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NVMe with ST-NGFF2013-C; Vega Internal GPU; Mac Pro 2013 (6,1)

tsialex

tsialex

Contributor
Jun 13, 2016
12,955
13,198
Stil 129.0.0.0.0 for MP6,1 with 10.14.5 DP2:

Code: 
$IBIOSI$ MP61.88Z.F000.B00.1902141849 Copyright (c) 2005-2019 Apple Inc.  All rights reserved.
Apple ROM Version
  Model:        MP61
  EFI Version:  129.0.0.0.0
  Built by:     root@saumon
  Date:         Thu Feb 14 18:49:50 PST 2019
  Revision:     129 (B&I)
  ROM Version:  F000_B00
  Build Type:   Official Build, Release
  Compiler:     Apple clang version 3.0 (tags/Apple/clang-211.10.1) (based on LLVM 3.0svn)
 
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cgscotto

macrumors member
Sep 29, 2018
70
31
Athens, OH
You can buy it on ebay as well. Just do a search for the following:

Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter for Upgrade of 2013-2017 Macs (ST-NGFF2013C)

It is still from Sintech, but the arrive faster. I just checked, and they had more than 10 remaining with over 423 sold.
 
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CC88

macrumors 6502
Sep 29, 2010
480
113
MacZoltan said:
Can anyone make an update on this post to include the current links, working, where to buy the adapter and the proper NVME or ACHI SSD for Mac Pro 2013?
I would go from the 256GB original to 1TB
Click to expand...

Not sure what you mean but I bought Sintech NGFF M.2 nVME SSD Adapter from eBay and my NVME 970EVO SSD 1tb from Amazon Warehouse for around 150 euro and all is working fine under High Sierra from 5 months now.
 
R

RnSK

macrumors 6502
Oct 1, 2004
322
19
tsialex

tsialex

Contributor
Jun 13, 2016
12,955
13,198
MP6,1 got a new BootROM with 10.14.5 DP3, 130.0.0.0.0:

Code: 
$IBIOSI$ MP61.88Z.F000.B00.1904121119
Copyright (c) 2005-2019 Apple Inc.  All rights reserved.
Apple ROM Version
  Model:        MP61
  EFI Version:  130.0.0.0.0
  Built by:     root@saumon
  Date:         Fri Apr 12 11:19:25 PDT 2019
  Revision:     130 (B&I)
  ROM Version:  F000_B00
  Build Type:   Official Build, Release
  Compiler:     Apple clang version 3.0 (tags/Apple/clang-211.10.1) (based on LLVM 3.0svn)
 
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saulinpa

macrumors 65816
Jun 15, 2008
1,255
712
So they are re-using EFI version numbers between platforms. I missed that earlier. 130.0.0.0 was reported on a Mini and a MBAir.
 
tsialex

tsialex

Contributor
Jun 13, 2016
12,955
13,198
10.14.5 DP3 EFI Version table:
Mac:EFI version:
IM13,1285.0.0.0.0
IM14,1137.0.0.0.0
IM14,2137.0.0.0.0
IM14,3137.0.0.0.0
IM14,4197.0.0.0.0
IM15,1228.0.0.0.0
IM16,1227.0.0.0.0
IM16,2227.0.0.0.0
IM17,1166.0.0.0.0
IM18,1172.0.0.0.0
IM18,3172.0.0.0.0
IM19,1220.260.167.0.0
MB10,1175.0.0.0.0
MB8,1181.0.0.0.0
MB9,1181.0.0.0.0
MBA5,1257.0.0.0.0
MBA6,1115.0.0.0.0
MBA7,1186.0.0.0.0
MBP10,1255.0.0.0.0
MBP10,2278.0.0.0.0
MBP11,1153.0.0.0.0
MBP11,2153.0.0.0.0
MBP11,4191.0.0.0.0
MBP12,1184.0.0.0.0
MBP13,1233.0.0.0.0
MBP13,2256.0.0.0.0
MBP13,3256.0.0.0.0
MBP14,1194.0.0.0.0
MBP14,2194.0.0.0.0
MBP14,3194.0.0.0.0
MBP9,1226.0.0.0.0
MM6,1278.0.0.0.0
MM7,1242.0.0.0.0
MP5,1141.0.0.0.0
MP6,1130.0.0.0.0
 
Last edited:
MacZoltan

MacZoltan

macrumors member
May 18, 2016
94
9
I need one without import taxes to the UK:)
[doublepost=1556527961][/doublepost]Intel SSD 6 Series 1tb, would this work?
 
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Selsk

macrumors member
Mar 18, 2017
98
39
Sorry if this has been covered. Can anyone share a link for an external enclosure to put my stock SSD in? Will I need another sintech adapter to use on my old SSD for the enclosure? Thank you!
 
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cgscotto

macrumors member
Sep 29, 2018
70
31
Athens, OH
Selsk said:
Sorry if this has been covered. Can anyone share a link for an external enclosure to put my stock SSD in? Will I need another sintech adapter to use on my old SSD for the enclosure? Thank you!
Click to expand...

I put my original drive in the Envoy Pro enclosure from OWC. It does not need an adapter for an Apple original drive, which you will want to keep to do firmware upgrades. It is a bit expensive, but it has worked flawlessly.

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/MAU3ENPRPCI/

Hope that helps.
 
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cgscotto

macrumors member
Sep 29, 2018
70
31
Athens, OH
iMactouch said:
But you have to get it out and into the Mac Pro to update the BootROM. And as I know since yesterday, the Transcend Enclosure with Thunderbolt connection also doesn‘t work for updating the BootROM.
Click to expand...

That is true. Every time I have to update the firmware, I have to remove my NVMe drive and replace it with the Apple drive. Unless Apple somehow allows third party drives to update the firmware, this is the only way to get firmware updates while using an NVMe internal drive.
 
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Selsk

macrumors member
Mar 18, 2017
98
39
iMactouch said:
But you have to get it out and into the Mac Pro to update the BootROM. And as I know since yesterday, the Transcend Enclosure with Thunderbolt connection also doesn‘t work for updating the BootROM.
Click to expand...

Sorry to keep talking enclosures on this thread...

But wouldn't I need an adapter to install the original Apple SSD into the transcend enclosure? What is this adapter called?
[doublepost=1558198804][/doublepost]I'm about ready to install my NVMe.

I have this adapter: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FYY3H5F/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_tMd4CbTM09BP2

Do I still need the kapton tape or was that an older adapter problem? Thanks tsialex for all your hard work on this thread!
 
iMactouch

iMactouch

macrumors member
Mar 22, 2017
43
16
Wunstorf, Germany
No, you don‘t need an extra Adapter for the Transcend enclosure. But they don‘t sell it without their own SSD that fits directly into the Mac.
In #954 you can find the name and a link to it.
 
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cgscotto

macrumors member
Sep 29, 2018
70
31
Athens, OH
Just did the update to 10.14.5 with Boot Rom 130.0.0.0.0 via the usual switch the drive method. Everything went fine. One interesting note, with both the original Apple Drive and the 960 Pro, the OS on the 6,1 seems faster and more responsive. Nothing objective I can point to, just a subjective impression.
 
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tvBilly

macrumors newbie
Sep 19, 2014
3
0
A long, wonderful thread, thanks. I think I understand what I need to do, but I would really appreciate confirmation (or correction!).

I inherited a loaded nMP (12 core, 64GB, D700s) with no internal drive. Seems to work (mostly) fine from an external USB SSD*, but I need to buy and install an internal (1 TB) drive. Current Boot ROM is MP61.0120.B00 and I can't update it until I install an internal PCIe drive. I have no idea what version of OSX was used before the internal drive died and was removed.

I think my choices are as follows:

(1) A real Apple 1TB SSUBX (4 lane) PCIe
(2) The 1TB OWC Aura Pro X2 NVMe + tiny (128MB) SSUAX for firmware updates
(3) A 1TB Samsung 970 EVO|PRO NVMe + NVMe adapter + tiny (128MB) SSUAX for firmware updates
(3a) A 2TB Samsung 960 EVO NVMe + NVMe adapter + tiny (128MB) SSUAX for firmware updates

Do I understand correctly that a SSUBX PCIe drive is pretty much as fast as NVMe #2 and #3 above? If so, and I can find one on eBay for a reasonable price, then that seems to make the most sense to me. I've seen what I think are 1TB Apple SSUBX drives for under $350 (please check this example for me if you don't mind: eBay Link).

(2) costs about the same ($300 for the OWC, ~$75 for a tiny PCIe), but I have to change out the drive for fw updates.

(3) is a little cheaper, but not much. It may (?) be faster, and it has the advantage that I get a standard NVMe drive that can be used elsewhere, but I don't plan on leaving the nMP without an internal drive ever, and I'll still have to change out the drive for fw updates. (3a) is tempting, and only adds about $50 to the cost...

* It has been an adventure getting this working. Would have been impossible without the info in this thread. Connected up a USB 3 external SSD, held down command-option R, and an internet recovery proceeded as expected. Had to format the external SSD as APFS with Disk Utility before the OS installer would install 10.14.5 Mojave, but that went well. Everything seems to work except that once I shut down, the external drive won't start up the nMP and isn't recognized as available with an option-boot. I can restart the nMP as expected. So this is weird, but should be a non-problem once I get an internal drive.

Again, thanks for all the help!

Billy
 
flygbuss

flygbuss

macrumors 6502a
Jul 22, 2018
727
1,262
Stockholm, Sweden
tvBilly said:
A long, wonderful thread, thanks. I think I understand what I need to do, but I would really appreciate confirmation (or correction!).

I inherited a loaded nMP (12 core, 64GB, D700s) with no internal drive. Seems to work (mostly) fine from an external USB SSD*, but I need to buy and install an internal (1 TB) drive. Current Boot ROM is MP61.0120.B00 and I can't update it until I install an internal PCIe drive. I have no idea what version of OSX was used before the internal drive died and was removed.

I think my choices are as follows:

(1) A real Apple 1TB SSUBX (4 lane) PCIe
(2) The 1TB OWC Aura Pro X2 NVMe + tiny (128MB) SSUAX for firmware updates
(3) A 1TB Samsung 970 EVO|PRO NVMe + NVMe adapter + tiny (128MB) SSUAX for firmware updates
(3a) A 2TB Samsung 960 EVO NVMe + NVMe adapter + tiny (128MB) SSUAX for firmware updates

Do I understand correctly that a SSUBX PCIe drive is pretty much as fast as NVMe #2 and #3 above? If so, and I can find one on eBay for a reasonable price, then that seems to make the most sense to me. I've seen what I think are 1TB Apple SSUBX drives for under $350 (please check this example for me if you don't mind: eBay Link).

(2) costs about the same ($300 for the OWC, ~$75 for a tiny PCIe), but I have to change out the drive for fw updates.

(3) is a little cheaper, but not much. It may (?) be faster, and it has the advantage that I get a standard NVMe drive that can be used elsewhere, but I don't plan on leaving the nMP without an internal drive ever, and I'll still have to change out the drive for fw updates. (3a) is tempting, and only adds about $50 to the cost...

* It has been an adventure getting this working. Would have been impossible without the info in this thread. Connected up a USB 3 external SSD, held down command-option R, and an internet recovery proceeded as expected. Had to format the external SSD as APFS with Disk Utility before the OS installer would install 10.14.5 Mojave, but that went well. Everything seems to work except that once I shut down, the external drive won't start up the nMP and isn't recognized as available with an option-boot. I can restart the nMP as expected. So this is weird, but should be a non-problem once I get an internal drive.

Again, thanks for all the help!

Billy
Click to expand...

I’ve been in the same position and I decided to go with the original, faster Apple drive (SSUBX).
It made the most sense to me since it’s less hassle with the upgrades.
I think if 1TB suffices your needs I wouldn’t go nvme. Because of the nMP’s limitations the speeds are pretty much the same.
The big advantage is you can get more storage with nvme if you need it.
I think the 12 core delivers a little slower speeds in comparison to the 8 core. It is explained somewhere in that threat.
I have a 10 core I upgraded myself and I’m really happy with the results of the SSUBX.
I can run a speed test later and post the results.
The Apple drive for the Mac Pro comes with a heat sink and I think the one from your link is the MacBook Pro Version without the heat sink. I don’t know if that is necessary but since the nMP is a little special because of its thermal design I didn’t take the risk. Maybe someone else can tell if it works without the heat sink as well.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.de/ulk/itm/233216413103
 
Last edited:
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tvBilly

macrumors newbie
Sep 19, 2014
3
0
flygbuss said:
[...snip...] I can run a speed test later and post the results. The Apple drive for the Mac Pro comes with a heat sink and I think the one from your link is the MacBook Pro Version without the heat sink.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, and the caution. The one I linked to indeed does come with the heat sink installed, in fact the seller warns of it (and shows pictures of it with the heat sink).

If you have the time, I would appreciate a speed test, thanks! About the only thing holding me back is making sure that the SSUBX is close to the speed of the NVMe Samsung 960/970s.
 
flygbuss

flygbuss

macrumors 6502a
Jul 22, 2018
727
1,262
Stockholm, Sweden
tvBilly said:
Thanks for the info, and the caution. The one I linked to indeed does come with the heat sink installed, in fact the seller warns of it (and shows pictures of it with the heat sink).

If you have the time, I would appreciate a speed test, thanks! About the only thing holding me back is making sure that the SSUBX is close to the speed of the NVMe Samsung 960/970s.
Click to expand...

See attached file. The speed might be even a little better but I partitioned the drive.


Screenshot 2019-05-26 at 20.56.31.png
[doublepost=1558897187][/doublepost]
tvBilly said:
The one I linked to indeed does come with the heat sink installed, in fact the seller warns of it (and shows pictures of it with the heat sink).
Click to expand...

Sorry, I didn't notice that, I just had a look with my phone via the ebay app.
 
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tvBilly

macrumors newbie
Sep 19, 2014
3
0
Thanks for the speed test, which is all I needed to see. :D Off to order the drive (and no worries that you didn't notice the heat sink). This does seem to be a step up from my aging 12 year old MP 1,1 running Snow Leopard...

Now I just have to research what external DAS box to get that supports TB2.
 
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