Guaranteed compatible upgrades for:
Apple Mac Pro (MacPro5,1) Mid 2010 2.4GHz 8-Core
System Specifications
Maximum Memory:
- 32 GB (Apple)
- 96 GB (RamCity lab tested and approved)
- 128 GB (with boot-camp and 64-bit Windows or Linux only)
Expansion:
- 8 Sockets (4 sockets per processor)
Standard Memory:
- 6GB (Removable)
CPU/Chipset:
- Dual Intel Xeon Quad Core 2.4 GHz E5620 (Westmere) processors
Bus Architecture:
- SSD - SATA 3.5-inch, SATA 2.5-inch 9.5mm
- SSD - SATA 3.5-inch
Mfr's System P/N's:
- MC560LL/A; MC561LL/A; Z0M41LL/A
Upgrade Path:
- Single module configurations will not work. At least two RAM modules must be installed. Single module configurations will not work. At least two RAM modules must be installed. Up to 96GB can be installed using 2,4,8 and 16GB modules in this model.
Comments:
- MacPro5,1 8-core 2.4 GHz 2010 Model A1289 EMC 2314
- Latest Supported OS: MacOS Mojave and above
- EFI Architecture: 64-bit
- INSTALLATION GUIDES
- - RAM upgrade guide
- - HDD/SSD upgrade guide
- - PCI Express card upgrade guide (for installing a blade SSD or GPU)
- RAM Upgrade
- Up to 96GB of total RAM can be installed in this model. Single module setups will not work and there must be at least two RAM modules installed in the machine. 16GB ECC registered modules cannot be mixed with 4GB or 8GB ECC unbuffered modules. No tools are required. Follow this guide to install the RAM modules.
- High Speed Blade SSD
- For a super-high speed bootable storage solution, you can't go past a M.2 PCIe (AHCI) SSD. It's compatible in any version of MacOS and in any of the square-shaped Mac Pro models from 2006 up to 2012, and also supports dual-SSD RAID 0 configurations for even higher speeds. See the extensive review on how well these SSD's perform on barefeats.com
- Look left for the supported models of the Samsung XP941 or SM951 which, when combined with the Lycom DT-120 or Angelbird WIPX1-FWKF PCIe adapter card, allow you to install and boot one (or more) of these SSD's in a spare PCIe slot.
- To install one of these cards, see the PCI Express card install guide for more information, and checkout the DT-120 product page for an extensive video on how to populate it with a blade SSD.
- HDD->HDD
- The Mac Pro 2010 models have a 1TB 3.5-inch factory HDD with a 3 Gb/s SATA port, with 3 additional HDD storage bays. Due to the different screw hole patterns on larger capacity drives, only the 1/2/4TB WD Blue or WD Black models are compatible with the original drive sled design. However, for 2009 and later model Mac Pro's, you can purchase a replacement drive bracket which is compatible with the alternative screw hole design on larger capacity 6TB/8TB/10TB hard drives. To upgrade the existing HDD, purchase a larger 3.5-inch HDD and follow this guide to install it.
- HDD->SSD (replace or add in)
- To upgrade the factory 3.5-inch HDD to an SSD, purchase any 2.5-inch SSD. You will also need either the OWC Adaptadrive or Angelbird SSD Bay to properly adapt your new SSD to fit the Mac Pro drive sled. Follow this hdd install guide to install the SSD as the procedure is the same.
- To clone your existing OS/app setup from your old HDD to the new HDD / SSD, purchase a cloning cable or 2.5-inch HDD/SDD enclosure to connect your new SSD to your mac, (or just install it in a spare internal drive bay) then use the Super Duper app to perform the clone, then switch the drives or change the startup volume. If you don't plan to keep them installed internally, your old 3.5-inch HDD's can be housed in this 3.5-inch HDD enclosure.
- Graphics Card Upgrade
- The MacPro5,1 factory GPU is a ATI Radeon HD 5770 with 1GB GDDR5 RAM.
- A solid option for upgrading the GPU, which runs on native bare-metal drivers and is fully Majove-ready is the Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 580 8G. Make sure you buy this replacement power cable too. Note, this GPU is meant for PC (rather than a rare made-for-mac version), and will work out-of-the-box on your Mac, but you won't be able to see the EFI boot screens (if you want to run bootcamp), single user or verbose mode. To access these features, you may be able to flash the GPU with a custom Apple ROM from a windows machine. (Do this at your own risk, as it will void your warranty!)
- Instructions for flashing a Sapphire Pulse RX580 8G are here.