PC vs MAC CPUS, cross compatable?

[Atnevon]

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]

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

[Atnevon]

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

[Error 404]

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

[beyond_amusia]

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]

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]

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

[DanTheBanjoman]

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]

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]

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]

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 :D

[Atnevon]

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]

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 (http://www.bit-tech.net/news/2008/05/14/msi-to-offer-free-efi-bios-update-in-july/1)