2nd GPU in Dual GPU Config Needs Flashing?

[benjobe2513]

I'm considering getting a second GPU for my system. The GPU I have now has been flashed to get a boot screen. I would suspect that the second GPU wouldn't need to be flashed since it would not be running my monitors. Does anyone know if I'm correct?

My system:

2010 5,1 Mac Pro
3.46GHz 12-core
Radeon R9 280X (running two monitors)
OSX 10.9.4

I would be using the dual GPUs for After Effects, Premiere Pro, and Media Encoder.

I already know that I will need an external power supply for this config.

 

[brand]

Technically no but if you are going to the trouble to flash one why not flash both cards?

 

[benjobe2513]

Technically no but if you are going to the trouble to flash one why not flash both cards?

I bought the flashed 280X from MacVidCards. I'd like to save some money if possible by getting the second card unflashed.

Does anyone have an any experience with a dual graphics card set up with unflashed cards?

 

[Ironjer]

I bought the flashed 280X from MacVidCards. I'd like to save some money if possible by getting the second card unflashed.

Does anyone have an any experience with a dual graphics card set up with unflashed cards?

Yes, you should get other flashed card remember what non flashed and mod cards will work 2.5 gt/s pcie link speed only.

 

[benjobe2513]

Yes, you should get other flashed card remember what non flashed and mod cards will work 2.5 gt/s pcie link speed only.

So if I put a non-flashed PC card in my mac pro (say another Radeon R9 280x to match my current card which is flashed for boot screen) then it will be seen by my system and Adobe After Effects will be able to utilize it, but only at 2.5 GT/s? What is a GT/s?

 

[Ironjer]

Yes, it will work at 2.5gt/s (pcie 1.0) 5.0 gt/s (pcie 2.0)

 

[cebseb]

Yep, you should definitely flash the second card.

 

[itdk92]

Yes, you should get other flashed card remember what non flashed and mod cards will work 2.5 gt/s pcie link speed only.

I believe pcie 2.0 has been enabled on cMP by software update, hence no need to flash graphic cards anymore, beside having boot screen

 

[h9826790]

I believe pcie 2.0 has been enabled on cMP by software update, hence no need to flash graphic cards anymore, beside having boot screen

AFAIk, depends on the card. For Nvidia GPU, the web driver will enable PCIe 2.0.

For older AMD card (e.g. 280X), resistor R17 has to be remove in order to get PCIe 2.0 support.

And some user reported that the RX4xx card automatically get PCIe 2.0 without any mod.