MP 1,1-5,1 Mac Pro 5,1 graphics card upgrade

[avro707]

First post here in many years.

I've got a quad-core Mac Pro 5,1 - it's still got the standard ATI Radeon 5870 1gb graphics card. I've got the Mac OS upgraded to 10.13.6 High Sierra.

This computer has been superb, but I'm thinking it's worth to upgrade the graphics card. I see suggestions of Sapphire RX280 or RX580 for metal support. But looking around there are hardly any available, eg, like this.

Has anyone got reliable places where I could get one and anything else I need to get to make sure it has enough power to run? Shipping to Australia is important as well.

Thanks.

 

[h9826790]

I personally will avoid to buy this kind of generic PC hardware from OWC. Apart from overprice, there is nothing special from OWC. The card is still the same card that you can buy from any computer store.

The problem for you is that you are looking for some old to very old cards.

RX580 is a 2017 graphic card.
R9 280X is a 2013 graphic card.

They are not manufactured anymore. Therefore, only little to no new cards avail on the market.

If I were you, I will look for used cards locally. (e.g. You may able to reach the seller from Carousell)

I fully understand that some people don't like used items. However, looking for a new 2013 graphic card in 2021 is not practical. Pay double or even triple to get a new 2017 graphic card also doesn't sounds like a wise move.

 

[zedex]

I noticed there's a BNIB Sapphire Radeon RX 580 Pulse on Gumtree in Perth. They're asking $650 which is painfully expensive but it seems to be the most well regarded GPU for cMP upgrades.

Personally I'm using a GTX TITAN due to native support for macOS from 10.8 - 10.14 (i.e. "Metal")

 

[KeesMacPro]

anything else I need to get to make sure it has enough power to run? Shipping to Australia is important as well.

If you'd like to purchase a RX580 Pulse (the most popular GPU with Metal support), the recommended way to power it is by a 2xmini6pin to 8pin Y cable.
E.g:

16AWG Dual Mini 6 Pin To 8 Pin PCI-e For Mac Pro Video Card Power Cable GTX1080 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 16AWG Dual Mini 6 Pin To 8 Pin PCI-e For Mac Pro Video Card Power Cable GTX1080 at the best online prices at eBay!

www.ebay.com.au

BTW: there's a store in australia (eBay) selling different flashed AMD cards.

Apple Mac Pro AMD Radeon RX 580 StriX 4GB PCI-E Video Card RX 580 RX480 RX580 | eBay

 Apple Mac Pro AMD Radeon ASUS STRIX RX580 4GB PCI-E Video Card RX 580 480. Fastest RX580! - Apple Mac Pro 4,1 (2009) or Mac Pro 5,1 (2010-2012). - supports Apple boot screen (gray screen with Apple logo on startup) on all ports (also on 4K displays).

www.ebay.com.au

 

[avro707]

It looks like I can find a 8GB Sapphire Radeon RX580 8GB brand new - I understand it probably won't give me the bootup displays.

But then there is OpenCore here:

OpenCore on the Mac Pro

This guide explains how to use the excellent OpenCore boot loader to install, run, and update the latest version of macOS on the MacPro5,1, resulting in a clean, unaltered operating system just like on a supported Mac.

forums.macrumors.com

I hope I'm understanding it correctly. I'd like to get the 8GB version.

Thanks for the links above too.

 

[KeesMacPro]

I hope I'm understanding it correctly. I'd like to get the 8GB version.

Affirmative, the Sapphire RX580 Pulse 8GB is the all time standard and OC will provide a Bootscreen.

 

[Macsonic]

First post here in many years.

I've got a quad-core Mac Pro 5,1 - it's still got the standard ATI Radeon 5870 1gb graphics card. I've got the Mac OS upgraded to 10.13.6 High Sierra.

This computer has been superb, but I'm thinking it's worth to upgrade the graphics card. I see suggestions of Sapphire RX280 or RX580 for metal support. But looking around there are hardly any available, eg, like this.

Has anyone got reliable places where I could get one and anything else I need to get to make sure it has enough power to run? Shipping to Australia is important as well.

Thanks.

Here are a couple of based in Australia sellers of graphic cards that you could look into. If you do photography work, the GPUs they offer should be adequate

| eBay

ebay.to

| eBay

ebay.to

 

[Berenod]

Whoa, gpu's in Australia are even more expensive then the already mad prices here in Europe, although over here they seem to be slowly going down.

Ik recently did the same, and found a used gtx680 4GB, decent performance/price and rather easily flashed for bootscreen, especially the EVGA cards.

In the gpu compatibility thread also rates as best bang for the buck metal capabele card when you don't need top graphics performance.

Since you have a quad core cpu (Nehalem), that would also be a cheap upgrade path to a 6-core Westmere cpu, those Xeon cpu's are rather cheap on ebay. Look for w3680/w3690 or x5680/x5690.
Only need a long 3mm (i think) Hex key and some cooling paste...

Hefty performance increase!

 

[KeesMacPro]

gpu's in Australia are even more expensive then the already mad prices here in Europe

TBH I disagree on that point: the australian dollar is 0,62 €
Prices seem to be lower than in Europe.

 

[Macsonic]

@Berenod Maybe the original thread starter had his reasons and preferences on the importance in getting the graphic card within Australia. Maybe lower taxes, faster shipping time or the convenience with returns in case of problems.

 

[avro707]

Thanks, I will look at the potential Xeon upgrade too.

I just ordered from the USA a brand new Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8GB.It was nearly $1000 all up with currency conversion, but it's new.
For the CPU, do I need a de-lidded version?

 

[Soba]

Thanks, I will look at the potential Xeon upgrade too.

I just ordered from the USA a brand new Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8GB.It was nearly $1000 all up with currency conversion, but it's new.
For the CPU, do I need a de-lidded version?

You do not need a de-lidded CPU for a 5,1.

Upgrading the CPU is fairly simple as long as you are careful. I think you'll get a very substantial performance improvement on that system if you move to a 6-core 3.46GHz CPU. Good luck with your shopping.

 

[theMarble]

I would find an RX 580 as those are the most common GPU I'd say for the 5,1. If you're willing to look outside of Australia, you can find NVIDIA Kepler cards for quite cheap which are Metal supported and the GTX 680 supports boot screens natively on the EVGA 680 2GB and with a flash on other 680's.

 

[avro707]

Thanks @Soba. Now I wait for the video card to arrive. It's a massive upgrade from the stock Radeon.

I used to build PCs back in the old days so I remember the process of putting in CPUs.

Do I go with the usual Arctic Silver or whatever thermal paste is used now, or use a thermal pad which I used to remember being used on some CPUs?

What does Apple use as OEM for that?

 

[h9826790]

Thanks, I will look at the potential Xeon upgrade too.

For the CPU, do I need a de-lidded version?

You do not need a de-lidded CPU for a 5,1.

I think we better make it more clear.

5,1 can be defined by the BootROM version, a 4,1 flashed to 5,1 can also be identify as 5,1. However, a 2009 dual processor (flashed to 5,1) cMP need de-lidded CPU.

Therefore, we better make sure that's a genuine 5,1, but not a dual processor flashed 5,1.

Do I go with the usual Arctic Silver or whatever thermal paste is used now, or use a thermal pad which I used to remember being used on some CPUs?

What does Apple use as OEM for that?

AS5 is fine.

You can use graphite thermal pad, that can works even better than AS5, but not necessary.

The best cooling solution is to use liquid metal, however, you must handle that with great care. Any leakage may cause permanent damage to the CPU tray.

The OEM thermal paste is just some generic thermal paste, nothing special.

 

[Stex]

I used to build PCs back in the old days so I remember the process of putting in CPUs.

Sounds good, but like @h9826790 suggests, important to make sure you have a real 5,1 versus a flashed 4,1. The delidded CPU install option is a lot more stressful and risky.

Do I go with the usual Arctic Silver or whatever thermal paste is used now, or use a thermal pad which I used to remember being used on some CPUs?

I am a big fan of the thermal pads. You can read more below, it's a previous report of mine after installing a Graphite Pad:

Are these temps Normal after CPU upgrade

Thought to post an update on my prior questions/issues on this thread. I finally got to fix my CPU B temp delta which, as a reminder, was about 10-12 degrees at idle. My CPU A temp delta was ok. Here's what I did: 1- I tried to tighten a bit the CPU B HeatSink. That did not work out...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[avro707]

Sounds good, but like @h9826790 suggests, important to make sure you have a real 5,1 versus a flashed 4,1. The delidded CPU install option is a lot more stressful and risky.

Mine is a 5,1 (it says MAC PRO Z0LF on the invoice) - I purchased it brand new through the Apple Store Sydney on 09/12/2010 for AUD$4578.99 and a 27" LED Cinema display MC007X/A for AUD$1,299.00.

Processor 065-9537 One 3.20GHz Quad-Core Intel Xe
Memory 065-9544 8GB (4X2GB)
Graphics Card 065-9573 ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB
RAID 065-9554 None
Hard Drive Bay1 065-9557 1TB 7200-rpm Serial ATA 3Gb/s
Hard Drive Bay2 065-9559 None
Hard Drive Bay3 065-9563 None
Hard Drive Bay4 065-9567 None
Optical Drive 065-9576 One 18x SuperDrive
Mini Display Port Adapt 065-9665 Apple Mini DisplayPort to DVI
Mini Display Port Adapt 065-9666 None
Fibre Chl Card 065-9580 None
MAC OS X SERVER 065-7932 None
Apple Software App- iWorK 065-7672 None
Apple Software Final Cut Exp 065-7674 None
Apple Software App-Aperture 065-7673 None
Apple Software App-Logic Exp 065-7675 None
SW APP-FILEMAKER 065-8307 None
SW-MSO 065-8198 NONE
Mouse from AOS 065-9589 Magic Mouse.
ACCY PACK 065-0053 NONE
KEYBD + USER'S GUIDE FOR AOS X065-9593 Apple KB User's Guide-AUS
Country Kit X065-9632 COUNTRY KIT.-AUS

I will try the graphite pad - it seems like a neater solution for long term as well.

 

[Stex]

oh yes, mine is a 5,1 - I purchased it brand new through the Apple Store Sydney on 09/12/2010 for AUD$4578.99 and a 27" LED Cinema display MC007X/A for AUD$1,299.00.

Sounds good. Make sure you use your 5,1 until 2030...OK? Like most of us will do in this sub-forum!!! 😂 🤣

 

[avro707]

@Stex - I just got a X5690 on order too... I had not intended to do that until visiting here.

I will try to keep this computer going as long as I can - it's a great thing.

Thanks to this site I've now got the technical workshop manual for this computer too. I also have one for the LED Cinema Display.

 

[MarkC426]

Thanks, I will look at the potential Xeon upgrade too.

I just ordered from the USA a brand new Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8GB.It was nearly $1000 all up with currency conversion, but it's new.
For the CPU, do I need a de-lidded version?

That's not US dollars is it...........
I'm sure you could get one cheaper if so.

edit: just looked on Amazon (UK), and they are listed at £600-700 from marketplace.
These sellers are just criminal.....

 

[Soba]

@Stex - I just got a X5690 on order too... I had not intended to do that until visiting here.

I will try to keep this computer going as long as I can - it's a great thing.

Thanks to this site I've now got the technical workshop manual for this computer too. I also have one for the LED Cinema Display.

Good luck with your upgrades.

After you install your new CPU, don't forget to reset your NVRAM. Your RAM is probably running at 1066MHz now, but it should support running at 1333MHz. The X5690 with an NVRAM reset will enable that.

I expect you will want to update your BootROM and (perhaps) install Mojave when you're done.

 

[avro707]

Thanks folks, I have it working with the new CPU:

CPU A Tdiode sits at about 48ºC just with a browser going and Youtube running a video. About the same as before.

Video card is on the way, it is delayed but is shipping. I didn't have to reset the NVRAM, it just actually worked and ran at 1333mhz. I used Arctic Silver 5 thermal paste in the star pattern recommended by Apple in the technicians manual.

Ah, I also decided to order a Samsung SSD 1TB to speed it up a bit more.

 

[MarkC426]

Ah, I also decided to order a Samsung SSD 1TB to speed it up a bit more.

As long as it's not a QVO or 870 model.
These don't work properly.

 

[avro707]

As long as it's not a QVO or 870 model.
These don't work properly.

Actually it is an 870 Evo - reading various things it might be possible to make it work, or it might not. I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

If it misbehaves then it didn't cost too much.

 

[MarkC426]

I would return it unopened and get an 860 instead.
You don't want an item that 'might' work.