2009 Mac Pro 5,1 Extreme Upgrade

My friend. Why this video doesn't have 100,000 views is astonishing. This video should win awards (multiple) for 'Best Instruction' and other categories. Between this video and using OpenCore to upgrade to Monterey, my 2010 is destroying my friend's 2019 MacPro in all numbers. I'm 6' 4" and moonlight as a bouncer but I'm almost crying. I'm so happy that the computer I love and have made so much money from can be used for a few more years. There is a reason that Apple stopped making their MacPros user upgradable. And it's because of videos like this and because of OpenCore.

I bought a Mac Pro 3.1 2008 model back around 2017. I've upgraded it a couple times over the years, and I'm just getting done with another refresh, and every time I do it, I am astonished with how well it continues to keep up with current tech. Apple did their best to phase these units out because they were too good and too reliable to convince people to upgrade to a newer model. here, 15 years later, it still keeps up.

Just a comment, your cable management and organization in that space is top drawer. Content is also exceptionally well explained. Take me to school! Subscribed.

WOW - I've been doing computers for over 40 years ... that was one of the best presentations and explanations of equipment, upgrades, reasons (thought process), etc. I don't even own this computer (have worked on them) and enjoyed the content. Thank you. Glad to see you switched to the 3 bank memory setup. I was worried about the graphics card fan airflow (still worried if using video editing or gaming, not in your application use)

Nice Roland Space Echo!

I have 2 Mac Pro mid 2012 ,6 cores 64 gigs of ram and 12 cores 128 gigs of ram,both running Monterey,RX580 and nvme raid zero Samsung 2X1tera,both are 3.46. Just bought a Mac mini M1 last year and is running Ventura. All the upgrades bought from OWC Very happy for my purchases

I did the same upgrades a few years ago apart from the NVME drives. Like you I use my machine for DAW. It's been bullet proof and have never run out of horsepower.

Thank you so much! I was looking for an affordable way to edit and create graphics, heavy content for music and film. You saved me! I’m definitely gonna build a rig now.

This exactly what I did. I need 32bit for some legacy Yamaha software for my DM1000, so I new I was going to stay with the cheese grader. Happy for you great video!

I'm in the beginnings of starting this process, watching vids on You Tube. Yours is one of the most complete ... but not spending as much as you are !! (8 x 4gb rams e.g.), the point for me is upgrade within a price that's well below buying an new machine. The tip about flashing the GPU for the Mac startup screen is useful. Thanks.

best video on this. Thank you. No flubbing around !

one of the greatest tech videos that is extremely helpful to people. Thank you fine sir.

Very nice thorough install video!! Starting my build soon and will be referencing this video repeatedly!

I did this to my 2009 4,1 quad 2.93Ghz to end up with a 5,1 hex 3.46Ghz machine with a generation faster RAM. With a boot SSD, the difference is night/day, at least. It is the heart of a large Pro Tools HD system, using a Magma host card and chassis for HD6 DSP. The speed increase, reduced power and heat, and system stability were all very satisfying and completely changed my work. The old MacPros were the end of a golden era for Apple, when visionaries built hardware targeted to the customer, rather than max profit. I’m constantly surprised how few know the gold that exists in these amazingly forward thinking computers. When I did it 6 years ago, NVME was not available for it, and I thank you for the tip on the Sonnet adaptor. I have just today watched a Thunderbolt conversion for this machine, which I had resigned myself to ‘not possible ever’ acceptance. Looking into it as I write this.

Man, this Sonnet Nvme card !!! Thanks for the video

Brilliant presentation and so comprehensive

professional presentation, great and smooth content, well done sir

I've been thinking of switching from Windows to OSX by the end of the year; coming from a computer technician background the Mac Pro seems like the logical system for me to modify and truly make my own.

This is the best video I have ever seen concerning upgrades to the Mac Pro 4,1 and 5,1. That model was in my opinion the pinnacle of computer design. Form factor, connectivity, cooling system--simple, powerful, versatile, reliable. 12 years later computing has come a long way, but the fact is that a well built 5,1 remains a valuable workhorse. I keep one dedicated to running pro tools HD 11 in my recording studio, for me it is as timeless as any great piece of analog audio gear. Twin 2.66 GHz 6-core processors, 128 GB RAM, HDX card, UAudio UAD2 quad card. Soon I will upgrade to SSD drives, 1 boot and 3 in a RAID. I find it deeply satisfying and encouraging to know there are others out there who, like me, appreciate the lasting usefulness of this great computer that was sadly (and perhaps shortsightedly) discontinued over a decade ago. I know that Apple owns the designs and calculated the business metrics of continuing or discontinuing the product according to projections of diminishing profitability, but it is such a sublime piece of hardware, one that really should have enjoyed a longer period of production and support. Thank heavens for third party solutions that continue to make owning and operating our venerable cheese graters possible.

This is an outstanding video! Super Solid in every way