PC vs MAC CPUS, cross compatable?

Atnevon · May 27, 2008

So, I got into an argument with a Mac user the other day, and both of us got a question mark over our heads when we got to the CPUS. Now, My rig has the q66 in it, and I read that the macs use Xeon 771 sockets for some their cpus. Now, is the Xeon model in the Mac a specific to the mac, or does Apple have a quad model with a Q66 in it.

Now, I was wondering if there is a Mac with a Q66 in it, and if I could take my PC cpu, and plop in in the mac, and have it work. I'm not sure what would happen, so I guess I need the knowledge of those greater than I.

Thanks for your help TPU,
-Andrew

panchoman · May 27, 2008

doubt that a run of the mill q66 would be supported by efi

Atnevon · May 27, 2008

What is this "EFI" you speak of? Is it a MAC cpu structure?

Error 404 · May 27, 2008

EFI is MAC's version of the BIOS; thats all I know though.

beyond_amusia · May 27, 2008

no, EFI is a BIOS replacement. Motherboard makers have been relutant to impliment it, but vista SP1 supports EFI natively... EFI will elminate the need for drivers once all hardware is EFI ready (I cannot name any that currently is, inxcluding Apple). Imagine how much faster Macs and PCs will be without endless drivers to load...
Infact, EFI has a GUI too, so you might be able to do basic tasks without an OS installed.

Mussels · May 27, 2008

Atnevon said:
So, I got into an argument with a Mac user the other day, and both of us got a question mark over our heads when we got to the CPUS. Now, My rig has the q66 in it, and I read that the macs use Xeon 771 sockets for some their cpus. Now, is the Xeon model in the Mac a specific to the mac, or does Apple have a quad model with a Q66 in it.

Now, I was wondering if there is a Mac with a Q66 in it, and if I could take my PC cpu, and plop in in the mac, and have it work. I'm not sure what would happen, so I guess I need the knowledge of those greater than I.

Thanks for your help TPU,
-Andrew

macs use socket 771, so in theory any socket 771 CPU will work in there (assuming the mobo has an updated BIOS/EFI)

The reverse is definately true in that a mac CPU will work in a PC board, because we all know how to update a PC's bios (i have no idea if EFI can, or even needs updates)

There is no mac with a Q6600, because thats a 775 chip. 771 is most often seen in servers, so you'd need a xeon for it.

beyond_amusia · May 27, 2008

Mussels said:
macs use socket 771, so in theory any socket 771 CPU will work in there (assuming the mobo has an updated BIOS/EFI)

The reverse is definately true in that a mac CPU will work in a PC board, because we all know how to update a PC's bios (i have no idea if EFI can, or even needs updates)

There is no mac with a Q6600, because thats a 775 chip. 771 is most often seen in servers, so you'd need a xeon for it.

I think EFI can be updated, weither via the OS, web, or other media

Deleted member 3 · May 27, 2008

Mussels said:
macs use socket 771, so in theory any socket 771 CPU will work in there (assuming the mobo has an updated BIOS/EFI)

The reverse is definately true in that a mac CPU will work in a PC board, because we all know how to update a PC's bios (i have no idea if EFI can, or even needs updates)

There is no mac with a Q6600, because thats a 775 chip. 771 is most often seen in servers, so you'd need a xeon for it.

As far as I know only the mac pro uses 771. It uses the same chipset and the likes as the PC variants. I've never seen a CPU say "for mac" either like it does with certain other parts. I'm pretty sure the CPU's are in no way locked.

Mussels · May 27, 2008

DanTheBanjoman said:
As far as I know only the mac pro uses 771. It uses the same chipset and the likes as the PC variants. I've never seen a CPU say "for mac" either like it does with certain other parts. I'm pretty sure the CPU's are in no way locked.

probably correct on mac pros. my knowledge is 2nd hand, i am spotty. The OP mentioned a 771 mac, so i went with that.

The only concern would be if the mac mobo supports the CPU, similar to how PC's have FSB/bios limitations, except that i dont think apple would release EFI updates every time intel release a new CPU.

Wile E · May 27, 2008

MacPros are built on Intel Server chipsets. 5000X was the chipset for the original MacPro, for example. Anything that 5000X supports, is supported by those MacPros.

Here's an article Anand did about upgrading one of those MacPros. It's from when they first released. It was even before Quad Cores arrived, but they threw in a couple ES quads, and it still worked fine.

http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=2832&p=1

Mussels · May 27, 2008

Wile E said:
MacPros are built on Intel Server chipsets. 5000X was the chipset for the original MacPro, for example. Anything that 5000X supports, is supported by those MacPros.

Here's an article Anand did about upgrading one of those MacPros. It's from when they first released. It was even before Quad Cores arrived, but they threw in a couple ES quads, and it still worked fine.

http://www.anandtech.com/mac/showdoc.aspx?i=2832&p=1

if EFI saves us from needing bios updates all the time... i want EFI now

Atnevon · May 27, 2008

Wow. I learned something new today. EFI sounds great as well. I hope it spreads more, and it make Vista that much more tempting to switch to.

Thank you for your help everyone, and thanks to those with great details.

kylew · May 27, 2008

Atnevon said:
Wow. I learned something new today. EFI sounds great as well. I hope it spreads more, and it make Vista that much more tempting to switch to.

Thank you for your help everyone, and thanks to those with great details.

Apparently, MSI will be introducing a new motherboard that supports EFI very soon, this year even.

Edit, Linky

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Keyboard	Keychron K4

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Motherboard	Biostar Tforce [Nvidia] 550
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Memory	2 gigs (2x1gb) of patriot ddr2 800 @ 4-4-4-12-2t
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System Name	HAL_9017
Processor	Intel i9 10850k
Motherboard	Asus Prime z490-A
Cooling	Corsair H115i
Memory	GSkill 32GB DDR4-3000 Trident-Z RGB
Video Card(s)	NVIDIA 1080GTX FE w/ EVGA Hybrid Water Cooler
Storage	Samsung EVO 960 M.2 SSD 500Gb
Display(s)	Asus XG279
Case	In Win 805i
Audio Device(s)	EVGA NuAudio
Power Supply	CORSAIR RM750
Mouse	Logitech Master 2s
Keyboard	Keychron K4

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Case	CoolerMaster Gladiator RC-600
Audio Device(s)	Onboard 5.1
Power Supply	Antec 850w with yellow racing stripes
Software	Windows 7 HP 64 bit

System Name	Cozad (Asus G60JX)
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Video Card(s)	nVidia GeForce 360M
Storage	500GB
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PC vs MAC CPUS, cross compatable?

Atnevon

panchoman

Sold my stars!

Atnevon

Error 404

beyond_amusia

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