Toggle sidebar Toggle sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

So any more info on 4870 release for Mac Pro?

K

kahine

macrumors regular
Original poster
Wondered if anyone had heard or read anything else about the mac version of the 4870 release ?


Just curious as remember reading back in late Aug/early Sept that they were working on it ,
 
Well seeing that the Mac Edition 3870 is rather new, and that Mac graphics cards are always a year behind. I would say not any time soon.

Unless they release it as a BTO option on the Nehalem Mac Pros, but it seems like Apple is in bed with Nvidia at the moment, even if their drivers suck for Core Image apps.
 
There was a news blurb last month somewhere stating that ATI will make a mac ver, so maybe there is some hope.
 
The original "news" source didn't come from anywhere reputable. There's been nothing even close to official word.

I honestly think at this point that the best thing to do would be install a good PC-only card in the fastest PCIe slot, the Mac card in the next fastest, and get a DVI switch to use when you reboot. It'd probably be cheaper than when (IF) they ever release a Mac-friendly card.
 
The new Mac Pros are very likely due out in January and I can guarantee they will have new video card options. Now whether or not those new cards will also be compatible with the current Mac Pro versions available today, who knows.
 
AdiosVista said:
The new Mac Pros are very likely due out in January and I can guarantee they will have new video card options. Now whether or not those new cards will also be compatible with the current Mac Pro versions available today, who knows.
Click to expand...
I would think it would. 🙂

Firmware and/or driver updates may be necessary though.
 
...unless they choose a beefed up version of the macbook pro Nvidia chips and put them onboard .... and only offer high end options as traditional cards.
 
digitalfrog said:
...unless they choose a beefed up version of the macbook pro Nvidia chips and put them onboard .... and only offer high end options as traditional cards.
Click to expand...
Possible, but likely difficult, assuming:

1. Apple sticks to the SSI CEB board format they currently use. Not much real estate available.
2. Managed to do this without using any of the PCIe 2.0 lanes. Unless disabling the on-board graphics returned the use of the lanes used to a slot that could be used by a different card.

At best, using 2 Tylersburg 36D chipsets (64 lanes usable for slots), four (4) PCIe 2.0 x16 slots are max possible. Only having 3 of these available wouldn't be the best idea.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back