I'll tell you why. If you get a simple reference card it will do just about anything any other 6870 reference card from some other vendor can do. However, if you get with some of the special cards, you'll see that some of them are overclocked. They're faster, and when it comes to gaming a bit better. For example my two XFX 6870 black editions with the twin fan cooling run at 940GHz. The memory is also already factory overclocked. Also because of this higher benchmark I have a good starting point when I start to overclock them more. I can run my two 6870s at just over a 1GHz and they run stable. Now that might sound good to you or you might be thinking "why on god's green earth would I want to do that?" I do it because I like to play games like Crysis 1 and 2, Metro 2033, and other games that just require raw power to push the graphics. So if your just going to do photoshop, maya, zbrush, or any other graphical application, then just go with what saves you money. However, if your a big gamer on the side, or if your running something that requires the oomph so to say, then go with something that has a little more edge. It will cost more, but it is worth it, if you think you'll get your moneys worth.
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2009 MacPro + 6870 = :-)
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I'll tell you why. If you get a simple reference card it will do just about anything any other 6870 reference card from some other vendor can do. However, if you get with some of the special cards, you'll see that some of them are overclocked. They're faster, and when it comes to gaming a bit better. For example my two XFX 6870 black editions with the twin fan cooling run at 940GHz. The memory is also already factory overclocked. Also because of this higher benchmark I have a good starting point when I start to overclock them more. I can run my two 6870s at just over a 1GHz and they run stable. Now that might sound good to you or you might be thinking "why on god's green earth would I want to do that?" I do it because I like to play games like Crysis 1 and 2, Metro 2033, and other games that just require raw power to push the graphics. So if your just going to do photoshop, maya, zbrush, or any other graphical application, then just go with what saves you money. However, if your a big gamer on the side, or if your running something that requires the oomph so to say, then go with something that has a little more edge. It will cost more, but it is worth it, if you think you'll get your moneys worth.
Hello,
Thanks for the explanations. On the other hand, the 5 6870 I've seen compared gave nearly identical results (black edition wasn't there).
I looked up benchmarks between the Black edition and the reference card, with all the settings maxed: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/12/27/xfx_radeon_hd_6870_black_edition_video_card_review/3
Performance in fps:
Title:---------------Reference---------Black
Lost Planet 2:--------38----------------40
Civilisation 5:---------30---------------30
Mafia II:---------------37---------------39
Battlefield 2 BC:-----44---------------45
I get the theory behind overclocking, but it looks like for these games it's at *best* 5%. Not sure it's worth any more cash.
Loa
Thanks for the explanations. On the other hand, the 5 6870 I've seen compared gave nearly identical results (black edition wasn't there).
I looked up benchmarks between the Black edition and the reference card, with all the settings maxed: http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/12/27/xfx_radeon_hd_6870_black_edition_video_card_review/3
Performance in fps:
Title:---------------Reference---------Black
Lost Planet 2:--------38----------------40
Civilisation 5:---------30---------------30
Mafia II:---------------37---------------39
Battlefield 2 BC:-----44---------------45
I get the theory behind overclocking, but it looks like for these games it's at *best* 5%. Not sure it's worth any more cash.
Loa
Hey, I have a Mac Pro 2008 also. I'd like to know exactly what 6870 you have? Any help would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Mythlin
Hey Everyone,
I'm new to this whole PC Graphics Card in a Mac Pro thing. I've been reading almost all day on "Flashing" cards and what not, just trying to get as much info on the type of card that will suite me best performance/price wise. I have a 2008 Mac Pro and was wondering if with the new Lion you are limited to the 6870 Series or could I get a 6950 or even a used 5870 from like XFX? Has anyone tested such graphics card, or, know someone who uses it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Mythlin
I'm new to this whole PC Graphics Card in a Mac Pro thing. I've been reading almost all day on "Flashing" cards and what not, just trying to get as much info on the type of card that will suite me best performance/price wise. I have a 2008 Mac Pro and was wondering if with the new Lion you are limited to the 6870 Series or could I get a 6950 or even a used 5870 from like XFX? Has anyone tested such graphics card, or, know someone who uses it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Mythlin
Hey Everyone,
I'm new to this whole PC Graphics Card in a Mac Pro thing. I've been reading almost all day on "Flashing" cards and what not, just trying to get as much info on the type of card that will suite me best performance/price wise. I have a 2008 Mac Pro and was wondering if with the new Lion you are limited to the 6870 Series or could I get a 6950 or even a used 5870 from like XFX? Has anyone tested such graphics card, or, know someone who uses it?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Mythlin
http://forum.netkas.org/
Hello,
Quick question about the power cables: can we get them anywhere else than OWC? Are they regular PC cables?
I can't seem to find them on newegg: I find 8 to 6 pin, 4 to 6, 6 extensions, 8 to 8 pins... but not a single, straight, simple 6 to 6 pins.
Thanks
Loa
Quick question about the power cables: can we get them anywhere else than OWC? Are they regular PC cables?
I can't seem to find them on newegg: I find 8 to 6 pin, 4 to 6, 6 extensions, 8 to 8 pins... but not a single, straight, simple 6 to 6 pins.
Thanks
Loa
Last edited:
Thanks for the find, but from Canada, the shipping kills it.
Does anyone know if I can use this 1 to 2 cable with the 6870 in a 2009 MP? ( http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/2795/1to201.jpg )
Thanks
Any update on whether or not the Boot Camp OS screen works?
I'm looking at getting one of these cards to use primarily in Windows (for Eyefinity purposes), but do most of my work on the Mac side, so I want to make sure it works in both.
Otherwise, I'd just have to guess when it pops up and what partition is selected and that wouldn't be good!
I'm looking at getting one of these cards to use primarily in Windows (for Eyefinity purposes), but do most of my work on the Mac side, so I want to make sure it works in both.
Otherwise, I'd just have to guess when it pops up and what partition is selected and that wouldn't be good!
have a read through these pages:
http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,1085.0.html
some of the guys there have got theirs working.
http://forum.netkas.org/index.php/topic,1085.0.html
some of the guys there have got theirs working.
Hi,
I just ordered a XFX 6870 yesterday (non black eyefinity) to replace my aging 8800gt.
Is there any reason to not flash the card? I dont need the boot screen per se, but I do need steam support. I was planning on flashing the card, but now I question if I should just plug it in and use it...
Note: I am still running 10.6.8
I just ordered a XFX 6870 yesterday (non black eyefinity) to replace my aging 8800gt.
Is there any reason to not flash the card? I dont need the boot screen per se, but I do need steam support. I was planning on flashing the card, but now I question if I should just plug it in and use it...
Note: I am still running 10.6.8
Hey! No, I didn't use any drivers. Just used the Stock ROM and it works surprinsingly good. I don't mind it at all, I never use the DVD Player and play Steam games on the Windows side. One thing that seems to be wrong with the stock ROM seems to mess with Final Cut Pro X. It always crashes, I'm not sure if it the Graphics Card. But I think it is. Hopefully future updates will fix it.
Hi,
Also new to this OSX GPU issue and several months late into this thread I'd like to add a 6870 to a 2009 Mac Pro. I've read most of the thread, but a few questions remain:
1. Where are the drivers (the link is dead)?
2. Can I install this card on 10.6.8 or do I have to upgrade to Lion?
3. If I can't switch OSes in the invisible bootscreen, and I select Windows from the Startup Preferences Panel, how can I switch back to booting OSX in Windows?
Thanks a lot.
Also new to this OSX GPU issue and several months late into this thread I'd like to add a 6870 to a 2009 Mac Pro. I've read most of the thread, but a few questions remain:
1. Where are the drivers (the link is dead)?
2. Can I install this card on 10.6.8 or do I have to upgrade to Lion?
3. If I can't switch OSes in the invisible bootscreen, and I select Windows from the Startup Preferences Panel, how can I switch back to booting OSX in Windows?
Thanks a lot.
1. http://www.groths.org/?p=431
2. Yes to 10.6.8
3. Install bootcamp drivers in Windows, then there is a "reboot in OS X" utility in the system tray.
I have not done this myself, just sharing information from others.
1. Do I need to install both "ATI Graphics Update.pkg" and the kext file before inserting the card? I've read somewhere that the ATY_init file was no longer necessary.
2. Cool.
3. I can't install them. I've managed to find the Bootcamp 3.1 drivers (I think, or maybe 3.3?) and every time I tried Windows (7, 64-bit) says they are not needed.
Thanks.
2. Cool.
3. I can't install them. I've managed to find the Bootcamp 3.1 drivers (I think, or maybe 3.3?) and every time I tried Windows (7, 64-bit) says they are not needed.
Thanks.
1) It all depends on the functionality you want.
3) Well you should fix that then, or flash the card and you get boot screen on the DVI port.
I've been thinking about helping the community by writing a FAQ. If one of the experts would be kind enough to promise to review it for accuracy, then I will do so. Otherwise I will not as I am afraid of spreading incorrect information.
Thank you. Like I wrote, I'm a total newbie to these procedures. It would be very helpful if you could point me to a resource which describes clearly the different functionalities offered by the driver (pkg) and the kext files.
As you can imagine, I'm not too intent on flashing the card. If someone has an idea why Windows 7 refuses to install the BC drivers, it would be great.
Thanks again.
As you can imagine, I'm not too intent on flashing the card. If someone has an idea why Windows 7 refuses to install the BC drivers, it would be great.
Thanks again.
I do not know of any single resource. The information is spread all over the place, mostly on Netkas.org and a little bit here too.