Sapphire Launches Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition Graphics Card for Mac Pro

MacRumors · Mar 19, 2013, 01:16 PM

After previewing its Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition graphics card at CeBIT earlier this month, Sapphire Technology today officially announced the launch of the new card.

Quote:

Exclusive to SAPPHIRE, the HD 7950 Mac Edition is based on AMD's latest Graphics Core Next (GCN) architecture. This highly acclaimed architecture delivers a significant graphics performance boost for Mac Pro users in a wide range of applications including gaming, audio or video editing and content creation. For example, gaming frame rates are increased by over 200%, general benchmark performance increased by around 30% and graphics intensive benchmarks increased by as much as 300% compared with the NV 8800GT commonly used in these machines (SAPPHIRE internal data).

The SAPPHIRE HD 7950 Mac Edition is equipped with 3GB of the latest GDDR5 memory, and its Dual Asynchronous Compute Engines (ACE) deliver up to 2.87 TFLOPS Single Precision compute power. It provides hardware support for Open GL 4.2 and Open CL 1.2 as well as AMD HD3D technology and APP acceleration.

The new Mac Edition card contains a switchable BIOS that allows it to be used in either a Mac or a PC, and offers an HDMI port with 3D support, two Mini DisplayPort connectors, and a dual-link DVI port.

Newegg.com is offering the Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition for $479.99 and has posted a video overview of the new card.

Article Link: Sapphire Launches Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition Graphics Card for Mac Pro

jav6454 · Mar 19, 2013, 01:19 PM

Ohhh, shinny...

Now this makes the Mac Pro, "Pro" again.

keysofanxiety · Mar 19, 2013, 01:20 PM

Mac Pro will be released during WWDC 2013 (June 10th). Can't wait.

Peace · Mar 19, 2013, 01:20 PM

Nice card. Too bad Apple doesn't support OpenGL 4.2

92jlee · Mar 19, 2013, 01:23 PM

Any news if this will work in our ancient 1,1s with 32bit EFI?

ArtOfWarfare · Mar 19, 2013, 01:24 PM

Just out of curiosity, is there any practical way to have this work with any Mac other than a Mac Pro? (Currently all my apps in development don't call for much graphics-wise, but it seems feasible that someday within the next 3 years I might want to make something more.)

jav6454 · Mar 19, 2013, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 92jlee

Any news if this will work in our ancient 1,1s with 32bit EFI?

Theoretically it should work. Software wise... dunno.

----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtOfWarfare

Just out of curiosity, is there any practical way to have this work with any Mac other than a Mac Pro? (Currently all my apps in development don't call for much graphics-wise, but it seems feasible that someday within the next 3 years I might want to make something more.)

Yes and no. Yes because you would need a external PCIe slot with a direct connection to the Mac's motherboard. No, because in terms of space and connectivity, only the Mac Pro can.

Spacedust · Mar 19, 2013, 01:28 PM

Long screws on the back so it will fit only in slot 2.

dannyp1996 · Mar 19, 2013, 01:28 PM

Am I the only person that noticed that the Saphire badge is upside down is this is installed in a Mac Pro? Seems that the cooler shroud is simply a PC version in a different colour!

Shirke · Mar 19, 2013, 01:31 PM

That would be great for Hackintosh

tdtran1025 · Mar 19, 2013, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtOfWarfare

Just out of curiosity, is there any practical way to have this work with any Mac other than a Mac Pro? (Currently all my apps in development don't call for much graphics-wise, but it seems feasible that someday within the next 3 years I might want to make something more.)

What do u mean? If not Macpro, what Mac line would this fit in? If u have PC, Pc version is cheaper ny $100

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Thiseans new MP will retain physical form

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This means

bassfingers · Mar 19, 2013, 01:36 PM

Just out of curiosity, how does this compare to the card included in the mac pro?

Sneakz · 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shirke

That would be great for Hackintosh

Hackintosh community has had 7950/7970 up and running since last weeks 10.8.3 update.

jav6454 · Mar 19, 2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassfingers

Just out of curiosity, how does this compare to the card included in the mac pro?

4 year old card vs year old card

melgross · Mar 19, 2013, 01:39 PM

This is awfully expensive for a 7950, 3GB memory notwithstanding.

DevoAtari · Mar 19, 2013, 01:40 PM

Yeah, the "Sapphire" name on the shroud being upside down is a pretty stupid decision in my opinion.

Normally I wouldn't care, because I'm usually the guy that removes the stock cooling shrouds with anything more efficient. But I've been wanting a slick, slim, powerful and cool-running GPU for a long time now.

If this runs quiet and cool, under load, I may just buy it.

Midphase · Mar 19, 2013, 01:44 PM

Yey, time for AMD to charge Mac users an $180 penalty tax for no particular reason (the drivers are already built-into OS 10.8.3).

Makes me glad that I switched to a Hackintosh!

eva01 · Mar 19, 2013, 01:46 PM

It's cheaper on amazon incase anyone was curious. 450 with free shipping. They just don't currently have it in stock.

jav6454 · Mar 19, 2013, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midphase

Yey, time for AMD to charge Mac users an $180 penalty tax for no particular reason (the drivers are already built-into OS 10.8.3).

Makes me glad that I switched to a Hackintosh!

.... aaaand Apple doesn't charge a tax?

leman · Mar 19, 2013, 01:47 PM

Almost 60% premium for some white paint and a custom ROM?

anedwar · Mar 19, 2013, 01:48 PM

it's in my cart. just have to press buy

Getting a dog and a new graphics card while my wife is out of state.
Kids, this is what living on the edge is like when you get old.

e-coli · Mar 19, 2013, 01:49 PM

I can't be the only person who thinks these giant, power hungry, heat producing beasts are going the way of the dinosaur.

We need a graphics processing revolution similar to the ARM revolution.

HurtinMinorKey · Mar 19, 2013, 01:53 PM

Too bad everyone uses Nvidia these days...

It'll make a nice paperweight though.

BigJohno · Mar 19, 2013, 01:55 PM

EFI Boot screen?

Peace · Mar 19, 2013, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by e-coli

I can't be the only person who thinks these giant, power hungry, heat producing beasts are going the way of the dinosaur.

We need a graphics processing revolution similar to the ARM revolution.

Might want to read this then :

http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/19/n...map-volta-gpu/

Mar 19, 2013, 01:19 PM	#2
jav6454 macrumors G5 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: 1 Geostationary Tower Plaza	Ohhh, shinny... Now this makes the Mac Pro, "Pro" again. __________________ Al MacBook 2.4GHz Late '08 \| Macross Click Me
	5

Mar 19, 2013, 01:20 PM	#3
keysofanxiety macrumors regular Join Date: Nov 2011	Mac Pro will be released during WWDC 2013 (June 10th). Can't wait. __________________ Water damaged iPhone 4 with broken home button Busted PowerBook G4 1.67GHz that pops & cuts out when plugging in a battery MacBook Pro 15" which I dearly adore
	1

Mar 19, 2013, 01:28 PM	#8
Spacedust macrumors 6502a Join Date: May 2009 Location: Poland	Long screws on the back so it will fit only in slot 2. __________________ MP2009, 2x2.93 GHz/48 GB RAM/HD5870/128 GB+3x64 GB SSD RAID0/ARC-1680IX-24-4G+BBU/RME HDSPe AIO/BD-RE/ACD 23"/TC 2 TB iPhone 4S 16GB white
	0

Mar 19, 2013, 01:28 PM	#9
dannyp1996 macrumors member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Worksop, United Kingdom	Am I the only person that noticed that the Saphire badge is upside down is this is installed in a Mac Pro? Seems that the cooler shroud is simply a PC version in a different colour! __________________ 2010 13" MacBook Pro, 256GB Crucial M4, 8GB RAM; Custom Gaming Rig, AMD A8-3870K, AMD HD 6850, 8GB Corsair XMS3, Noctua NH-D14, Corsair 500r; iPad 2 32GB (non 3G), iPhone 5 16GB Black
	0

Mar 19, 2013, 01:36 PM	#12
bassfingers macrumors 6502 Join Date: Nov 2010	Just out of curiosity, how does this compare to the card included in the mac pro? __________________ "... prevent the government from wasting the labors of the people under the pretense of taking care of them" - Thomas Jefferson
	0

Mar 19, 2013, 01:20 PM	#4
Peace macrumors P6 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Space--The ONLY Frontier	Nice card. Too bad Apple doesn't support OpenGL 4.2
	10

Mar 19, 2013, 01:23 PM	#5
92jlee macrumors regular Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Cardiff, Wales, UK	Any news if this will work in our ancient 1,1s with 32bit EFI?
	0

Mar 19, 2013, 01:24 PM	#6
ArtOfWarfare macrumors 68040 Join Date: Nov 2007	Just out of curiosity, is there any practical way to have this work with any Mac other than a Mac Pro? (Currently all my apps in development don't call for much graphics-wise, but it seems feasible that someday within the next 3 years I might want to make something more.)
	1

Mar 19, 2013, 01:31 PM	#10
Shirke macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2013	That would be great for Hackintosh
	3

Mar 19, 2013, 01:39 PM	#15
melgross macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: New York City	Yikes! This is awfully expensive for a 7950, 3GB memory notwithstanding. __________________ If you say so.
	3

Mar 19, 2013, 01:40 PM	#16
DevoAtari macrumors newbie Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Los Angeles	Yeah, the "Sapphire" name on the shroud being upside down is a pretty stupid decision in my opinion. Normally I wouldn't care, because I'm usually the guy that removes the stock cooling shrouds with anything more efficient. But I've been wanting a slick, slim, powerful and cool-running GPU for a long time now. If this runs quiet and cool, under load, I may just buy it.
	1

Mar 19, 2013, 01:44 PM	#17
Midphase macrumors newbie Join Date: Jul 2011	Yey, time for AMD to charge Mac users an $180 penalty tax for no particular reason (the drivers are already built-into OS 10.8.3). Makes me glad that I switched to a Hackintosh!
	0

Mar 19, 2013, 01:46 PM	#18
eva01 macrumors 601 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Gah! Plymouth	It's cheaper on amazon incase anyone was curious. 450 with free shipping. They just don't currently have it in stock. __________________ If I go on a crazy non-sensical rant, it's the painkillers talking. If however I make perfect sense I take full credit.
	1

Mar 19, 2013, 01:47 PM	#20
leman macrumors 68020 Join Date: Oct 2008	Almost 60% premium for some white paint and a custom ROM?
	2

Mar 19, 2013, 01:48 PM	#21
anedwar macrumors newbie Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: North Carolina	it's in my cart. just have to press buy Getting a dog and a new graphics card while my wife is out of state. Kids, this is what living on the edge is like when you get old.
	40

Mar 19, 2013, 01:49 PM	#22
e-coli macrumors 65816 Join Date: Jul 2002	I can't be the only person who thinks these giant, power hungry, heat producing beasts are going the way of the dinosaur. We need a graphics processing revolution similar to the ARM revolution.
	5

Mar 19, 2013, 01:53 PM	#23
HurtinMinorKey macrumors regular Join Date: Jan 2012	Too bad everyone uses Nvidia these days... It'll make a nice paperweight though. __________________ www.carolineculler.com
	1

Mar 19, 2013, 01:55 PM	#24
BigJohno macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: SF	EFI Boot screen? __________________ Mac Pro 5,1 3.33 SSD's GTX 670, Macbook Pro 2.66, iPhone, iPad Flickr
	1

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