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View Full Version : It's a little soon, but has anyone tried a 5870 in an 08 Mac Pro?



MythicFrost
Aug 10, 2010, 05:39 AM
Hey,

I'm wondering if anyone has taken the plunge and tried the 5870 or 5770 in an 08 Mac Pro? I know it's early, but I thought I'd ask anyway, I am eagerly awaiting the answer!


Cindori
Aug 10, 2010, 08:45 AM
It will work.
MythicFrost
Aug 10, 2010, 08:53 AM
Good!
Courthold
Aug 10, 2010, 09:29 AM
Someone's answered (incorrectly I would assume, seeing as people have got 5870's already running) on the uk store page for the card:


The wiki page for this card says that it requires a PCIe 2.1 slot. The Mac Pro 2008 model is only PCIe 2.0.


No idea where they got that from, but hopefully someone can answer on the store correctly too so that people know they have the option to upgrade.
Cindori
Aug 10, 2010, 09:44 AM
PCI Express is cross compatible. a 2.1 card will work in a 1.0 slot.
alphaod
Aug 10, 2010, 10:07 AM
It'll work; just don't expect any help from Apple should anything go wrong. That's how Apple does it—if it's not listed as compatible on their website (even if it does work), Apple will not provide support for your configuration.
adr1974
Aug 10, 2010, 11:13 AM
PCI Express is cross compatible. a 2.1 card will work in a 1.0 slot.

Hey Cindori -- do you have any idea if the mdp audio will be an issue?
twinturbov6
Aug 10, 2010, 11:39 AM
If the 5870 is not fully supported by Apple in the 2008, will it then underperform heavily as it won't be optimized?

If it won't work or underperform there should be a class action lawsuit! :mad:
Mackilroy
Aug 10, 2010, 11:52 AM
If the 5870 is not fully supported by Apple in the 2008, will it then underperform heavily as it won't be optimized?

If it won't work or underperform there should be a class action lawsuit! :mad:
There's no optimization to be done. It will work exactly the same. Nonissue.
Cindori
Aug 10, 2010, 12:07 PM
the only difference between PCIE 1.0, 2.0, 2.1 etc is the speed. It's still PCIE. Just different gigabits per second.
The PCIE 2.1 on the 5870 is simply what is supported, not what is required.

A 5870 can be a little restrained by PCIE 1.0 and lose about 1% performance in heavy games.

PCIE 2.0 is the same speed as 2.1.
Owyn
Aug 10, 2010, 08:14 PM
The 5870 is showing "Currently Unavailable" on the apple store. :(

I do have a 2008 mac pro although from what I've read it should work, and I'm going to order one and just try it. But I can't!

I know nobody can answer this question, but when are they actually going to be available for order?