Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement

Introduction

The interconnect board hosts connections to the logic board, IO board, and both GPUs. Use this guide to remove and replace the interconnect board.

What you need

Step 1 Outer Case

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement, Outer Case: step 1, image 1 of 2

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement, Outer Case: step 1, image 2 of 2

Slide the lock switch to the right, to the unlocked position.

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Step 2

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement: step 2, image 3 of 3

Lift the outer case straight up off the Mac Pro.
It may help to push down on the center of the fan while lifting the case up.

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Step 3 Fan Assembly

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement, Fan Assembly: step 3, image 1 of 3

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement, Fan Assembly: step 3, image 2 of 3

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement, Fan Assembly: step 3, image 3 of 3

Remove five 5.1 mm T10 Torx screws from around the outer perimeter of the fan assembly.

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Step 4

The fan assembly is attached to the rest of the computer by two cables on the IO board side.
Tilt the assembly up away from the IO board.
Do not try to remove the fan assembly yet, as it is still attached by two cables.

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Step 5

While supporting the fan assembly with one hand, loosen the two T8 captive screws in the fan cable bracket.
These screws are captive in the Mac Pro. Do not try to remove these screws from your Mac Pro.

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Step 6

Use a pair of tweezers to pull the fan cable bracket away from the fan assembly.

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Step 7

Use the flat end of a spudger to disconnect the fan assembly ribbon cable from the IO board.

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Step 8

Disconnect the fan assembly antenna cable from the IO board.
Remove the fan assembly from the Mac Pro.

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Step 9 Lower Case

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement, Lower Case: step 9, image 1 of 3

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement, Lower Case: step 9, image 2 of 3

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement, Lower Case: step 9, image 3 of 3

Flip the Mac Pro upside down, 180 degrees.
Remove five 5.1 mm T10 Torx screws from the outer perimeter of the lower case.

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Step 10

Carefully lift the lower case up and remove it from the Mac Pro.

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Step 11 Interconnect Board

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement, Interconnect Board: step 11, image 1 of 2

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement, Interconnect Board: step 11, image 2 of 2

Use the flat end of a spudger and a twisting motion to gently separate one side of the graphics card data connection.

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Step 12

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement: step 12, image 3 of 3

Gently separate the other side as well.
Flip the connector up and out of the way of the graphics card.
Repeat this procedure on the other graphics card.

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Step 13

Remove the two 6.0 mm T8 Torx screws securing the interconnect board to the heat sink.

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Step 14

Mac Pro Late 2013 Interconnect Board Replacement: step 14, image 3 of 3

Gently walk the interconnect board straight up off the logic board's slot connection.
It is recommended to lift one side and then the other.
Do not try to remove the interconnect board from the Mac Pro yet, as it is still connected to the IO board.

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Step 15

Flip the interconnect board up and over, exposing the IO board data cable.
Use the same sort of twisting and spreading motion with the flat end of a spudger to separate one side of the IO board data cable.

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Step 16

Use the flat end of a spudger to separate the other side of the IO board data cable.
Bend the cable out of the way and remove the interconnect board from the Mac Pro.

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