I have a MacPro 2006 model with a GT 120 512MB graphics card installed the computer is upgraded from firmware 1,1 to 2,1. this graphics doesnt support boot screen feature. I want a genuine graphics card with at least 1GB video ram. any suggestions or recommendations on getting something like a 5780 or 5770 for cheap or no cost?
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Mac Pro 2006 1st Gen
- Thread starter Th3odor3
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when you say "genuine graphics card" do you mean a card that is "apple" branded or a card that will give boot screen or just a card with 1GB vram+ ?
what version of osx are you ruining?
do you need the card just for display out or do you need it for doing work?
look at this topic
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-5-1-upgrade-guide-sticky-discussion.2099092/
in the "GPU Upgrades" section
what version of osx are you ruining?
do you need the card just for display out or do you need it for doing work?
look at this topic
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-5-1-upgrade-guide-sticky-discussion.2099092/
in the "GPU Upgrades" section
im looking for card that will give boot screen with 1GB videoram and im running el captain on macpro 2006. just for browsing web, listening to music and video/movies.. not much gaming but it would be nice too.
Free or cheap? I don't think so. I sold last two 5770s 150 USD each. Flashing a card will be cheaper, something like an HD 7950 or GTX 680. Overkill for a 2006, but they will always have a resell value.
if your willing to flash a PC card then look at the ATI options in the topic i linked or look at a GTX680 (also in the same topic) if your not willing to flash your self look on ebay i gess
i have not had boot screens in 5-6 years? since the GTX660 was a thing and have had no real problems.
if you ok with no boot display depending on version of osx there's lots of options from GT620 to RX560
i have not had boot screens in 5-6 years? since the GTX660 was a thing and have had no real problems.
if you ok with no boot display depending on version of osx there's lots of options from GT620 to RX560
Too bad. Then get a GTX 750 Ti or HD 7850? He can use GT120 when he needs the boot screen.
The most recent Nvidia card that can be used on a 1,1 or 2,1 for BootScreens/Flash firmware/FileVault is 8800GT EFI32 model, all other Nvidia EFI cards are EFI64 and don't work for BootScreens/Flash firmware/FileVault.
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Then a 7300 GT maybe? I don't think 1,1 is worth the investment in an old GPU. Sold last 4 1,1s for 120 USD each. Don't ask how much I paid. If he could grab a stronger card, it could have a resell value, seperate from the 1,1. 3D gaming is out of question on a cMP 1,1, if you ask me.
7300GT support ended in Lion, to run El Capitan OP will need a 8800GT flashed to EFI32 or one of the AMD cards, like original Apple ATI 2600XT/HD 4870/HD 5770/HD 5870 or a EFI flashed HD 7850/HD 7870/HD 7950/HD 7970/R7-270/R9-280.
The 5770 works great in a 2006 cMP1,1 (firmware upgraded to 2,1). My card is supposedly the official Apple/Mac edition, got it on eBay in 2014. Now running El Capitan 10.11.6 with the tiamo/pikeralpha boot.efi, so I get the standard gray "option key" boot screen. No problems running Lightroom, Photoshop, InDesign, and Office Mac 2016 with a 24" NEC display. I boot off a small SATA SSD (about 250 MB/sec read/write) and have my home folder and all work files on a PCIe SSD (about 650 MB/sec read/write).
