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#144764 - 08/14/12 12:06 PM Upgrading my 2006 Mac Pro 1.1 with used X5355 SLAEG Quad Proc 2.66 Ghz
Justin Offline

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After much reading I've decided to go ahead and upgrade my stock Intel Mac Pro from Core Duo (2 CPU chips, 4 cores) to Quad (2 CPU chips, 8 cores). Compatibility seems rock solid for those who've done this. The optimum chip is X5365 SLAED 3.0 Ghz was cost prohibitive. I scored a pair of the lesser X5355 SLAEG 2.66 Ghz chips on ebay for $145 shipped. These are tested. Getting into the Mac Pro to replace these is a bit of a PITA, but I think the effort will be well worth the gain.

Anyone else tried this?

Here's a couple of good videos on how to:




More on this here:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/music-computers/493132-mac-pro-1-1-processor-upgrades-3.html
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#144765 - 08/14/12 03:39 PM Re: Upgrading my 2006 Mac Pro 1.1 with used X5355 SLAEG Quad Proc 2.66 Ghz [Re: Justin]
Jeff E Offline
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Loc: Aptos, CA, USA
Justin,
Will this allow it to run Mountain Lion? I have the same computer.. This could be a great way to go. I had not thought about this. Totally curious now

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#144766 - 08/14/12 04:22 PM Re: Upgrading my 2006 Mac Pro 1.1 with used X5355 SLAEG Quad Proc 2.66 Ghz [Re: Jeff E]
Kecinzer Offline
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Cool!
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#144767 - 08/14/12 05:27 PM Re: Upgrading my 2006 Mac Pro 1.1 with used X5355 SLAEG Quad Proc 2.66 Ghz [Re: Kecinzer]
Justin Offline

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Well, there is an element of risk. First that I'm using "USED" (albeit "tested") chips. Second, I'm opening this sucker up and removing gigantic heat sinks and other stuff around - not for the faint at heart and not quite as easy as your average PC. Finally, these chips aren't "Spec" meaning they just might not work. However from everything I'm ready, those who've done this have been successful and very pleased with the extra horsepower. I'll let you know what happens.
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#144768 - 08/15/12 05:51 AM Re: Upgrading my 2006 Mac Pro 1.1 with used X5355 SLAEG Quad Proc 2.66 Ghz [Re: Justin]
Stevehwan Offline
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Hey Justin,
I will also be very interested in how this turns out. Good luck.
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#144787 - 08/20/12 12:55 PM Re: Upgrading my 2006 Mac Pro 1.1 with used X5355 SLAEG Quad Proc 2.66 Ghz [Re: Stevehwan]
Justin Offline

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Well... we all learn from our mistakes! After painstakingly taking my Mac Pro 2006 apart, installing the 2nd hand x5355 chips - I got it running like a champ! Checked it out, 8 cores, started right up whooo hooo! ehh then I quickly realized the CPU fans weren't running. No problem I thought, they must not be properly connected. I opened her up, re-seated the fans and the... ehhh, yikes, no power! No click, no LED on the front panel, nada, zip!! After exhaustively looking for what could be wrong, sigh!, nothing. I reset the SMC and when I when I push the diagnostic button only the trickle power supply lights up.

Sooooo I might just have a 50 lb paperweight on my hands. Live and learn.

I ordered up a used APPLE MAC PRO (EARLY 2008) 2X QUAD CORE 2.8GHZ 4GB 320GB 8800GT 512MB-VRAM LOADED for $1K that'll be here in a couple of days. I'll strip the whatever I can from my old mac and maybe re-sell it for parts or just donate it. I might take it to a local shop and see if anyone can revive it or search for a cheap cheap used power supply just to try it.

In summary, I'm pretty tech saavy, I was very careful in the procedure, it worked for a while, I just got unlucky. If you attempt this yourself, I'd pause to consider the possible risks. Also while I love the design of the Mac Pro overall, some parts are difficult to access and put back. Probably the worst is the front fan assembly.
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#144792 - 08/21/12 10:32 AM Re: Upgrading my 2006 Mac Pro 1.1 with used X5355 SLAEG Quad Proc 2.66 Ghz [Re: Justin]
Justin Offline

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Ok I opened up the computer last night and checked everything. I found a used power supply on ebay for $50. As soon as it comes I'll see if I can bring this puppy back from the dead. Wish me luck. I'll either keep it as a backup computer or sell it.
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#144793 - 08/21/12 10:50 AM Re: Upgrading my 2006 Mac Pro 1.1 with used X5355 SLAEG Quad Proc 2.66 Ghz [Re: Justin]
Tardo Offline
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Good luck

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#144796 - 08/21/12 11:46 AM Re: Upgrading my 2006 Mac Pro 1.1 with used X5355 SLAEG Quad Proc 2.66 Ghz [Re: Tardo]
Nick Batzdorf Offline
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Registered: 04/15/99
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Loc: Los Angeles, CA, USA
Good luck, and in the meantime the 2008 8 x 2.8GHz is a fantastic machine. I've been running mine all day long since September 2, 2008, and it still has a silly amount of power. Never in history has a 4-year-old machine been able to keep up with current music software.

The only drawback is that you're going to pay a lot to upgrade the memory.

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#144797 - 08/21/12 01:32 PM Re: Upgrading my 2006 Mac Pro 1.1 with used X5355 SLAEG Quad Proc 2.66 Ghz [Re: Nick Batzdorf]
Justin Offline

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Yeah, 4 GB is a little lame. I'll probably layout another $200 or so to bring it up to 12 GB.

I'm hoping I see a boost in the number of native RTAs plugins I can run in a session and maybe also bringing the hardware buffer down with less hickups.

I debated over whether of not to go for a 2009 Nehalem processor which I believe is faster but the price just wasn't quite right. I'm pleased for $1K I got what I got.
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