"Subject: CPU Upgrade report - Mac Pro 1.1
I've upgraded my old macpro 2006 (macpro 1.1) a few days ago, removing the dual-core CPU's and replacing them with used 4 core ones. The original CPU's were 2 intel Xeon dual core 5150 @2.66 ghz. New CPU's are 2 intel Xeon quad core E5345 @2.33 ghz which I found on ebay. The replacement procedure was very straightforward, I basically followed the youtube video instructions here www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOF435jCg8E (once published by the german mac magazine 'macwelt').
(That's the same video linked in the July 2009 post here on 2006 Mac Pro Clovertown (Quad core) CPU Swaps Revisited, which also links to a web page guide at Anandtech. It also links to several other past 2006 Mac Pro CPU Upgrade reports (up to 3GHz Quad-Cores), many also bought 'used' CPUs off ebay.-Mike)

A more difficult task was to find that extra-long 3 mm screwdriver needed to remove the cooling towers. After 'hard googling' for it I found one at reasonable price at a place where they sell special tools for bmw motor servicing!
(The July 2009 post mentioned a reader used an Elkind 3mm hex (9-10" long) "T" wrench bought from ACE Hardware (USA) for appx $4. But this reader is from Germany.-Mike)

the machine does now run without any apparent extra heat development, even after a 1 h maxwell rendering using all cores.

Speed gains tested with a few 3d benchmarkin apps (i'm using the mac 100% for 3d rendering that's why):

• Benchwell (maxwell render): 19 min 25 sec / benchmark 552 - > 11 min 22 sec/ benchmark 943.
• Cinebench 11.5: CPU 2.94 pts, single core 0.76 pts, MP ratio 3.89 x -> CPU 5.07 pts, single core 0.66 pts, MP ratio 7.67 x.
• Luxology Modo balls scene: 41.5 sec -> 23.4 sec.

Concluding, I'm very happy for this 400 USD (plus a few bucks for the tools) upgrade. It nearly doubled the performance of my old mac pro, making it again a good workhorse for heavy 3d rendering jobs in my small render farm!

All tests done with OSX 10.6.3, 12GB RAM.
best regards, Markus G.
3dworks - high end visualization
http://www.3dworks.com"

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