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Soooo. For whatever reason none of my USB sticks are successful in getting Sierra to install. But I did install fresh HS on a spinning disk..

One notable difference is that apparently native driver was able to give me 4K from the get-go on one screen. Installing web driver gave me both screens and 2K mode. Now trying to get a benchmark tool name, that I used to measure stuff in another install. _Seems_ a bit faster, although let's say resizing a heavy browser window is still very very sluggish.

I'll try to get myself a stock of new USB sticks tomorrow and retry with Sierra again.. Man, this is frustrating.

Burn a disc. USB installer is not a good option on cMP, lots of user never success.
 
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First-time driver installation was in fact done with SIP enabled. I have it disabled now cause I was trying out some patches, and other whatnots. I'm happy to install base High Sierra wiping the main drive. For my apps it's more like "brew FTW!", don't have much non-brew stuff installed. But do you see anything really missing that warrants a reinstall? It seems like all components, kexts, etc are loaded?

For whatever reason, I thought I had it wrapped-up, also, but the driver refused to fully install.

It was like I had one, and only one, chance to get it right ;/

Your persistence and patience will definitely pay-off <smile>

Regards, splifingate
 
I've ONLY had success with the USB stick installer on 5,1 when using a single drive connected via SATA using an official GPU card (ATI 5770 Mac and EVGA NVIDIA GTX 680 Official Mac). If you have any "extras" that are not essential to an OS install (PCIe USB cards, PCIe SSDs, additional SATA drives, multiple monitors, bluetooth adapters, etc.) remove them all and it may help.
 
Right. I've decided I'll do a complete fresh reinstall of HS. Screw that. It's been YEARS that I did a fresh install anyway, I think this system has always been upgraded. Pretty much since its inception :)

Time for a fresh start. I'll report back on NV driver after reinstall. Probably will come back whining with lack of success.. :p

So for my understanding. Web Driver with SIP enabled. Do I need CUDA as well or is that optional?
And do I need to do anything special other than just follow MacVidCards instructions?
 
Right. I've decided I'll do a complete fresh reinstall of HS. Screw that. It's been YEARS that I did a fresh install anyway, I think this system has always been upgraded. Pretty much since its inception :)

Time for a fresh start. I'll report back on NV driver after reinstall. Probably will come back whining with lack of success.. :p

So for my understanding. Web Driver with SIP enabled. Do I need CUDA as well or is that optional?
And do I need to do anything special other than just follow MacVidCards instructions?

CUDA is not required.

As long as you keep SIP enabled, and allow the web driver in system preference. The card should able to work properly. [Assume it's a real MVC card (you bought it from MVC), but not from a 3d party (possible dump his ROM and then randomly flashed onto another card]
 
CUDA is not required.

As long as you keep SIP enabled, and allow the web driver in system preference. The card should able to work properly. [Assume it's a real MVC card (you bought it from MVC), but not from a 3d party (possible dump his ROM and then randomly flashed onto another card]
Unfortunately since I'm not in the US and MVC was sold out ages ago I did buy it from a 3rd party here in the Netherlands. However, card claims to have MVC ROM as well as 3rd party swears on his own grave that card is an MVC re-sell.

What would be my options if it's a ROM dump and a re-flash? Trash a EUR 690,- card? :(
 
If that’s the issue, could be possible to reflash to non-EFI and then deal without boot screens. Possibly could also have MVC service or reflash. Would reach out to seller to get original paperwork from MVC. This sorta thing is exactly why I don’t buy used GPUs or GPUs from eBay.
 
Well, there I was. Reinstalled and all that.. To say that it's much better - not really. Aside of the fact that my machine is clean now :D

Oh well. Back to square one I suppose. Did install web driver with SIP enabled, allowed it in the security panel, etc, etc. So all seems legit.
 
Well, there I was. Reinstalled and all that.. To say that it's much better - not really. Aside of the fact that my machine is clean now :D

Oh well. Back to square one I suppose. Did install web driver with SIP enabled, allowed it in the security panel, etc, etc. So all seems legit.



Clean installs are a Wonderful thing. Especially if you haven't done it in years.

It's better than a clean pair of underwear...

:D
 
If that’s the issue, could be possible to reflash to non-EFI and then deal without boot screens. Possibly could also have MVC service or reflash. Would reach out to seller to get original paperwork from MVC. This sorta thing is exactly why I don’t buy used GPUs or GPUs from eBay.
Agreed. Flash back to stock or get MVC paperwork from seller. It's really looking like it's not a legit MVC card which explains it all.
 
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Agreed. Flash back to stock or get MVC paperwork from seller. It's really looking like it's not a legit MVC card which explains it all.
If I flash it back to stock it will perform better? I'm not sure I'm following.
Other than that - is it possible to flash it back to stock using a mac? If so - are there any instructions on how to do that?
I can always use the stock ATI card if I ever need a boot screen.
 
If I flash it back to stock it will perform better? I'm not sure I'm following.
Other than that - is it possible to flash it back to stock using a mac? If so - are there any instructions on how to do that?
I can always use the stock ATI card if I ever need a boot screen.
You'd have to find the exact BIOS for your card first and then use nvflash on a PC to flash it.
https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/?manufacturer=EVGA&model=GTX+980+Ti
You will lose the ability to see boot screen but it MAY fix your card if the issue with it is in fact due to a hacked MVC BIOS.
 
You'd have to find the exact BIOS for your card first and then use nvflash on a PC to flash it.
https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/?manufacturer=EVGA&model=GTX+980+Ti
You will lose the ability to see boot screen but it MAY fix your card if the issue with it is in fact due to a hacked MVC BIOS.
The "may" part of it is dodgy :) Alongside the fact that I don't have a PC laying around :( Mac-only household. Flashing back to stock doesn't sound like a rocket science, but if results will be the same - it would mean I won't have the option of going back (unless nvflash backs up the current ROM).
 
The "may" part of it is dodgy :) Alongside the fact that I don't have a PC laying around :( Mac-only household.
True, but at this stage you either return the card to eBay or try your luck I think.
The card is powered correctly from what you've said and a clean install would eliminate most other issues.
It is very likely a bad MVC BIOS but yes, this would be a one way shot which may or may not fix the problem.

I'd send it back and get my money back if I were you. The card is not fit for purpose in its current state and it sounds like you don't really have the resources to fix it either.
 
True, but at this stage you either return the card to eBay or try your luck I think.
The card is powered correctly from what you've said and a clean install would eliminate most other issues.
It is very likely a bad MVC BIOS but yes, this would be a one way shot which may or may not fix the problem.

I'd send it back and get my money back if I were you. The card is not fit for purpose in its current state and it sounds like you don't really have the resources to fix it either.

I haven't bought it on eBay luckily, there's this infamous Dutch mac dealer dealing with this all, so I got the paperwork, the warranty and all that, it will take no effort to get the cash back. Before I do that, however.. One last thing. Is there some tool I can use to test that the performance I'm observing isn't something I'm just imagining? I.e. some number that either confirms that card is underperforming or that I'm having an OCD seizure.
[doublepost=1518198814][/doublepost]OTOH - nevermind. Stock ATI renders sh*t faster visually, although in a low-DPI mode. I'll go back to the chap and will probably take GTX68- instead. That one I can at least re-flash in case of a fail.
 
I haven't bought it on eBay luckily, there's this infamous Dutch mac dealer dealing with this all, so I got the paperwork, the warranty and all that, it will take no effort to get the cash back. Before I do that, however.. One last thing. Is there some tool I can use to test that the performance I'm observing isn't something I'm just imagining? I.e. some number that either confirms that card is underperforming or that I'm having an OCD seizure.
[doublepost=1518198814][/doublepost]OTOH - nevermind. Stock ATI renders sh*t faster visually, although in a low-DPI mode. I'll go back to the chap and will probably take GTX68- instead. That one I can at least re-flash in case of a fail.
Have you considered an RX 580 instead? A very good option these days, if you can find one at a reasonable price.
 
Have you considered an RX 580 instead? A very good option these days, if you can find one at a reasonable price.

Hi Squuiid,
but with your Sapphire RX580 Pulse 8GB is possible look the boot with screen Apple?
 
Hi Squuiid,
but with your Sapphire RX580 Pulse 8GB is possible look the boot with screen Apple?
No. But why does one really need it? The OS has native drivers for the RX 580, even in recovery mode.
Sure, you lose the boot selection menu but there are ways around that.
Instead you get a high performing and very compatible card in macOS.
 
There are many reports on this forum of the RX580 working in 10.13 and it is the card being used by Apple in the eGPU developer kit:
https://developer.apple.com/development-kit/external-graphics/

Out of all the AMD cards, this one should have the most compatibility moving forward, however other AMD cards do work as well. Check the sticky at the top of this forum. IF you are considering the RX 580 card, would suggest getting as close to the developer kit's Sapphire AMD RX 580 8GB as possible.
 
Burn a disc. USB installer is not a good option on cMP, lots of user never success.

I've never had issues installing from a USB stick on my cMP 5,1. Just needed to reinstall HS earlier this week due to a malware problem. I've been using USB sticks for OS installations for years now.

Lou
 
I've never had issues installing from a USB stick on my cMP 5,1. Just needed to reinstall HS earlier this week due to a malware problem. I've been using USB sticks for OS installations for years now.

Lou

Then, may be you can teach OP how to do it correctly. I myself never success, really can’t help.

If we can figure out why work on some users but not the others, I would like to put that in the sticky upgrade thread.
 
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