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The Early 2009 Mac Pro—also known as the Mac Pro 4,1—introduced Intel's Nehalem architecture to Apple's line of professional desktop computers in March 2009. The Mac Pro 5,1 used the same interior design but received further CPU updates in 2010 and 2012.

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Mac Pro 4,1 vs 5,1 hardware differences

Hi everyone,

I like to get Mac Pro but want to upgrade to "TOP". But I have few questions and I can't find clear answer :(.

  1. What is differences between Mac Pro 5,1 2010 and 2012 ? (if there are any ?)
  2. What is differences between Mac Pro 4,1 and 5,1 ?
  3. Can I use CPU tray from Mac Pro 4,1 in 5,1 ?

Thank you very much for your time guys :)

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Hi

Here’s some answers for you:-)

The difference between the 2010 and the 2012 is the cpu that comes pre installed but apart from that there is no difference (I wouldn’t let that be a decider as once you have upgraded them there is no difference at all

The difference between 4,1 and 5,1 is they use different CPU types

4,1 needs de-lidded Cpus

whereas

5,1 need ones that have a lid/heats spreader

As far as I know you can’t use a 4,1 cpu tray in a 5,1

One more thing to add if you get a 5,1 you will want to flash the firmware to5,1 so you can use better cpus

If you need any help doing this leave me a comment and il try my best to help:-)

Hopefully this answers your questions but if it doesn’t just ask me:-)

Thanks:-)

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10 Comments:

@hellomacos thank you so much, this is best answer what I can get. I was really confused about the CPU try because it's 50/50 what I can find online.

And if I want upgrade CPU is easy (and cheaper) to find de-lidded cpu or the one with heats spreader ?

by

@roboscrap

People want quite a bit more for the delided versions from what Iv seen

You can get a deliding tool from eBay or Amazon and maybe ever AliExpress

:-)

by

@hellomacos so Mac Pro 5,1 it is :) thanks a lot.

by

@roboscrap

It’s also quite easy to upgrade ether version

The only thing is if you get a4,1 you need to delid you cpus so that they will fit whereas on the 5,1 if the cpus have lids they will fit:-)

by

@roboscrap

Iv got a 5,1 and they are a lot less hassle to build and maintain

Amazing machine!

:-)

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Rob will be eternally grateful.
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