2009 4.1 (4) Core Upgraded to a 5.1 (6) Core

[TVPostSound]

Originally Posted by Barry Johns

I actually practiced it last night with some old CPU's I had from previous upgrades to other computers. The ones that were soldered, left a lot of solder on top of the CPU.

Did that happen to you, and if so, how did you go about removing it?

I really don't want to screw it up, it's an expensive mistake.

Either way, it will be worse case, as I plan to try the more conventional steps first.

I appreciate any insight you can give me as one way or the other, I will be attempting the upgrade this weekend.

The solder on the die just peels off with a razor blade.
Just shave it off. Pop a small rice size ball of Arctic Silver 5, and go.
CPU temps are in range 32 C for B and 38 C for A. (Yes A is always hotter, it cools the Northbridge!!)

Withe lids left on, I wonder if the Northbridge temp would rise as the fans would be raised??

[Barry Johns]

Well, I'm not sure you can call it

Balls - Stupidity - Foolishness - Insane - Very Lucky

I decided to roll the dice and DeLid the CPU's verses wait for the Washers and Thermal Pad based on TVPostSound post above.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AizBSTndfLg

Now after completing it, it was so freaking easy it's just plain criminal that people are basically charging 300 bucks to DeLid two CPU's and then sell them in a kit.

The Vice Only method was a piece of cake. I was in a terrified moment for a while because, especially on the first CPU there was a ton of Solder that had to be removed. As I was scraping it off with a Utility Knife Blade, visually it seemed like I was cutting into the Die that is on top of the CPU, but that's not what it was, it was the Solder that made it look that way. It took me about 15 minutes per CPU to scrape off the old Solder and clean up the Silicone that is around the CPU.

I did one CPU at a time. I installed the first CPU in CPU A slot, left CPU B out. It booted up right away revealing that I had a 6 Core CPU in the computer, however, about a minute after boot up the fans started running full speed and it was very loud. Holy Crap Moment.

I removed the heat-sink and CPU, cleaned both up, then put both back in for a second time. Same thing again, fans running non stop, full speed.

I decided to go ahead with the second CPU as maybe the fans were running because I only had one CPU in, that concept at the time to me seemed like a stretch, but what the He**. At least I know that the CPU at least seemed ok as it booted and OSX clearly showed it was a 6 Core 3.33.

So off to DeLiding CPU number 2, put it in, same as last, and BAM. No more fans, all is great. Typing this on my new

12 Core Mac

Check out pics for my new Geekbench scores, 32 bit and 64 bit scores!!!!!!!

I also created a 48 Mono plus 48 Stereo Track, put Slate Virtual Mix Rack with 4 Slate Plugins in each instance, then Slate VBG Grey, then added LX480 Reverb. So all track had these three plugins. I set a 32 Buffer, then recorded through the plugins on all track for over 5 minutes, see attached screen shot of CPU usage when recording. Oh, and this was using my Mac's Line Output.

[TVPostSound]

Congrats!!! Scary wasn't it??
Yes, the fan runs wide open with a missing 2nd fan/heatsink.

My CPU on an HDX, with 34 tracks, up mix , down mix boat load of plugs, recording 5.1 srems. 2.0 stems. and mono stems, run at 4%

[Barry Johns]

Originally Posted by TVPostSound

Congrats!!! Scary wasn't it??
Yes, the fan runs wide open with a missing 2nd fan/heatsink.

My CPU on an HDX, with 34 tracks, up mix , down mix boat load of plugs, recording 5.1 srems. 2.0 stems. and mono stems, run at 4%

Thanks for the Advice.....I'm very stoked, I never thought I'd own a 12 so soon!!!!!

My total cost:

2009 MacPro 8 Core $500.00

2 6 Core 3.33 CPU's $270.00

$770.00 for a 12 Core, unbelievable, truly!!!!!

[TVPostSound]

Oh, for anyone reading this, avoid the 3.46 chips X5690, they run way hot.
You won't like the fans!!

[Barry Johns]

Originally Posted by TVPostSound

Oh, for anyone reading this, avoid the 3.46 chips X5690, they run way hot.
You won't like the fans!!

I did the 5680, and read they run hotter, I hope I don't have any issues. My current temps are:

CPU A - 44 C

CPU B - 34C

[groundcontrol]

So much hotter? Really... I was about to upgrade my 4,1, planning on putting in X5690s.

[TVPostSound]

Originally Posted by groundcontrol

So much hotter? Really... I was about to upgrade my 4,1, planning on putting in X5690s.

X5690 run 130W

Others 95W

Your fans will just run faster.

[29CountsNY]

Originally Posted by TVPostSound

X5690 run 130W

Others 95W

Your fans will just run faster.

Strange, I don't experience this at all.
My fans are dead quiet just like when I had the 2.66ghz processors.
My stock 2.6 quad core fans run louder then my upgraded 3.46ghz machine.
YMMV though.

[Barry Johns]

Originally Posted by TVPostSound

X5690 run 130W

Others 95W

Your fans will just run faster.

W5680 and w5690 run at the higher wattage.

That being said, I have yet to ever hear my fans come on. Not one single time have I ever heard anything.