Building a MacPro, Yes, a MacPro not a Hackintosh Options

[nagal]

Yeah the LGA 771 Xeons are not cheap but that is the price you pay to be able to use multiple processors. Since you only want a QuadCore I think you can get away with using a single QuadCore Xeon. That should drop the cost a bit. I say *I think* because I know the 5000X chipset supports using a single processor even in a dual processor board but I do not know if Apple did anything in their firmware to make that not work.

[Harloe]

Hmm I'd be safer buying 2 Dual Cores.. just for like precaution

Just took a look on that PCBuyIt site and it has 2.66GHz processors and 2.830GHz processors. The 2.830GHz processor is cheaper than the 2.66GHz one, what's the difference?

[nagal]

Hmm I'd be safer buying 2 Dual Cores.. just for like precaution

Just took a look on that PCBuyIt site and it has 2.66GHz processors and 2.830GHz processors. The 2.830GHz processor is cheaper than the 2.66GHz one, what's the difference?

Can you post model numbers? Intel does not list a 2.83 GHz Dual Core. There is a 2.83 GHz Quad Core but no one knows right now if that is going to work in the older logic boards.

[Harloe]

Ah right. I'll just stick with the expensive 2.66's lol thanks Nagal.

Next stop, selling things on eBay =P

[digitalperformer]

Hey guys... just got my applepalace delivery.... ohhh soo happy... Could someone please do me a favor and trace out the PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4 power supply extention cables ( cables in line between Power Supply and Logic Board ); need to know if points on connector to connector correspond (Multimeter would be best / Visual ok); I am somewhat appauled that these cables cost 50+ on retailers site... Let the build begin... Lets DO IT!!!!! Thank you very very very very much you guys.... This forum is the best!!!!!!!!

[nagal]

Hey guys... just got my applepalace delivery.... ohhh soo happy... Could someone please do me a favor and trace out the PS1, PS2, PS3, PS4 power supply extention cables ( cables in line between Power Supply and Logic Board ); need to know if points on connector to connector correspond (Multimeter would be best / Visual ok); I am somewhat appauled that these cables cost 50+ on retailers site... Let the build begin... Lets DO IT!!!!! Thank you very very very very much you guys.... This forum is the best!!!!!!!!

I will do my best to get that done tonight but cannot make any promises as I tried to get it done this weekend as well but started a new song in Logic so my free time disappeared very rapidly.

[digitalperformer]

Nagal... thank you. Anything you can do is very much appreciated. Ok guys, Mac Pro Power Supply exact label specs and description: Ordered stock number #661-4309 ***Delta Electronics Inc. Model: DPS-980AB B Rev:00F Apple Part Number:614-0407 Input 100-240VAC, 50-60Hz, 12-5A Output: [V1 +12.0VDC / 18.8A] [V2 +12.0VDC / 18.8A] [V3 +12.0VDC / 16.5A] [V4 +12.0VDC / 12.8A] [V5 +12.0VDC / 18.0A] [V6 +12.0VDC / 11.0A] [SB +5.0VDC / 5.0A] [Max Total Continuous Power is 980W Power Supply has four molex male connector wire bundles.]*** [Bundle J1: 10 pin (16 AWG wire, 300V insulation resistance) Bottom Row: 1, 2, 3 (empty slot / plugged), 4, 5 Top Row: 6, 7, 8 (empty slot / not plugged), 9, 10] [Bundle J2: 10 pin (16 AWG wire, 300V insulation resistance) Bottom Row: 1, 2, 3 (empty slot / not plugged), 4, 5 Top Row: 6, 7, 8 (empty slot / plugged), 9, 10] [Bundle J3: 12 pin (16 AWG wire, 300V insulation resistance) Bottom Row: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 Top Row: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12] [Bundle J4: 10 pin (22 AWG wire, 300V insulation resistance) Bottom Row: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 Top Row: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]. Bundle J1 connects to PS1 bundle to logic board. Bundle J2 connects to PS2 bundle to logic board. Bundle J3 connects to PS3 bundle to logic board (Main Board Power). Bundle J4 connects to PS4 bundle to logic board. This Power Supply Data Matrix will be amended in the upcoming days when I take it apart and measure pin voltages. Sorry for the sloppy look, couldn't maintain the proper text format will redo and attach in later entry as pdf.

[Harloe]

I will do my best to get that done tonight but cannot make any promises as I tried to get it done this weekend as well but started a new song in Logic so my free time disappeared very rapidly.

I didn't know you did music, nagal.. =O Now you're even more inspirational. You gonna be recording on the Mac Pro? What type of music do you do?

[nagal]

Well depending on your definition of music determines whether or not what I do is really music Everything I have done so far is sequenced with Virtual Instruments. Someday if I actually manage to finish a song I will record some vocal, God help everyone then. If you want to hear some of the stuff (all rough cuts unfinished) you can check out it out here http://www.myspace.com/digthespace

The new thing I am working on is not there yet. I decided I am going to hold off posting it until its actually done. It seems once I post a song, I can not get back into the groove to finish it.

Actually, the whole reason I started with OSx86 was to try out Logic. As you can see, it stuck A Dark Place and Tearing Me Down were done with Logic 8 with Angels and Deadwood were Cubase 4 (pre OSx86).

[teknojunkie]

So are you officially done with yours

[nagal]

So are you officially done with yours

No but very close. The last thing I want to get working is some CPU heat sink sensors. I ordered some MMBT3904 from Mouser (the link is a few pages back) to construct some sensors based on the SMSC document newtech linked to. They are going to arrive today or tomorrow and hopefully that will do the trick. It is not major to get them working but I would like to put the Apple OEM fans back in.

[digitalperformer]

Nagal, sorry to ask of you so much but if you have time could you try to boot off of FP_USB (2.5 inches NorthWest of CPU socket A). It's a SATA male on the Logicboard. I'm really curious if it would work as a SATA port. Thanks dude... hit me up if I can help you with anything audio / video recording - computer wise... Have a fine collection if you get my drift.

[nagal]

Nagal, sorry to ask of you so much but if you have time could you try to boot off of FP_USB (2.5 inches NorthWest of CPU socket A). It's a SATA male on the Logicboard. I'm really curious if it would work as a SATA port. Thanks dude... hit me up if I can help you with anything audio / video recording - computer wise... Have a fine collection if you get my drift.

No you cannot boot off that as it is not a SATA port. The plug is the interconnect to the Front Panel Assembly. I catch your drift and thanks but I am good in that department. I find TOO much choice hinders my work flow.

[nagal]

Okay got the PSU cabling pinned out. First some VERY IMPORTANT stuff.

1. This pinout is CONNECTOR to CONNECTOR. Not Connector to Jack
2. I ALWAYS count the top left pin as 1 with the top row directly below the key.
3. For ME the key is the little plastic piece on the connector that is used to latch or lock the connector to the jack
4. XX is used to show no connection in that plug
5. KK is used to show where the key is
6. Layouts are shown as if you are looking at them directly with the Key pointing AWAY from you.
7. All of the PSU connectors had Male Pins while all the logic board connectors had Female pins
8. Every key was always dead center of the connector.

Let the fun begin

PSU #1 connects with the jack labeled V6 down by the memory risers. There are 2 jacks there but only one seemed to be labeled. V6 is the one CLOSEST to the logic board edge.

PSU #1 lay out.
------KK
01 02 XX 04 05
06 07 XX 09 10

V6 PLUG Layout
------KK
01 02 XX 04 05
06 07 XX 09 10

V6-01 -> P1-05
V6-02 -> P1-04
V6-04 -> P1-02
V6-05 -> P1-01
V6-06 -> P1-10
V6-P7 -> P1-09
V6-09 -> P1-07
V6-10 -> P1-06

PSU #2 connects with the jack labeled V2. This is across from CPU Socket #2 by the long thin heat sink

PSU #2 Layout
------KK
01 02 XX 04 05
06 07 XX 09 10

V2 PLUG Layout
------KK
01 02 XX 04 05
06 07 XX 09 10

V2-01 -> P2-05
V2-02 -> P2-04
V2-04 -> P2-02
V2-05 -> P2-01
V2-06 -> P2-10
V2-P7 -> P2-09
V2-09 -> P2-07
V2-10 -> P2-06

PSU #3 connects with the jack labeled V5. This is the one right by the IPass connector, IDE jack

PSU #3 layout
--------KK
01 02 03 04 05 06
07 08 09 10 11 12

V5 PLUG layout
--------KK
01 02 03 04 05 06
07 08 09 10 11 12

V5-01 -> P3-06
V5-02 -> P3-05
V5-03 -> P3-04
V5-04 -> P3-03
V5-05 -> P3-02
V5-06 -> P3-01
V5-07 -> P3-12
V5-08 -> P3-11
V5-09 -> P3-10
V5-10 -> P3-09
V5-11 -> P3-08
V5-12 -> P3-07

PSU #4 connects with the 2nd smaller jack near the memory raisers. I saw no label for it but it is the one CLOSEST to the memory raiser slot.

PSU #4 Layout
------KK
01 02 03 04 05
06 07 08 09 10

Unlabeled PLUG layout
------KK
01 02 03 04 05
06 07 08 09 10

UL-01 -> P4-05
UL-02 -> P4-04
UL-03 -> P4-03
UL-04 -> P4-02
UL-05 -> P4-01
UL-06 -> P4-10
UL-07 -> P4-09
UL-08 -> P4-08
UL-09 -> P4-07
UL-10 -> P4-06

I cannot stress ENOUGH that I measured CONNECTOR to CONNECTOR. Pin orientation will change when going to the jack.

[Harloe]

Nagal, just a quick question about the case. I have found Mac Pro cases and I am just wondering does it matter what sort of logic board you put into the case? Like are there specific cases for the quad core capable Logic Board?

Thanks =]

[nagal]

Nagal, just a quick question about the case. I have found Mac Pro cases and I am just wondering does it matter what sort of logic board you put into the case? Like are there specific cases for the quad core capable Logic Board?

Thanks =]

I do not think it matters. My case is the older Octo Core case and both logic boards I used fit with out problem.

[Harloe]

Sweet thanks, I've found a bargain =D £100 for a case. I just wanna see if it comes with all the inner casings!

[nagal]

Doh! I had a major brain fart. My case is the older OCTO core as in before 2008. No idea why I wrote Quad.

[newtech]

Mac Pro 1,1 enclosure 922-7346

Mac Pro 2,1 enclosure 922-8000

Mac Pro 3,1 enclosure 922-8493

[digitalperformer]

nagal awesome work!!! You're the man!!! A little confusion, in essence the four bundles of cables are just extenders from the power supply's connectors to the logic board receptacles; for example pin # 1's wire from the power supply will correspond to pin one of the receiving MLB receptacle, as if it was directly plugged into the logic board without the bundle extender. I was thinking of saving 200 bucks by extending the power supply leads by splicing longer wires in between the PS and the immediate connector; applepalace rapes on frickin simple 12 and 10 conductor molex connectors and wires; $49-54 per bundle... OHHHH Please... $2 for a pair of those molex connectors and wire is practically nothing; I think I'll make those bundles and sell them for cost and shipping... I hate consumer raping!!!! I'm really happy that there is so much interest in building genuine mac pros... I've been reading very encouraging entries and admire the ambition. I'm half-way complete with parts purchases, and ultimately strive to show that it's possible to assemble a fully functional mac-pro (not a hackpro but custom) that undercuts a retail model ($3033.00 after taxes) of equivalent specs for $1000-$1200 less. If you own a mac-pro, and aren't intimidated by looking inside your tower, please help in the quest for knowledge by posting closeup photos, descriptions; if possible simple circuit reverse engineering with a multimeter ( Like Nagal's great reference on the Power Supply) to simplify a circuit i.e front panel board... I'll do my best to do same but I'm trying to limit my purchases to essential mac components necessary to get the computer to function. My contributions will be based on substitutable components. Thanks everyone!

My Mac Logic Board ver 2 (MacPro 2,1) Octo dates 2007... # 667-4307