Photography, geek, gadget stuff and life.
Upgrading a 2006 Apple Mac Pro 1,1 with 2 Xeon X5355 Processors.
The Premise.
The purpose of this post is to compile all the information i can find about upgrading a 2006 Mac Pro 1,1 with the quad core X5355 Intel Processors. I’ve recently purchased two Intel Xeon X5355 with the intention of upgrading (updating) my 2006 Apple Mac Pro desktop I purchased a couple of years ago.
Why Upgrade?
Currently I have Two 2.66 GHz (5150) Dual-core Intel Xeon “Woodcrest”; effectively this means I have four processors working together. I work alot on processor intensive apps, especially Final Cut Pro which is a video editing suite by Apple specifically for Macs. I also run alot of programs simulataneously such as Parallels, Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom. Because I edit alot of photos then a fast cpu, as well as fast Disk system like a Raid 0, will make editing much quicker. I sometimes have to batch export over 700 photos in one session!
The equipment list to upgrade.
- Mac Pro 1,1 (duh)
- 2 x Intel X5355 processors, although reports have said you can use just one at a time
- Torx 3mm (T15) Screwdriver with a long neck
- Thermal paste
- An assortment of Philips screwdrivers
30 Jan 2010 – As yet, I am still waiting for the CPUs to arrive. In the meantime I am reading and reviewing all the following websites for information.
- Hardmac.com – Tutorial on how to upgrade the CPUs.
- XLR8yourmac.com – Select Mac Pro from the drop down box.
- AnandTech.com – Tutorial with photos. Good detail.
- MacRumours – Bulletin board thread with indepth discussion.
There’s a video that shows what to do!
I will be updating this post as I have time and gather more information.
2 Feb – My X5355 Processors have arrived!
| Print article | This entry was posted by Terry on February 2, 2010 at 6:26 pm, and is filed under Apple iMac, Geek stuff, My World. Follow any responses to this post through RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site. |
Mac Pro 1,1 upgrade Geekbench 64bit results
about 6 months ago - No comments
http://browse.geekbench.ca/geekbench2/view/445303 Since I upgraded my processors over year ago I’ve often wondered what the full abilities of my Mac Pro was in a 64bit test. I’ve recently purchased the full version of Geekbench, and I’m very happy with the results! Related Posts:Mac Pro upgraded with 2 Intel Xeon x5355 processorsUpgrading a 2006 Apple…
Why DropBox is every photographer’s friend.
about 8 months ago - No comments
I do intend to write a blog about all the software tools I use to make my job a little easier, but for now I want to talk about a little utility I use daily called Dropbox. Dropbox is probably the best file synchronisation and ‘cloud’ manager there is. I can work on any file…
Sold my awesome 2007 iMac 24″
about 11 months ago - No comments
It’s crunch time for everybody because of the recession. I looked at my equipment which was surplus and unfortunately it was my iMac that was on the list. I already have enough Apple products to start my own Apple Store so even though I was sad to see it go it did go to a…
Why is it professionals still don’t backup/archive regularly?
about 1 year ago - No comments
It is shocking how many people still do not have a computer backup system in place. Fair enough, when it comes to complaincency I’m terrible at business administration (my filing is way behind), but in my mind backing up critical files is something that cannot be delayed. If you are a Windows user, Microsoft has…
A photographer’s editing studio/desk
about 1 year ago - No comments
i thought I would share my current desk and all the Apple things I have collected. Macbook Pro i5 2.66 iPad WIFI 3G 16GB 30″ Dell Monitor 15″ iiyama monitor Macbook Pro 15″ Core 2 duo 2.33 Mac Pro 2007 model, upgraded to 8 cores iPhone 3GS 32GB What you can’t see is my iMac…
Play World of Warcraft on your iPad. For real!
about 1 year ago - 1 comment
With the recent release of World of Warcraft’s expansion pack Cataclysm, I wanted to stretch my old RPG muscles again. However, gaming technology has been re-invented with the iPhone and iPad. I wanted to see if there was any genuine way to play World of Warcraft on a mobile device and I found it. It…
Famous artist uses Apple iPad to draw and exhibit in the digital age
about 1 year ago - 2 comments
David Hockney is a renowned British artist. Even though his work has been on traditionally been on print and canvases he has embraced technology to drawn and display his images at a gallery in Paris using Apple iPads. I think this is awesome; it is the sign of the times. However, I do think this…
Pocket Legends, an addictive MMO for iPad.
about 1 year ago - No comments
Just a quick post to tell you about a game I’ve installed on my iPad for ages but only recently rediscovered. Pocket Legends can best described as World of Warcraft for Apple devices. The control system is very simple, it’s just point to a space in the environment and your character will move. Combat is…
iPad for Professional Photographers
about 1 year ago - No comments
My friends call it the iFad (ho ho), but to me it has become a tool that I use more often then my other Apple computers with the exception of the iPhone. There are limitations to the iPad without doubt but then there are limitations of every product I have; no one questions if the…
Kindle vs iPad. First ad by Amazon fires at iPad.
about 1 year ago - No comments
Let the battle between Amazon Kindle and Apple’s iPad commence. Good advert, but I think the woman comes across as a bit snooty. Related Posts:Cute little girl starts a dance craze!All the iPad games demonstrated on Apple’s Keynote videoAwesome tune played with Garageband on iPadBatttlefield 3. New 12 minute trailer of game footaggeCanon 550D video…
about 1 year ago
Were you successful in upgrading your MacPro? I am in a very similar situation and am very interested to hear if you indeed do find this to by a major performance bump.
Good Luck and thanks for the information.
Kim
about 1 year ago
Hi Kim, yes. The Mac Pro (which I’m typing this on) has been stable without any glitches. I have even been able to install Windows 7 even though Apple don’t official support it with the Boot Camp 3.1 update.
Check out http://www.waitingoutside.com/2010/02/mac-pro-upgraded-with-2-intel-xeon-x5355-processors/ to see a few photos.
It isn’t as scary as it seems, and I recommend it to bring new life in your old 2006 machine.
about 1 year ago
I also upgrade my macPro1.1. The two quad cores works perfectly !
Thanks 4 your tip !
about 1 year ago
You’re welcome Sven. Post a link to your Mac Pro update. I’m sure others would like to see your setup too.
about 1 year ago
I have a 2006 Macpro with 2 Duo-core 2.66′s in it. I’m under the impression that the cpus have pins that go into holes in the sockets. I believe the cpus are 5150s. I’d like to upgrade to the X5355s, but I understand that those processors don’t have pins for connecting to the sockets. Can you clarify this for me? Like you, I’m involved in video, and I’m trying to move to a Panasonic AVCHD camcorder (HMC150), so I could really use the dual quad-core cpus versus my dual dual-core cpus. Please email me back your answer. I’m very curious about this, and want to do the upgrade myself if it’s feasible. Thanks! Mark Corliss, Corlissmedia
about 1 year ago
I just upgraded the original Xserve with these CPUs.
went from a dual dual-core @ 2.6GHz, to dual quad-core @ 2.6GHz.
Far easier to get at and do with an Xserve too.
Cheers,
about 7 months ago
I know this post is a bit old but I have a question about the ram. Does this processor upgrade support use of ECC ram or did you need to get non-buffed ram?
about 6 months ago
I love anything that has to do with photography. There are very few really good photo sites and or blogs. I found yours through search engine. You have a lot of great information and articles here.
Thanks for sharing,
Ben Church