Found a 2009 Mac Pro upgraded, little help ASAP

[rz]

I'd say no. It only has the one processor, so it can't be upgraded to an 8 or 12-core processor.

When I was looking, I could have had a 2009 dual-processor capable machine for $400. Sure, I'd have to spend about $500 more to get a kit off ebay, but it would then be a 12-core machine, and it would have come with 32GB RAM to boot. Luckily I was able to find a real 12-core 5,1 with 32GB RAM.

[AllGold]

Buzz wrote:
[quote=AllGold]
Also, a PCIe card for an SSD ( https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/SSDACL6G.S/) and USB 3.0 are definitely nice, but not necessary.

After you try it, you'll disagree w/ yourself and insist on PCIe booting, whether it be via an adapter w/ the SSD mounted on it, or a pricier blade configuration. Difficult to explain, but while booting and using whatever's in the drive bays of either of our Mac Pro's is nice; going the PCIe route actually makes me smile every time.
I actually have the card I linked and other than initial testing, haven't used the machine without an SSD in the PCIe card. So I kind of don't know the difference--except I remember the massive butt-kicking boost I got when I first installed an SSD through a regular SATA connection on my previous Mac Pro.

I still maintain that it's definitely nice, but not necessary. For one thing, I only boot the machine once every few weeks. Most of the time I just put it to sleep and wake it.

rz wrote:
I'd say no. It only has the one processor, so it can't be upgraded to an 8 or 12-core processor.

Is that really true with the 2009-2012 machines? The CPU(s) and RAM are on a removable tray so you can just swap in a different tray with faster CPUs. I assumed you could just get a tray with dual CPUs if you want, but I guess if there's a limitation on the motherboard...??

[Kraniac]

So you can't upgrade a single processor machine to a dual processor machine?


(By the way..you guys are awesome, i've learned so much here in this thread..I don't pay attention to the ins and outs of computers per se..as long as they are moving my work along Im happy..THANKS to all of you who contributed..much appreciated)

[C(-)ris]

Kraniac wrote:
So you can't upgrade a single processor machine to a dual processor machine?


(By the way..you guys are awesome, i've learned so much here in this thread..I don't pay attention to the ins and outs of computers per se..as long as they are moving my work along Im happy..THANKS to all of you who contributed..much appreciated)

Correct. The single processor machines only have half the ram slots and only one physical processor socket on that board.

From OWC, hopefully they don't mind: Single processor board on the top, dual on the bottom.

[AllGold]

C(-)ris wrote:
[quote=Kraniac]
So you can't upgrade a single processor machine to a dual processor machine?

Correct. The single processor machines only have half the ram slots and only one physical processor socket on that board.
But if you buy a dual-CPU tray (on ebay, for example), can't you install it and have a dual-CPU machine?

[anonymouse1]

Careful-dual processor trays aren't interchangeable between 2009 and later MPs.

[gabester]

Curse you Apple - don't you see the desperation you have driven us Mac junkies to, obsession about an 8 year old computer??!

I have a 1,1 just sitting unused. I think it's dual 2.66Ghz CPUs. Not sure what to do with it...

[C(-)ris]

AllGold wrote:
[quote=C(-)ris]
[quote=Kraniac]
So you can't upgrade a single processor machine to a dual processor machine?

Correct. The single processor machines only have half the ram slots and only one physical processor socket on that board.
But if you buy a dual-CPU tray (on ebay, for example), can't you install it and have a dual-CPU machine?
You could...but it isn't cost effective. Cheaper to just buy a dual to begin with.

[PeterW]

So Kraniac, after all this, did you buy the MP from the guy in the parking lot or are you still looking?