Intel CPUs for Mac Pro

[Catfuzz]

It would be great if somebody there could help me understand if there is any difference between a par of matched Intel E5472 SLANR processors that were installed in a Mac Pro early 2008 and say Dell server. I would like to upgrade my single processor Mac Pro to two processors and have an opportunity to buy a pair of matched E5472 SLANRs that came from Dell. On a gut level I would expect to be no difference, but that's just gut and not brains. Cheers, Paul

 

[gmaster456]

Does your Mac Pro support dual CPU's?

 

[Kenmitch]

Macpro cpu's have no heatspreaders I believe. Might wanna. Heck into it before you look for replacements. Might be year specific?

 

[Catfuzz]

Yes, my Mac already has a second socket which is empty now. I need another heat stink with a temperature sensor and a pair of matched E5472 SLANR. I also wanted to go to 3.0GHz pair and now I have one 2.8GHz. I am not an electronics wiz, but I wouldn't expect that XEON has any provision for some sort of code that the computer manufacturer could embed in order to prevent people like me from dinking with their creations. It is much easier to get these matched pairs that came out of non Apple computers than the ones that came out of Apples. Cheers, Paul

 

[alent1234]

check on macrumors, but i think they are the same as any other xeon

 

[exar333]

Check your options; it may be cheaper to find a partially-working single-CPU system from someone else. As long as the CPU is still good, you could cannibalize the CPU/HS from that and use it in your system. Might get a few other handy spare-parts as well, and save some green.

 

[sm625]

Might wanna. Heck into it before you look for replacements.

Looks like someone was typing on an ipoop again.

 

[exar333]

Looks like someone was typing on an ipoop again.

LOL!

 

[Dadofamunky]

I wonder if you can break into the BIOS on a Mac Pro and overclock that sucker.

 

[denev2004]

I have never tried it...But base on Intel's offical website ark.intel.com, there's no difference.

 

[JSt0rm]

Check at macrumors. Lots of swapping CPUs over there.

 

[Blades]

I am not an electronics wiz, but I wouldn't expect that XEON has any provision for some sort of code that the computer manufacturer could embed in order to prevent people like me from dinking with their creations.

Don't forget what computer maker you're dealing wtih.. If there was a way to c-block 'dinking'.. chances are.. its implemented. The only way I can imagine such a scenario is that buying a second cpu from apple would come with a firmware upgrade that would enable the second cpu socket.. But, I'm guessing its enabled and you can load up the sockets and be on your way..

 

[dbcooper1]

The vast majority of Mac users would never consider doing this so I doubt Apple would spend much time and/or money to prevent it. I also doubt that Apple is altering the CPU or that Intel is making them a 'special version'. Opinions?

 

[Blades]

Well, it does have 2 sockets.. And Apple probably does have an offering with both populated... I don't see Intel making them a special version, but the second socket could be disabled on single proc computers and could require a firmware upgrade only attainable via purchasing the second proc from Apple.. that would be very Applish of them. Like the iMac HDD shenanigans