Apple mac pro early 2009 User Manual

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Processor Tray 121 2010-09-27
Removal
1 Press down and 
release 2 latches on 
front of processor tray.
2 Holding tray by 
latches, lift it out of 
computer.
3 Place tray DIMM side 
up on soft, clean 
cloth.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Memory DIMMs 122 2010-09-27
First Steps
Open computer, lay it 
down with access side 
facing up, and remove:
• Processor tray
Warning: DIMMs may be 
very hot. Always wait 5–10 
minutes for computer 
to cool down before 
removing or installing 
memory. 
Tools
• ESD wrist strap
Memory DIMMs  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Memory DIMMs 123 2010-09-27
Memory 
Configuration
Quad Core
Mac Pro (Early 2009) comes with a minimum of 3 GB of memory, installed as three 1 GB 
unbuffered dual inline memory modules (UDIMMs). 
DIMMs must fit these specifications:
•
Quad-core computers have four memory slots. You can install 1 GB or 2 GB DIMMs for a total of 
up to 8 GB of memory. 
You can install different size DIMMs in Mac Pro (Early 2009). However, for best performance, 
Apple recommends you install equal-size DIMMs (all 1 GB or all 2 GB) filling the slots in the 
order listed in this table.
If you haveFill these slots
Two DIMMs 1 and 2
Three DIMMs 1, 2, and 3
Four DIMMs 1, 2, 3, and 4
See also “Memory Slot Utility” below.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Memory DIMMs 124 2010-09-27
8 Core
Memory Slot Utility
Eight-core computers have eight memory slots. You can install 1 GB, 2 GB, or  
4 GB DIMMs for a total of up to 32 GB of memory. 
You can install different size DIMMs in Mac Pro (Early 2009). However, for best performance, 
Apple recommends you install equal-size DIMMs (all 1, 2, or 4 GB) filling the slots in the order 
listed in this table.
If you haveFill in these slots
Two DIMMs 1 and 2
Three DIMMs 1, 2, and 3
Four DIMMs 1, 2, and 5, 6
Six DIMMs 1, 2, 3 and 5, 6, 7
Eight DIMMs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7, 8
See also “Memory Slot Utility” below.
If you install different size DIMMs in quad-core or 8-core processor Mac Pro (Early 2009) 
computers, follow the order in the tables above. If the DIMM configuration you install doesn’t 
provide optimized performance, the Memory Slot Utility will appear on screen and recommend 
an improved configuration. To use the Memory Slot Utility again, go to /System/Library/Core 
Services.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — Memory DIMMs 125 2010-09-27
Removal
Important: When 
removing or installing 
DIMM, be careful of 
nearby heatsink fins, as 
they can be sharp. Always 
handle DIMM only by 
the edges. Do not touch 
its connectors or any 
components. 
1 Open ejectors on 
DIMM slot by pushing 
them out to the sides.
2 Holding DIMM by 
edges, remove it from 
processor board.
Note: If a black sticker 
covers barcode label on 
DIMM you are replacing, 
remove sticker before 
returning DIMM to Apple. 
(Service DIMMs do not 
include black sticker.)
Important: After re-
installing or replacing 
DIMM, use Memory 
Diagnostic LEDs to verify 
DIMM is correctly seated.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — PCI Express/Graphics Card 126 2010-09-27
PCI Express/Graphics Card
The Mac Pro (Early 2009) backplane board includes one double-wide PCI Express (PCIe) 
graphics slot and three PCIe expansion slots, for a total of four slots. The computer comes with 
a graphics card installed in slot 1. You can install additional PCIe graphics and expansion cards 
in the remaining three expansion slots. 
All four slots physically support cards of up to x16 slot width. 
Slot electrical specifications:
• Slots 1 and 2: x16 PCIe 2.0
•  Slots 3 and 4: x4 PCIe 2.0
Important:  Graphics cards from previous Power Mac G5 and Mac Pro models are not software-
compatible with Mac Pro (Early 2009) models. 
Important: Combined maximum power consumption for all four PCIe slots must not exceed 
300 W.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — PCI Express/Graphics Card 127 2010-09-27
First Steps
Open computer and lay 
it down with access side 
facing up:
Note: It may help to 
remove hard drives and 
carriers and any adjacent 
PCI Express cards before 
beginning this procedure.
Tools
• ESD wrist strap
• Phillips #1 screwdriver  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — PCI Express/Graphics Card 128 2010-09-27
Removal
This procedure explains 
how to remove a standard 
card and a card that 
includes a booster cable. 
Before you remove either 
type of card, do this:
1 Using Phillips 
screwdriver, loosen 
2 captive screws 
securing PCI bracket 
to enclosure. 
2 Remove bracket from 
enclosure.
Reassembly Note: Slide 
bracket under circled tab 
before securing screws.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — PCI Express/Graphics Card 129 2010-09-27
Note: Both standard and 
booster cards are held in 
place by a backplane 
retention bar. Steps 3 and 
4 explain how to release 
the bar.
3 Press button on PCI 
slider. 
4 Move slider to left, 
which releases the 
retention bar.
Reassembly Note: Once 
you have reinstalled the 
card, move PCI slider to 
right to secure the card.  
						

							Mac Pro (Early 2009) Take Apart — PCI Express/Graphics Card 130 2010-09-27
Standard Card
1 Holding card by top 
corners, pull it up out 
of slot.
2 Remove card from 
computer.
Reassembly Note: Align 
card’s connector with 
expansion slot and press 
down until connector is 
inserted all the way into 
slot. If you’re installing a 
12-inch card, make sure 
card engages appropriate 
slot in PCIe card guide on 
PCIe fan.
Checklist for handling card:
•