Don't think you can do 5870 x 2 without some work since it requires two power connectors.
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Apple's ATI Radeon HD 5870 Works in 2008 Mac Pro
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Don't think you can do 5870 x 2 without some work since it requires two power connectors.
'Because macs use EFI, hardware support is a bit more intricate than BIOS computers.
Both are an option, but they don't have mini display port. I have a 24" LED and was hoping to couple it with the 27" on one 5770.
The computer tested was the 2008 3.2 harpertown processor not the base 2.8. Im guessing it does not have its standard spec either a measly 2gb of ram and a 320gb drive...
it probs has 16gb of ram to the 2010 3gbs. there is no spec list apart from it is a 3.2.
Good news for 2008 owners. as i am a 2008 owner with my specs (see fig) im currently getting 12,700 in geekbench
it probs has 16gb of ram to the 2010 3gbs. there is no spec list apart from it is a 3.2.
Good news for 2008 owners. as i am a 2008 owner with my specs (see fig) im currently getting 12,700 in geekbench
Someone who has $450 to spend on an upgrade but not $2700 (low end MacPro w/ 5870 GPU). Big difference and the CPU and bus in the 2006 MacPro are plenty fast though it shipped with an anemic nVidia 7300GT.
Earlier machines (Mac Pro 1,1 and 2,1) with 32-bit bios will not be able to run ATI Radeon HD 5870, though. My guess is the slower ram in a 2008 will keep it from hitting the benchmarks you'll see in a 2009 or 2010, but it will still be a nice improvement over the 4870.
The 2008 3,1 MacPros have a 64 bit so they should be able to run those cards with the minidisplayport without any issues. One test does not make for a final scientific conclusion.
Just because some drivers had hints of this doesn't mean it's going to happen. You could keep holding out for it though if you really want.
Oh my. That is good news. I'm exited to look at the BF data, but this sounds like stellar news for Aperture users.
Wont be an issue as long as it uses 2 x 6 Pin connector per card (which it does)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/36197914@N08/sets/72157616169842077/
Thats the setup I did for my 4870. The only issue I came accross was no Xfire support under windows until sometime later when the 9.11 drivers came out.
Well...
I personally know a husband and wife (yes, he's a doctor/surgeon) who each bought 8-core Mac Pros primarily to play World of Warcraft (that and also to encode videos to watch on their iPads for trips to europe etc).
I'm hoping when he gets bored of the 8-core he'll sell it to me for a song but I'm not counting on it.
Who buys a Macpro to play video games
I personally know a husband and wife (yes, he's a doctor/surgeon) who each bought 8-core Mac Pros primarily to play World of Warcraft (that and also to encode videos to watch on their iPads for trips to europe etc).
I'm hoping when he gets bored of the 8-core he'll sell it to me for a song but I'm not counting on it.
Pretty cool! Seems like a bit of work though, but I guess if someone wants to do it that would work.
Apart from wanting you to upgrade your old Mac Pro to the new model...
Apple MAY have chosen not to list support for the card in the 2008 Mac Pro for power or cooling reasons.
The article doesn't say whether they did any INTENSIVE use of the card while burning the procs at full-bore.
Maybe if the 2008 Mac Pro is operating at highest power draw, then there is either a possibility of not enough power for the HD 5870, or perhaps it gets too hot and becomes unreliable?
Folks who want it will obviously be deciding on the risks (or not) for themselves.
Apple MAY have chosen not to list support for the card in the 2008 Mac Pro for power or cooling reasons.
The article doesn't say whether they did any INTENSIVE use of the card while burning the procs at full-bore.
Maybe if the 2008 Mac Pro is operating at highest power draw, then there is either a possibility of not enough power for the HD 5870, or perhaps it gets too hot and becomes unreliable?
Folks who want it will obviously be deciding on the risks (or not) for themselves.
The computer tested was the 2008 3.2 harpertown processor not the base 2.8. Im guessing it does not have its standard spec either a measly 2gb of ram and a 320gb drive...
it probs has 16gb of ram to the 2010 3gbs. there is no spec list apart from it is a 3.2.
Good news for 2008 owners. as i am a 2008 owner with my specs (see fig) im currently getting 12,700 in geekbench
i'd like to know how you are getting that GB when i have a similar machine Early '08 2x2.8 14GB Ram, ATi 4870, 1TB Black Caviar and I get 10500
Hmmm don't think heating is an issue. I have the 4870 in my 8 core 2008 3,1 Pro and it takes the same power, same space - aside from the additional minidisplayport and double the memory and GPU chip, there should be no reason for it too "run too hot". Running Final Cut Pro and Illustrator on my system with 8GB RAM barely taxes my cores, unless I'm working with high-def. My processors don't go beyond 40 degrees C, fans running and all.
Yeah, ditto. On my MacPro3,1 2.8 Core with 8GB RAM, ATI Radeon HD4870, two 24" displays, 4 1TB SATA HDDs ranks 11200, 11500 once. RAID systems obviously make a huge difference.
"The 2008 model is faster!!"
This makes a point I have been making for about 3 years now. We have arrived at an I/O and human interface limit for single station desktops and laptops.
The next thing is new uses and capabilities and leveraging local interfaces to massive CPU capacity (client-server).
Once a game is fast it is fast. At some point it is "fast enough". Apple is on that crippleware bandwagon with video, declaring 720p video "good enough". If they freeze 720p in the ether, at some point in the next year or two does it becomes practical for 'MILLIONS OF USERS" to stream, download, or merely play locally, 720p simultaneously?
I am a midnight download, day play advocate.
I "hate" streaming.
Rocketman
So basically systems have "plateaued" with regards to consumer and prosumer markets (excluding servers) and the next step is advancements in UI's and how to improve and make gains in HOW systems are used? Makes sense.
I've always thought geeks/techies like us just want faster/better/more to show off, kinda like car racers with their supped up rides. In the end, does the average user need a 12-core 32GB RAM system with eight displays? No. However making strides in interfaces, making current systems more energy efficient, streamlining software to improve performance, space and power consumption, all these factors are the next step. At some point, until an OS NEEDS faster systems, the benefits of more power aren't necessary (for a while I'm certain).
Sure there may be extreme examples, such as HD video rendering, but that's a SMALL market niche. Someone once commented that Jobs went from touting "blazing fast speed" when introducing new power systems to other non-speed related factors. I believe this reflects Apple's intent, in focusing on improvements in existing hardware through software and UI advancements.
Quote from the Apple Store:
"Compatibility:
* Requires Mac Pro (Mid 2010) or Mac Pro (Early 2009) with PCI Express 2.0 slot"
To me, that means Apple is saying it will only work with the 2009 or 2010 Mac Pros, ie. it will not work in anything else. I don't know where everyone is getting this "supported" terminology.
What Apple states isn't necessarily the case. For example, the GT 120 that is listed as only working with the 2009/2010 models works 100% with the 2006-2008 Mac Pro's. In fact, Apple listed the GT 120 as compatible with the 3,1+ 2008 Mac Pro's but for some reason mysteriously removed that specification.
Again, just because Apple states it doesn't mean it doesn't work. If you know the hardware and specs enough, you'd understand that there is no reason the hardware should not work, especially as others have flashed PC BIOS based ATI counterparts with Apple EFI ROM's and they work 100% with their Mac Pro's.
Further, early tests for some have demonstrated that the 5870 in a 2008 Mac Pro does work (the dual DVI port, the minidisplay ports were not working, which may simply be a driver issue). Until the display card itself is shipped from Apple and tested in differing 2008's will we know 100%. Until then, I have a GT 120 working with an ATI Radeon HD 4870, both from Apple, running in my 2008 Mac Pro powering three mini-displayport displays and one DVI display. Interesting as Apple "claims" the GT 120 is not compatible with my Mac Pro.
I don't know where to start because that comment is so pathetically stupid.
The issue is more than just whether there is a PCIe slot but also whether the power supply can provide sufficient power to run the video card; what I'd be interested in seeing is whether the 'barefeats' people have really stress tested the video card which pushes the CPU, GPU and all the components to the max to see whether things start flaking out.
I know.
Reread my post - I wasn't arguing against whether it would actually work; I was arguing against the sentiment that Apple hasn't said they will not work.
Who buys a Macpro to play video games
Those of us who have 1 primary workstation and would rather put the money into its performance, and then occasionally game on it.
My MP is for work, but I game on it too when I have time. If I'm going to drop more money into graphics (which i have to anyway thanks to a dead 8800) I'd rather drop more money in one place, have the openCL capability and still game on it without spending the money to upgrade *2* systems.
I'll be buying a 5870 most likely, *when they start selling them* ::grr::