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Hardware (WTA) graphic card for mac pro 2008

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TSychlee
post Apr 25 2016, 10:37 AM, updated 8y ago

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I have a mac pro 2008 and I would like to upgrade the graphic. Currently it is still running ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT

with below info given from apple and they seem to be not updated too.... from the lowyat hardware list I see many decent ones but I do not know which one can best fit in my rig.

My budget to upgrade the graphic is RM400-600.

Graphics cards for Mac Pro (Early 2008)
•ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
•NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT (part number 630-9191 or 630-9897)
•NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600
•ATI Radeon HD 4870, offered as an upgrade kit
Note: The Radeon HD 4870 card requires Mac OS X v10.5.7 or later.

Anyone pls shed some light. thumbup.gif

wei
post Apr 25 2016, 02:01 PM

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I hope you aware that Mac Pro uses specific card with EFI firmware, there are hacks allow using native PC card, you will need to be careful on which card that works. Good luck.
Kernkraft400
post Apr 25 2016, 02:10 PM

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If you're okay without an apple boot EFI, I have two graphics card that I recommend to work without the 6/8 pin power cables but do notice that they're of low profile cards, which means they do work for normal usage. If you're a designer or use intensive graphics, these will not be sufficient to meet your needs.

Leadtek GT640 2GB DDR3

Sapphire Radeon 6450 1GB DDR3

Or if you could obtain the cables from Ebay/Amazon, you could go for the higher end cards as high as the GT970. Do not go higher than GT970 because the processor bottlenecks the graphics card on your 3,1.

Btw, buzz me if you're willing to sell your HD2600XT smile.gif

TSychlee
post Apr 25 2016, 02:38 PM

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QUOTE(Kernkraft400 @ Apr 25 2016, 02:10 PM)
If you're okay without an apple boot EFI, I have two graphics card that I recommend to work without the 6/8 pin power cables but do notice that they're of low profile cards, which means they do work for normal usage. If you're a designer or use intensive graphics, these will not be sufficient to meet your needs.

Leadtek GT640 2GB DDR3

Sapphire Radeon 6450 1GB DDR3

Or if you could obtain the cables from Ebay/Amazon, you could go for the higher end cards as high as the GT970. Do not go higher than GT970 because the processor bottlenecks the graphics card on your 3,1.

Btw, buzz me if you're willing to sell your HD2600XT smile.gif
*
hello
appreciate your input there...
I use for some gaming like crysis, transistor, bastion, etc, as well as movies, pictures editing, running VMs to test some windows environment stuff.... these cards able to sustain?
with RM700 I can pretty get a good one I believe.

my current configuration on my mac pro
intel xeon 2 x 2.8 ghz
16gb ram
3 TB
1 SSD - system
graphic - HD2600XT

how much u wan to take if I change my card? smile.gif
Kernkraft400
post Apr 25 2016, 03:22 PM

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QUOTE(ychlee @ Apr 25 2016, 02:38 PM)
hello
appreciate your input there...
I use for some gaming like crysis, transistor, bastion, etc, as well as movies, pictures editing, running VMs to test some windows environment stuff....  these cards able to sustain?
with RM700 I can pretty get a good one I believe.

my current configuration on my mac pro
intel xeon 2 x 2.8 ghz
16gb ram
3 TB
1 SSD - system
graphic - HD2600XT

how much u wan to take if I change my card? smile.gif
*
I would be the happiest person to purchase your the HD2600XT, if its in a good condition. Just put on some anti-static bag and padding during the postage to me. How much are you selling it off?

Basically, the Mac Pro 2008 isn't designed to run Crysis at ultra/high settings. Probably can get a good 20-30 fps. But with a good card, I definitely believe a GT970, it would be playable at close to medium to high settings on your machine, with a bootcamp partition of course. For Transistor, Bastion and those configurations of games are of no problem. I'm enjoying playing Modern Warfare 3 on my 2008, with a GT640.

Your only worries, would only be the power cables to run your higher end graphics card. Apple uses a mini 6 pin. Thus, you need to find a 6pin to a mini 6pin cable, probably 2 units, depending on your graphics of choice. Just make sure, how many cables and what are the pin heads you need, then you're good to go. Amazon is your place to find such items mate. I can even link you, if you want me to depending on what types of graphic cards you're buying.

*Typing from a similar mac to yours* smile.gif
TSychlee
post Apr 28 2016, 09:30 AM

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QUOTE(Kernkraft400 @ Apr 25 2016, 03:22 PM)
I would be the happiest person to purchase your the HD2600XT, if its in a good condition. Just put on some anti-static bag and padding during the postage to me. How much are you selling it off?

Basically, the Mac Pro 2008 isn't designed to run Crysis at ultra/high settings. Probably can get a good 20-30 fps. But with a good card, I definitely believe a GT970, it would be playable at close to medium to high settings on your machine, with a bootcamp partition of course. For Transistor, Bastion and those configurations of games are of no problem. I'm enjoying playing Modern Warfare 3 on my 2008, with a GT640.

Your only worries, would only be the power cables to run your higher end graphics card. Apple uses a mini 6 pin. Thus, you need to find a 6pin to a mini 6pin cable, probably 2 units, depending on your graphics of choice. Just make sure, how many cables and what are the pin heads you need, then you're good to go. Amazon is your place to find such items mate. I can even link you, if you want me to depending on what types of graphic cards you're buying.

*Typing from a similar mac to yours* smile.gif
*
hey mate
not sure if I would want to sell it, thinking to keep as spare in case my new graphic is dead.... smile.gif
just check on the price for GT970, price is steep and do you know any other that best suit with cost lesser than RM700?
between, what is your current configuration?
Kernkraft400
post Apr 28 2016, 01:13 PM

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Mac Pro 3,1

2 x 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon

16 GB 667 MHz DDR2 FB-DIMM

NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 2047 MB

It all depends on whether you want a low profile card or a powered card. I can practically say any Nvidia cards would work if you have the web drivers enabled before you perform the switch. So, for less than 700, I reckon you should get a GTX 760 (link: http://blog.greggant.com/posts/2014/10/04/...-2008-mac.html) or if you prefer, R9 270.

Anything higher than these would be useless, as the processor bottlenecks the card. But if you have money to burn, go ahead and get the higher cards smile.gif
TSychlee
post Apr 28 2016, 03:22 PM

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QUOTE(Kernkraft400 @ Apr 28 2016, 01:13 PM)
Mac Pro 3,1

2 x 2.8 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon

16 GB 667 MHz DDR2 FB-DIMM

NVIDIA GeForce GT 640 2047 MB

It all depends on whether you want a low profile card or a powered card. I can practically say any Nvidia cards would work if you have the web drivers enabled before you perform the switch. So, for less than 700, I reckon you should get a GTX 760 (link: http://blog.greggant.com/posts/2014/10/04/...-2008-mac.html) or if you prefer, R9 270.

Anything higher than these would be useless, as the processor bottlenecks the card. But if you have money to burn, go ahead and get the higher cards smile.gif
*
will this - ASUS GT740 DUAL FAN OC 2GB work then since it is also NVidia card?
Kernkraft400
post Apr 28 2016, 05:47 PM

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QUOTE(ychlee @ Apr 28 2016, 03:22 PM)
will this - ASUS GT740 DUAL FAN OC 2GB work then since it is also NVidia card?
*
It should! I think the mac pro will recognize it once you have the web drivers installed before the upgrade. The best way to try it before purchase. If it boots to black screen, and after 5-10 solid seconds, you should be at your login screen/desktop. Does the GT740 require power cables?
TSychlee
post Apr 29 2016, 09:51 AM

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QUOTE(Kernkraft400 @ Apr 28 2016, 05:47 PM)
It should! I think the mac pro will recognize it once you have the web drivers installed before the upgrade. The best way to try it before purchase. If it boots to black screen, and after 5-10 solid seconds, you should be at your login screen/desktop. Does the GT740 require power cables?
*
hey
after few consideration over the boot screen, EFI mode etc....i decided to for ATI HD5770 which runs best on all mac pro model
smile.gif
placed an order at eBay and item will be received next week only...
biggrin.gif biggrin.gif
Kernkraft400
post Apr 29 2016, 10:06 AM

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QUOTE(ychlee @ Apr 29 2016, 09:51 AM)
hey
after few consideration over the boot screen, EFI mode etc....i decided to for ATI HD5770 which runs best on all mac pro model
smile.gif
placed an order at eBay and item will be received next week only...
biggrin.gif  biggrin.gif
*
That's a good and safe choice, mate. But do know that the HD5770 is not a powerful card. Cheers. Still, do let me know if you're selling your HD2600XT, since your HD5770 has EFI already, so you don't need it. tongue.gif
TSychlee
post May 6 2016, 06:32 AM

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QUOTE(Kernkraft400 @ Apr 29 2016, 10:06 AM)
That's a good and safe choice, mate. But do know that the HD5770 is not a powerful card. Cheers. Still, do let me know if you're selling your HD2600XT, since your HD5770 has EFI already, so you don't need it. tongue.gif
*
smile.gif
let me think over and get back to you
between, what is the best arrangement for memory
mine is like this
Attached Image
Attached Image
Kernkraft400
post May 6 2016, 09:44 PM

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QUOTE(ychlee @ May 6 2016, 06:32 AM)
smile.gif
let me think over and get back to you
between, what is the best arrangement for memory
mine is like this
Attached Image
Attached Image
*
Mine is like this:

The reason is because it is advisable to keep the RAM modules to be of the same brand/config/size. I would recommend you to use all 4gbs on both riser bays if you have the allocation smile.gif
But even your configurations now are highly good. You managed to zig zag them in between, which is good. Mine is as attached. (All of the same config on both riser A and B for stability)




Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
TSychlee
post May 6 2016, 11:45 PM

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QUOTE(Kernkraft400 @ May 6 2016, 09:44 PM)
Mine is like this:

The reason is because it is advisable to keep the RAM modules to be of the same brand/config/size. I would recommend you to use all 4gbs on both riser bays if you have the allocation smile.gif
But even your configurations now are highly good. You managed to zig zag them in between, which is good. Mine is as attached. (All of the same config on both riser A and B for stability)
*
yeah...before this it was 1,1,4,4 on top and 1,1,4,4 at below....
searching few articles still couldn't find the one that best describe my condition on how to fit the current memory i have
hope it is not really a matter....
thumbup.gif thumbup.gif
TSychlee
post May 13 2016, 07:32 PM

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QUOTE(Kernkraft400 @ Apr 29 2016, 10:06 AM)
That's a good and safe choice, mate. But do know that the HD5770 is not a powerful card. Cheers. Still, do let me know if you're selling your HD2600XT, since your HD5770 has EFI already, so you don't need it. tongue.gif
*
bro
i have installed the card, but the efi driver shows NO EBAY!!
what does that mean?
Attached Image
Kernkraft400
post May 14 2016, 12:53 AM

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QUOTE(ychlee @ May 13 2016, 07:32 PM)
bro
i have installed the card, but the efi driver shows NO EBAY!!
what does that mean?
Attached Image
*
It must have been a custom rom name, created by the company or person you bought it from to display the apple boot efi. It shouldn't be a problem if it works as you'll get your bootscreen anyways smile.gif

All I can see is that I you're OCD like me, you must flash it yourself to acquire a proper apple rom name. But that requires hard work tongue.gif
TSychlee
post Jun 24 2016, 09:54 AM

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QUOTE(Kernkraft400 @ May 14 2016, 12:53 AM)
It must have been a custom rom name, created by the company or person you bought it from to display the apple boot efi. It shouldn't be a problem if it works as you'll get your bootscreen anyways smile.gif

All I can see is that I you're OCD like me, you must flash it yourself to acquire a proper apple rom name. But that requires hard work tongue.gif
*
bro
my power supply seems to be having some issue...when i turn it on, it gives me some noise and power off itself.
not sure if it is motherboard...
Kernkraft400
post Jun 24 2016, 10:05 AM

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QUOTE(ychlee @ Jun 24 2016, 09:54 AM)
bro
my power supply seems to be having some issue...when i turn it on, it gives me some noise and power off itself.
not sure if it is motherboard...
*
Power off itself down? Hmmm, that's weird. When you use the computer these past days? Were there any increments of temperature rising? Did you notice any slow down or lag especially with multiple rainbow spins? It's pretty early to tell, but sounds like a processor error right there. Tell me more symptoms before we can diagnose the problem.
TSychlee
post Jun 24 2016, 10:13 AM

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QUOTE(Kernkraft400 @ Jun 24 2016, 10:05 AM)
Power off itself down? Hmmm, that's weird. When you use the computer these past days? Were there any increments of temperature rising? Did you notice any slow down or lag especially with multiple rainbow spins? It's pretty early to tell, but sounds like a processor error right there. Tell me more symptoms before we can diagnose the problem.
*
one of the day i leave it run from 10pm-2am to download some torrents, i came back i saw it was off till i turn back on again. power back on and it loads into the OS, then later after 1-3 minutes it gives me whining noise. i thought it was processor or memory which overloaded, i check on CPU MEM utilisation and it was very low usage at that time.
if u tend to ignore the sound, u use for surfing.... it goes off itself just like that. if memory issue it should not be just off and it will be restarting and show POST sound ma..
Kernkraft400
post Jun 24 2016, 11:43 AM

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If its the ram modules, you could see it blinks red on either or both of the bays. Do you have a temp monitor application installed like istat menus? It would be wise to check up if there are any hikes. Just in case, try to boot to safe mode (google this) on your mac pro. This is to check if the problems are either software or hardware related. If it is just software related, you will be able to boot to safe mode and repair the installation disk as needed.

If its hardware, one of the first things I would do, is to boot with your old 2600XT. See if they are any changes, let me know the progress.

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