2008 MacPro with ATI 5770

[Mackilroy]

As he had a 2008 Mac Pro, he had either the HD2600 XT or an 8800 GT.

 

[sauria]

As he had a 2008 Mac Pro, he had either the HD2600 XT or an 8800 GT.

Thanks! I wonder if ATI > nvidia (AMD) on video image quality like it used to be?

 

[Yukon Joe]

I replaced the 2600XT with a 5770 in my 2008 8-core MacPro. According to tomshardware.com's "Graphics Card Hierarchy" it's 11 steps above a 2600XT, which should be a noticeable improvement.

I got it mainly because I was often using 98% of my VRAM with Aperture 3. Plus, I plan to eventually get the 27" Cinema Display and wanted real display ports vs. having to buy an expensive DVI-MDP adapter.

There's lots of anecdotes online about how the 5770 has improved performance of their machine, but I'm not seeing it, not even in benchmark testing. Perhaps the OP can comment on what's faster?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Glenn

I'm not the OP, but I did move from the 8800GT to the 5770.

I have noticed two advantages. First it seems to run a lot cooler, which means the fan rarely comes on. Under load the 8800GT was very loud.

Second it has improved FPS in any games that I play.

One poster was very negative on the 5770, saying it has no business in a Mac Pro. I strongly disagree. From what I understand performance is on par with the 4870, but running with a lower pwoer draw and lower operating temps (and a lower price). It's a very strong card. Now, it's no Quadro, but then again it's 1/10th the price of one.

 

[sauria]

I'm not the OP, but I did move from the 8800GT to the 5770.

I have noticed two advantages. First it seems to run a lot cooler, which means the fan rarely comes on. Under load the 8800GT was very loud.

Second it has improved FPS in any games that I play.

One poster was very negative on the 5770, saying it has no business in a Mac Pro. I strongly disagree. From what I understand performance is on par with the 4870, but running with a lower pwoer draw and lower operating temps (and a lower price). It's a very strong card. Now, it's no Quadro, but then again it's 1/10th the price of one.

Thanks, I just pooped out the 8800GT and popped in the 5770. It is very quiet. XBench score went up 10 points.