In case you are struggling with the firmware upgrade from the 4,1 to 5,1 with the Mac Pro 2009-2010 Firmware Tool, I created a blog post that covers a workaround for this in 2024: jensd.be/2453/apple/apple-mac-pro-41-firmware-upgrade-to-51-in-2024 This post also contains further instructions on how to go to bootROM version 144.0.0.0.0.
I am chinese from China. I have one 2009 Mac Pro & one 2010 Mac Pro!! It's very nice apple workstation. I also install MacOS ventura 13.4 sucessfully on my 2010 Mac Pro by using OCLP
Hi Jens, I did the upgrade to Big Sur on a Mac Pro 5,1 (Mid 2010) and I am amazed that it all worked. Have you ever had the Finder re-launch itself suddenly on either 4,1 or 5,1 upgrades?. Thank you!
About 2 months ago, using Monterey 12.7, I got it 'booting' from a 1tb internal NVME PCI drive inside my 2009 4,1/5,1 cMP, running 2 x 2.66 Xeons processors, only 32mb 8x4mb DDR3 dimms! It gives 1400mb r/w's on Black Magic, MUCH better than its mechanical HD's gave it in 2009?
This is a great video! I've watched it several times already in order to prepare for the big upgrading moment. :D One question: Can the thermal pads be substituted by general electricity tape?
That would be a very bad idea as the goal of electricity tape is to isolate and the purpose of the thermal pads is to conduct the heat to the heatsink. I'm afraid it would be worse to put that tape than not do anything at all.
@@jensdbe Thank you. I actually thought of the same after I wrote here. I actually did two single processor CPU upgrades today to 6-core 3.06, which is very straight forward. The dual processor is next and will apply thermal pads which are in the mail now. :) That will be interesting. Your video is a great assistant in the process.
@@jensdbe Seems like using 1066 speed RAM on a flashed 5,1 and upgraded CPU has a limit of 16 GB. Also, the computer struggles to boot, but does it eventually. I guess the only option is to buy new 1333 RAM and then the limit is 64 GB (I used a dual Xeon on a single processor).
If you want to upgrade to Westmere CPUs, like X5675s I used, you first need to upgrade. Without the 5,1 firmware, the machine will not boot with these CPUs. So in short: no :)
16:27 - "A pair of these goes for around $60 to $70 on eBay", while CC reads "around $80 to $90", and the screen shows an eBay auction with the price "US $84,19"... Kinda confusing, I'd say...
I have a strange situation. My system is... High Sierra, however my BootRom is still MP51.007F.B03. I don't use OCLP. I tried to run Mac OS High Sierra installer, it wants me to make BootRom upgrade with longer pressed button at start. However, the update doesn't start. The SIP is disabled. Any hints what to do?
I just have no idea where you’re downloading these boot rom installers, or what guides you are referencing in your screenshots, because you didn’t provide any links to the websites.
@@aaronhinton92 I covered an detailed guide in a previous video and in a post o my blog but I noticed this is not 100% up to date anymore. If you are struggling with the firmware upgrade from the 4,1 to 5,1 with the Mac Pro 2009-2010 Firmware Tool, I cover a workaround for this over here: jensd.be/2453/apple/apple-mac-pro-41-firmware-upgrade-to-51-in-2024 This post also contains further instructions on how to go to bootROM version 144.0.0.0.0.
What are some good trustworthy sources to buy these type of Xeon CPU chips? Or what is a good criteria to judge if a particular seller of these CPU chips is selling chips that are of a good quality? I've seen some sellers selling the fastest variety at 3.46 GHz for $40-$50 for a pair lidded but am not sure how to judge if they're selling properly test quality chips...
If I want to buy something like this, I search on eBay to see what is more or less the market price for it first. Too low is suspicious. Then I would check seller score and also take into account shipping times/costs, depending on how much patience I have. Never really got any issues with buying things like this, especially from sellers which sell a lot and have good feedback.
Single CPU models indeed do not have delidded CPUs. I did a CPU upgrade of one in this video: ua-cam.com/video/VrbnfYggIik/v-deo.html earlier. It's a lot easier in that case.
I noticed after the new processor installation that the memory was still being read as 1066 instead of 1333. I've heard that you need to do an NVRAM reset to get the memory to run as 1333, unless it is only 1066 RAM and won't run that fast.
in order to see the higher ram speed, you need to have done the firmware upgrade from 4,1 to 5,1..you also need the 6 core cpus and 1333mhz ram.. with all that it Should show, if not do the nvram reset..
Hello. I recently bought two mac pro's, one 5.1 2010 and the other 4.1 2009. Neither of them had the graphics cards that came with them. For the 5.1 2010 version, I did the firmware update with code 144 easily. I even did it with the Radeon R7 265 graphics card. However, no matter what I did to the 4.1, I can't get the firmware update. Again, of course, since I don't have a GT 120 or HD 5770, I have a R7 265 graphics card and I'm trying to do it with it. Note (I also have Rx 580 and GTX 760) Some forums say that it is only needed to access bootscreen and is not very important for firmware update. However, after bootchime, the superdrive cover does not open and I boot directly to the desktop, so the firmware does not flash. What is your advice?
It should work without an EFI videocard to my experience. You don't get to see anything on the screen but the drive opens and after waiting, the system will eventually reboot. Maybe try to clear PRAM?
@@jensdbe I tried all methods. I did both soft and deep reset of NVram, I did SMC reset, even after efi firmware update, I turned off the device, removed the GPU and then pressed the power button, but again the result is the same. By the way, just in case there is a clue, the BOOT ROM version is MP41.0081.B07. SMC version 1.39f5. But unlike yours, it says "Mac Pro" about this Mac, so it does not say mid 2009 or early 2009. There is no wifi card in the device. It has 3 gb ram. El Capitan was clean installed on 250 Gb HDD. Some people had the same problems even with the GT 120 or HD 5770 GPU that came with the device. Any advice I need a lot of help. For 2 weeks this has been bothering me.
I would try booting a LOWER os than the 144 firmware is in, THEN upgrade on that machine to the OS that the 144 firmware came with so then it might 'see' the old version.@@azimm_music
I often get stuff from auctions and most of these are far from new so not extremely expensive. For this one, I think I paid around €150 + €35 for the CPUs and around €50 for SSD and adapter.
@@jensdbeim going to buy 4,1 2,26 GHz X2 and an gt120 no HDD for 150€ is the price ok ? Because I bought an 1,1 2 years ago for 25 and an 3.1 for 30 but sold it for parts because it had extremely strange issues
It would be better to only use 6 DIMMs as the CPUs support triple channel. Having 4 per CPU results in a small performance penalty. But still, even 96GB of RAM, for most of what you would do with the available CPU power, except maybe running some VMs, is probably overkill.
![The Ultimate 2010 Mac Pro Upgrade in 2020 [Part 2]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/OB-XJ10gkW4/mqdefault.jpg)
![Best Gaming Motherboards 2025 [don’t buy one before watching this]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Fz7uqZ6YnS4/mqdefault.jpg)
In case you are struggling with the firmware upgrade from the 4,1 to 5,1 with the Mac Pro 2009-2010 Firmware Tool, I created a blog post that covers a workaround for this in 2024: jensd.be/2453/apple/apple-mac-pro-41-firmware-upgrade-to-51-in-2024 This post also contains further instructions on how to go to bootROM version 144.0.0.0.0.
Long live the 2009-2012 Mac Pros...
Intriguing way of getting around the de-lidding process. Im fascinated by that.....
thanks for showing how to upgrade new firmware for 4,1... it's so confusing in paper and this video shows all.
I am chinese from China.
I have one 2009 Mac Pro & one 2010 Mac Pro!! It's very nice apple workstation.
I also install MacOS ventura 13.4 sucessfully on my 2010 Mac Pro by using OCLP
A splendid upgrade!👍👍 If I recall correctly Apple did not use delidded CPUs in the 5,1.
That's correct. In a 5,1 you can just replace the CPUs without any further modifications.
It is 'latched' down, instead of head down by the heatsinks? @@jensdbe
Looks great! Did it work stably over time?
Definitely does. I do use it mostly with Windows (see my other video on this machine) but so far I haven't seen any issues at all.
@@jensdbe I checked the price on de-lidded CPUs -- WOW!
Hi Jens, I did the upgrade to Big Sur on a Mac Pro 5,1 (Mid 2010) and I am amazed that it all worked. Have you ever had the Finder re-launch itself suddenly on either 4,1 or 5,1 upgrades?. Thank you!
Отличное видео, thanks
Какой толщины покупали термопрокладку?
@@sinceremadness5428 2,5 мм и в 2 слоя ложил, брал серую на озоне...
@@K.O.N.S.T.A.N.T.I.N.E я не стал экспериментировать и отдал мастеру процы на скальпирование , мне так спокойнее)
About 2 months ago, using Monterey 12.7, I got it 'booting' from a 1tb internal NVME PCI drive inside my 2009 4,1/5,1 cMP, running 2 x 2.66 Xeons processors, only 32mb 8x4mb DDR3 dimms! It gives 1400mb r/w's on Black Magic, MUCH better than its mechanical HD's gave it in 2009?
Pls share the 4.1 firmware tool i cant open the nekas forum for months now its literally gine
This is a great video! I've watched it several times already in order to prepare for the big upgrading moment. :D One question: Can the thermal pads be substituted by general electricity tape?
That would be a very bad idea as the goal of electricity tape is to isolate and the purpose of the thermal pads is to conduct the heat to the heatsink. I'm afraid it would be worse to put that tape than not do anything at all.
@@jensdbe Thank you. I actually thought of the same after I wrote here. I actually did two single processor CPU upgrades today to 6-core 3.06, which is very straight forward. The dual processor is next and will apply thermal pads which are in the mail now. :) That will be interesting. Your video is a great assistant in the process.
@@MikaPohjola good luck with the upgrade. It's not too hard, just take your time.
@@jensdbe Seems like using 1066 speed RAM on a flashed 5,1 and upgraded CPU has a limit of 16 GB. Also, the computer struggles to boot, but does it eventually. I guess the only option is to buy new 1333 RAM and then the limit is 64 GB (I used a dual Xeon on a single processor).
I has a mac pro with the same boot rom version and when i update to 5.1 no errors appear but still being a 4.1 😅 can helpme please? Thanks
What thickness of a thermal pad did you use?
Can you do a cpu swap before upgrading the firmware (4.1)?
If you want to upgrade to Westmere CPUs, like X5675s I used, you first need to upgrade. Without the 5,1 firmware, the machine will not boot with these CPUs. So in short: no :)
16:27 - "A pair of these goes for around $60 to $70 on eBay", while CC reads "around $80 to $90", and the screen shows an eBay auction with the price "US $84,19"... Kinda confusing, I'd say...
I have a strange situation. My system is... High Sierra, however my BootRom is still MP51.007F.B03. I don't use OCLP. I tried to run Mac OS High Sierra installer, it wants me to make BootRom upgrade with longer pressed button at start. However, the update doesn't start. The SIP is disabled. Any hints what to do?
Launching Mojave installer and restarting machine with it did the trick.
No links in the description to the tools you're using?
@@aaronhinton92 I'm not sponsored :) Anything specific you are looking for?
I just have no idea where you’re downloading these boot rom installers, or what guides you are referencing in your screenshots, because you didn’t provide any links to the websites.
@@aaronhinton92 I covered an detailed guide in a previous video and in a post o my blog but I noticed this is not 100% up to date anymore. If you are struggling with the firmware upgrade from the 4,1 to 5,1 with the Mac Pro 2009-2010 Firmware Tool, I cover a workaround for this over here: jensd.be/2453/apple/apple-mac-pro-41-firmware-upgrade-to-51-in-2024 This post also contains further instructions on how to go to bootROM version 144.0.0.0.0.
Plz help me, how can i boot Apple screen? I use sapphire 8g.....
What are some good trustworthy sources to buy these type of Xeon CPU chips? Or what is a good criteria to judge if a particular seller of these CPU chips is selling chips that are of a good quality? I've seen some sellers selling the fastest variety at 3.46 GHz for $40-$50 for a pair lidded but am not sure how to judge if they're selling properly test quality chips...
If I want to buy something like this, I search on eBay to see what is more or less the market price for it first. Too low is suspicious. Then I would check seller score and also take into account shipping times/costs, depending on how much patience I have. Never really got any issues with buying things like this, especially from sellers which sell a lot and have good feedback.
I have a question, my Mac pro 4.1 came with a cpu without delid and the tray had the typical Intel lock to install cpu, why is yours different?
Single CPU models indeed do not have delidded CPUs. I did a CPU upgrade of one in this video: ua-cam.com/video/VrbnfYggIik/v-deo.html earlier. It's a lot easier in that case.
I noticed after the new processor installation that the memory was still being read as 1066 instead of 1333. I've heard that you need to do an NVRAM reset to get the memory to run as 1333, unless it is only 1066 RAM and won't run that fast.
I am having the same problem. Is it just a simple restart and that will get it fixed?
@@marduar8171 If a restart doesn't do it, try an NVRAM reset. Of course, you have to have 1333MHz RAM installed.
@@southerner66 I do have 1333 Mhz RAM. Can i do a reset having already dowloaded Mac OS Ventura or it doesn't affect it at all?
@@marduar8171 I don't know.
in order to see the higher ram speed, you need to have done the firmware upgrade from 4,1 to 5,1..you also need the 6 core cpus and 1333mhz ram.. with all that it Should show, if not do the nvram reset..
LINK THE ARCHIVE PLIST
Hello. I recently bought two mac pro's, one 5.1 2010 and the other 4.1 2009. Neither of them had the graphics cards that came with them.
For the 5.1 2010 version, I did the firmware update with code 144 easily. I even did it with the Radeon R7 265 graphics card. However, no matter what I did to the 4.1, I can't get the firmware update. Again, of course, since I don't have a GT 120 or HD 5770, I have a R7 265 graphics card and I'm trying to do it with it. Note (I also have Rx 580 and GTX 760) Some forums say that it is only needed to access bootscreen and is not very important for firmware update. However, after bootchime, the superdrive cover does not open and I boot directly to the desktop, so the firmware does not flash. What is your advice?
It should work without an EFI videocard to my experience. You don't get to see anything on the screen but the drive opens and after waiting, the system will eventually reboot. Maybe try to clear PRAM?
@@jensdbe I tried all methods. I did both soft and deep reset of NVram, I did SMC reset, even after efi firmware update, I turned off the device, removed the GPU and then pressed the power button, but again the result is the same. By the way, just in case there is a clue, the BOOT ROM version is MP41.0081.B07. SMC version 1.39f5. But unlike yours, it says "Mac Pro" about this Mac, so it does not say mid 2009 or early 2009. There is no wifi card in the device. It has 3 gb ram. El Capitan was clean installed on 250 Gb HDD. Some people had the same problems even with the GT 120 or HD 5770 GPU that came with the device. Any advice I need a lot of help. For 2 weeks this has been bothering me.
I would try booting a LOWER os than the 144 firmware is in, THEN upgrade on that machine to the OS that the 144 firmware came with so then it might 'see' the old version.@@azimm_music
not powering up anymore
top
How do you even afford all these pcs 😭😭
I often get stuff from auctions and most of these are far from new so not extremely expensive. For this one, I think I paid around €150 + €35 for the CPUs and around €50 for SSD and adapter.
@@jensdbeim going to buy 4,1 2,26 GHz X2 and an gt120 no HDD for 150€ is the price ok ? Because I bought an 1,1 2 years ago for 25 and an 3.1 for 30 but sold it for parts because it had extremely strange issues
Now put in 8 dimms of 16gb and get 128gb of ram.
It would be better to only use 6 DIMMs as the CPUs support triple channel. Having 4 per CPU results in a small performance penalty.
But still, even 96GB of RAM, for most of what you would do with the available CPU power, except maybe running some VMs, is probably overkill.
@@jensdbe Since I will be using a professional Protools system. A session can then live completely in Ram and thus be fast.
Just ordered two x5675 cpu’s for this purpose.
@@jensdbe That's what I did. 96 GB. I use it for running VST plugins on Logic. Works great.
Can upload the files to make the process of turn It from 4.1 to 5.1? Please thanks