Welcome to the MacNN Forums.

critter · Jun 4, 2009, 08:45 AM

Just out of curiousity, I can stick in the new Intel I7-975 Extreme Edition processor into the 2009 Mac Pro Octo 2.66? They share the same physical Socket LG1366, Memory controller etc etc.

I am just wondering as I would be purchasing the 2009 2.66 Octo. With the Intel news of ending the I7-920 soon....I am now hesitant.

Comments would be welcome

Simon · Jun 4, 2009, 10:52 AM

No, you can't. The MP uses an SMP capable chipset and firmware. The one important difference between the Nehalem Xeons (W35x0 and E/X55x0 series) and the Nehalem Bloomfields (Core i7 9xx series) is SMP support. ECC support is another, but the MP can actually use non-ECC memory as long as you don't mix with ECC DIMMs.

critter · Jun 4, 2009, 12:19 PM

Tks Simon for your clarification. I guess the Nehalem Xeon W5580 - Intel Xeon W5580 Nehalem 3.2GHz, Product url - Newegg.com - Intel Xeon W5580 Nehalem 3.2GHz 4 x 256KB L2 Cache 8MB L3 Cache LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Server Processor - Processors - Servers
would fit into the Octo Mac Pro 2009 nicely?

Simon · Jun 4, 2009, 12:33 PM

It will fit, yes.

The problem with the W5580 is it comes with a higher TDP than the other MP Nehalems. It's 130 W vs. the others' 95W/80W. That might be a problem. But it might also work just fine. I'd say the X5570 is the safest bet, since Apple actually uses that one themselves on the octo 2.93 GHz MP.

critter · 01:27 PM

Tks Simon again for you input. I would post this question to apple...but i know it's going to be a long shot..

I am now thinking of a custom wintel machine using intel Server Board S5520HC - which supports all 55xx intel processors series. Any comments?

critter · Jun 6, 2009, 04:23 AM

Simon...does the quad core 2009 Mac Pro use the 9xx or the 55xx Nehalem processors? Can I stick in the 9xx or 55xx processors for an upgrade? According to my sources....the Intel S5520HC will accept the W5580 processors which is rated at 130W. Therefore logic has it that the Mac motherboard will to - as I assume they use the same Intel X58 Chipset

Simon · Jun 6, 2009, 04:39 AM

As I pointed out above all MPs use Xeons (W35x0 and E/X55x0). The quad cores too (they are W35x0 models).

The problem isn't just matching the CPU socket and chipset support. Apple's EFI (firmware) needs to support the CPU. And that is information you will only get from Apple or others who have tried it. In the past we have actually seen MPs where a CPU supported by the chipset and with the proper socket did not work precisely because of lacking EFI support. So just the fact that a board supports both CPUs does not mean the MP will. I would be surprised to see the MP support Core i7 9x0 series CPUs and I have not heard a single report of anybody getting that to work either.

critter · Jun 6, 2009, 05:58 AM

A big thank you for your replies. Ok so it's the EFI's that matters..

Well I suppose I can stick the intel 5570 (2.93 Ghz) (when it gets cheaper) into a new mac pro 2009 which comes with the E5520 2.26 Ghz in the future right? I would assume that the EFI would be same accross all the mobo or apple fits different EFI to each mobo depending on the processors fitted as shipped?

You are a great help....tks for your forth coming reply

Simon · Jun 6, 2009, 06:20 AM

I would definitely assume that you can upgrade a E5520 octo MP with two X5570s later on. It's basically the same thing that Apple does.

critter · Jun 6, 2009, 12:18 PM

You have been a great help Simon...my sincere thanks for taking the time to educate a "greenie"