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makoffee

macrumors newbie
Original poster
May 8, 2009
19
0
Minneapolis, MN
Hey,
Wondering if anyone has successfully flashed a HIS 4870 IceQ 4+ Turbo 1GB card for their Mac Pro? If so does the original apple 4870.rom work or do I need a custom rom?

Thanks for the input,

-makoffee
 
I was considering to buy this card because I like the IceQ technology. The Apple ROM is not likely to work because their RAM is only 512 MB. Your best chance is the ROM they use for the XFX4870 I have been told.
 
good to know

I was considering to buy this card because I like the IceQ technology. The Apple ROM is not likely to work because their RAM is only 512 MB. Your best chance is the ROM they use for the XFX4870 I have been told.

I currently have the sapphire 1gb card - but she runs so hot. I want to crossfire with a second card, but with my card running as hot as it is I wouldn't consider getting a second sapphire. That's why I've been looking into the HIS IceQ 4870 - I hear it runs quite cool and quiet. Sounds perfect for crossfire.

However I wont pull the trigger until I know it will work in the mac pro.
 
Hey,
Wondering if anyone has successfully flashed a HIS 4870 IceQ 4+ Turbo 1GB card for their Mac Pro? If so does the original apple 4870.rom work or do I need a custom rom?

Thanks for the input,

-makoffee

Each brand (and most often the model as well) of card has a different BIOS (ROM). You will need to dump the HIS BIOS, modify it to include EFI support from the Mac 4870 ROM, and then flash it back onto the card. Read this on how to create a custom ROM, and follow this tutorial on how to flash a 4870.

FYI, as far as I know, the XFX is the only 4870 that has two working DVI ports after the flash. So if you need dual monitor support, grab the XFX. It's what I did, and after I modified the BIOS (link below) it runs nearly as cool as the HIS at idle and under load.

I was considering to buy this card because I like the IceQ technology. The Apple ROM is not likely to work because their RAM is only 512 MB. Your best chance is the ROM they use for the XFX4870 I have been told.

See above... I wouldn't risk using a XFX ROM on a HIS card. swissmann's XFX 4870 ZDFC ROM should only be used for the XFX 4870 (ZDFC model #); make a custom ROM for the HIS.

I currently have the sapphire 1gb card - but she runs so hot. I what to crossfire with a second card, but with my card running as hot as it does I wouldn't consider getting a second sapphire. That's why I've been looking into the HIS IceQ 4870 - I hear it runs quite cool and quiet. Sounds perfect for crossfire.

However I wont pull the trigger until I know it will work in the mac pro.

Modify the BIOS to run cooler, it's not hard. I just posted a tutorial on how to do this with an XFX card (found on page 61 of this thread). Keep in mind that crossfire won't work in OS X.
 
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