MP 1,1-5,1 Video Card Recommendation for Mac Pro 5,1 in 2024

[dfiorucci]

Depends on what OS you want to run.
For the 5,1 Mac Pro
If you are running Monterey and don't want to do the Pixlas Mod then AMD Radeon RX6800 flashed for Mac
If you are willing to do the Pixlas Mod then the RX6800XT flashed for Mac
Now here is the stupid part if you need to upgrade even temporarily to Sequoia, in my case to run DFU for an upgrade on a Mac Mini M4 then you will need to downgrade your video card.
I had to put back in a GTX680 to be able to upgrade a drive to Sequoia
Yeah I know backwards right because anything after Monterey doesn't support AMD Radeon GPU
So if you are wanting run Sequoia and not do a Pixlas Mod definitely a RX580

 

[chet.d]

2025!...
Mac Pro 5.1 graphics card --high sierra compatible--... suggestions por favor.

Running dual display in recording studio. One of my monitors stopped working (OG card) after cable swaps the monitor is fine so must be the OG graphics card.

Ordered this RX-580 but it's back ordered so ? who knows when will get here.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BY1GHRDV?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Also ordered this RX-560 and it arrived but seems to have no 8 (or 6) pin graphics card cable so?

QTHREE Radeon RX 560 Graphics Card,4GB,GDDR5,128 Bits,DVI,HDMI,DisplayPort,Video Card for PC Gaming,Computer GPU,PCI Express 3.0,DirectX 12

AMD Radeon RX 560 4GB GDDR5 Video Graphics Card for PC

www.amazon.com

Just need a solid option which I'm told is the RX-580 but, there seems to be knock offs and not sure what's what.
Thanks!

 

[M.Brane]

I had a Sapphire 580 in my 5,1 for a couple years then it died. Replaced it with a 560, and it's still going 5 years later.

I don't do anything GPU intensive just audio.

 

[tsialex]

2025!...
Mac Pro 5.1 graphics card --high sierra compatible--... suggestions por favor.

Running dual display in recording studio. One of my monitors stopped working (OG card) after cable swaps the monitor is fine so must be the OG graphics card.

Ordered this RX-580 but it's back ordered so ? who knows when will get here.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BY1GHRDV?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

Not even macOS compatible.

RX580 2048 SPs are fake cards made for the chinese market. Real RX 580 have 2304 SPs (StreamProcessors/CUs).

Manufacturers get 2nd hand RX 570 chips removed from abused crypto mining GPUs and then make a fake RX 580 with a new PCB. The fake have a different PCIe ID from the real one.

Apple AMD drivers does not work with these 2048 SPs GPUs.

Also ordered this RX-560 and it arrived but seems to have no 8 (or 6) pin graphics card cable so?

QTHREE Radeon RX 560 Graphics Card,4GB,GDDR5,128 Bits,DVI,HDMI,DisplayPort,Video Card for PC Gaming,Computer GPU,PCI Express 3.0,DirectX 12

AMD Radeon RX 560 4GB GDDR5 Video Graphics Card for PC

www.amazon.com

This is also suspect, since a real RX 560 have 1024SPs and these one is 896SPs. Never got a RX 560 896SPs, so I can't say if the Apple AMD drivers work or not with this one.

Some RX 560 models do not require additional power, the power is fully drawn from the PCIe slot.
I personally don't really like to use the PCIe slot power to the limit like this GPUs does, but maybe works fine for your workflow.

Just need a solid option which I'm told is the RX-580 but, there seems to be knock offs and not sure what's what.
Thanks!

On the cheap, your best bet is 2nd GPUs sourced locally, a real RX 580 with 2304SPs.

If you can't find one, maybe try one of the AMD Pro cards, like the AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 that is the Radeon Pro equivalent of the standard RX 580 2304 SPs.

Buying these directly from AMD store have no chance of fakes, have full warranty, require one PCIe slot only, are very cool/silent GPUs and require just one 6-pin power connector.

AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 100-505826 8GB 256-bit GDDR5 Video Cards - Workstation

The Radeon Pro wx 7100 graphics card is the world's most powerful single-slot workstation GPU and is designed for VR and the immersive computing era. Vr, or virtual reality, is emerging as the next major industry inflection point for design & manufacturing as well as media & entertainment workflo...

www.amazon.com

These Radeon Pro GPUs like the WX 7100 are very sought after for studio usage, cool, almost completely silent, one PCIe slot only.

Expensive? Yep, but you have what you pay.

 

[chet.d]

Not even macOS compatible.

RX580 2048 SPs are fake cards made for the chinese market. Real RX 580 have 2304 SPs (StreamProcessors/CUs).

Manufacturers get 2nd hand RX 570 chips removed from abused crypto mining GPUs and then make a fake RX 580 with a new PCB. The fake have a different PCIe ID from the real one.

Apple AMD drivers does not work with these 2048 SPs GPUs.

Well that's good to know. I'll be returning it.

This is also suspect, since a real RX 560 have 1024SPs and these one is 896SPs. Never got a RX 560 896SPs, so I can't say if the Apple AMD drivers work or not with this one.

Some RX 560 models do not require additional power, the power is fully drawn from the PCIe slot.
I personally don't really like to use the PCIe slot power to the limit like this GPUs does, but maybe works fine for your workflow.



On the cheap, your best bet is 2nd GPUs sourced locally, a real RX 580 with 2304SPs.

If you can't find one, maybe try one of the AMD Pro cards, like the AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 that is the Radeon Pro equivalent of the standard RX 580 2304 SPs.

Buying these directly from AMD store have no chance of fakes, have full warranty, require one PCIe slot only, are very cool/silent GPUs and require just one 6-pin power connector.

AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100 100-505826 8GB 256-bit GDDR5 Video Cards - Workstation

The Radeon Pro wx 7100 graphics card is the world's most powerful single-slot workstation GPU and is designed for VR and the immersive computing era. Vr, or virtual reality, is emerging as the next major industry inflection point for design & manufacturing as well as media & entertainment workflo...

www.amazon.com

These Radeon Pro GPUs like the WX 7100 are very sought after for studio usage, cool, almost completely silent, one PCIe slot only.

Expensive? Yep, but you have what you pay.

I think the WX 7100 sounds like it's worth the few extra bucks. Thanks much for these insights! Really helpful.

 

[chet.d]

fwiw possibly to others, OWC has this 5.1 compatible card as well...

Sapphire 11265-05-20G PULSE Radeon RX 580 8GB GDDR5... at MacSales.com

Sapphire 11265-05-20G PULSE Radeon RX 580 8GB GDDR5 8000MHz PCIe 3.0 Graphics Card. Engine clock up to 1366MHz, CrossFireX, DVI-I, HDMI, Dual-DisplayPort 1.4. *Used, OWC Tested*

eshop.macsales.com

I personally ordered, and waiting for the WX 7100 to arrive.

 

[tsialex]

fwiw possibly to others, OWC has this 5.1 compatible card as well...

Sapphire 11265-05-20G PULSE Radeon RX 580 8GB GDDR5... at MacSales.com

Sapphire 11265-05-20G PULSE Radeon RX 580 8GB GDDR5 8000MHz PCIe 3.0 Graphics Card. Engine clock up to 1366MHz, CrossFireX, DVI-I, HDMI, Dual-DisplayPort 1.4. *Used, OWC Tested*

eshop.macsales.com

I personally ordered, and waiting for the WX 7100 to arrive.

Does not make any sense to pay OWC prices for 2nd hand RX 580 GPUs when you can buy from the AMD store the brand new Radeon Pro WX7100 for just $30 more.

 

[chet.d]

Does not make any sense to pay OWC prices for 2nd hand RX 580 GPUs when you can buy from the AMD store the brand new Radeon Pro WX7100 for just $30 more.

Agreed. Just mentioned for sake of info / options.

 

[keksikuningas]

Does not make any sense to pay OWC prices for 2nd hand RX 580 GPUs when you can buy from the AMD store the brand new Radeon Pro WX7100 for just $30 more.

Since FirePros are same arch as RX580, they work past Monterey on cMP5,1 , correct?

 

[tsialex]

Since FirePros are same arch as RX580, they work past Monterey on cMP5,1 , correct?

FirePro WX 7100 is also an Ellesmere based GPU, so, the same compatibility and limitations as a the consumer RX 480/580 GPUs apply - AMD used the same chip/almost the same clocks as the RX 480.

Being very pedantic, the WX 7100 is the professional version of Polaris 10 XT initially released with the RX 480, AMD did a better bin process of the Polaris 10 XT and the binned version was renamed as Polaris 10 XT GL. This was done to have the cooler and lower energy consumption chips, so the GPU could be 1-slot only. In the end, the best Ellesmere chips were reserved for the FirePro GPUs.

For the RX 580 GPUs, AMD used a re-spin of the same Ellesmere chip. This one achieved bigger clocks, but with a substantial increase in power draw and working temperatures. This re-spin version of the Ellesmere/Polaris 10 XT was renamed as Polaris 20.

 

[chet.d]

Would it generally Not be advisable to buy a used WX 7100 VS a new one?

Point being, the new one I ordered is taking freaking forever from Amazon. Will be at least another week, maybe more. I was considering grabbing a used one that will get here in a few days & is cheaper of course. But maybe I should just wait if it's risky w the used not knowing how much use it's seen.

 

[AlexMaximus]

Would it generally Not be advisable to buy a used WX 7100 VS a new one?

Point being, the new one I ordered is taking freaking forever from Amazon. Will be at least another week, maybe more. I was considering grabbing a used one that will get here in a few days & is cheaper of course. But maybe I should just wait if it's risky w the used not knowing how much use it's seen.

You will be Very happy with that WX 7100 card. Unfortunately the Professional GPU line from AMD gets not enough media coverage. They usually run cooler, have better engineered cooling and also better driver package on the Windows side. I am super happy with my blue workstation card.
However, since I upgraded mine, for everybody who needs a really good 8GM RX580 Pulse for the MP5.1 (Mac EFI) with upgraded cooling, I still have one for sale.

 

[reader50]

I bought a used WX 7100 off eBay for my 4,1->5,1 to replace an RX580. I was trying to free up a slot, by switching to a single-slot GPU.

Price was good at $85, and performance was too - I didn't notice any difference vs my RX580. But I did notice fan noise. Low fan most of the time, quickly ramping up with fullscreen video. I run dual 4K monitors.

Not sure if my fan activity is caused by the dual monitors, or if heatsink grease is dried out on my WX7100. I don't know its history with previous owner. I've been meaning to do further tests, with a single monitor, then regrease the HS. Until then, I went back to my silent RX580.

 

[Marcosmg]

Dear friends, this is a little off topic and I don’t even know if this is the right place, so I apologize before hand. I just received my Sapphire Radeon 580 RX Pulse. I was able to buy one from Amazon as a refurbished, I could not afford a new one. It looks very nice but I’m still waiting for the connectors to arrive so I can install on my Mac Pro 5.1. I It will replace my old NVIDIA gtx 680 Mac edition. My question is, I’m not sure how much this gpu was used, it does look clean but still don’t know. Should I replace the thermal paste just on the safe side? Not sure. I have the NVIDIA for maybe 10 years and never had a problem but I always kept dust free. Thanks as usual.

 

[tsialex]

Dear friends, this is a little off topic and I don’t even know if this is the right place, so I apologize before hand. I just received my Sapphire Radeon 580 RX Pulse. I was able to buy one from Amazon as a refurbished, I could not afford a new one. It looks very nice but I’m still waiting for the connectors to arrive so I can install on my Mac Pro 5.1. I It will replace my old NVIDIA gtx 680 Mac edition. My question is, I’m not sure how much this gpu was used, it does look clean but still don’t know. Should I replace the thermal paste just on the safe side? Not sure. I have the NVIDIA for maybe 10 years and never had a problem but I always kept dust free. Thanks as usual.

Not until you are sure that the GPU works correctly, for now just clean it with compressed air.

 

[Marcosmg]

Not until you are sure that the GPU works correctly, for now just clean it with compressed air.

Thanks, you have helped me a great deal throughout these years with my Mac.

 

[tsialex]

Thanks, you have helped me a great deal throughout these years with my Mac.

Btw, post a full picture of this label, seems that this card was already opened:

Sometimes there are two labels there, mostly on older Sapphire Pulses, but on more recent ones have only one label that rips when you remove the heatsink assembly.

 

[Marcosmg]

Dang! You are right, it seems it was opened before. Everything looks really good just a little scratch on the back plate. The top and fans look new. I paid $119.00 for it and I have 30 days in case it doesn’t work. Not sure what to do now, the ones from eBay are about the same price. New ones are outrageous expensive.

 

[Marcosmg]

I was so happy about it, but not so much now

 

[tsialex]

Dang! You are right, it seems it was opened before. Everything looks really good just a little scratch on the back plate. The top and fans look new. I paid $119.00 for it and I have 30 days in case it doesn’t work. Not sure what to do now, the ones from eBay are about the same price. New ones are outrageous expensive.

This is a older Sapphire Pulse with DVI connector and still with the two labels.

So, not so easy to say that it was opened like the newer ones where the label rips when you open the heatsink assembly.

From the Amazon page, the card is a renewed one, so is very probable that it was opened/inspected, replacement tamper-proof adhesives applied, but the GPU seems in very good shape for a second hand or open-box one and from the label, is a 2304 SPs and Mac Pro compatible.

Test the hell out of it and only open it when the warranty expires.

 

[Marcosmg]

Thank you so much! I will install and see how it works, if it doesn’t work I will send it back, I have 30 days as I mentioned. I never leave my computer on but I will leave it on for about 4 days to see and play some movies to test it. I had an option to get the FXF, Nitro as well as some others but this one seems to be the most popular. By upgrading this Mac Pro 5.1 with this card, I can still use it for another 2 years maybe.
Again, thank so much and sorry for taking so much.

 

[Marcosmg]

I’m sad, installed the card, but it doesn’t work. At one point it started on Monterey but not in Ventura. Pressing the option but nothing shows. Reset the SMC twice, PRAM multiple times, tried hdmi and dvi, nothing.
I woke up today so excited about the installation but now I’m feeling pretty bad. Maybe the previous owner flashed the card for something else. I don’t know. I don’t have PC at home to check or reflash this card. Spent about 3 hours. Going downstairs now and eat some Taco Bell to see if I feel better

 

[tsialex]

I’m sad, installed the card, but it doesn’t work. At one point it started on Monterey but not in Ventura. Pressing the option but nothing shows. Reset the SMC twice, PRAM multiple times, tried hdmi and dvi, nothing.
I woke up today so excited about the installation but now I’m feeling pretty bad. Maybe the previous owner flashed the card for something else. I don’t know. I don’t have PC at home to check or reflash this card. Spent about 3 hours. Going downstairs now and eat some Taco Bell to see if I feel better

OCLP does not allow you to change the GPU, drivers for any other GPUs are removed.

You need to test with a clean install of Mojave, without OC or OCLP, completely vanilla.

 

[Marcosmg]

I will do that now and post the results, thanks a million

 

[Marcosmg]

Just one last question, should I remove the 580 and put the 680 back and than install Mojave and install the the 580 back?