
Sadly, it also reminded me just how much computer related money I've spent over the years.

 

[Melbourne Park]

Early-2009 Mac Pro was announced in January 2009 to be released in March with 10.5.6.

Snow Leopard was released only in late August 2009. It was mid-2010 Mac Pro that came with the special build of 10.6.4.

Not officially, Mojave is the last officially supported macOS release for a MacPro5,1.

If you have a METAL GPU and upgraded AirPortExtreme you can easily install OpenCore and run Monterey with a MacPro5,1.

Hi,

I had to move my computers and so do not have available an ethernet cable connection.

I thought I would have to buy a WiFi card for my Mac Pro 5,1 running Mojave 10.14.6.

But the Mac Pro 5,1 does have WiFi ... I thought it did not.

I am wondering when I further upgrade the OS, whether I will loose the WiFi?

It sounds like I have an airport extreme card in the 5,1 ....

The report describes the WiFi:

Card Type: AirPort Extreme (0x14E4, 0x8E)
Firmware Version: Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.102.31)
MAC Address: 28:etc etc etc etc
Locale: APAC
Country Code: AU
Supported PHY Modes: 802.11 a/b/g/n
Supported Channels: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 36, 40, 44, 48, 52, 56, 60, 64, 149, 153, 157, 161, 165
Wake On Wireless: Supported
AirDrop: Supported
Status: Connected

So can if I use Opencore and upgrade the OS, will I still have WiFi?

 

[tsialex]

Hi,

I had to move my computers and so do not have available an ethernet cable connection.

I thought I would have to buy a WiFi card for my Mac Pro 5,1 running Mojave 10.14.6.

But the Mac Pro 5,1 does have WiFi ... I thought it did not.

I am wondering when I further upgrade the OS, whether I will loose the WiFi?

It sounds like I have an airport extreme card in the 5,1 ....

The report describes the WiFi:



So can if I use Opencore and upgrade the OS, will I still have WiFi?

It's possible to hack Catalina/BigSur/Monterey and re-install Mojave kexts via manual root patching or OCLP.

I personally have a extreme dislike for this type of hack, since you have to re-install again at each software update Apple releases and Apple is releasing sometimes 3 or 4 updates in a month. A lot of people don't think that is a hassle doing it, but it's a big one for me and I like to upgrade everything that I can just to not have to hack it again at the next software update.

I prefer to install a fully supported AirPort Extreme 802.11ac, the BCM94360 (or BCM94362, but the BCM94360 model works better with MacPro5,1 NVRAM) and also have BT4.0 instead of the extremely old, and with poor reception, factory BT2.1 of the MacPro5,1. Fenvi FV-T919 PCIe card based on BCM94360 is also a very good solution, if you have an empty PCIe slot.

Anyway, upgrading or not, this is topic already covered multiple times and you will find everything that needs to be done for both solutions using the search.

 

[358]

Bokkow and I have created a Mac Pro CPU compatibility list. The intent is to cover all relevant and compatible CPU upgrades for all Mac Pros. These are asked about over and over and over again, so I thought it would be nice to have it all in one place.

Constructive criticism, corrections to errors, pointing out omissions, etc. are all welcome. My intent is, after the content matures, to turn this first post into a wiki so that anyone can maintain it going forward from there.

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Notes:

• Any and all information here may be incorrect. Use at your own risk.
• This includes anything offered by Apple (BTO/CTO), third party upgrade guides and commercial services (such as Barefeats, OWC, or xlr8yourmac), or simply individuals claiming personal success in a forum somewhere (such as MacRumors and Netkas). There are probably many unverified CPUs that work, but these are not listed.
• Memory speed is included in these charts. This is important because in some cases the CPU choice makes a difference.
• Upgrading to a higher TDP (wattage) processor may increase temperatures and/or fan speed at max load. Macs Fan Control is a popular way to control your Mac's fan and it is available for both OS X and Windows, unlike most Mac fan software.
• Some used CPUs for sale on Ebay and elsewhere are Intel Engineering Samples. You can read more about these here, but they are basically "beta" versions of the CPU provided to OEMs for testing. These may or may not work in a Mac Pro. In my research at least one person bought an engineering sample that didn't work. Since Intel only loans them out and never sells them, they can also be considered stolen property. People have literally been arrested for selling Intel ES processors on Ebay.

Key	Description
-	Not compatible
x	Compatible
x*	Compatible, but see notes about firmware update

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Mac Pro 7,1

• 1TB or 2TB maximum RAM depending on processor

Architecture	Cores	Grade	CPU-Model	GHz	Turbo	RAM	Watt	Max RAM
Cascade Lake	28 core	Xeon W	W-3275M	2.5	4.4	2933	205W	2TB
Cascade Lake	28 core	Xeon W	W-3275	2.5	4.4	2933	205W	1TB
Cascade Lake	24 core	Xeon W	W-3265M	2.7	4.4	2933	205W	2TB
Cascade Lake	24 core	Xeon W	W-3265	2.7	4.4	2933	205W	1TB
Cascade Lake	16 core	Xeon W	W-3245M	3.2	4.4	2933	205W	2TB
Cascade Lake	16 core	Xeon W	W-3245	3.2	4.4	2933	205W	1TB
Cascade Lake	12 core	Xeon W	W-3235	3.3	4.4	2933	180W	1TB
Cascade Lake	8 core	Xeon W	W-3225	3.7	4.3	2666	160W	1TB
Cascade Lake	8 core	Xeon W	W-3223	3.5	4.0	2666	160W	1TB

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Mac Pro 6,1

• 128GB maximum RAM (reduced speed)
• 64GB maximum RAM (full speed)

Architecture	Cores	Grade	CPU-Model	GHz	Turbo	RAM	Watt
Ivy-Bridge	12 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2697 V2	2.7	3.5	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	12 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2696 V2	2.5	3.3	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	12 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2695 V2	2.4	3.2	1866	115W
Ivy-Bridge	10 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2690 V2	3.0	3.6	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	10 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2680 V2	2.8	3.6	1866	115W
Ivy-Bridge	8 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2687W V2	3.4	4.0	1866	150W
Ivy-Bridge	8 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2667 V2	3.3	4.0	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	8 core	Dual Xeon	E5-2673 V2	3.3	4.0	1866	110W
Ivy-Bridge	8 core	Xeon	E5-1680 V2	3.0	3.9	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	6 core	Xeon	E5-1660 V2	3.7	4.0	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	6 core	Xeon	E5-1650 V2	3.5	3.9	1866	130W
Ivy-Bridge	4 core	Xeon	E5-1620 V2	3.7	3.9	1866	130W

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Mac Pro 5,1 and 4,1
Xserve 3,1

• Maximum RAM:
  • 56GB in a single-processor Mac Pro using a single-processor-capable Xeon
  • 64GB in a single-processor Mac Pro using a dual-processor-capable Xeon
  • 160GB in a dual-processor Mac Pro
  • 48GB for a single-processor Xserve
  • 96GB in a dual-processor Xserve
• For the 4,1 to use Westmere CPUs and run RAM at 1333, it will need the firmware upgrade to 5,1, found here: http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,852.0.html
• 5,1 Mac Pros shipped with 1333 RAM even when paired with a Nehalem (1066 only) processor. As shipped, the RAM runs at 1066 because of the CPU. However, if you upgrade to a 1333-capable CPU, your RAM will run at 1333 after an NVRAM reset.
• Installing a single "Dual Xeon" processor into a single-processor Mac Pro works fine, and actually increases its maximum RAM from 56 to 64GB.
• Installing just one single-processor-model CPU into a dual-processor Mac Pro technically works, but this causes an error state with the CPU fan going full blast.
• For two CPUs, you must install two "Dual Xeon" processors. You cannot use two i7 or single Xeon processors.
• The X#### CPU's tend to have a slightly higher maximum temperature rating than their W#### equivalents.
• 4,1 dual-processor CPU trays made before May 2009 are problematic with 130W Xeons.
• 4,1 dual-processor Mac Pro uses a special, "lidless" CPUs (the single-processor models use normal CPUs). This has a different height than the normal CPUs, so if you upgrade a dual-processor 4,1 Mac Pro with different processors, you need to deal with the height difference. There are several ways to do this:
  • Buy CPUs that someone has already de-lidded.
  • Buy normal CPUs and de-lid them yourself. Here is thread about delidding yourself and here is a video. (And here is a post warning against delidding yourself.)
  • Buy normal CPUs and pay for de-lidding service.
  • Keep the lids on, but be extremely careful about not tightening down the heat sink too much. (If you don't remove the lids it is very easy to tighten down the heat sink screws too much on a CPU that's too large, resulting in damage to the socket, CPU, and/or board.)
  • Other people have kept the lids on, but added washer stacks (of equivalent height to the lid difference) to where the tightening screws go--this is intended to prevent the heat sink from overtightening and causing damage. Here is an informational washer stack thread, and here is a really good post with pictures and a step-by-step procedure.
  • If you keep the lids on, the existing heat pad won't reach the heat sink due to the extra height of the lids. You need to make up for this gap by replacing the heat pad with a thicker pad.
• The Xserve 3,1 uses lidless CPUs for both single-CPU and double-CPU models. We don't know if the washer-stack trick will work in Xserves as they are physically different than MP, but the other solutions should work.
• No, the X5687 (3.6GHz quad-core) and the X5698 (4.4GHz dual-core) do not work in Mac Pros. I don't want to list every CPU that doesn't work with a Mac, but these two are asked about often enough to include here, and they've been verified as not working.

Architecture	Cores	Grade	CPU-Model	GHz	Turbo	RAM	Watt	MP4,1	MP5,1	XS3,1
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5690	3.46	3.73	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5680	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5679	3.20	3.60	1066	115W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5675	3.06	3.46	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5670	2.93	3.33	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5660	2.80	3.20	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	X5650	2.66	3.06	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	E5649	2.53	2.80	1333	80W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	E5645	2.40	2.67	1333	80W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Dual Xeon	L5639	2.13	2.67	1333	60W	x*	x	-
Gulftown	6 core	Xeon	W3690	3.46	3.73	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Xeon	W3680	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	6 core	Xeon	W3670	3.20	3.46	1066	130W	x*	x	-
Gulftown	6 core	Consumer	i7 990X	3.46	3.73	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Gulftown	6 core	Consumer	i7 980X	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Gulftown	6 core	Consumer	i7 970	3.20	3.46	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5687	3.60	3.86	1333	130W	-	-	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5677	3.46	3.73	1333	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5672	3.20	3.60	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5667	3.06	3.46	1333	95W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5647	2.93	3.20	1066	130W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5640	2.66	2.93	1066	80W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5630	2.53	2.80	1066	80W	x*	x	-
Westmere	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5620	2.40	2.66	1066	80W	x*	x	-
Westmere	2 core	Dual Xeon	X5698	4.40	4.54	1333	130W	-	-	-
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	W5590	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x	x	x
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	W5580	3.20	3.46	1333	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5570	2.93	3.33	1333	95W	x	x	x
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5560	2.80	3.20	1333	95W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5550	2.66	3.06	1333	95W	x	x	x
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5540	2.53	2.80	1066	80W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5530	2.40	2.66	1066	80W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5520	2.26	2.53	1066	80W	x	x	x
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3580	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3570	3.20	3.46	1333	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3565	3.20	3.46	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3540	2.93	3.20	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3530	2.80	3.06	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Xeon	W3520	2.66	2.93	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 975	3.33	3.60	1333	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 965	3.20	3.46	1066	130W	x**	x**	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 960	3.20	3.46	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 950	3.06	3.33	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 940	2.93	3.20	1066	130W	x**	x**	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 930	2.80	3.06	1066	130W	x	x	-
Nehalem	4 core	Consumer	i7 920	2.66	2.93	1066	130W	x**	x**	-

* Requires 4,1 to 5,1 firmware upgrade



** Some or all steppings of these CPUs don't work with certain newer Mac Pro firmware versions applied by High Sierra 10.13.5 updates and newer. See this thread. The thread also has a method for adding the code back to make the CPUs compatible again.

Note: Reports of GAINESTOWN (Xeon 5500-series) processors in Mojave experiencing audio related issues. See this thread for more information.

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Mac Pro 3,1
Xserve 2,1

• 64GB maximum RAM
• The 3,1 MP is not compatible with all steppings. Processors with a 5-digit sSpec starting with "SLB" do not work. Those that start with "SLA" work. The sSpec is marked on the top of the processor. sSpec numbers listed in this table should work.
• The 3,1 single-processor Mac Pro can be upgraded to dual-processor by adding a second CPU and appropriate heat sink. The CPUs must match including sSpec, so either get a second CPU that matches your existing CPU, or get two matching CPUs.

Architecture	Cores	Grade	CPU-Model	sSpec	GHz	RAM	Watt	MP3,1	XS2,1
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5482	SLANZ	3.2	800	150W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5460	SLANP	3.16	667	120W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5472	SLANR	3.0	800	80W	x	x
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5472	SLASA	3.0	800	120W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5450	SLASB	3.0	667	120W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5450	SLANQ	3.0	667	80W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5440	SLANS	2.83	667	80W	x	-
Harpertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5462	SLANT	2.8	800	80W	x	x
Wolfdale	2 core	Dual Xeon	X5272	SLANH	3.40	800	80W	x	-
Wolfdale	2 core	Dual Xeon	X5260	SLANJ	3.33	667	80W	x	-

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Mac Pro 2,1 and 1,1
Xserve 1,1

• 32GB maximum RAM for 1,1 (increases to 64GB if flashed with 2,1 firmware)
• 64GB maximum RAM for 2,1
• For the 1,1 to use Clovertown CPUs properly, it needs a firmware flashed to 2,1.
• The 1,1 to 2,1 firmware flash requires Snow Leopard (or newer) to run. It can be found here: http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,1094.0.html

Architecture	Cores	Grade	CPU-Model	sSpec	Stepping	GHz	RAM	Watt** (TDP)	Watt** (idle)	MP1,1	MP2,1	XS1,1
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5365	SLAC3	B3	3.0	667	150W	50W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5365	SLAED	G0	3.0	667	120W	25W	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5355	SLAC4	B3	2.66	667	120W	50W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5355	SL9YM	B3	2.66	667	120W	50W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	X5355	SLAEG	G0	2.66	667	120W	25W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5345	SL9YL	B3	2.33	667	80W	n/a	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5345	SLAC5	B3	2.33	667	80W	n/a	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5345	SLAEJ	G0	2.33	667	80W	n/a	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5340	SL9MY	n/a	2.4	533	80W	30W	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5340	n/a	G0	2.4	667	80W	25W	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	L5335	SLAEN	G0	2.0	667	50W	24W	x*	x	x
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	L5320	SLA4Q	B3	1.86	533	50W	24W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	L5320	SLAC9	B3	1.86	533	50W	24W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	L5320	SLAEP	G0	1.86	533	50W	24W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5320	SL9MV	B3	1.86	533	80W	30W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5320	SLACB	B3	1.86	533	80W	30W	x*	x	-
Clovertown	4 core	Dual Xeon	E5320	SLAEM	G0	1.86	533	80W	30W	x*	x	-
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5160	SL9RT	B2	3.0	667	80W	n/a	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5160	SLABS	B2	3.0	667	80W	n/a	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5160	SLAG9	G0	3.0	667	65W	8W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5150	SL9RU	B2	2.66	667	65W	24W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5150	SLABM	B2	2.66	667	65W	24W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5150	SLAGA	G0	2.66	667	65W	8W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5130	SL9RX	B2	2.0	667	65W	27W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5130	SLABP	B2	2.0	667	65W	27W	x	x	x
Woodcrest	2 core	Dual Xeon	5130	SLAGC	G0	2.0	667	65W	27W	x	x	x

* 1,1 to 2,1 firmware upgrade recommended for stepping G0, _strongly_ recommended for earlier steppings.


** Values per CPU (-> x2 in a MP). Upgrade from DualCore to QuadCore CPU's usually requires fan control adjustments prior to stepping G0.

Sources used (among others): Techreport.com, Wikipedia.

​

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Credit

• Thanks to Bokkow for helping with this. The information is formatted and presented nicely due to his work with BBCode tables, and he has contributed with a lot of the data as well.
• Thanks to MacEFIROM and Netkas for creating and providing the firmware updates for Mac Pro. This has enabled countless people to upgrade to a newer generation of CPUs, which wouldn't be possible without the effort made by these two.
• Thanks to everyone who ever upgraded a CPU and took the time to post about it here--there's a chance it was your post I saw that led to a CPU being verified above.
• Thanks to those who took the time, money, and risk to shove more memory in their computer than others said was possible.
• Thanks to everyone who helps to push the limits and usefulness of our computers.
• Thanks to MacRumors and the mods for providing such a great forum for the above to happen in the first place. Especially the mod Arn, for enabling BBCode tables for this.

Thank you so much for taking the time to compile this, you buddy deserve a medal

 

[avro707]

Which CPU is the one that Apple is including in the Mac Pro 7,1 as the 3.2ghz 16 core? Will it handle 1TB or 2TB? Is it the W3245M?

Not that I need this much, but I am about to buy a 7,1 new. My attempt at buying through eBay failed (refunded).

 

[zzzachi]

Which CPU is the one that Apple is including in the Mac Pro 7,1 as the 3.2ghz 16 core? Will it 1TB or 2TB? Is it the W3245M?

Not that I need this much, but I am about to buy a 7,1 new. My attempt at buying through eBay failed (refunded).

Just buy the cheapest 7,1 you can get and upgrade it with a non-M CPU bought from a reliable seller.
The 2tb ram are ridiculous, even for the heaviest 3D render jobs 128gb of ram is enough, 256gb at most.
No idea why Apple uses the M series.. probably to rip off more money from their customers.
This will cut your cost in half or give you a way faster CPU.

 

[avro707]

Just buy the cheapest 7,1 you can get and upgrade it with a non-M CPU bought from a reliable seller.
The 2tb ram are ridiculous, even for the heaviest 3D render jobs 128gb of ram is enough, 256gb at most.
No idea why Apple uses the M series.. probably to rip off more money from their customers.
This will cut your cost in half or give you a way faster CPU.

So far I can only see a lot of QS CPUs and having had a bad situation with an eBay seller recently who wasted my time with a dodgy listing and nothing else I can see listed at the moment, I've resorted to buying new.

I can get slightly reduced prices from Apple, but there are no refurb computers in Australia, never are. Buying from overseas would still see me hit with import duties too.

My spec is going to be:

3.2ghz 16 Core
48GB RAM
Radeon Pro W6800X
1TB SSD

I would prefer more ram but I can upgrade that later at cheaper prices than what Apple offers. I will use the Sonnet card out of my existing MP5,1 (which failed) to get me more storage.

 

[flowrider]

^^^^Apple uses the W3245 for the 16 Core CPU. I bought my machine as an 8 core unit and upgraded it to a 16 core later. I bought my CPU from a forum member who was upgrading to a 28 core CPU. Also, I have upgraded my RAM to 96GB using all 8GB sticks. I also bought my RAM from forum members.

Lou

 

[dapa0s]

Okay, so I see a lot of "QS" Xeon chips on ebay for way below average price, is it ok to buy those?

And do people have bad experiences with used Xeon CPUs?

 

[flowrider]

^^^^QS=Engineering Samples. Looks like you haven't been paying attention.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/cpu-upgrade-in-2019-mac-pro.2216212/page-18?post=31129383#post-31129383

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-pro-cpu-compatibility-list.1954766/page-40?post=29620845#post-29620845

Lou

 

[avro707]

Okay, so I see a lot of "QS" Xeon chips on ebay for way below average price, is it ok to buy those?

And do people have bad experiences with used Xeon CPUs?

I haven't used the W series second hand yet, just the older X5690. The first one I got is okay, one of the second pair of X5690s did fail, or appears to have done so. I just ordered another two of them since X5690 is so cheap.

I wouldn't use the QS version Xeons. On eBay one seller is retailing many 7,1s upgraded with QS version CPUs at huge prices, I wouldn't go near those personally.

 

[TheStemGroup]

I have a client with a Mac Pro 1,1.. I see the CPU upgrades possible.. but is that going to allow him to run any newer OS? I see that even Catalina Patcher doesnt list teh Mac Pro 1,1 as compatible.

 

[tsialex]

I have a client with a Mac Pro 1,1.. I see the CPU upgrades possible.. but is that going to allow him to run any newer OS? I see that even Catalina Patcher doesnt list teh Mac Pro 1,1 as compatible.

Nope, both MacPro1,1 and MacPro2,1 can't run anything after ElCapitan. After ElCapitan, macOS requires SSE4.1 and no Xeon processor that works with MacPro1,1 and MacPro2,1 have it.

 

[MrCheeto]

I'm ready to pull the trigger on a Mac Pro 4,1 pre-revision dual CPU.

As I understand, these will basically melt with a 130W chip.

The X5679 3.20ghz claims 115W, so is this in the clear or is that too close to be safe?

To stay under 130W, the next fastest (benchmarks) option would be the X5675 3.07ghz. How do these two chips compare?

To be clear, I want to run Leopard. If I absolutely have to, I will settle for Snow Leopard but NO FURTHER. Is there anything that would pose an issue for Leopard with either of these options? How about Snow Leopard?

 

[tsialex]

I'm ready to pull the trigger on a Mac Pro 4,1 pre-revision dual CPU.

As I understand, these will basically melt with a 130W chip.

The X5679 3.20ghz claims 115W, so is this in the clear or is that too close to be safe?

To stay under 130W, the next fastest (benchmarks) option would be the X5675 3.07ghz. How do these two chips compare?

Almost the same, less than 3% diff. You can search geekbench results to see yourself.

To be clear, I want to run Leopard. If I absolutely have to, I will settle for Snow Leopard but NO FURTHER. Is there anything that would pose an issue for Leopard with either of these options? How about Snow Leopard?

You can't run earlier than 10.6.4 with a Westmere Xeon, support starts with the 10.6.4 special build released with mid-2010 Mac Pros. So, forget Leopard.

Also, to run a Westmere, you'll need to cross-flash from MP4,1 firmware to the MP5,1 one.