Graphics Card Choice GTX680 or GTX970

[Stageshoot]

having a bit of a meltdown here

Trying to get a graphics card sorted for my recently upgraded 4.1

Narrowed it down to either

1: a GTX680 flashed with Mac firmware so fully compatible boot screens etc

Or

2: a GTX970 standard PC graphics card,

Both are about the same price, the 680 has the advantage of having boot screens whereas the 970 has the advantage of being newer and faster. But no boot screens

I still have a GT120 I can stick in the machine if needed so will not be totally stuck without boot screen if I go the 970 route

Any advice from anyone using these solutions as to the best option would be appreciated as I really don't know which way to jump!!!!

 

[Macshroomer]

I replaced a faulty 5770 with a GTX680 and it seems to work great, boot screen and all. So that leads me to a question and that would be that if I am only working in photography, no video, no games, just photo work, is there any benefit to considering the 970?

I'm not currently considering moving to another card but just wondering....

 

[Verdenshersker]

having a bit of a meltdown here

Trying to get a graphics card sorted for my recently upgraded 4.1

Narrowed it down to either

1: a GTX680 flashed with Mac firmware so fully compatible boot screens etc

Or

2: a GTX970 standard PC graphics card,

Both are about the same price, the 680 has the advantage of having boot screens whereas the 970 has the advantage of being newer and faster. But no boot screens

I still have a GT120 I can stick in the machine if needed so will not be totally stuck without boot screen if I go the 970 route

Any advice from anyone using these solutions as to the best option would be appreciated as I really don't know which way to jump!!!!

Since you have the GT120 with boot screen as backup, I would go for the GTX970 - especially if you wanna game in boot camp.. I have a hd5870 myself and I need to upgrade, but I only have this card, so selling this and getting a better like hd7950, I need one with boot screen

 

[Stageshoot]

I was only looking at the 970 as its

1: a newer gpu
2: a lower power draw so less strain on the power supply

I am feeding a 39" 4k screen either would do fine for Photoshop and editing, but I feel the 970 will be better for 4k sim city which is the only game I really play

 

[MassMacMan]

I bought an MVC-flashed 580 a while ago. When the 970's came out last fall, I knew that's what I wanted. My 580 sits in a drawer and the 970 has performed as promised. I keep my old legacy 120 GPU for those odd occasions when I need boot screens, which is once every several months. The 970 is quiet, cool, and fast. I use it to drive three monitors.

 

[Stageshoot]

I bought an MVC-flashed 580 a while ago. When the 970's came out last fall, I knew that's what I wanted. My 580 sits in a drawer and the 970 has performed as promised. I keep my old legacy 120 GPU for those odd occasions when I need boot screens, which is once every several months. The 970 is quiet, cool, and fast. I use it to drive three monitors.

Sounds good

No problems with the HDMI output on the 970? A few reviews pointed to problems with HDMI output, or maybe that is resolved with the latest web drivers

 

[MassMacMan]

Sounds good

No problems with the HDMI output on the 970? A few reviews pointed to problems with HDMI output, or maybe that is resolved with the latest web drivers

HDMI is working great. The monitor that I'm using for my web browser is connected through HDMI, and the other two are using the DVI connections, leaving my DisplayPort slot open for future monitors.

 

[Stageshoot]

I bought an MVC-flashed 580 a while ago. When the 970's came out last fall, I knew that's what I wanted. My 580 sits in a drawer and the 970 has performed as promised. I keep my old legacy 120 GPU for those odd occasions when I need boot screens, which is once every several months. The 970 is quiet, cool, and fast. I use it to drive three monitors.

HDMI is working great. The monitor that I'm using for my web browser is connected through HDMI, and the other two are using the DVI connections, leaving my DisplayPort slot open for future monitors.

Thanks that's really helpful

Suppose I better hit the order button on Amazon

 

[MacVidCards]

HDMI working on Maxwell cards but not at HDMI 2.0 yet. Apple likes to wait for such things. (Some would use the phrase "dragging feet")

970 going to be compelling option. We will next be working on a 970 with 3 mDP. Eventually we may offer flashing service for 970/980 but may be more difficult than Kepler to make custom roms.

Be very grateful to Nvidia for continuing Mac driver development. You support them with every Nvidia GPU purchased and used in a Mac. Voting with your wallet works. (Doesn't matter where you get from, the use reports still show cards in use)

 

[ilikewhey]

HDMI working on Maxwell cards but not at HDMI 2.0 yet. Apple likes to wait for such things. (Some would use the phrase "dragging feet")

970 going to be compelling option. We will next be working on a 970 with 3 mDP. Eventually we may offer flashing service for 970/980 but may be more difficult than Kepler to make custom roms.

Be very grateful to Nvidia for continuing Mac driver development. You support them with every Nvidia GPU purchased and used in a Mac. Voting with your wallet works. (Doesn't matter where you get from, the use reports still show cards in use)

question, when you guys eventually able to offer flash services, would any 970 work? i have a pny reference if that helps.

 

[MacVidCards]

question, when you guys eventually able to offer flash services, would any 970 work? i have a pny reference if that helps.

The PNY triple mDP is hopefully next one tried. Will hopefully one day be able to do all, but we are doing this magic a whole new way. So old tricks don't work and we are forging ahead blindly.