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Upgrading old Mac Pro to 8800 GT graphics?

Sorry, but not totally on topic but I figure this is where people that know the answer to my problem might be hanging out. Basically, I can't install Vista using Bootcamp on it's own disk. There's a thread on the subject under the 'Windows on a Mac' section but it's not getting anywhere - people are just saying 'install XP'!! The following is a link to the thread:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/458173/

The problem is something to do with partitions. Trust me, I've tried everything obvious to get this to work with little success - I figure there has to be a bug but I'm surprised that I can't find anything in the web about it. The tread above explains. If anyone's managed this properly (or understands what the problem is), please visit the thread and post your findings - would be really appreciated. Thanks
 
Vista is easy to install on its own drive. You don't even need boot camp. Bootcamp is a safe way to partition your Macintosh HD for a other os to be installed. Some bootcamp drivers are nice for keyboard support, ie drive eject button, getting sound working, and setting up a default boot system. Other than that, you are better off searching for your own latest drivers, especially graphics. To install Linux, Put the cd in the tray, turn off machine. I just slightly backed out all of the drive sleds in my Mac, Mac HD,Vista, and common drive, leaving just one 250 gig drive in bay 4. Boot the machine holding the option key and select the cd image "windows" after installed, just slide the drives back in and hold the option key. Now you will see Mac HD and 2 windoz icons, last one being Linux.
BTW, the 8800gt driver is a slight pain to install in Linux. I'm running Ubuntu 8.04. Once installed there is a nice Nvidia control program similar to ati catalyst. Fully configurable, and even a thermal sensor for your 8800gt.

More custom features in Linux than Mac or windoz, and perhaps the best preformance. Don't know about Crysis or WoW in Linux though :)
 
Moving up from the old 7300 GT, the 8800 GT has a very noticeable speed and feature upgrade - understandably. Apps like Maya and Modo benefits greatly from them - how much better than the 1900xt, I can't say, but hope someone can add to that.
As for over all performance in games, I tried Sins of the Solar Empire, Bioshock and IL2, everything ran very smoothly except for very heavy scenes, which saw some stuttering. Overall, its a great upgrade, especially if you waiting to move up from a 7300GT.
 
Well it seems like windoz gets the worst "Cinebench9.5" marks. With the 8800, the pump animation runs so slow it only plays once. When it spins the city block, it's very slow and jerky. It attempts to fly like it does in OS X, but stutters. This card is running faster in Mac according to Cinebench. Which drivers are better?

Cinebench9.5 OpenGL WinVista 64/Ati x1900 5498 cb speed up 10.73x

Cinebench9.5 OpenGL WinVista 64/8800gt 2157 cb speed up 4.39

WinAmps R4 visualizer seems to run much better even with the conflicting benchmarks. It's actually pleasing to watch at 1920x1200@60fps....guess I need a Crysis demo to try...This is freaking me out!!!!!:mad:
 
So because my original 8800 GT kept crashing during Crysis I received a new one through Apple. Unfortunately, this one is doing the same thing! What a POS card! :mad:
 
Redneck1089 said:
So because my original 8800 GT kept crashing during Crysis I received a new one through Apple. Unfortunately, this one is doing the same thing! What a POS card! :mad:
Click to expand...

I ain't bragging 'bout it either Redneck. I tried the OpenGL screensaver "Lattice"
3d toruses "flying doughnuts" and it barely works on Mac :mad:
 
I can say one fine thing............Been playing around with Linux (Ubuntu Hardy Final 64)
This card is awesome here. I ran an intense OpenGL screensaver across both screens like 3500 x 1200 and the card loved it. Thermal monitor (yes the Nvidia X server has everything) in Linux only jumoed from 66 degrees to 86 after 20 min, thermal slowdown is auto set to 100. I never heard the fans ramp. Now if I could only run ALL my stuff in Linux :eek:
 
dreamof3d said:
Thermal monitor (yes the Nvidia X server has everything) in Linux only jumoed from 66 degrees to 86 after 20 min, thermal slowdown is auto set to 100. I never heard the fans ramp. Now if I could only run ALL my stuff in Linux :eek:
Click to expand...

86 degrees is dangerously hot for an 8800.

As far as the earlier Crysis crashing comments are concerned - it's been a feature of this card on Windows for a long time now. There was no reason to expect the Mac card to do any better. While that's not excusing NVIDIA, it was somewhat on the cards. It's kinda like buying an XBox 360 - you know it's likely to break down at some point.
 
Here is an interesting reply/review from the apple store:

OK. ATI 1900 is a rockin card. Nvidia 8800 GT is a rockin card. I have not been able to find an ATI dual card capability with c…Read moreompatibility. Meaning ATI has Crossfire but I have not been able to get it to work by adding another ATI card and using the external cable to get the two cards to work together. Not as for Nvidia. I run two 8800 Gt's in my machine with the SLI Ribbon and the sli works in OS 10.5.2 and in all my games. The frame rates are great and I have no hick ups. These cards were built to play games. I think the 8800 was meant to run more than one card at a time. If you are a serious gamer then remember more is better. Apple and Nvidia did us a favor and made these cards for the old gen Mac Pro's. For those who critize the card, Apple didn't do it for you to get upset because you don't know better. Buy two get the SLI ribbon (the flexible one) not the hard bridge and hook up the two and run them bad boys then play and believe you have the best. We had to accept that. Apple did. Listen to Pink Floyd and the song Money on the Dark Side of the Moon. You will get it then. Especially the part where it says it's a drag. Oh also listen to the song were all living in America by Ramsien. Later Dude. P.S. SLI ribbob is sold by someone other than apple. You can only run two Nvidia cards max.
 
dreamof3d said:
Here is an interesting reply/review from the apple store:

OK. ATI 1900 is a rockin card. Nvidia 8800 GT is a rockin card. I have not been able to find an ATI dual card capability with c…Read moreompatibility. Meaning ATI has Crossfire but I have not been able to get it to work by adding another ATI card and using the external cable to get the two cards to work together. Not as for Nvidia. I run two 8800 Gt's in my machine with the SLI Ribbon and the sli works in OS 10.5.2 and in all my games. The frame rates are great and I have no hick ups. These cards were built to play games. I think the 8800 was meant to run more than one card at a time. If you are a serious gamer then remember more is better. Apple and Nvidia did us a favor and made these cards for the old gen Mac Pro's.had to accept that. Apple did. Listen to Pink Floyd and the song Money on the Dark Side of the Moon. You will get it then. Especially the part where it says it's a drag. Oh also listen to the song were all living in America by Ramsien. Later Dude. P.S. SLI ribbob is sold by someone other than apple.
Click to expand...


Lies? You cant sli on the mac pro cause the mobo doesnt supprt it? And how in hell would it work in osx??
 
dreamof3d said:
Here is an interesting reply/review from the apple store:

OK. ATI 1900 is a rockin card. Nvidia 8800 GT is a rockin card. I have not been able to find an ATI dual card capability with c…Read moreompatibility. Meaning ATI has Crossfire but I have not been able to get it to work by adding another ATI card and using the external cable to get the two cards to work together. Not as for Nvidia. I run two 8800 Gt's in my machine with the SLI Ribbon and the sli works in OS 10.5.2 and in all my games. The frame rates are great and I have no hick ups. These cards were built to play games. I think the 8800 was meant to run more than one card at a time. If you are a serious gamer then remember more is better. Apple and Nvidia did us a favor and made these cards for the old gen Mac Pro's. For those who critize the card, Apple didn't do it for you to get upset because you don't know better. Buy two get the SLI ribbon (the flexible one) not the hard bridge and hook up the two and run them bad boys then play and believe you have the best. We had to accept that. Apple did. Listen to Pink Floyd and the song Money on the Dark Side of the Moon. You will get it then. Especially the part where it says it's a drag. Oh also listen to the song were all living in America by Ramsien. Later Dude. P.S. SLI ribbob is sold by someone other than apple. You can only run two Nvidia cards max.
Click to expand...

This is just wrong at so many angles. Don't even know where to begin...
 
Pressure said:
This is just wrong at so many angles. Don't even know where to begin...
Click to expand...

This post was the second person from The Apple Store reviews claiming sli works on a Mac Pro. I wish it were true! Maybe then the card would deliver closer to its claim! For another $300.00 :apple:

My machine barely runs the Lattice screensaver in Mac OS X.......Windoz and Linux...........OpenGL stuff like this run awesome ;)
 
I've had my 8800GT since Monday, and I'm very happy with it. It's run anything I throw at it well, including the Crysis demo on high settings. (Beautiful graphics, tired gameplay.) WoW in OS X runs consistently above 30 FPS at 1920x1200 with anti-aliasing on and all effects maxed. When the fan is running it's not audible over music or game sounds. If you don't get one of the lemon cards the 8800GT really works well.
 
re: bootcamp:
you can use the beta NVidia drivers. I had an issue where the regular ones wouldn't recognize the card
 
The 2.1 Bootcamp drivers seem to work fine (http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/bootcampupdate21forwindowsxp.html) - but I wouldn't mind trying the beta nVidia windows drivers - can someone repost the link as I can't seem to find them?

I had to prop my eyes open with matchsticks while waiting for COD4 to re-download (I've got it on Steam) last night, just to have one quick look after spending the evening installing my new card and re-installing windows. Oh man it looks good, full res with almost all effects - it's like a different game - had to have a quick Portal run through too, what an original game - be nice to have that ported to the OS X side.

On the mac side I managed to enable all OpenGL effects in Cinema4D - so I've got a very fast anti-aliased viewport. Also enable Opengl in After Effects - which used to give me trouble with my old 7300 (lots of crashes), preview renders seem a lot faster. Finally my 8-core feels like an 8-core - everything is a bit snappier. And it's very quiet - just a roar on startup than quickly subsides. I'm tempted to buy some more ram.

Very, very pleased with the card - I think those who've upgraded from a 7300 like me will enjoy the biggest boost. The XT1900 is a pretty good card especially on OS X. I look forward to a driver upgrade to improve Core Graphics functions.
 
I have a question for those of you who connected your cards via molex cable. How did you wire it? Right now, my wire goes from the back of the DVD drive through one of the square cutouts on the side of the drive and down to the bottom where the video card is. However, my case doesn't close completely.
 
Amazing I can't find a driver for Mac OS X. With all the Hackintosh going on, one would think they could find a Mac driver for the 8800gt. Hope Apple brings out their update soon.................
 
8800 and iPhoto

I have my new 8800 installed, along with the old 7300. I noticed that if I use iPhoto on the 8800 screen, it gets very slow and 'chunky' while it seems to work just fine on the 7300 screen.

Something to keep in mind.
 
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