How to Upgrade a G5 Processor

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The Apple Macintosh G5 tower computer is somewhat like the penny-farthing bicycle: It was a major innovation of its time, but it was quickly outpaced and replaced by the next model. It took massive cooling units to keep the G5 tower running, so the computer was big. When Apple switched to the Intel processor and the Mac Pro, the company kept the same case, but used all the room inside the case for extra hard drives, two optical drives and more RAM. The G5 processor is coupled with the cooling unit, meaning that virtually any upgrade will require replacement of a major component.

Things You'll Need

  • New processor/cooling unit
  • Torx T10 screwdriver
  • Antistatic wristband
  • Shut down the Mac G5 and remove the power cord. Use a screwdriver to touch a part of the G5 to discharge electrical shocks, and wear the wristband to avoid shocking the computer yourself. Disconnect any peripherals such as a screen, hard drives or any others you have connected. If you have been running the G5, wait 10 minutes or more to work on it after disconnecting the power source. These Macs run very hot and need time to cool.

  • Raise the latch on the back of the G5 Mac to disengage the locking device for the side panel. Then, remove the side panel to expose the inner workings of the G5 tower. Beneath this metal side panel of the G5 tower is a plastic air deflector. Use the handle to remove this.

  • Look at the full-on view of the side of the G5 tower. In the rear right lower corner is the cooling and processor unit marked with two large "G5" emblems. Just to the left of this massive unit is the front fan group. Grab hold of this and pull it out straight toward you.

  • Pull out the metal cover with the "G5" markings. Do this very carefully because it is held in by a flimsy pin made of plastic. It is very difficult to lift off the cover without damaging this pin. Once you have disengaged this pin, you can grasp the left side of the cover and pull it out.

  • Remove the fan that resides in the back of the processor and cooling unit. It is held in by two plastic clamps that you must press inward at the same time you pull the whole group toward the processor and cooling unit. Then, take out the entire fan unit.

  • Loosen the eight T10 screws scattered around the face of the entire cooling unit. These do not come out of the unit, but loosening them all will release the processor and cooling unit. Lift the unit straight away from the logic board to prevent damaging it. The processor and cooling unit will still be attached with a single cable, connected in the middle. Disengage this cable.

  • Replace the entire processor and cooling unit to upgrade it. Reassemble your G5 tower by reversing these steps.

Tips & Warnings

  • You cannot upgrade to dual processors if you have a single processor because the logic board is configured for just one. You would need to remove the logic board and processor to make any such upgrade.
  • Be sure you are upgrading the processor with a compatible unit, because using a different type will not work. For example, you cannot upgrade the G5's original PowerPC processor with an Intel processor.

References

  • Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
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