Mac Pro 1.1 graphics question

[Lesolar]

I know this question has probably been posted to death but is it true that in a MP 1.1 we can't use the EVGA GeForce GTX 285? and if not.. what is the best upgrade option? this what I currently have..

NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT:

Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
Slot: Slot-1
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0393
Revision ID: 0x00a1
ROM Revision: 3011
Displays:

.....................


Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro1,1
Processor Name: Dual-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
Number Of Processors: 2
Total Number Of Cores: 4


I really appreciate the help.. looking for at least 512 memory but was hoping for 1 gig...

 

[Mackilroy]

Nope, no GTX 285 support. You can buy Apple's 4870 (yes, it does work), you can flash a PC 4870, or you can flash a PC 4890 if you can find one that's supported. I did the latter, and now run an HIS 1GB 4890 in my MP.

 

[maghemi]

I know this question has probably been posted to death but is it true that in a MP 1.1 we can't use the EVGA GeForce GTX 285?

Yes this is true, there is not official support for the EVGA GeForce GTX 285 in the 1,1 and 2,1 Mac Pros. There is also no official support for the ATI 4870

this what I currently have..

NVIDIA GeForce 7300 GT:

I really appreciate the help.. looking for at least 512 memory but was hoping for 1 gig...

However you are in a good position to actually run both of those above cards should you wish.

You can buy a 4870 from apple and drop it straight in and it will work, however it's not supported and will give you no warranty.

You can flash a PC 4870 and use that. You could also try the 4890, but I'm not sure how easy that one is.

Or because you already have the 7300gt you can get a GTX 285 working.

This thread will help you to get the GTX 285 working. Specifically look for posts by The Rominator as he's been very successful at getting them working in the earlier Mac Pro.

 

[Hmac]

I have a 2006 Mac Pro 1,1. I replaced the xt1900 with the 8800GT, then recently with the 4870. The 4870 works fine. It drives two 30" ACD's although I had to order the $99 mini-display port -> dual link DVI adapter to do it.

The 4870 is capable of addressing a 32-bit EFI, which is why it will work on the 1,1. The specs note that you need PCIe 2.0 and 800ghz RAM, but that appears not to be the case. I haven't heard of anyone reporting that the 4870 doesn't work with their Mac Pro 2006 or later.

 

[Cindori]

you cant use 285GTX cause its using 64 bit efi and your mac carries 32 bit.


look @ 4870 and 4890 flashing.
my sig.

 

[Raidersmojo]

so you have successfully flashed a ATI radeon 4890 for a mac pro 1,1 using this software? if so I will be ordering this card tonight to throw in my bad boy.

 

[Cindori]

my top sig link

 

[Hmac]

my top sig link

I considered getting the 4890 and flashing it, but I need to drive two ACD 30's in both Windows and OSX, so I went with the Apple-branded 4870. Although I had to spend the extra $$ for the adapter, it was worth it, especially when considering the drop-in nature of the process.