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ATI 4870 in 2006 Mac Pro with 10.5.7 Update?

gugucom said:
Ah, thanks. I forgot about that little thingy. Can you specify which ROM file you use?
Click to expand...

I used the XFX XXX ROM file from Swissman's guide. Its only for XFX cards though. I don't know about VGA I'm afraid since I haven't tried it out. Some others have talked about VGA in this thread somewhere but I don't remember what the outcome was I'm afraid. :(
 
ROM was written by rihldinger...it was more than a copy & paste of Pipolomo's trick, and he should get credit for creating the only 1 Gig ROM that works on both ports.
 
I recall from that thread, that it worked at least on one other HD4870 1GB GDDR5 design. It will not do VGA (which my big screen wants) and it is a 128 k File. Rominator told me that all 4870 cards have 128 k flash EEPROMS. I was wondering which other cards would run that xfxmac.rom and if other ROM files were circulating.
 
CrescentEdge said:
Hmm. But I take it that to use the PC version one would need to flash the card? Or some other sort of modification?

I have no experience with that sort of thing and quite frankly, I will probably just get the mac one because it will work.
Click to expand...
Flashing a PC 4870 is really, REALLY easy. Just do this:

http://web.me.com/jacobcroft/4870Flash/4870Flash.html

Had mine up and running within 10 minutes from taking it out of the box.
 
Bump on jeanlain and Nadav35's question regarding the 4870's mini displayport functionality. I have a late 2007 Mac Pro that I would like to run the 24" Apple LED Cinema Display.

Also, if anyone happens to know, I'd be interested to know why Apple decided the compatibility cut-off for RAM speed was 800 MHz in the early 2008 Mac Pro, vs 667 MHz in the 2006 Mac Pro (which I have).

Thanks all.
 
I just received my HD 4870 for my 2006 Mac Pro quad 3 GHz. I got the Mac edition. I'm running two monitors - Apple 30" and 20" displays. I'm running my 20" through the mini dvi port using Apple's mini dvi to dvi connector. Everything works fine. I've already noticed a huge improvement playing L4D on max settings including AA at 2560 x 1600, and playing GTA IV. I find the card is slightly louder than the 8800 GT it's replacing, but it's not too bad.

I do kind of wish I had the extra VRam of the PC versions, but this card will do me until I have to upgrade the computer.
 
Spanky Deluxe said:
Ditto. Had my cables and cards delivered and had them both flashed and was back in OS X within ten minutes too. The longest part was waiting for the CD to burn.
Click to expand...
It's not RAM speed that is the cutoff, but the presence of PCIe 2.0 slots on the motherboard and EFI64 in the firmware; the original Mac Pro had PCIe 1.x slots and EFI32 in firmware.

But we have ATI to thank for including backwards compatibility in the card. Let's hope Apple doesn't make them take it out.
 
Mackilroy said:
That's odd... with my 8800 GT I never got framerates lower than 55 or so when I played WoW. I don't play anymore, so I can't go back and check to see if something changed (I played after the update that killed everyone's framerates) now.
Click to expand...

Thats because the 8800GT rocks. Have one in my 2.66 box and my 2.8 08 box.

All depends on what your needs are. Check out Barefeats. The 8800 still holds its own in many areas.

Long live the 8800GT!!!!!!
 
Tesselator said:
And I would like to know if it works with dual monitors. A few people in this thread have said it should work but has anyone actually tried this yet?

And what the heck is going on anyway with all you MacPro users anyways?? I mean you've got a MacPro and are buying this card and you don't have dual displays?? I'm shocked! :p
Click to expand...

Yes, it works. I did it. Dual display on the apple 4870 on the 2006 Mac Pro. one Apple LED Cinema Display in the Mini DisplayPort connection, and one older DVI apple display in the other. All works well.
 
lethe said:
Yes, it works. I did it. Dual display on the apple 4870 on the 2006 Mac Pro. one Apple LED Cinema Display in the Mini DisplayPort connection, and one older DVI apple display in the other. All works well.
Click to expand...

Thanks Lethe! :) I'm going to order one! :D
 
Mine will be here tomorrow! Now my decision is whether to install it before or after I watch the WWDC keynote when I get home from work...
 
Nopster: yes, that is the right video card. I bought the same one for my September 2006 Mac Pro and it works perfectly!

Other random notes:

1. I did have to reset the configuration of the computer by holding down Command+Option+P+R as the screen went blank for some reason after thirty seconds.
2. The 4870 is quieter than the ATI 1900 card that my Mac Pro originally came with. It's not silent, but it's much better.
3. The 4870 also solved a strange problem I was having with my NEC 3090 monitor, where the initial grey screen with the Apple logo wouldn't display whilst the computer booted at 2560x1600. Having installed the 4870, everything is normal again.
 
I'm still waiting for a ROM that will work on the XFX4870 with VGA. I need to run my 46" Samsung HDTV in VGA to get 1:1 pixel mapping. I was wondering if there are options to edit the ROM file to work with one DVI and the second as VGA enabled. Until I get such a mod I will run my 3870 Mac & PC by ATI. With an upgrade 2 slot cooler it is also very nice.
 
gugu,

did you try the Dual DVI to VGA adapter trick?

I realize you want to have VGA AND DVI but it would be a start in right direction if you reported results of DVI adapter thing I suggested.
 
Thank you! I think i can buy it next month.


Glen Quagmire said:
Nopster: yes, that is the right video card. I bought the same one for my September 2006 Mac Pro and it works perfectly!

Other random notes:

1. I did have to reset the configuration of the computer by holding down Command+Option+P+R as the screen went blank for some reason after thirty seconds.
2. The 4870 is quieter than the ATI 1900 card that my Mac Pro originally came with. It's not silent, but it's much better.
3. The 4870 also solved a strange problem I was having with my NEC 3090 monitor, where the initial grey screen with the Apple logo wouldn't display whilst the computer booted at 2560x1600. Having installed the 4870, everything is normal again.
Click to expand...
 
Any info available on how to make your own power cables for the 4870 HD? I have the connectors but want to make sure I don't short out anything.

Thanks
 
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