Apple mac pro 8x User Manual

							Mac Pro (8x) Take Apart — Processors 81
Placing a finger in the notch at the front of the processor holder, pry up the processor and 3. 
lift it out of the holder.
Important: When removing or installing a processor, always hold the processor by the edges. 
Be extremely careful not to touch the gold pins on the bottom of the processor, as this type of 
connector is very sensitive to contamination. Also be careful not to touch the gold pins in the 
processor socket on the logic board. 
						

							Mac Pro (8x) Take Apart — Processors 82
Replacement Note: Before installing a new, replacement processor, remove the protective 
container covering the new processor. Transfer the container to the original processor before 
returning it to Apple.
Replacement Note: When installing the processor on the logic board, align the processor notch 
with the tab on the processor holder, as illustrated. Then lower the processor straight down onto 
the socket.
Note: Unlike in earlier Power Mac G5 computers, replacing a processor in Mac Pro (8x) does not 
require running Apple Service Diagnostic for thermal calibration.
Important: For the new processor to perform properly, the logic board must be upgraded to the 
latest version of the BootROM. You can download the latest version from the Apple support web 
site: http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/
Specifically, see KnowledgeBase article 303880, “Firmware Updates for Intel-based Macs.”
IMPORTANT:
If you are installing a 
new processor, do not 
remove it from its  
vacuum-packed bag 
until you are ready to  
install it. Be sure to  
follow all directions 
for unpacking the 
processor that are 
included in its packing 
box. 
						

							Mac Pro (8x) Take Apart — Speaker Assembly 83
Speaker Assembly
Tools
The only tools required for this procedure are a magnetized #1 Phillips screwdriver and a 
magnetized jeweler’s #0 Phillips screwdriver.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the computer, lay it on its side with the access side facing up, and remove 
the following:
Hard drives and hard drive carriers in drive bays 1 and • 2
Any 12-inch PCI Express card• s
Processor heatsink cove• r
Front fan assembl• y
Part Location 
						

							Mac Pro (8x) Take Apart — Speaker Assembly 84
Procedure
Remove the three speaker assembly mounting screws.1. 
Carefully pivot the speaker assembly a short distance away from the enclosure. 2.  
Disconnect the speaker assembly cable from the logic board. 3. 
Remove the speaker assembly from the computer. 4.  
						

							Mac Pro (8x) Take Apart — Speaker Assembly 85
If you are replacing the speaker in the assembly bracket, do the following: 5. 
• Slide the speaker cable through the opening in the speaker bracket. 
• Using a magnetized jeweler’s #0 Phillips screwdriver, remove the four mounting screws. 
Remove the speaker and cable from the bracket.6.  
						

							Mac Pro (8x) Take Apart — USB Cable 86
USB Cable
Tools
No tools are required for this procedure.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the computer, lay it on its side with the access side facing up, and remove 
the following:
Hard drives and hard drive carriers in drive bays 1 and • 2
Any 12-inch PCI Express card• s
Processor heatsink cove• r
Front fan assembl• y
Part Location 
						

							Mac Pro (8x) Take Apart — USB Cable 87
Procedure
Disconnect the USB cable from connector J201 on the front panel board.1. 
Disconnect the USB cable from connector J2D1 on the logic board. 2.  
Remove the cable from the enclosure.3.  
						

							Mac Pro (8x) Take Apart — Logic Board 88
Logic Board
Note: Every time you remove the logic board, you must also remove the two processor heatsinks. 
See special instructions for handling the heatsinks in “Processor Heatsinks” in the Take Apart 
chapter. 
Tools
The only tool required for this procedure is a magnetized Phillips #1 screwdriver.
Preliminary Steps
Before you begin, open the computer, lay it on its side with the access side facing up, and remove 
the following:
• All hard drives and hard drive carriers
All PCI Express card• s
Processor heatsink cove• r
Front fan assembl• y
Top and bottom memory cards•  with DIMMs
Memory cag• e with rear fan
Processor heatsink• s
Speaker assembl• y
USB cabl• e
AirPort Extreme card (if installed• )
Bluetooth card (if installed• )
IMPORTANT:
Do not allow the 
heatsink to be 
separated from the 
processor for more 
than 30 minutes. If you 
are ordering a new 
logic board, reassemble 
the unit while you are 
waiting for the part to 
arrive. 
						

							Mac Pro (8x) Take Apart — Logic Board 89
Part Location 
						

							Mac Pro (8x) Take Apart — Logic Board 90
Procedure
To keep them out of the way, temporarily tape the antenna cables to the bottom of the 1. 
media shelf. 
 
Important: Be sure to disconnect all cables from the logic board before you remove the 
logic board mounting screws.