[Spacez]

I am looking at options for a new computer, a friend mentioned that the new Mac Pros' processors can be upgraded... is that true? If so, how hard is it? I always thought that somehow Mac desktops were different from PCs in that the logic board would not allow it?

Only cause I am looking to get a 2.0 GhZ Mac Pro so I can upgrade later on if I want....
Thanks

[mduell]

Yes, they can be upgraded. It's not "very hard" to get them out, but it requires some manual dexterity.

Macs switched to Intel chips starting earlier this year, so you should be able to upgrade them to future Xeon 5100 series chips.

I'd shy away from the 2Ghz model... taking the downgrade from 2.66 to 2.0 you're effectively handing Apple $500. The difference in price is about $400 per chip, but Apple only gives you back $300 for downgrading the pair. The 2.66 is a much better value.

[derekn]

Here are some pics with the heatsinks removed:
PowerMax: Mac Pro taken apart!

The only issue to watch out for may be the EFI, if that will have to be modified, upgraded etc.

[Spacez]

hey thanks for the reply, does anyone have an estimated lifespan of a mac pro? What i mean is that with the potential in processor upgrades, and graphic card upgrades, what is the likely lifespan of mac pros before they become yesterday's technology?

[derekn]

That depends on your definition of "yesterdays technology". LOL If we're talking processor, about 3 months when Intel puts out their quad core chips (but they will be socket compatible with the MacPro).

honestly think that a MacPro will be good for at least the next 3 to 6 years simply because you can upgrade so much of it. And also the fact that while Apple will upgrade it's Motherboard designs to take advantage of new microarchitectures, Intel will still develop chips for older architectures for many years. So our MacPros will be upgradeable for some time.. now if only a hard drive existed that had negative volume.....