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EVGA GTX 285 Mac Edition
- Thread starter hadleydb
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I'd seriously doubt it.
By the time the next Mac Pro comes out there will be bigger and better video cards available.
It's too early but I'll take a guess at ATI's HD 5870 being the high end consumer card.
.
So in a few hours my GTX285 will finally arrive at my home. I am at work at this moment, and im trying to figure everything out in my head, how I will install everything etc.
So, I have the new Mac Pro 09, with the gt120.
So I read the manual, I use the CD provided with the card and install the drivers. Then I install the videocard into the mac pro, and then I update the drivers from the EVGA site.
I think this is the right way?
But I also have a few questions
My first question: Does it have any benefit in keeping the gt120, while also having the GTX285?
Second question: Is there any difference in putting the GTX285 in the videocard slot1 instead of 2? (If this is the case, I need to put the GT120 in slot 2 (i think its in slot 1 at this moment, havent changed a thing since i bought it) and then put the gtx285 in slot 1.
Third Question
How do I install it for Windows 7? I guess I just install a new driver, made for the gtx285. But I'm a bit confused as in which driver I need to download. Just the newest driver on the NVIDEA site thats for gtx285 and supports Windows? No special driver since im on a Mac? Or Do I just have to use the bootcamp drivers provided with my mac pro?
Any thing else I need to know?
Thanks!
So, I have the new Mac Pro 09, with the gt120.
So I read the manual, I use the CD provided with the card and install the drivers. Then I install the videocard into the mac pro, and then I update the drivers from the EVGA site.
I think this is the right way?
But I also have a few questions
My first question: Does it have any benefit in keeping the gt120, while also having the GTX285?
Second question: Is there any difference in putting the GTX285 in the videocard slot1 instead of 2? (If this is the case, I need to put the GT120 in slot 2 (i think its in slot 1 at this moment, havent changed a thing since i bought it) and then put the gtx285 in slot 1.
Third Question
How do I install it for Windows 7? I guess I just install a new driver, made for the gtx285. But I'm a bit confused as in which driver I need to download. Just the newest driver on the NVIDEA site thats for gtx285 and supports Windows? No special driver since im on a Mac? Or Do I just have to use the bootcamp drivers provided with my mac pro?
Any thing else I need to know?
Thanks!
So in a few hours my GTX285 will finally arrive at my home. I am at work at this moment, and im trying to figure everything out in my head, how I will install everything etc.
So, I have the new Mac Pro 09, with the gt120.
So I read the manual, I use the CD provided with the card and install the drivers. Then I install the videocard into the mac pro, and then I update the drivers from the EVGA site.
I think this is the right way?
But I also have a few questions
My first question: Does it have any benefit in keeping the gt120, while also having the GTX285?
Second question: Is there any difference in putting the GTX285 in the videocard slot1 instead of 2? (If this is the case, I need to put the GT120 in slot 2 (i think its in slot 1 at this moment, havent changed a thing since i bought it) and then put the gtx285 in slot 1.
Third Question
How do I install it for Windows 7? I guess I just install a new driver, made for the gtx285. But I'm a bit confused as in which driver I need to download. Just the newest driver on the NVIDEA site thats for gtx285 and supports Windows? No special driver since im on a Mac? Or Do I just have to use the bootcamp drivers provided with my mac pro?
Any thing else I need to know?
Thanks!
Extrapolating from doing this in an 08 with 8800:
1. You will need to also attach the PCI power cables (x2) between the motherboard and the card corner. On an 08 this is a little fiddly as board connectors in awkward corner.
2. Keeping 120 will probably do no harm, but you will not see any benefit unless you have program to access multi GPU. Even then 285 has many more cores so perhaps marginal.
3. Use latest Nvidia drivers on Windows side.
Sorry to keep being the throttling bore, but there are some posts over on the evga forums indicating that WoW can go even faster if a background Cuda app is up kicking the card into its fastest mode - the claim seems to be that WoW by default might only engage middle gear. So the card might be even faster on games once the drivers manage the power switching better.
So in a few hours my GTX285 will finally arrive at my home. I am at work at this moment, and im trying to figure everything out in my head, how I will install everything etc.
So, I have the new Mac Pro 09, with the gt120.
So I read the manual, I use the CD provided with the card and install the drivers. Then I install the videocard into the mac pro, and then I update the drivers from the EVGA site.
I think this is the right way?
But I also have a few questions
My first question: Does it have any benefit in keeping the gt120, while also having the GTX285?
Second question: Is there any difference in putting the GTX285 in the videocard slot1 instead of 2? (If this is the case, I need to put the GT120 in slot 2 (i think its in slot 1 at this moment, havent changed a thing since i bought it) and then put the gtx285 in slot 1.
Third Question
How do I install it for Windows 7? I guess I just install a new driver, made for the gtx285. But I'm a bit confused as in which driver I need to download. Just the newest driver on the NVIDEA site thats for gtx285 and supports Windows? No special driver since im on a Mac? Or Do I just have to use the bootcamp drivers provided with my mac pro?
Any thing else I need to know?
Thanks!
Installing it in my 09 was a breeze.
1. Download and install the latest mac drivers for the 285. As of right now these are the latest:
ftp://ftp.evga.com/Driver/MAC285_2F16.dmg
2. Power your computer down, slide the PCI lock to the left, undo the two thumb screws on the back plate lock.
3. Remove the GT120 as well as the dummy back plate in between PCI slots 1 and 2 (GTX285's back plate is 2 slots tall).
4. Connect the ends of the two power cables for the GTX285 to the motherboard (will be towards the front of the computer on the motherboard about as high as slot 1).
5. Install the GTX285, make sure its fully seated, replace the backplate lock.
6. Connect the power cables to the GTX285
7. Slide the PCI lock back to the right.
8. Done!
Just got one yesterday. Installed it with no problem, and I am installing Vista 64 as I type this to try it out. I had the 32-bit version installed, but the gaming performance wasn't noteworthy. It was only picking up 2 gigs of RAM, though, so I'm hoping Vista 64-bit will change that.
And just to confirm... on the windows side I should just download the normal drivers from the nvidia site, correct?
And just to confirm... on the windows side I should just download the normal drivers from the nvidia site, correct?
Try out Windows 7 RC 64, I installed it and its running very nicely. I downloaded the most current drivers from Nvidia's website and everything is running smoothly.
I don't believe it will run in a 1.1 mac pro.
I got to put the card to some tests last night, but it was late so these are just brief impressions.
Crysis -
My 15" MBP Unibody with the 9600m - I had to keep it a pretty low res and keep the settings around medium, with some at high. The goal being 30 or more FPS. Totally playable, but not as beautiful as Crysis should be.
Mac Pro 2.23 w/ 8GB ram and the stock GT 120 - Worse performance than the MBP. Low res and settings at low-medium. Game was still choppy, though.
mac pro with 285 - 1920x1080, all settings maxed (except for AA), and it was totally playable. Again, playable for me is 30FPS. Ran steadily throughout the first level before I called it a night. I didn't have fraps installed, but it was running very smoothly. Not at a rate that some would say is desireable (45-60+FPS), but for me it was the sweet spot.
Team Fortress 2
Installed this quick this morning and installed fraps. During a match, without firefights I had 210FPS. With guns blazing it dropped to a paltry 150! Very nice.
That's all I've had time to test yet, but in OSX I was able to run 9 episode of Futurama at once without dropping frames. Open a 10th and they get choppy. On the 120 I can open about 4 without issue. Makes sense, as the 285 has double the memory of the 120.
I got to put the card to some tests last night, but it was late so these are just brief impressions.
Crysis -
My 15" MBP Unibody with the 9600m - I had to keep it a pretty low res and keep the settings around medium, with some at high. The goal being 30 or more FPS. Totally playable, but not as beautiful as Crysis should be.
Mac Pro 2.23 w/ 8GB ram and the stock GT 120 - Worse performance than the MBP. Low res and settings at low-medium. Game was still choppy, though.
mac pro with 285 - 1920x1080, all settings maxed (except for AA), and it was totally playable. Again, playable for me is 30FPS. Ran steadily throughout the first level before I called it a night. I didn't have fraps installed, but it was running very smoothly. Not at a rate that some would say is desireable (45-60+FPS), but for me it was the sweet spot.
Team Fortress 2
Installed this quick this morning and installed fraps. During a match, without firefights I had 210FPS. With guns blazing it dropped to a paltry 150! Very nice.
That's all I've had time to test yet, but in OSX I was able to run 9 episode of Futurama at once without dropping frames. Open a 10th and they get choppy. On the 120 I can open about 4 without issue. Makes sense, as the 285 has double the memory of the 120.
I emailed EVGA about an update as I had previously asked them about it, here's what they had to say
How loud is this card? louder than the ATI HD 4870?. Some dudes told the geforce is louder than the system it self.
I haven't personally noticed it... but I bought the card to game on, so I usually have a decent amount of sound coming through the speakers to cover it up.
And under normal, web-surfing loads I don't hear it at all.
Well - I do gaming too in windows.
But I am also in music primary, and cause it is primary I don't want my mac to be to loud cause I record with mics in the same room.... I don't care if this card is loud in gaming, but I would wonder in normal conditions. Thanks for your answer
Well - I do gaming too in windows.
But I am also in music primary, and cause it is primary I don't want my mac to be to loud cause I record with mics in the same room.... I don't care if this card is loud in gaming, but I would wonder in normal conditions. Thanks for your answer
Sure thing, but even if it was a little noticeable... I'd say upping a little bit of a gate would remedy any sound you'd pick up from a mic, no problem.
Have you deleted or disabled AppleGraphicsPowermanagement.kext?
I deleted mine in mac mini and there is still throttling according to GPU load.
So in a few hours my GTX285 will finally arrive at my home. I am at work at this moment, and im trying to figure everything out in my head, how I will install everything etc.
So, I have the new Mac Pro 09, with the gt120.
So I read the manual, I use the CD provided with the card and install the drivers. Then I install the videocard into the mac pro, and then I update the drivers from the EVGA site.
I think this is the right way?
But I also have a few questions
My first question: Does it have any benefit in keeping the gt120, while also having the GTX285?
Second question: Is there any difference in putting the GTX285 in the videocard slot1 instead of 2? (If this is the case, I need to put the GT120 in slot 2 (i think its in slot 1 at this moment, havent changed a thing since i bought it) and then put the gtx285 in slot 1.
Third Question
How do I install it for Windows 7? I guess I just install a new driver, made for the gtx285. But I'm a bit confused as in which driver I need to download. Just the newest driver on the NVIDEA site thats for gtx285 and supports Windows? No special driver since im on a Mac? Or Do I just have to use the bootcamp drivers provided with my mac pro?
Any thing else I need to know?
Thanks!
1.) In Windows for gaming, the GT120 could theoretically be used to run Physx which makes a huge difference when the load is taken off the primary display card. The GT120 is supposedly a rebranded 9500GT, and as far as I know, all NVidia cards past the 8 series support Physx. Doing the Physx on a second dedicated card makes a HUGE difference in your frame rates. So if the NVidia drivers detect the GT120 under Windows and allow it to be assigned for Physx, do so. Physx doesn't require a powerful card which is evident in Tri SLI setups that use a fourth card (9800GT) to do Physx. The card actually downclocks itself quite substantially since the extra power isn't needed.
Other than that, simply leaving the card in one of the slots won't hurt anything, if indeed it doesn't support Physx.
2.) Slot shouldn't matter as long as they are all PCIe 2.0 x16 slots, which as far as I know they are.
3.) Install 7 via Boot Camp. Then go to Nvidia's website, navigate to the GTX285 drivers, download the Windows 7 32 or 64 bit driver, install over Boot Camp drivers, enjoy.
As far as installing the Boot Camp drivers off the CD, the only reason you'd need to do this is for the ACD's built in iSight, or if you have an Airport Card or any other propietary Apple hardware. Even then, Windows 7 installations I've done on Macbook Pros have detected the wireless and iSight just fine. Windows 7 detects the chipset, bluetooth, lan, etc. just fine without the use for the often hideously outdated Apple Boot Camp drivers.
And if you do install the Boot Camp drivers, find the newest versions for the chipset/devices and install them or selectively uninstall the device drivers as the ones in 7 usually work perfectly and are newer.
So for my MP1,1 ('06) I...
1) get any old PC 285
2) install it beside any other Mac card (the stock one from my MP'06?)
3) use the injector to drive the PC card.
What will I need to physically connect the PC card to power inside the MP?
When something goes bad and I want to see the boot screen, do I simply move the plug from the 285 to the other card?
Anything else I need to know? If not, I'm getting one on the way home.
Maury
1) get any old PC 285
2) install it beside any other Mac card (the stock one from my MP'06?)
3) use the injector to drive the PC card.
What will I need to physically connect the PC card to power inside the MP?
When something goes bad and I want to see the boot screen, do I simply move the plug from the 285 to the other card?
Anything else I need to know? If not, I'm getting one on the way home.
Maury
1. Probably...
2. Must be an Nvidia EFI card. 7xxx series will work but 8xxx series better, though with it brings power issues. (Must be in a slot with 4X lane width.
3. Yes
Power thing needs more research on your part. Molex splitters OK for light use, get the real power connectors from ATI for $12 each.
DO MORE RESEARCH
I have skimmed over the thread already. I understand there is an issue with the card not kicking into full power mode. Has anyone tested if SETI@Home tuns up the speed? I am curious as I would like to upgrade to this card and take advantage of the CUDA technology for SETI@Home.
That's a feature with many cards, even on PCs. I have a 4890 in a BYO and it throttles down to 300Mhz or something around there when idle. Throttling on GPUs is quite common. But they always kick up during stress (games, etc).
The PSU on the Mac Pros is 1Kw, or slightly under, so I highly doubt it's a power draw problem. Maybe on the Dual socket Mac Pro, but I'm not sure if the PSU is larger in that model. 1Kw is more than enough to run a Nehalem, board, drives and single GPU. The 4870 BTO from Apple consumes almost identical idle and load power as the GTX285 so I highly doubt that it's a power draw issue.
If there is a throttling problem when using programs that are not games, then it could be driver related. In Windows, you can always download RivaTuner to play with throttling. But the Mac Edition is the same vanilla GTX285, only with a different ROM.
I've been following it from the start. The problem is that the threads quickly break down into long series of posts on some tiny little specific sub-topic, and there are rarely "from the top" guides. That's what I'm trying to make here.
Maury
Has anyone that has the GTX 285 come across this issue here?: https://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=8193152#post8193152