Apple's ATI Radeon HD 5870 Works in 2008 Mac Pro

[seek3r]

Just buy them from NCIX or something like that, you dont have to buy from Apple. Do you?

Well, I don't live in canada for one (NCIX being a canadian chain my google-fu tells me ).

Two, itll cost the same amount if I buy from apple as from any other B&M store, so why bother buying elsewhere unless I'm buying a bios-based card to flash?

Three, no-one has them yet, not till apple starts shipping them till re-sellers, at which point I assume apple will have them too

 

[seek3r]

Out of curiosity, did the 8800 simple stop functioning, or did a power surge get through to it?

It's on a UPS, and nothing else has dropped dead, so it looks like the card overheated and crapped itself, I pulled the heatsink off, cleaned it, and added better thermal paste, but the damage was already done. Picked up a gt120 for $70 now on ebay to tide me until the 5870s are released

 

[twoodcc]

this is good to hear. too bad they don't work on an 2006 mac pro. and what about a nvidia card?

 

[barefeats]

I tried the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (Apple Store $99) on the 6-core Westmere to connect one of the Radeon HD 5870's Mini DisplayPorts to the 30" Cinema. Nada.

The 30" Cinema's screen remains black. The "sleep" light comes on and pulsates. If it doesn't work with the 2010 Mac Pro, then I don't expect it will work with the 2008 or 2009 Mac Pro with the 5870 either.

Any ideas?

 

[coolmemin]

I tried the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (Apple Store $99) on the 6-core Westmere to connect one of the Radeon HD 5870's Mini DisplayPorts to the 30" Cinema. Nada.

The 30" Cinema's screen remains black. The "sleep" light comes on and pulsates. If it doesn't work with the 2010 Mac Pro, then I don't expect it will work with the 2008 or 2009 Mac Pro with the 5870 either.

Any ideas?

But the Dual-Link DVI port works with the 30" Cinema Display correct? I have a 30" cinema display and two 24" displays so i am wondering if that kind of setup would work. Any idea whether this would work?

 

[MythicFrost]

I tried the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (Apple Store $99) on the 6-core Westmere to connect one of the Radeon HD 5870's Mini DisplayPorts to the 30" Cinema. Nada.

The 30" Cinema's screen remains black. The "sleep" light comes on and pulsates. If it doesn't work with the 2010 Mac Pro, then I don't expect it will work with the 2008 or 2009 Mac Pro with the 5870 either.

Any ideas?

I believe the pulsating is an error message, it has a pattern to it. I looked if I had bookmarked the Apple document on it, but I had not, hopefully someone else may be able to provide the link, it might provide a little more information why it isn't working.

 

[chrisj2110]

I know many people are asking about the 2006 ... but would you want to spend $450+ on a 4 year old machine? That's 1/4 the price of a new setup.

Not all people are made of money. And its "only 1/4 the price"

I must go out and buy six new 2010 MacPros. I wish I had the money.

I will go "Hackintosh" next time. That will teach them.

this is good to hear. too bad they don't work on an 2006 mac pro. and what about a nvidia card?

No 64-Bit kernel for 2006 pro's now this....

They love making the customer hate them.

"Steve Jobs is a witch! He's an iWitch, he must be destroyed!"

I saw that episode. I thought back on it, when I found I could NOT boot into 64-bit Kernel, nor upgrade my graphics to something better.

It is the LAST dollar they get from this fool.

 

[Dr McKay]

It could be the greedy Apple Capitalist 'Buy our latest machines'. Or it could be simpler than that.

They might not have tested them in older models, so couldnt say for sure that they'd work.

 

[Evangelion]

"Steve Jobs is a witch! He's an iWitch, he must be destroyed!"

I saw that episode. I thought back on it, when I found I could NOT boot into 64-bit Kernel, nor upgrade my graphics to something better.

It is the LAST dollar they get from this fool.

oh boo hoo.

 

[proximity]

I tried the Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter (Apple Store $99) on the 6-core Westmere to connect one of the Radeon HD 5870's Mini DisplayPorts to the 30" Cinema. Nada.

The 30" Cinema's screen remains black. The "sleep" light comes on and pulsates. If it doesn't work with the 2010 Mac Pro, then I don't expect it will work with the 2008 or 2009 Mac Pro with the 5870 either.

Any ideas?

Like MythicFrost says, there is a support article on this issue: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2811 When a Cinema Display blinks, there is a chance to salvage the situation by resetting pram.

We run the 4870 in a bunch of MacPro 1,1 machines, it works flawlessly, actually a lot better than the stock x1900 that came with them. So we're very interested for confirmed information about 5770 and 5870 working in the MacPro 2006. I'm glad to hear that OWC says the 5770, but we would of course love to hear details about the 5870 and the 2006 MacPro. Please let us know as soon as you do!

 

[Kristenn]

"Steve Jobs is a witch! He's an iWitch, he must be destroyed!"

I saw that episode. I thought back on it, when I found I could NOT boot into 64-bit Kernel, nor upgrade my graphics to something better.

It is the LAST dollar they get from this fool.

What do you mean you can't boot into the 64-bit kernel? Sure you can, RTFM. The only reason you can't boot into the 64-bit kernel is PROBABLY because you don't have a 64-bit processor.

Hopefully you didn't sign up just to make troll posts while not knowing what the heck you're talking about. Because that's just embarrassing.

Also I think someone explained WHY the 2008 MP seems faster than the 2010 MP but his post must be invisible to everyone else.

 

[3282868]

"Steve Jobs is a witch! He's an iWitch, he must be destroyed!"

I saw that episode. I thought back on it, when I found I could NOT boot into 64-bit Kernel, nor upgrade my graphics to something better.

It is the LAST dollar they get from this fool.

I love that episode. When one of the men in the audience shouts "THANK GOD, THANK GOD I don't have to kill myself tomoorroooww!" when the iPhone is introduced. So funny.

So do the mini-displayports on the 5870 work with mini-displayport/displayport displays on the Mac Pro 2008 8 cores?

 

[MagnusVonMagnum]

Who buys a Macpro to play video games LOL

There aren't many other choices given the mobile/weak GPUs found in ALL other Mac models, including high-end iMacs. The only other choice IF you want to game on a Mac is a Hackintosh. Sure, iMacs can play games, but they won't come close to a true desktop GPU like these for the Mac Pro. This is why some of us think it's high time Apple offered a true consumer desktop/game box for Mac users. Why should people have to buy a PC or an XBox or whatever to play games when a Mac SHOULD be able to do so with aplomb given decent hardware and some driver updates.

 

[Umbongo]

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1002004/

barefeats has it working on a 2006 model.

 

[chrisj2110]

I'm glad for the 08 MP owners - Apple can't leave older MP owners in the dust. The whole point of forking out the extra $$$ for a scalable desktop machine is so you can put new parts in it later.

Sounds like they are trying to get folks to buy more iMacs.

I am not made of money, nor do I have a "money tree" growing in my backyard. So Apple wont be getting another cent. They can keep pulling their tricks, and lies... but it just insults my intelligence.

Time to move to Linux or FreeBSD I guess.... that is sad.

What do you mean you can't boot into the 64-bit kernel? Sure you can, RTFM. The only reason you can't boot into the 64-bit kernel is PROBABLY because you don't have a 64-bit processor.

Hopefully you didn't sign up just to make troll posts while not knowing what the heck you're talking about. Because that's just embarrassing.

Also I think someone explained WHY the 2008 MP seems faster than the 2010 MP but his post must be invisible to everyone else.

1. I did not sign up to TROLL.
2. My CPU IS 64-bit.
3. I am NOT stupid.

get your facts right before you attack me. You come across as a troll, sorry but true.

oh boo hoo.

Boo Hoo to you too bitch!!

What do you mean you can't boot into the 64-bit kernel? Sure you can, RTFM. The only reason you can't boot into the 64-bit kernel is PROBABLY because you don't have a 64-bit processor.

Hopefully you didn't sign up just to make troll posts while not knowing what the heck you're talking about. Because that's just embarrassing.

You need to RTFM too. MacPro's are all x86_64, Dont INSULT me again.

I did not insult you. you attacked first, so I attack back.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1002004/

barefeats has it working on a 2006 model.

Im glad to hear this. I had a hunch this would work, If you have the drivers of course...

My attackers on here are clueless, I found that insulting. Thank you for something intelligent.

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.

Exactly. 7300GT supports damn all! zilch. No OpenCL or anything useful like that, That is what I call anaemic, And also why I want to upgrade my card, and maybe the CPU's as well while Im at it.

 

[hbryan]

You need to RTFM too. MacPro's are all x86_64, Dont INSULT me again.

I did not insult you. you attacked first, so I attack back.

but the Mac Pro 1,1 only have a 32-bit EFI - it is why we can't run any 64-bit version of windows via boot-camp

 

[chrisj2110]

I have a Mac Pro 1,1 (bought it in 2007). I have the nVidia 7300 GT that came standard with it, which I run two 1600x1200 monitors with. At some point I plan to add a third monitor, and I'll need a second video card for that. While $450 is more than I'd like to spend, I'm not ruling it out, and the price could drop over time. I'd like to know if its possible so I could consider that as an option. If it were to work well, it might be worth it to spend a few extra hundred to boost the gaming performance of my machine. As it stands, I can't even play any of Valve's games with the 7300 GT unless I boot into Windows (lack of OpenGL support in OS X for this card), which I don't have a native install of on this machine. Gaming isn't that important to me, but it'd be nice to have.

Considering that current Mac Pro's start at $2499, it is 1/5 the price of a new setup. I have no intentions of buying a new Mac Pro any time soon. I spent what I consider a large amount of money on this machine because I expected it to last for a long time, and I expected to be able to keep it current with upgrades. It's already fast enough for what I use it for at the moment, but adding an SSD and more RAM (only have 5GB at the moment, can max out at 32GB) will make a difference.

Even if unsupported video cards do work, this situation is rather disappointing. It is looking like it makes more sense to go the Hackintosh route than a Mac Pro, because after a few years you get about the same level of support either way.

ME: Mac Pro 1,1 (bought in mid 2007). I still have the stock NVidia 7300 GT that came standard with it. I REALLY REALLY want to extend the life/usefulness of the machine as it cost me a lot of money. I chose this MacPro because of what I perceived as upgradability... (GFX, SSD's, loads of RAM, etc) I upped it to 16GB of RAM because I use AfterEffects, Maya and other 3D stuff of that kind. My old 7300GT is the bottleneck in the whole thing, Never mind installing an SSD drive or two....

but the Mac Pro 1,1 only have a 32-bit EFI - it is why we can't run any 64-bit version of windows via boot-camp

I know this. All that Apple has to do is release a firmware update. This is just wrong in my opinion.

A 64-bit capable box with a 32-bit EFI is just dumb, or do i smell greed here?

I hope this is fixed, I have complained to Apple, but in a polite way.

 

[AidenShaw]

but the Mac Pro 1,1 only have a 32-bit EFI - it is why we can't run any 64-bit version of windows via boot-camp

Some say that it can dual-boot with Win7 x64....

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2295253

Re: Windows 7 64 bit: impossible to install if you have a 1.1 MP ?

I think quite a few have done it. I have Windows 7 x64 running sweetly on a bootcamp partition in my MP 1,1 (2006), with everything working (including bluetooth). I use Parallels to run the bootcamp partition as well.

 

[Bubba Satori]

Any news on when any of the dozens of pro cards you can pop
into any pc are going to be available for the Mac PRO?

 

[barefeats]

I love that episode. When one of the men in the audience shouts "THANK GOD, THANK GOD I don't have to kill myself tomoorroooww!" when the iPhone is introduced. So funny.

So do the mini-displayports on the 5870 work with mini-displayport/displayport displays on the Mac Pro 2008 8 cores?

I tested the Mac Pro 2008 with the 5870. The MDPs work fine.

 

[barefeats]

but the Mac Pro 1,1 only have a 32-bit EFI - it is why we can't run any 64-bit version of windows via boot-camp

Correct. ATI has both 32-bit EFI and 64-bit EFI in all their Radeon GPUs. NVIDIA has chosen to put only 64-bit EFI. That's why the Radeon 5870 works in the Mac Pro and the GeForce GTX 285 does not.

 

[barefeats]

A "taste" of what I'm testing today on the 6-core Westmere...

ET:QW at 2560x1600, 4x Multisampling, High Quality:
5870 = 109 fps
5770 = 59 fps
4870 = 64 fps
GTX 285 = 84 fps

I'll have 2006 Mac Pro results for the 5870, 5770, and 4870 tomorrow night.

 

[barefeats]

Mac Pro 2008 GPUs: Radeon HD 5870 and 5770 versus Geforce 8800 and Radeon 2600

http://www.barefeats.com/wst10g6.html

 

[ManWithAPlan]

Barefeats, I read your review closely as I do all of them, great stuff. However, the question many of us need to know is can we run 3 monitors simultaneously using all 3 ports on the 5870. For instance, I run 2 of the 8800GT's right now, simply because I need to power 3 of my 24 inch Dell monitors, and for the last 2 years this has been working nicely. I'd love to get rid of the 8800GT's and save a slot in my 2008 Mac Pro, but I need to have these 3 Dell 24-inch monitors, that is not up for discussion. So, can the 5870 when installed in a 2008 Mac Pro power 3 monitors simultaneously? I don't mind using minidisplay port-to-DVI connectors, as my Dell monitors are DVI only of course. I have extra adapters sitting around so that's not an issue. I would not be running any Apple monitors at all.

Thanks again for the great reviews, and I look forward to your answer on the multi-monitor setups.

 

[coolmemin]

Barefeats, I read your review closely as I do all of them, great stuff. However, the question many of us need to know is can we run 3 monitors simultaneously using all 3 ports on the 5870. For instance, I run 2 of the 8800GT's right now, simply because I need to power 3 of my 24 inch Dell monitors, and for the last 2 years this has been working nicely. I'd love to get rid of the 8800GT's and save a slot in my 2008 Mac Pro, but I need to have these 3 Dell 24-inch monitors, that is not up for discussion. So, can the 5870 when installed in a 2008 Mac Pro power 3 monitors simultaneously? I don't mind using minidisplay port-to-DVI connectors, as my Dell monitors are DVI only of course. I have extra adapters sitting around so that's not an issue. I would not be running any Apple monitors at all.

Thanks again for the great reviews, and I look forward to your answer on the multi-monitor setups.

I think the apple support article is pretty clear on this: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4279

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To connect three DVI displays at once, you must use two Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapters (sold separately).
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These adapters are very expensive. From what I've read, on forums like this one and such, you need to have these to run three displays. I also have three displays and so would love to hear of a cheaper workaround.....if anybody finds out another option please let us know