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Race to dump the 4870 ROM, Who's first?

B

BConvery

macrumors regular
Feb 28, 2009
160
1
super_kev

super_kev

macrumors 6502
Jan 12, 2005
356
2
USofA
GPU Temperture

Those of you who are running the flashed 4870... are the GPU temperatures reported with iStat (or other temperature monitoring programs)?

Reading up on the card suggests that it runs 50-60C when idle and 80-90C when under load (due to ATI's low fan settings), which is way too hot for me. The Windows folks can use ATI Catalyst Control Center to up the minimum fan speed to 35-40%, which gives a huge drop in card temps. However, there doesn't seem to be a comparable option for the OS X side.
 
bozz2006

bozz2006

macrumors 68030
Aug 24, 2007
2,530
0
Minnesota
haven't read through the whole thread but wanted to ask a quick question...

can the flash be executed with windows XP while running under emulation in Parallels? Or does it have to be Bootcamp?
 
pknz

pknz

macrumors 68020
Mar 22, 2005
2,478
1
NZ
After reading through most of this thread, I am left still a little confused.

I have a 2006 Mac Pro with a X1900XT and am looking at the possibility of upgrading the graphics card to support OpenCL.

If I were to purchase a 4870, it would require both the power supplies on the motherboard.

Is this cable a standard power cable or does it have to be the ATI one. (I am in NZ, so it makes it a little more difficult trying to buy from a US or Europe site).

What sort of set up would u need to run the X1900XT and 4870 for flashing purposes in terms of powering both at the same time?
 
TheStrudel

TheStrudel

macrumors 65816
Jan 5, 2008
1,134
1
bozz2006 said:
can the flash be executed with windows XP while running under emulation in Parallels? Or does it have to be Bootcamp?
Click to expand...

This has already been discussed, but I'll post it again:

You cannot flash a graphics card through a VM. Use windows, or preferably DOS.
 
richpjr

richpjr

macrumors 68040
May 9, 2006
3,610
2,358
pknz said:
After reading through most of this thread, I am left still a little confused.

I have a 2006 Mac Pro with a X1900XT and am looking at the possibility of upgrading the graphics card to support OpenCL.

If I were to purchase a 4870, it would require both the power supplies on the motherboard.

Is this cable a standard power cable or does it have to be the ATI one. (I am in NZ, so it makes it a little more difficult trying to buy from a US or Europe site).

What sort of set up would u need to run the X1900XT and 4870 for flashing purposes in terms of powering both at the same time?
Click to expand...

I just upgraded my 2006 Mac Pro with the X1900 to the XFX4870 tonight. It went well, except for not having enough power connectors for both the 1900 and 4870 at the same time! I happened to have a PC sitting right next to my Mac, so I opened up the case on it and used one of cables from the PC's power supply to power the 1900 during the reflash! Kind of cheesy, but it worked like a charm! The upgrade was very easy and I am amazed at how much quieter the 4870 is than the 1900 was.
 
super_kev

super_kev

macrumors 6502
Jan 12, 2005
356
2
USofA
XFX Price drop

I checked Newegg for the XFX 4870 (ZDFC) a few hours ago and it was $190. Just checked now and it's $150, so it looks like a price drop or a weekend special. For those who are looking for dual DVI out for a good price, jump on it. Free 3 day shipping, too! :cool:
 
richpjr

richpjr

macrumors 68040
May 9, 2006
3,610
2,358
super_kev said:
I checked Newegg for the XFX 4870 (ZDFC) a few hours ago and it was $190. Just checked now and it's $150, so it looks like a price drop or a weekend special. For those who are looking for dual DVI out for a good price, jump on it. Free 3 day shipping, too! :cool:
Click to expand...

Ugh, I just order mine a week ago for the $190 price.
 
AdvocateUK

AdvocateUK

macrumors regular
Jan 10, 2008
185
45
Billingham, United Kingdom
I've been waiting for the GTX285 to show but damn the prices on the 4870 for PC here in the UK are less than half as much as Apples card on their site?

Which PC 4870 when flashed will allow me to continue to use both my 30" ACD and 23" ACD? Any of the 1gig cards?

TIA

Alistair
 
Spanky Deluxe

Spanky Deluxe

macrumors demi-god
Mar 17, 2005
5,283
1,752
London, UK
AdvocateUK said:
I've been waiting for the GTX285 to show but damn the prices on the 4870 for PC here in the UK are less than half as much as Apples card on their site?

Which PC 4870 when flashed will allow me to continue to use both my 30" ACD and 23" ACD? Any of the 1gig cards?

TIA

Alistair
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the XFX 1GB cards work with dual monitors (one dual link, one single link).
 
pknz

pknz

macrumors 68020
Mar 22, 2005
2,478
1
NZ
What would be the best way to power an X1900XT and a 4870 at the same time so I don't have to flash 'blind.'

The X1900XT requires one 6pin and the 4870 requires two.
 
richpjr

richpjr

macrumors 68040
May 9, 2006
3,610
2,358
Cindori points out the elegant way. I moved a PC next to the Mac Pro and used one of the power cables from it while I flashed - cheesy but free!
 
M

MacVidCards

Suspended
Original poster
Nov 17, 2008
6,096
1,056
Hollywood, CA
pknz said:
What would be the best way to power an X1900XT and a 4870 at the same time so I don't have to flash 'blind.'

The X1900XT requires one 6pin and the 4870 requires two.
Click to expand...

What is all this "flash blind" nonsense?

You are flashing in DOS, not OSX.

1. With X1900 in, choose DOS CD as "startup disc"

2. Remove X1900 and put 4870 in it's place. Use 2 power cables.

3. Push the "Start" button on Mac Pro. (on front, glows white)

4. You will boot into DOS, flash card.

5. On reboot, hold "Option" ...if you did flash right, you will be able to choose OSX now.

SeriousLy, you are all out-thinking yourselves here. THERE IS NO NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER CARD IN WHILE FLASHING........THE PC 4870 WILL WORK A-OK IN DOS...IT WAS MEANT TOO.....THINK ABOUT IT !!!!!
 
richpjr

richpjr

macrumors 68040
May 9, 2006
3,610
2,358
The Rominator said:
What is all this "flash blind" nonsense?

You are flashing in DOS, not OSX.

1. With X1900 in, choose DOS CD as "startup disc"

2. Remove X1900 and put 4870 in it's place. Use 2 power cables.

3. Push the "Start" button on Mac Pro. (on front, glows white)

4. You will boot into DOS, flash card.

5. On reboot, hold "Option" ...if you did flash right, you will be able to choose OSX now.

SeriousLy, you are all out-thinking yourselves here. THERE IS NO NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER CARD IN WHILE FLASHING........THE PC 4870 WILL WORK A-OK IN DOS...IT WAS MEANT TOO.....THINK ABOUT IT !!!!!
Click to expand...

True, but if you want to back up a copy of your original ROM (something I would highly recommend), you do need both cards in the computer at the same time.
 
pknz

pknz

macrumors 68020
Mar 22, 2005
2,478
1
NZ
The Rominator said:
What is all this "flash blind" nonsense?

You are flashing in DOS, not OSX.

1. With X1900 in, choose DOS CD as "startup disc"

2. Remove X1900 and put 4870 in it's place. Use 2 power cables.

3. Push the "Start" button on Mac Pro. (on front, glows white)

4. You will boot into DOS, flash card.

5. On reboot, hold "Option" ...if you did flash right, you will be able to choose OSX now.

SeriousLy, you are all out-thinking yourselves here. THERE IS NO NEED TO HAVE ANOTHER CARD IN WHILE FLASHING........THE PC 4870 WILL WORK A-OK IN DOS...IT WAS MEANT TOO.....THINK ABOUT IT !!!!!
Click to expand...

Ah you sir are a genius. :p

richpjr said:
True, but if you want to back up a copy of your original ROM (something I would highly recommend), you do need both cards in the computer at the same time.
Click to expand...

Could you not save the original ROM in Windows? Or do the programs still not save the whole ROM?
 
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