This thread:
is a guide on how to flash an Xserve3,1 to a MacPro5,1. It notes that if you do the flash, the system won't boot with the old quad-core CPUs that the Xserve normally supports, only the six-core CPUs that the MP5,1 does.
Specifically, it mentions this line:
This is very much not my area of expertise, but I believe this implies that you could create an Xserve3,1 ROM with the microcodes for six-core CPUs?
Xserve 2020 [Xs3,1]
Finding the info in both FB group and multiple threads here and there is becoming more difficult, so I am pretty sure time has come for such a thread. Xserve3,1 upgrade guide 2020 Part 1: Logic board The logic board that was bundled with the default and the cheaper configuration was designed...
forums.macrumors.com
Specifically, it mentions this line:
Stock CPU unsupported (gonna try to make a "transition" hybrid MP5,1 ROM with Nehalem microcodes added later)
This is very much not my area of expertise, but I believe this implies that you could create an Xserve3,1 ROM with the microcodes for six-core CPUs?