Apple mac pro early 2009 User Manual

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Processor, 8 Core 171 2010-09-27
4 Place frame over 
processor, aligning 
notches and making 
sure tabbed edge of 
frame faces down.   

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Processor, Quad Core 172 2010-09-27
First Steps
Open computer, lay it 
down with access side 
facing up, and remove:
• Processor tray
• Processor heatsink, 
quad core
Tools
• ESD wrist strap
• Flatblade screwdriver
Processor, Quad Core
Note: This procedure applies to the Mac Pro (Early 2009) quad-core processor configuration. For 
8-core processor configurations, see “Processor, 8 Core.”
Important: Mac Pro (Early 2009) quad-core processors require thermal grease for...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Processor, Quad Core 173 2010-09-27
Removal
Note: You can identify the 
processor by the speed 
etched on the processor 
can. You must clean off 
the thermal grease from 
installed processors to see 
the speed.
1 Release latch on 
metal processor 
holder.
Note: You may use a 
flatblade screwdriver to 
help release latch.
2 Rotate top of holder 
to open position.  

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Processor, Quad Core 174 2010-09-27
3 Lift processor straight 
up out of holder.
Important: Do not touch 
components on processor 
top or bottom. Hold 
processor only by the 
edges. 
Also be careful not 
to touch gold pins in 
processor connector on 
processor board.  

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Processor, Quad Core 175 2010-09-27
Reassembly
Important: Do steps 1–3 
with processor REMOVED 
from processor board. 
Every time you remove 
a processor, even for a 
few seconds, cover the 
processor socket with 
a connector cap. Spare 
caps are packed with 
replacement parts.
1 Using alcohol pad 
included with 
replacement part, 
clean off thermal 
grease from 
underside of heatsink 
and top of processor.
Note: You do not 
need to clean a 
new replacement 
processor...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Processor, Quad Core 176 2010-09-27
2 Using syringe of 
thermal grease 
included with 
replacement part, 
apply narrow bead of 
grease to processor 
chip (raised square on 
top of processor). 
Apply in pattern 
illustrated, using 
approximately 0.2 cc.
Warning: Do not 
apply more grease 
than recommended.
Grease must not 
overflow into 
processor connector.
3 Align processor 
notches with tabs on 
processor holder, as 
shown. Then lower 
processor straight 
down onto...

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Processor, Quad Core 177 2010-09-27
4 Rotate top of holder 
to closed position.
5 Close latch on metal 
processor holder.  

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Processor Board, 8 Core 178 2010-09-27
First Steps
Open computer, lay it 
down with access side 
facing up, and remove:
• Processor tray
• All memory DIMMs
• Processor heatsinks, 
8 core
• Processors, 8 core
Tools
• ESD wrist strap
• Phillips #2 screwdriver
Processor Board, 8 Core
Important: Every time you remove a processor heatsink, you must replace the thermal grease 
on the processor below it. See “Processor Heatsink, 8 Core.”  

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Processor Board, 8 Core 179 2010-09-27
Removal
1 Remove 9 screws.
2 Remove board from 
tray.
Reassembly Note: If you 
are installing new 
processor board, remove 
protective caps from new 
board’s processor 
connectors and transfer 
caps to original board’s 
connectors. Note that 
processor boards returned 
to Apple without 
protective caps may be 
rejected.
Warning: Be careful not 
to touch gold pins in 
processor connectors on 
board.  

Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Processor Board, Quad Core 180 2010-09-27
First Steps
Open computer, lay it 
down with access side 
facing up, and remove:
• Processor tray
• All memory DIMMs
• Processor heatsink, 
quad core 
• Processor, quad core 
Tools
• ESD wrist strap
• Phillips #2 screwdriver
Processor Board, Quad Core
Important: Every time you remove a processor heatsink, you must replace the thermal grease 
on the processor below it. See “Processor Heatsink, Quad Core.”