Upgrading CPUs of a Mac Pro to Quad Core Xeons

Disassembling 1/2
After unplugging the Mac Pro, let it cool down before starting the procedure. Start by removing the following parts:

- in red, both HD trays for HD 1 and 2.
- in blue, the graphic card. You will have to remove both screws and the PCI Express power cord, all indicated by blue arrows. You will have to twist a strap that holds the graphic card, look at the other straps located near the other empty PCI Express slots.
- in green, both daughter cards holding RAM modules. Pull them out of their slots slowly but firmly.

You then need to remove 4 screws holding the case where the daughter cards were located.

Once removed, the case can then be slide to the right, making it possible to extract the part covering the heatsink by rocking it as indicated on the photo. Proceed slowly and look carefully at how it is assembled.

You then get access to 2 large heatsinks.