Best GPU for Mac Pro 2009

[iWolf00]

Hello

I want to upgrade my GPU to any flagship GPU from Nividia or ATI for general use (playing games with DX 11). Right now the best GPU that works in Mac is 5870 which is I am not going to get it, because I am looking to the latest model.
What are the best performing GPU that I can use them in Mac Pro 2009? And do the ATI 7000 will fit in my Mac Pro 2009?

 

[flatfoot]

Since you know that there's nothing better than the 5870 on the Mac side, I gather you are talking Windows compatible cards.

In that case, anything will fit. You'll most probably need adapter cables for the additional power sockets.

If you want to use a Windows card and an OS X card alongside each other, you'll need an additional PSU, either internal or external.

 

[iWolf00]

Since you know that there's nothing better than the 5870 on the Mac side, I gather you are talking Windows compatible cards.

In that case, anything will fit. You'll most probably need adapter cables for the additional power sockets.

If you want to use a Windows card and an OS X card alongside each other, you'll need an additional PSU, either internal or external.

Thanks for ur kind response
I've waited for very long time of apple to release different card other than 5870 , but I herd from one of my friend that I can use any Nividia card in my MacPro, can't I?? Because if that is possible than I may go for gtx 580

I am no fan of two card for two OS , I like to have single card that fit for both OSX & win7

 

[Inconsequential]

nVidia kinda works. 7000 series doesn't work yet (no drivers in OS X and even 10.8 has poor support for them).

Best choice: 5870
Second choice: 6870
Third choice: 4870/5770

The 6870 needs to be flashed and is slightly less powerful than the 5870 but draws less power.

 

[velocityg4]

Thanks for ur kind response
I've waited for very long time of apple to release different card other than 5870 , but I herd from one of my friend that I can use any Nividia card in my MacPro, can't I?? Because if that is possible than I may go for gtx 580

I am no fan of two card for two OS , I like to have single card that fit for both OSX & win7

Reports I have read indicate the GTX 580 will work in Lion, at least reference cards. Now according to Netkas users it is much easier as nVidia has released new drivers that let most nVidia cards work out of the box. Although the official list does not mention anything above the 200 series the kext files list numerous cards up to the 500 series. So there is not a need for modified kexts to run most cards.

However there are some caveats. Most likely not all monitor ports will work. Only one or two will. You will get no boot screen, images will not show until the computer has loaded the graphics drivers. So keep your old card stored for diagnostic purposes.

 

[gpzjock]

Lion goes Team Green

The easiest PC card conversion is upgrade to Lion and install the new Nvidia drivers for it. Then buy a GTX570 and some Mac Pro power cables. Install it and it will work. Best performance for the least ƒu€kery.

 

[iWolf00]

nVidia kinda works. 7000 series doesn't work yet (no drivers in OS X and even 10.8 has poor support for them).

Best choice: 5870
Second choice: 6870
Third choice: 4870/5770

The 6870 needs to be flashed and is slightly less powerful than the 5870 but draws less power.

These cards present poor chocies and I won't spent $449 for three old GPU "5870". Moreover I am wondering Will HD 7000 series works in MacPro 2009 model??

Reports I have read indicate the GTX 580 will work in Lion, at least reference cards. Now according to Netkas users it is much easier as nVidia has released new drivers that let most nVidia cards work out of the box. Although the official list does not mention anything above the 200 series the kext files list numerous cards up to the 500 series. So there is not a need for modified kexts to run most cards.

However there are some caveats. Most likely not all monitor ports will work. Only one or two will. You will get no boot screen, images will not show until the computer has loaded the graphics drivers. So keep your old card stored for diagnostic purposes.

This is sound promosing if 580 will work in both lion and win7 then why shall I wait for ATI 7000 series, but what do I need to install this card in my MacPro?

I don't really care about minor issues and it happens I shall protect myself with return policy

The easiest PC card conversion is upgrade to Lion and install the new Nvidia drivers for it. Then buy a GTX570 and some Mac Pro power cables. Install it and it will work. Best performance for the least ƒu€kery.

Great idea ,but can I go for 580 instead?

 

[Inconsequential]

These cards present poor chocies and I won't spent $449 for three old GPU "5870". Moreover I am wondering Will HD 7000 series works in MacPro 2009 model??



This is sound promosing if 580 will work in both lion and win7 then why shall I wait for ATI 7000 series, but what do I need to install this card in my MacPro?

I don't really care about minor issues and it happens I shall protect myself with return policy




Great idea ,but can I go for 580 instead?

580 won't give you a boot screen and the drivers are currently broken in 10.7.4 apparently, so it's hardly a perfect solution.

The 7000 series won't work in OS X until Apple releases a machine with them in. So until that happens, no.

Find yourself a secondhand 5870 and flash it? I bought a 6870 for £120 ($180ish) and flashed it and that works great.

 

[derbothaus]

The easiest PC card conversion is upgrade to Lion and install the new Nvidia drivers for it. Then buy a GTX570 and some Mac Pro power cables. Install it and it will work. Best performance for the least ƒu€kery.

Only problem with that is the Lion upgrade part.

 

[gpzjock]

Only problem with that is the Lion upgrade part.

I am still running Snow Leopard to keep my Rosetta apps, so I agree that Lion could be an issue. If you can live with it and don't have a huge back catalogue of PowerPC software to use then why not?

A GTX580 has 8 pin power cables, the Mac Pro board has 6-pin connectors, adding a second PSU to the case is extra hassle imho. GTX570 ftw.

 

[derbothaus]

I am still running Snow Leopard to keep my Rosetta apps, so I agree that Lion could be an issue. If you can live with it and don't have a huge back catalogue of PowerPC software to use then why not?

A GTX580 has 8 pin power cables, the Mac Pro board has 6-pin connectors, adding a second PSU to the case is extra hassle imho. GTX570 ftw.

And CUDA/Mercury Engine goodness
Probably worth it if you use Adobe stuff.