"2010 Mac Pro (5,1) Single Cpu Quad-Core 2.8GHz W3530 (8MB cache)
- Upgraded to 6-core 3.2GHz Xeon W3670 (12MB cache)
First off this is a very cost effective upgrade big bang for the buck. A 2010 Mac Pro quad 2.8GHz gets about 9950 score with geekbench 64 bit. The same Mac Pro with an Intel hex (6-core) 3.2GHz (w3670) now gets a 15260 64-bit geekbench score. More then 50% improvement.
This CPU came out Early March 2011: Intel Xeon Processor W3670 (12MB Cache, 3.20 GHz, 4.80 GT/s Intel QPI) with SPEC Code(s) SLBVE. This is the spec link. This can be found for about 600 to 660 from real resellers. I.E. Good warranty/return etc.
Here is the Link for the original CPU: Intel Xeon Processor W3530 (8MB Cache, 2.80 GHz, 4.80 GT/s Intel QPI) with SPEC Code(s) SLBKR
Some observations:
You need a hexagon 3 mm (Allen) key wrench about 20 cm long. I used a set from amazon. (As mentioned in earlier reports, you can often find the long (t-handle) 3mm hex wrench at hardware stores (ACE, etc) for under $5.) You also need a Cpu heat sink paste/grease kit. I used the Arctic Silver 5 kit also from amazon. These parts total appx $25 so I got free shipping.
This is an easy upgrade. The links (below) show in detail how to do it and the time is under 35 minutes. I have never done a cpu swap and I did it in well under an hour.
The beauty of this upgrade is no overclocking, no heatsink change. The CPU is easy to get to. (2010/2009 Mac Pro CPU(s) are on a removable tray)
A (up to) 50 percent improvement in speed is amazing. If you sell the old CPU your cost will be about 400 dollars. If you want to bring the machine back to stock hold on to the cpu and 35 minutes later it is stock.
I use iStats (iStat Menus?) to check CPU temp - Cpu uses same power.
(FYI - unless it's been changed (I've not used v3), as I noted during 2009 Mac Pro core temp tests, iStat menus (v2) only reported CPU Heatsink temperature - not the (higher temp) core(s) or cpu temperature diode. I wrote iStat dev back in Dec 2009 about that but have not used istat since then. I preferred (freeware) Temperature Monitor.)
It truly is a bargain cpu. Intel lists it at $583 per 1000 pieces. I paid $620 with free shipping before some discounts.
If you have a 2010 Mac Pro with a single cpu stock this new cpu is a very nice upgrade. The only reason I gave it 9.5 and not 10 is the W3690 which came out in Feb 2011 is faster but at a much higher price. I figure to get a ten you need to be perfect in price and speed.
-Philip
Two build links (MR Forums):
- Dry run for W3670 install
- Hex 3.2 update from 2010 quad 2.8 done results photos"
