Secondly, the firmware upgrade performed in these steps are specifically for a 2009 Mac Pro. Although some have reported success with upgrading firmware on the 2007-2008 Mac Pros, we did not test this and cannot state for certain that these steps will function for you. EveryMac.com also provides RAM upgrade instructions for later 'Unibody' MacBook Pro models released between 'Mid-2009' and 'Mid-2012.' Upgrading the memory in the 'Late 2008/Unibody' 15-Inch MacBook Pro models is a bit more difficult than it is in the very easy earlier MacBook Pro models, but it still is. What types of memory are available for Mac Pro 2008? The 800 MHz DDR2 FB-DIMM MAC Pro 2008 is the one typically recommended for the early 2008 MAC PRO. Another available type is the DDR2 667 PC2 5300, and you are advised not to mix this one with the DDR2 800 PC2 6400 DIMMs memory sticks. A DDR3 upgrade is also available for select MACs.
Posted: April 10th, 2012
Last Updated: Feb. 18th, 2013
Been quite a few delays between upgrading my son's mac mini and finally able to upgrade my Mac Pro this week. Of note, there are very few upgrade notes for the 2008 Mac Pro (3,1 model) to be found. Plenty for for 2006 and 2009+ but a real dearth for the 2008. In fact, your site has the only one I found.
I bought a matched pair of 3.2GHZ Xeon X5482 quad-core CPUs off ebay for $495 which is the fastest this Mac can take (It cannot use the 5492s). (Ref: Intel X5482 CPU info.) I've thrown my quad 2.8s on craigslist for $250 for the pair but no hits yet.
You can follow most of the 2006 Mac Pro upgrade notes/youtube videos but there are differences. Specifically:
- The memory cage has four screws instead of two. No big deal as they are obvious.
- The tricky screw is in the fan assembly. The 2006 and 2008 both have the upper screw but the 2008 also has a hidden screw that is not visible unless you look inside the rim of the fan assembly after the processor cover is removed.
- The CPUs are not oriented identically. The bottom CPU's placement is rotated 90 degrees. Again no big deal but should be noted as the mechanisms can tangle if both are open at once.
I used Artic Silver 5 and followed its directions which differ from Apple's. Apple recommends covering the CPU cap with paste liberally (I have the 2006 tech manual) which is not advised by Silver Ice. Considering the issues Apple has had with the overuse of paste on the Macbook Pros I went with Silver Ice's method which is an even line most of the way across the cap which expands to an oval when compressed. Also, in the videos that I saw many of these people were sloppy with the paste and even touched the CPU cap and heat sink with their fingers which is beyond wrong.
Anyway, upgrade went fine and my system has been running as silent as before with no real difference in heat out the back either for 24 hrs a day for a week. Current temps are: 75 F ambient, CPU A: heatsink: 93 F, CPU: 102 F; CPU B: heatsink: 96 F, CPU: 102 F. (Idle temps, and not core temps I assume. Temperature Monitor used?) Memory temps are high at 132 to 156 F. (FBDimms the 2006-08 Mac Pros use can run even hotter. They have an appx 4GHz (IIRC) serial/parallel chip ('AMB' - Advanced Memory Buffer). Some readers reported 80+°C/180+°F FBDimm temps on an older page here on Mac Pro FBDIMM ram. OK if proper heatsinks used but some FBDimms early on didn't.)
Upgrade Mac Pro 2008 To Catalina
It's OWC RAM (shameless sponsor plug - I've used them for a decade and buy all my RAM from them) with heat spreaders and lifetime warranty so I'm set if a problem occurs.
Overall a great upgrade that just took the right timing on ebay.
best regards, wolf'
Thanks Wolf.
(Update/FYI: The Feb 18th, 2013 news page has another reader report of a low-cost 2008 Mac Pro Dual 3.2GHz Quad-Core CPU Upgrade. Said he got his CPUs (used/pulls I assume) on Ebay for $250.)
Upgrades For Mac Pro 2008 Upgrade
Other Mac Pro Related Upgrade Articles:
See the Macs/systems page (on CPU, Drives, Mods, etc).
(Here's links to previously posted 1st gen Mac Pro CPU upgrade guides - a Youtube Video guide on CPU swaps in an early Mac Pro (MacWelt TV - in german) and a Sept. 2006 Anandtech article on Upgrading the (1st gen) Mac Pro's CPUs. Don't forget a long 3mm hex wrench to remove the heatsinks. For readers in the USA, the Elkind 3mm hex wrench (9-10' long 'T' wrench) from ACE hardware seems popular (and cheap - $4 reportedly, although like anything prices may vary).
When you upgrade to macOS Catalina, you get more of everything you love about Mac. Experience dedicated apps for music, TV, and podcasts. Smart new features in the apps you use every day. And Sidecar, which lets you use iPad as a second Mac display. Best of all, upgrading is free and easy.
Chances are, your Mac can run macOS Catalina.
Mac computers with Metal-capable graphics processors (GPUs) can upgrade to macOS Catalina.
Make sure you’re ready to upgrade.
Before you upgrade, we recommend that you back up your Mac. Then, if your Mac is running OS X Mavericks 10.9 or later, you can upgrade directly to macOS Catalina.
Upgrading is free. And easier than you think.
Upgrading from macOS Mojave?
Go to Software Update in System Preferences to find the macOS Catalina upgrade. Click Upgrade Now and follow the onscreen instructions to begin your upgrade. If you don’t have broadband access, you can upgrade your Mac at any Apple Store.
Upgrading from an older version of macOS?
If you’re running High Sierra (10.13), Sierra (10.12), or El Capitan (10.11), upgrade to macOS Catalina from the App Store. If you’re running Lion (10.7) or Mountain Lion (10.8), you will need to upgrade to El Capitan (10.11) first. If you don’t have broadband access, you can upgrade your Mac at any Apple Store.
- OS X 10.9 or later
- 4GB of memory
- 12.5GB of available storage (OS X El Capitan 10.11.5 or later)*
- Some features require an Apple ID; terms apply.
- Some features require a compatible internet service provider; fees may apply.
For details about your Mac model, click the Apple icon at the top left of your screen and choose About This Mac. These Mac models are compatible with macOS Catalina:
- MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
- MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
- Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
Siri
Requires a broadband internet connection and microphone (built-in or external).
Hey Siri
Supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook Pro (2018 or newer)
- MacBook Air (2018 or newer)
- iMac Pro
Dictation, Voice Control, and Voice Memos
Requires a microphone (built-in or external).
Spotlight Suggestions
Requires a broadband internet connection.
Gestures
Requires a Multi-Touch trackpad, Force Touch trackpad, Magic Trackpad, or Magic Mouse.
Force Touch gestures require a Force Touch trackpad.
VoiceOver gestures require a Multi-Touch trackpad, Force Touch trackpad, or Magic Trackpad.
Photo Booth
Requires a FaceTime or iSight camera (built-in or external), or USB video class (UVC) camera.
FaceTime
Audio calls require a microphone (built-in or external) and broadband internet connection.
Video calls require a built-in FaceTime camera, an iSight camera (built-in or external), or a USB video class (UVC) camera; and broadband internet connection.
Apple TV
High Dynamic Range (HDR) video playback is supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook Pro (2018 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (2019) with Pro Display XDR
Dolby Atmos soundtrack playback is supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook Air (2018 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (2018 or newer)
Sidecar
Supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook (2016 or newer)
- MacBook Air (2018 or newer)
- MacBook Pro (2016 or newer)
- Mac mini (2018 or newer)
- iMac (late 2015 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017 or newer)
- Mac Pro (2019)
Supported by all iPad models with Apple Pencil support:
- 12.9-inch iPad Pro
- 11-inch iPad Pro
- 10.5-inch iPad Pro
- 9.7-inch iPad Pro
- iPad (6th generation or later)
- iPad mini (5th generation)
- iPad Air (3rd generation)
Continuity Camera
Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 12 or later.
Continuity Sketch and Continuity Markup
Requires an iPhone with iOS 13 or an iPad with iPadOS.
Handoff
Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 8 or later.
Instant Hotspot
Requires an iPhone or iPad with cellular connectivity, a Lightning connector, and iOS 8.1 or later. Requires Personal Hotspot service through your carrier.
Universal Clipboard
Requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 10 or later.
Auto Unlock
Supported by Mac models introduced in mid 2013 or later.
Requires an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later or an iPhone 5 or later.
Approve with Apple Watch
Supported by Mac models introduced in mid 2013 or later.
Requires an Apple Watch with watchOS 6 or later or an iPhone 6s or later with iOS 13.
Apple Pay on the Web
Requires MacBook Pro with Touch Bar, an iPhone 6 or later with iOS 10 or later, or an Apple Watch with watchOS 3 or later.
Phone Calling
Requires an iPhone with iOS 8 or later and an activated carrier plan.
SMS
Requires an iPhone with iOS 8.1 or later and an activated carrier plan.
Home
Requires an iPhone with iOS 12 or later and a configured Home app.
AirDrop
AirDrop to iOS and iPadOS devices requires an iPhone or iPad with a Lightning connector and iOS 7 or later.
AirPlay
AirPlay Mirroring requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later).
AirPlay for web video requires an Apple TV (2nd generation or later).
Peer-to-peer AirPlay requires a Mac (2012 or later) and an Apple TV (3rd generation rev A, model A1469 or later) with Apple TV software 7.0 or later.
Time Machine
Requires an external storage device (sold separately).
Power Nap
Supported by the following Mac models:
- MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
- MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
- MacBook Pro with Retina display (Mid 2012 or newer)
- Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
- iMac Pro (2017)
- Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)
Boot Camp
Allows Boot Camp installations of Windows 10 on supported Mac models.
Exchange Support
Requires Microsoft Office 365, Exchange 2016, Exchange 2013, or Exchange Server 2010. Installing the latest Service Packs is recommended.
Windows Migration
Supports OS X 10.7 or later and Windows 7 or later.
App Store
Available only to persons age 13 or older in the U.S. and many other countries and regions.
- Apple Books
- Apple News
- App Store
- Automator
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Chess
- Contacts
- Dictionary
- DVD Player
- FaceTime
- Find My
- Font Book
- Home
- Image Capture
- Launchpad
- Maps
- Messages
- Mission Control
- Music
- Notes
- Photo Booth
- Photos
- Podcasts
- Preview
- QuickTime Player
- Reminders
- Safari
- Siri
- Stickies
- Stocks
- System Preferences
- TextEdit
- Time Machine
- TV
- Voice Memos
- Activity Monitor
- AirPort Utility
- Audio MIDI Setup
- Bluetooth File Exchange
- Boot Camp Assistant
- ColorSync Utility
- Console
- Digital Color Meter
- Disk Utility
- Grapher
- Keychain Access
- Migration Assistant
- Screenshot
- Screen Time
- Script Editor
- Sidecar
- System Information
- Terminal
- VoiceOver Utility
- Arabic
- Catalan
- Croatian
- Simplified Chinese
- Traditional Chinese
- Traditional Chinese (Hong Kong)
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- English (Australia)
- English (UK)
- English (U.S.)
- Finnish
- French
- French (Canada)
- German
- Greek
- Hebrew
- Hindi
- Hungarian
- Indonesian
- Italian
- Japanese
- Korean
- Malay
- Norwegian
- Polish
- Brazilian Portuguese
- Portuguese
- Romanian
- Russian
- Slovak
- Spanish
- Spanish (Latin America)
- Swedish
- Thai
- Turkish
- Ukrainian
- Vietnamese