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Apple Radeon 5770/5870 in pre-2010 Mac Pro's: What We Know So Far

Installed 5770 this morning in my 3,1. Super easy, and everything seems to be running fine.

I did an XBench with the old card and the new card, and the 2600 beat the 5770 in Quartz Graphics Test and OpenGL Graphics Test. The 5770 beat the 2600 in the User Interface Test. I was under the impression the 5770 would smoke the 2600 in the all the graphics tests. Not sure what's up with that, but the card appears to be running fine. Are those two tests not directly related to the card?
 
bitfactory said:
Installed 5770 this morning in my 3,1. Super easy, and everything seems to be running fine.

I did an XBench with the old card and the new card, and the 2600 beat the 5770 in Quartz Graphics Test and OpenGL Graphics Test. The 5770 beat the 2600 in the User Interface Test. I was under the impression the 5770 would smoke the 2600 in the all the graphics tests. Not sure what's up with that, but the card appears to be running fine. Are those two tests not directly related to the card?
Click to expand...

That's not right at all. Are you sure you have the drivers installed?
 
Do I need to install any new drivers on a 2009 Mac Pro running 10.6.5 and the 5770?

For what I use my computer for... The GTX 285 feels about the same as the 5770... No complaints.
 
goMac said:
That's not right at all. Are you sure you have the drivers installed?
Click to expand...

No updates from Software Update, and I couldn't find anything at AMD.

Here's what the System Profiler shows:
screenshot20101008at526.png

screenshot20101008at526.png


I did install the Catalyst software on the Windows Bootcamp side and it increased my video performance from a 6.4 to a 7.4 - and Steam is running great. Just surprised at the performance numbers from XBench on the Mac side.
 
goMac said:
That's not right at all. Are you sure you have the drivers installed?
Click to expand...

Btw, here are the XBench numbers:

from 2600:
Quartz Graphics Test 231.98
Line 196.50 13.08 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
Rectangle 267.15 79.76 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
Circle 226.51 18.46 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
Bezier 236.34 5.96 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
Text 245.40 15.35 Kchars/sec

OpenGL Graphics Test 271.03
Spinning Squares 271.03 343.81 frames/sec

User Interface Test 338.94
Elements 338.94 1.56 Krefresh/sec


from 5770:
Quartz Graphics Test 221.09
Line 188.44 12.55 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
Rectangle 256.39 76.54 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
Circle 217.20 17.70 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
Bezier 230.56 5.82 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
Text 223.87 14.00 Kchars/sec

OpenGL Graphics Test 262.24
Spinning Squares 262.24 332.67 frames/sec

User Interface Test 363.88
Elements 363.88 1.67 Krefresh/sec
 
Installed the 5770 into my MacPro 1,1. Everything works flawlessly. I have two flat panels connected to it, a 20" and a 24" via the DVI and a MDP->DVI adapter.

The card was very big, and it took some fiddling to get it into the case, but once in it slid right into place. There's been no noise difference in my MacPro that I've noticed.

Very happy.

System Info
Xbench Version 1.3
System Version 10.6.4 (10F616)
Physical RAM 6144 MB
Model MacPro1,1
Drive Type ST32000542AS

With two monitors connected:

Quartz Graphics Test 164.40
Line 130.74 8.70 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
Rectangle 172.57 51.52 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
Circle 135.73 11.06 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
Bezier 145.45 3.67 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
Text 366.57 22.93 Kchars/sec
OpenGL Graphics Test 156.49
Spinning Squares 156.49 198.51 frames/sec
User Interface Test 196.17
Elements 196.17 900.34 refresh/sec

With one 24" connected:

Quartz Graphics Test 171.78
Line 130.23 8.67 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
Rectangle 175.68 52.45 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
Circle 145.31 11.84 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
Bezier 151.66 3.83 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
Text 442.32 27.67 Kchars/sec
OpenGL Graphics Test 177.59
Spinning Squares 177.59 225.28 frames/sec
User Interface Test 208.98
Elements 208.98 959.11 refresh/sec
 
Civic said:
Well, according to this Apple KB article, a regular Mini DP to DVI adapter should work for two DVI monitors.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4279

It's for Early 2009 and Early 2010 Mac Pro's but it really shouldn't make a difference for an Early 2008 configuration, I'd think. I don't have any other Mini DP to X adapters to try.

Hmm...
Click to expand...

Here's what I found. It makes a difference which monitor is connected to which port. The only way I could get both monitors working was to switch connectors. This was odd because the boot screen would show up on monitor 2 and after boot, would switch so that menus appear on monitor 1. With the cables switched, monitor 1 would show the boot screen but monitor 2 would just show the purple space picture. Go figure.
 
syth said:
Installed the 5770 into my MacPro 1,1. Everything works flawlessly. I have two flat panels connected to it, a 20" and a 24" via the DVI and a MDP->DVI adapter.
Click to expand...

Which exact card did you purchase and from where? I have the same mac pro, a 2.66. thanks!!
 
johhhn said:
Which exact card did you purchase and from where? I have the same mac pro, a 2.66. thanks!!
Click to expand...

I think you will find that he is talking about Apple's 5770 - correct me if I'm mistaken but this card, together with Apple's illusive 8570, are the subject of this thread. Again, correct me if I'm wrong but I think you can only purchase them (at least the 5770) online - they are not yet available in store. Just search for 5770 in your country's Apple online store and you should find it.
 
syth said:
Installed the 5770 into my MacPro 1,1. Everything works flawlessly. I have two flat panels connected to it, a 20" and a 24" via the DVI and a MDP->DVI adapter.
Click to expand...

Thanks for you report!
Could you please post your Boot ROM version too? (you can find it in Apple System Profiler's Hardware Overview panel)

Here what I get from mine:
Code: 
  Model Name:	Mac Pro
  Model Identifier:	MacPro1,1
  Processor Name:	Dual-Core Intel Xeon
  Processor Speed:	3 GHz
  Number Of Processors:	2
  Total Number Of Cores:	4
  L2 Cache (per processor):	4 MB
  Memory:	6 GB
  Bus Speed:	1,33 GHz
 [B] Boot ROM Version:	MP11.005C.B08[/B]
  SMC Version (system):	1.7f10
  Serial Number (system):	XXXXXXXXXXX

...and here an xBench 1.3 report of my system (ATI X1900XT connected to an Apple Cinema Display 23") for comparison:
Code: 
Quartz Graphics Test	229.83	
Line	195.65	13.03 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
Rectangle	262.18	78.27 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
Circle	221.05	18.02 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
Bezier	235.21	5.93 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
Text	246.64	15.43 Kchars/sec
OpenGL Graphics Test	262.99	
Spinning Squares	262.99	333.62 frames/sec
User Interface Test	276.14	
Elements	276.14	1.27 Krefresh/sec

5770 into syth's MacPro 1,1 (24" dispaly)
Code: 
Quartz Graphics Test 171.78
Line 130.23 8.67 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
Rectangle 175.68 52.45 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
Circle 145.31 11.84 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
Bezier 151.66 3.83 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
Text 442.32 27.67 Kchars/sec
OpenGL Graphics Test 177.59
Spinning Squares 177.59 225.28 frames/sec
User Interface Test 208.98
Elements 208.98 959.11 refresh/sec
(you got pretty strange results.... maybe you have to install the right video drivers for the new card; did Apple put a driver CD in the box?)
 
upgrade my gpu - help?

hi all...hoping for some guidance

im new to the whole "upgrade your gpu" thing :p so i hope you can be as descriptive and helpful as possible, and bare with my stupidity.

Background:
- i currently have a quad-core 09 macpro, with the factory installed GT120 gpu.
- This is connected to a single display: 32" LCD TV at 1080i.
- recent games (like Bioshock 2, Just Cause 2, L4D2) are running slow on both macOSX and W7 (bootcamp). I have to set them to almost lowest settings to get any decent playback, and even then sometimes the game stutters along like my grandmas slide show adventures of the grand canyon.

Questions:
1. I will mostly game in W7 (bootcamp) right now, but as more games become available in OSX (through Steam) I would prefer to play native instead. What do you recommend in order to play these recent games in higher quality = 2x 5770 or 1x 5880?
2. If I go the 2x 5770 route...OSX does not support 2 gpu's...correct? therefore when gaming on mac it wouldnt be much better then my current setup?
3. Is there any time frame of when Apple will support dual gpu's?
4. If I go the 2x 5770 kits from Apple, how do I install this so that it is setup correctly for maximum performance under OSX and W7? Anything special besides putting them in the machine and turning on? Especially for windows...do i need to install something to make it see both gpu's?
 
Just finished installing the 5770 in a 1,1 with the MP11.005C.B08 boot rom.

Originally had a 3870 in there with passive cooling. No discernible noise difference.

As for speed improvements, I don't have have any to speak of sadly.

My interest was with Motion. I created a sample Motion project and rendered it on both the 3870 and the 5770. It took essentially the same time on the 5770 - infact - it took about 30 seconds more!

This confirms some of the above benchmarks, albeit in a completely anecdotal way.

A big (huge) disappointment, at least for me.

Installing and getting two monitors up and running (both 24" Samsung displays I've had for about 3 years) was no issue though. One connected via DVI and one connected via the MDP to DVI adapter I bought from Apple with the card. System booted fine the first time.
 
My xbench results.

Code: 
Results	249.66	
	System Info		
		Xbench Version		1.3
		System Version		10.6.4 (10F569)
		Physical RAM		16384 MB
		Model		MacPro1,1
		Drive Type		Animal_Style_SL-R
	Quartz Graphics Test	227.97	
		Line	173.48	11.55 Klines/sec [50% alpha]
		Rectangle	228.22	68.14 Krects/sec [50% alpha]
		Circle	191.30	15.59 Kcircles/sec [50% alpha]
		Bezier	205.61	5.19 Kbeziers/sec [50% alpha]
		Text	589.58	36.88 Kchars/sec
	OpenGL Graphics Test	228.17	
		Spinning Squares	228.17	289.45 frames/sec
	User Interface Test	307.97	
		Elements	307.97	1.41 Krefresh/sec
 
NoNameBrand said:
I'm curious if 10.6.5 will make a difference. I'm waiting on it and further reports from 1,1/5770s users before ordering one for me. Have a 3870 now and my primary GPU uses are Aperture 3 and a few games (TF2/L4D2 currently).
Click to expand...

It's funny you mention that. I had forgotten my plan was to wait for 10.6.5... got a cheque I hadn't expected and decided to upgrade - without thinking.

Between the fact there's no discernible noise increase and no performance decreased I shouldn't be THAT disappointed. If even a modest 20% increase in speed comes along that would more than make up for the $250 of the upgrade and ensure this particular Mac Pro would be viable in an edit room for another 2 years.

I am hopeful performance will improve.
 
johhhn said:
Which exact card did you purchase and from where? I have the same mac pro, a 2.66. thanks!!
Click to expand...

I bought the Apple card. I was not willing to save a little money and have a card that didn't work with the EFI boot manager.

It looks great in WoW, but eagerly awaiting 10.6.5 when it will look even better.
 
Caesar_091 said:
Thanks for you report!
Could you please post your Boot ROM version too? (you can find it in Apple System Profiler's Hardware Overview panel)
Click to expand...

Boot ROM Version: MP11.005C.B08

Caesar_091 said:
Processor Speed: 3 GHz
Click to expand...
Mine is 2GHz

Caesar_091 said:
(you got pretty strange results.... maybe you have to install the right video drivers for the new card; did Apple put a driver CD in the box?)
Click to expand...

There are no discs in the box, but I am still on 10.6.4 and I am running OS X Server (dunno if that matters) and 6GB of memory.

Here's what shows up for PCI cards in System Profiler:


ATI Radeon HD 5770:

Name: ATY,HoolockParent
Type: ATY,HoolockParent
Driver Installed: No
Bus: PCI
Slot: Slot-1
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0xaa58
Subsystem Vendor ID: 0x106b
Subsystem ID: 0xaa58
Revision ID: 0x0000
Link Width: x16
Link Speed: 2.5 GT/s

ATI Radeon HD 5770:

Name: ATY,Hoolock
Type: display
Driver Installed: Yes
Bus: PCI
Slot: Slot-1
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x68b8
Subsystem Vendor ID: 0x106b
Subsystem ID: 0x00cf
Revision ID: 0x0000
Link Width: x16
Link Speed: 2.5 GT/s
 
can someone please help advise me:

if i get the 2x 5770:
1. In OSX playing games I would only be able to use a single 5770, Correct?
2. If yes, would the performance be much better then my current stock 1x GT 120?
3. When installing for use with bootcamp, do I need to order anything in addition to the Mac Kits to make it work in crossfire mode in W7 bootcamp?
 
benderbends said:
can someone please help advise me:

if i get the 2x 5770:
1. In OSX playing games I would only be able to use a single 5770, Correct?
Click to expand...

Yes, currently no games support dual GPU's in OS X. Although OpenCL woulsd use both cards.

benderbends said:
2. If yes, would the performance be much better then my current stock 1x GT 120?
Click to expand...

Yes. No comparison.

benderbends said:
3. When installing for use with bootcamp, do I need to order anything in addition to the Mac Kits to make it work in crossfire mode in W7 bootcamp?
Click to expand...

I think you have to do some setup in the Catalyst control panel? Not entirely sure.
 
benderbends said:
can someone please help advise me:
3. When installing for use with bootcamp, do I need to order anything in addition to the Mac Kits to make it work in crossfire mode in W7 bootcamp?
Click to expand...

I think you need a crossfire cable that connects the two cards which doesn't come with the Mac version of the card and I don't know where you can get one from (anyone any ideas - I'd like to know as well?).

The BIG question is though, will two cards under W7 bootcamp perform significantly better than one! Barefeats put a 5870 (which is basically the equivalent of two 5770 cards) into a 1,1 Mac Pro (with a rare firmware version that enables the card to work) and found that it gave little extra performance with OSX games than the 5770. The interesting thing is is that they said that they expected this. However, they didn't give a reason why they expected it so we are left in the dark a bit. But the fact is that these guys know what they are doing and they reckoned they know why there was no performance gain. The question is is it a physical hardware reason or just an OSX software reason - if it's a hardware issue will two 5770's solve the problem over a single 5870??.

So, anyway, under OSX the graphics performance is near maxing out with a single 5770!! Why and will this be the case under windows? Depending on the reason there might be no point putting an extra 5770 into a 1,1 mac pro even if it 'works'.

One thing I've found out though is that Windows 7 Home Premium will only use one processor (all cores of that processor though) - and this is indeed maxed out when running Portal under Windows. To get Windows to use more than one processor you need to upgrade to Windows Professional. However, I have a suspicion that even if you do this Portal (at least) will still only use one processor (because this seems to be the case when running Portal under OSx). If that is the case, then this might be the reason why the 1,1 mac pro with just duel core processors might not be powerful enough to utilize more graphics power than a single 5770. All guess work really until someone actually sticks two 5770 cards into a 1,1 mac pro.
 
i picked up the sapphire 5870 pc version.....
but the cables it comes with dont connect to the aux power in mac pro 09.

any ideas on what cables i need to get instead? can you please supply good photos as i need to shop in a place they dont speak english and i dont speak enough chinese to explain it to them.
 
Audio not working for me

Here's what I've got:

Mac Pro 1,1
Boon ROM Version: MP11.005C.B08
ATI Radeon HD 5770
Apple 27-inch LED Cinema Display

  • Display works
  • iSight camera works
  • Display Audio not working

In System Preferences -> Sound I have Display Audio (Type = USB) selected, but I don't hear any system sounds or iTunes audio. Changing the volume is noticeably lagged.

Thanks to all in this thread for the info. Glad to see I could get the LED Cinema display (mostly) working on my old Mac Pro.
 
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