Is there a reliable place to snag a GTX 680?

[Jayson A]

I really want a fast video card WITH a boot screen. I don't care if I have to flash it myself... I just want it done RIGHT and from what I read, ebay can be pretty shady with these pre-flashed cards they're selling.

Is there any possible way I can get one without having to worry?

 

[bsbeamer]

If you want to flash yourself, you may want to look at PC part resellers who offer 30-90 day warranties. You're going to take a risk with almost any "used" card. If there is a return policy that may offset some of the risk. They typically sell at a premium price compared to individual sellers. Flashing the card would likely void that warranty...

It's still not easy to find 10XX series cards and they sell out almost as quickly as they are released. Good luck with your search.

 

[ActionableMango]

I really want a fast video card WITH a boot screen. I don't care if I have to flash it myself... I just want it done RIGHT and from what I read, ebay can be pretty shady with these pre-flashed cards they're selling.

Is there any possible way I can get one without having to worry?

Pretty much all of them use the same GTX680 ROM successfully except for the exotic cards and some Zotac cards. But if you want "no worries", get a confirmed flashable card (confirmed because someone has already flashed that model and was successful). In my signature there are instructions including links to confirmed flashable 2GB and 4GB models.

Personally I picked a used EVGA 4GB model on Amazon, but the prices there are out of control at the moment. I think Ebay is the best bet now.

 

[Jayson A]

Pretty much all of them use the same GTX680 ROM successfully except for the exotic cards and some Zotac cards. But if you want "no worries", get a confirmed flashable card (confirmed because someone has already flashed that model and was successful). In my signature there are instructions including links to confirmed flashable 2GB and 4GB models.

Personally I picked a used EVGA 4GB model on Amazon, but the prices there are out of control at the moment. I think Ebay is the best bet now.

Do you know if the RX 560 works in the Mac Pro 5,1? If so, is there a brand that is preferred? The information on this seems pretty spotty. For some reason, most people talk about the 570, 580 and 480. I'm running macOS Sierra 10.12.6 by the way.

I know there won't be a boot screen with any of those.

 

[ActionableMango]

Do you know if the RX 560 works in the Mac Pro 5,1? If so, is there a brand that is preferred? The information on this seems pretty spotty. For some reason, most people talk about the 570, 580 and 480. I'm running macOS Sierra 10.12.6 by the way.

I know there won't be a boot screen with any of those.

I only have personal experience with GT120, HD5770, GTX680, and GTX980.

Forum search for "560" brings up this:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...os-10-12-6-10-13.2050945/page-8#post-25971499

I think you are supposed to avoid XFX for some reason, but I'm really not the right guy to ask.

If you are considering a 560, you might consider a 7950 instead, which can actually be flashed. 560 cannot as far as I know.

 

[bsbeamer]

There's a few links in this sticky under GPU Upgrades > AMD:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-5-1-upgrade-guide-sticky-discussion.2099092/

This is a very detailed thread as well:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/amd-polaris-vega-gpu-high-sierra-support.2083168/

For compatibility down the road, I'd look at RX 580, Vega 56, or Vega 64 cards because these are all available via Apple in some capacity and should be supported for awhile.

 

[ActionableMango]

I really want a fast video card WITH a boot screen.

I know there won't be a boot screen with any of those.

I have to say, this is kind of confusing.

 

[Jayson A]

I have to say, this is kind of confusing.

I know. At first I wanted a 680 for the boot screen/flashing ability, but that's a pretty old card and they're hard to come by, so I was thinking about getting a brand new card that is mostly compatible out of the box (except for no boot screen).

 

[bsbeamer]

What card are you using right now?
Do you currently have an EFI card that can be thrown into the system if needed for a firmware update down the road?
Do you NEED boot screen or WANT boot screen?
What software are you using?

The GTX 1080 FE works perfectly fine if you're willing to use NVIDIA web drivers. Many others work as well.

 

[Jayson A]

What card are you using right now?
Do you currently have an EFI card that can be thrown into the system if needed for a firmware update down the road?
Do you NEED boot screen or WANT boot screen?
What software are you using?

The GTX 1080 FE works perfectly fine if you're willing to use NVIDIA web drivers. Many others work as well.

Would the Sapphire RX 570 Pulse work? https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202309&cm_re=rx_570-_-14-202-309-_-Product

Edit: I have the Mac Radeon HD 5770 right now
I don't need a boot screen. I only wanted it for switching to Windows, but if I get a good enough card I won't need windows anymore.

 

[bsbeamer]

I'll let others tell you YES or NO on that RX 570 specifically. Personally would look at RX 580 cards. They should have longer support/compatibility since those are the officially support eGPU cards that were used in the developer kit.

If you're swapping to a non-EFI card, be sure to keep that 5770 around in case you need it for firmware updates in the future.

 

[Jayson A]

What card are you using right now?
Do you currently have an EFI card that can be thrown into the system if needed for a firmware update down the road?
Do you NEED boot screen or WANT boot screen?
What software are you using?

The GTX 1080 FE works perfectly fine if you're willing to use NVIDIA web drivers. Many others work as well.

WOW... $$$$$$... I'm just trying to run Rocket League

 

[bsbeamer]

If new options are out of your budget, then pickup a used GTX 680. Some on eBay right now for under $200. New GPU's aren't cheap these days. NVIDIA sells GTX 10XX series FE cards directly if you can wait until they are in-stock.

 

[Jayson A]

If new options are out of your budget, then pickup a used GTX 680. Some on eBay right now for under $200. New GPU's aren't cheap these days. NVIDIA sells GTX 10XX series FE cards directly if you can wait until they are in-stock.

That reminds me, are there any issues running the GTX 1050 Ti in MacOS?

Also, say I want to get the RX 580... what brand am I supposed to use? Sapphire?

Also, I read that the RX 580 would only work in PCIe 1.0 mode under windows?

 

[bsbeamer]

Check this thread for GTX 1050 Ti:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...out-nvidia-pc-non-efi-graphics-cards.1440150/

Personally would not recommend it. There are issues with GTX 750 cards and there is no known reference version or Founders Edition version of GTX 1050. Basically means NVIDIA web drivers MIGHT not work well with the card now or in the future.

Personally would recommend GTX 1060 or higher/better. The GTX 1070 and GTX 1080 are probably best choices and 100% known to work from reports on this forum. I can confirm GTX 1080 FE works perfectly fine with the dual mini 6-pin to single 8-pin power cable on authentic 5,1 with NVIDIA web drivers.

AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB is what the eGPU developer kit contained. Believe it was a Sapphire Pulse RX 580 8GB, but may want to check forums for that. Since it was issued by Apple, it should be supported with native drivers for awhile.

 

[Jayson A]

Check this thread for GTX 1050 Ti:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...out-nvidia-pc-non-efi-graphics-cards.1440150/

Personally would not recommend it. There are issues with GTX 750 cards and there is no known reference version or Founders Edition version of GTX 1050. Basically means NVIDIA web drivers MIGHT not work well with the card now or in the future.

Personally would recommend GTX 1060 or higher/better. The GTX 1070 and GTX 1080 are probably best choices and 100% known to work from reports on this forum. I can confirm GTX 1080 FE works perfectly fine with the dual mini 6-pin to single 8-pin power cable on authentic 5,1 with NVIDIA web drivers.

AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB is what the eGPU developer kit contained. Believe it was a Sapphire Pulse RX 580 8GB, but may want to check forums for that. Since it was issued by Apple, it should be supported with native drivers for awhile.

Do I need the Founders Edition 1060 or can I get something like Gigabyte or PNY?

 

[SigEp265]

eBay always sides with the buyer. I wouldn't worry, you can return almost anything. I've been burned on eBay before by some shaddy buyers.

 

[Jayson A]

Also, the other thing that confuses me is that certain cards are only recognized as PCIe 1.0 under windows. Is there a good medium card that works on both Windows 10 and macOS Sierra 10.12.6 that doesn't have wake/sleep issues?

Every time I feel like I've made a decision, I read about a problem that it has in one OS or the other...bleh

 

[bsbeamer]

I'd recommend Founders Edition cards or as close to NVIDIA reference design as possible. Some manufacturers heavily modify their cards (performance, added cooling, etc.) and they MIGHT not be compatible with the NVIDIA web drivers. Check the sticky thread and/or forum for specific cards you're looking for.

 

[MisterAndrew]

Would the Sapphire RX 570 Pulse work? https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202309&cm_re=rx_570-_-14-202-309-_-Product

Edit: I have the Mac Radeon HD 5770 right now
I don't need a boot screen. I only wanted it for switching to Windows, but if I get a good enough card I won't need windows anymore.

The Sapphire Pulse in both RX 570 & RX 580 are specifically recommended by Apple on their support page. The Pulse RX 550 and RX 560 are fine too. In fact the only RX 550 that works is the Pulse.

 

[Jayson A]

The Sapphire Pulse in both RX 570 & RX 580 are specifically recommended by Apple on their support page. The Pulse RX 550 and RX 560 are fine too. In fact the only RX 550 that works is the Pulse.

Will the computer wake up from sleep with the PULSE RX 560? Also, is the RX 560 only PCIe 1.0 under Windows?

 

[MisterAndrew]

Will the computer wake up from sleep with the PULSE RX 560? Also, is the RX 560 only PCIe 1.0 under Windows?

It should wake from sleep, and yes it will be PCIe 1.1. I haven't tested an RX 560 myself. I just read people have been having issues with them. Best to get the RX 570 or higher.

Edit: According to this thread the Pulse RX 560 works in a 4,1 (and therefore 5,1 should be fine too), but for some reason it's having issues in a 3,1. But it looks like the 4,1 they tested it in was running Sierra 10.12.6 and the 3,1 was running High Sierra. I would probably avoid that particular card until we have a definitive answer on its compatibility in High Sierra.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/rx-560-in-mac-pro-3-1.2101834/

 

[Jayson A]

It should wake from sleep, and yes it will be PCIe 1.1. I haven't tested an RX 560 myself. I just read people have been having issues with them. Best to get the RX 570 or higher.

Edit: According to this thread the Pulse RX 560 works in a 4,1 (and therefore 5,1 should be fine too), but for some reason it's having issues in a 3,1. But it looks like the 4,1 they tested it in was running Sierra 10.12.6 and the 3,1 was running High Sierra. I would probably avoid that particular card until we have a definitive answer on its compatibility in High Sierra.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/rx-560-in-mac-pro-3-1.2101834/

I'm just wondering if the RX 580 might be the best option because:

1. Most compatible
2. Apple Recommended
3. Works with 10.12.6 (with web drivers installed)
4. Could be powerful enough to run Rocket League in macOS without the need for Windows at all
5. Without the need for windows, a black boot screen is no problem

 

[MisterAndrew]

I'm just wondering if the RX 580 might be the best option because:

1. Most compatible
2. Apple Recommended
3. Works with 10.12.6 (with web drivers installed)
4. Could be powerful enough to run Rocket League in macOS without the need for Windows at all
5. Without the need for windows, a black boot screen is no problem

I agree RX 580 is an excellent option. No web drivers needed for AMD cards.

 

[bsbeamer]

If I were to buy an AMD GPU today, it would probably be the RX 580. I hate that most designs are dual or triple fans. Think they're ineffective within the Mac Pro case. Works natively, which is good, but the downside is there are no drivers available. If you're not happy with the native driver, you're pretty much stuck. If I had the budget for adding external PSU, would be looking at the RX VEGA 64.

Personally find the NVIDIA GTX 1080 is a better card for my needs/usage.