How do you upgrade the processors in the "Mid-2010" Mac Pro models? How are the processors mounted?

Formally, just as it has been for earlier Mac Pro models, Apple does not state whether or not the processors in the "Mid-2010" Mac Pro line -- the Mac Pro "Quad Core" 2.8 (2010/Nehalem) and "Eight Core" 2.4 (2010/Westmere) -- can be upgraded.

However, by custom configuration, Apple offers the "Quad Core" model with a 3.2 GHz Quad Core "Nehalem" Xeon (W3565) processor for an additional US$400 or a single 3.33 GHz Six Core "Westmere" Xeon (W3680) processor for an additional US$800. Likewise, by custom configuration, Apple offers the stock "Eight Core" model with two 2.66 GHz Six Core Xeon X5650 processors for an additional US$1500 or two 2.93 GHz Six Core Xeon X5670 processors for an additional US$2700.

The memory and hard drives are designed to be upgraded by end-users, and doing so is quite simple, but Apple does not intend for one to upgrade their own processor(s). Consequently, EveryMac.com does not recommend that one upgrade the processor(s) in a "Mid-2010" Mac Pro themselves.

Nevertheless, just like the "Late 2009" Mac Pro models replaced, the "Mid-2010" Mac Pro models have the processor or processors mounted on removable processor "trays" and the processors themselves use LGA 1366 sockets, so upgrading the processor(s) is quite feasible.

Photo Credit: OWC, Inc.

Just as it is for the "Late 2009" Mac Pro models, the general procedure for the "Mid-2010" Mac Pro line is to slide the processor tray(s) out of the computer, unscrew the heatsinks with a 3mm hex key, remove the heatsinks, remove the processors, install the new processors, apply thermal paste, reattach the heatsinks, reinsert the processor tray, and close up the computer.

Ultimately, it is quite possible for one to upgrade the stock processors in the "Mid-2010" Mac Pro models with faster ones. However, even a highly skilled person should proceed with caution as this is most definitely not an upgrade for those with limited hardware hacking experience.

Site sponsor OWC offers a professional Mac Pro processor upgrade service by mail.

Also see:

• How do you upgrade the processors in the "Original/Early 2008" Mac Pro models? How are the processors mounted?
• How do you upgrade the processors in the "Early 2009" Mac Pro models? How are the processors mounted?