Best graphics card for 2010 Mac Pro that is supported out of box

[Squuiid]

This is what you need. Ships worldwide and is excellent quality. Many of us have bought from here:
https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/16AWG-Dual...-Video-Card-Power-Cable-GTX1080-/222427634072

 

[h9826790]

Strange, I was not able to come up with that product in my searches. So I just connect the existing PCIe power cables to that, and that to the video card right?

Thanks!

Correct

 

[Ethosik]

Correct

Thank you for the assistance!

 

[Mike Richardson]

I am in the same position as OP so I decided to bump this thread instead of doing a new one since it has some good ideas.

Except I have a 5770 and I am trying to run a 4K monitor that I just got on a fantastic deal.

The monitor runs, and looks beautiful (it's being treated as a Retina type display - if I use DVI. For some reason, Mini DisplayPort treated it as just a massive huge display with tiny text, and no boot screen either).

But it only runs at 30 Hz. (Maybe this is what OP refers to as a "Sluggish UI")

The mouse is jerky, animations seem to be jerky, etc. A 30 fps 4K video plays fine though.

I don't mind flashing, and would like to spend $250 or less (what the monitor cost).

I have encrypted drives so I would really need to have the boot screen show up.

Being able to boot earlier OS X versions would be nice, but I can just change that over to virtualization, or maybe leave the 5770 in there for that. (Snow Leopard to run a few old PPC apps on rare occasion).

 

[h9826790]

I am in the same position as OP so I decided to bump this thread instead of doing a new one since it has some good ideas.

Except I have a 5770 and I am trying to run a 4K monitor that I just got on a fantastic deal.

The monitor runs, and looks beautiful (it's being treated as a Retina type display - if I use DVI. For some reason, Mini DisplayPort treated it as just a massive huge display with tiny text, and no boot screen either).

But it only runs at 30 Hz. (Maybe this is what OP refers to as a "Sluggish UI")

The mouse is jerky, animations seem to be jerky, etc. A 30 fps 4K video plays fine though.

I don't mind flashing, and would like to spend $250 or less (what the monitor cost).

I have encrypted drives so I would really need to have the boot screen show up.

Being able to boot earlier OS X versions would be nice, but I can just change that over to virtualization, or maybe leave the 5770 in there for that. (Snow Leopard to run a few old PPC apps on rare occasion).

I can hardly think about any good upgrade for you if you want 4K 60Hz + boot screen + Snow Leopard

But if you can use VM to run SL, then the next hurdle will be... Do you need 4K 60Hz boot screen?

There is huge difference between "Have boot screen + able to run 4K 60Hz" and "able to show 4K 60Hz boot screen".

If you want 4K 60Hz boot screen. AFAIK, there is NO OOTB option for you, none, not exist.

The best option will be buy a flashed card from MVC (Maxwell or above). For $250 budget, that means the option is 750Ti. However, that will require web driver to run properly. Not even close to OOTB support.

If you only need to have boot screen (up to 4K 30Hz). Don't mind to set the 4k monitor to DP1.1 before every single boot, and then set it back to DP1.2 after load to desktop. Then again, both flashed 7950 and 680 (from a reliable source) can be a good upgrade for you (if you want 100% OOTB, and don't want to flash the card by yourself).

 

[bsbeamer]

Can you dual boot Snow Leopard and High Sierra, or is that not even an option?

EVGA GTX 680 Mac Edition is the closest to an OOTB solution, but that requires Mountain Lion at minimum for OOTB.

 

[MisterAndrew]

I agree with h9826790. A flashed HD 7950 or R9 280X would be best for boot screen.

 

[Mike Richardson]

OK, totally disregard Snow Leopard. I just want a boot screen. I am not even getting a consistent boot screen with the Radeon 5770. For some reason, I have to boot it, wait a few minutes, shut it down forcefully, then boot it again, it will boot to a really screwed up "Forgot your password" screen that I assume is being provided by a recovery partition. Then you have to click "exit" and then finally I can get the pre-boot screen to enter my password.

I even tried memorizing the key commands for the pre-boot screen, but for some reason that does not work, until I do all this crap with the Recovery thing.

I am also seeing graphical glitches with the Radeon 5770 when I am in 4K/Retina mode.

Like randomly a part of the screen will go scrambled for maybe a single frame. It's very very subtle and hard to notice but occurs at least a few times per hour. If you have ever seen a screen have an HDCP failure (where it looks like noise) - the glitch looks like that, but not the whole screen.

As far as dual booting: This Mac Pro actually booted Leopard the first time I ever booted it. Before I ever turned it on I had installed my G5's hard drive, so I could take a full image. The computer decided to boot from the G5's hard drive, absolutely no problem.

With all that said: Retina is kind of addicting. Makes you want to sit closer to see the detail - and then lurch back when I have to use an older app or whatever.

 

[ActionableMango]

OK, totally disregard Snow Leopard.

AFAIK there is no 100% compatible out of the box solution for 4K boot screen and MacOS support:

• Newer AMD cards that support 4K appropriately don't have boot screens. So those are just right out.
• Newer Nvidia cards that support 4K appropriately can have boot screens if flashed, but then require Nvidia driver updates every time you make a MacOS update. So these are a potential solution, but only if you are willing to make that compromise, and an MVC-flashed card is going to be outside your budget. (Personally, I don't think it's a big deal to wait 2-3 days after a MacOS update for a driver update. In fact, I usually run a year previous MacOS, so I certainly never need to be up-to-date-to-the-very-day.)

If you have a second, non-4K monitor connected there might be a solution that meets your requirements (dropping Snow Leopard). I think (but am not certain), that a GTX680 would do the trick. Your requirements:

• You said you don't mind self-flashing - easy for the GTX680
• Works with native Apple drivers OOTB
• Under $250
• Works with 4K in MacOS (after bootup only, no 4K boot screen)
• Has boot screens (but not on 4K monitor, which is why I said you need a second, non-4K monitor)

So in theory, hook up 4K monitor to DP, hook up non-4K monitor to another port, get boot screens on the non-4K monitor, and then all screens work after bootup.

Of course if someone has tested this or is able to test this, please chip in.

 

[kohlson]

5770 and I am trying to run a 4K monitor

A friend has an original MP 2010 with 5770. He recently purchased a Dell P2718Q, connected up the included mDP-DP cable, where it runs at 2560x1440. He's happy with it. It will drive at 4K, but everything's too small. He uses it for FCPX and CS6 Premiere. There isn't any noticeable lag.

 

[nigelbb]

AFAIK there is no 100% compatible out of the box solution for 4K boot screen and MacOS support:

• Newer AMD cards that support 4K appropriately don't have boot screens. So those are just right out.
• Newer Nvidia cards that support 4K appropriately can have boot screens if flashed, but then require Nvidia driver updates every time you make a MacOS update. So these are a potential solution, but only if you are willing to make that compromise, and an MVC-flashed card is going to be outside your budget. (Personally, I don't think it's a big deal to wait 2-3 days after a MacOS update for a driver update. In fact, I usually run a year previous MacOS, so I certainly never need to be up-to-date-to-the-very-day.)

If you have a second, non-4K monitor connected there might be a solution that meets your requirements (dropping Snow Leopard). I think (but am not certain), that a GTX680 would do the trick. Your requirements:

• You said you don't mind self-flashing - easy for the GTX680
• Works with native Apple drivers OOTB
• Under $250
• Works with 4K in MacOS (after bootup only, no 4K boot screen)
• Has boot screens (but not on 4K monitor, which is why I said you need a second, non-4K monitor)

So in theory, hook up 4K monitor to DP, hook up non-4K monitor to another port, get boot screens on the non-4K monitor, and then all screens work after bootup.

Of course if someone has tested this or is able to test this, please chip in.

I can confirm this works. In my 2008 Mac Pro 3,1 I have a 4GB GTX680 that I flashed myself. I have a 24" 1920x1200 screen attached via DVI that boots with the Apple logo. I have a 43" 4K@60Hz screen attached via DP that comes to life after after OS X competes booting.

 

[Skytouch]

Reviving an old thread... I've just updated my 5770 to a 7950 3G Mac Edition from MacSales. Here's my system config:

2010 Mac Pro 5,1 6-Core 3.33 GHz
High Sierra 10.13.5
24GB RAM
Samsung 840 Pro SSD for operating system
Apple Cinema Display 1680 x 1050
Spectre X20WG-Nagall Display 1680 x 1050

I'm seeing some odd glitches:

* Pixels on start-up when the 2nd display activates.
* A strange sparkling pattern in the lower right corner of the 1st Display when powering down.

Video links:

7950 Screen Sparkle:

7950 On / Off Sequence

Notes:

* This happens only in Mac boot screen mode (Switch = 2), and not in Win mode (Switch = 1) on the 7950.

* This happens only in High Sierra 10.13.5 and not in El Capitan 10.11.6, regardless of Switch position.

It sure sounds like a software driver issue in High Sierra related to the boot screen, but I want to rule out a hardware issue that's simply showing up in High Sierra, in case a warranty card exchange is needed.

If you've experienced either or both of the above anomalies, can you please reply here? I'll watch this thread. All comments are welcome!

Regards,
Sky

 

[h9826790]

I've already sold my Sapphire HD7950 Mac Edition card. So, can't test if it's 10.13.5 driver's bug.

However, from what you describe and the video captured. It looks like driver issue to me more than hardware failure. Especially those Pixels happen right at the moment that transfer from EFI to driver.

 

[tsialex]

I've already sold my Sapphire HD7950 Mac Edition card. So, can't test if it's 10.13.5 driver's bug.

However, from what you describe and the video captured. It looks like driver issue to me more than hardware failure. Especially those Pixels happen right at the moment that transfer from EFI to driver.

Happens too with my 7870 EFI flashed, I vote on driver problems (not clearing buffers/video RAM?).

 

[Skytouch]

Happens too with my 7870 EFI flashed, I vote on driver problems (not clearing buffers/video RAM?).

Ooh, are you saying that you've seen the same noise patterns during start up / shut down? If so, thank you. This would confirm that I probably do not have a bad card.

I emailed OWC support and just heard back from them. The support rep advised also trying a PRAM Reset. Does doing this make any sense? I'll try it, but recall reading there's nothing in PRAM settings that should be a factor.

Thanks again for you input,
Sky

 

[tsialex]

Ooh, are you saying that you've seen the same noise patterns during start up / shut down? If so, thank you. This would confirm that I probably do not have a bad card.

I emailed OWC support and just heard back from them. The support rep advised also trying a PRAM Reset. Does doing this make any sense? I'll try it, but recall reading there's nothing in PRAM settings that should be a factor.

Thanks again for you input,
Sky

Yes, the same weird patterns, on my card it's on the lower left of the screen when on shutdown/restart.

Clear PRAM seems a recipe to cure all maladies, but does nothing to correct this problem.

 

[Skytouch]

Yes, the same weird patterns, on my card it's on the lower left of the screen when on shutdown/restart.

Clear PRAM seems a recipe to cure all maladies, but does nothing to correct this problem.

Great, thank you

Yes, the same weird patterns, on my card it's on the lower left of the screen when on shutdown/restart.

Clear PRAM seems a recipe to cure all maladies, but does nothing to correct this problem.

Great, thank you tsialex. If I learn anything new I'll post here.

Sky

 

[Partridge]

I get these anomalies on my XFX 7950. Its flashed with a mac EFI.

Weird sparkles and graphic glitches after login just before the desktop comes up, but everything is fine once it does. Sparkles at shutdown as well.

When I first got the card I thought it was borked because of all the weird stuff it was doing but it settled down eventually. Now it just does this and the occasional 7950 screen glitch/flash.

 

[skizzo]

I see those same sparkles happen on my screen hooked up to RX580, only happens for a few seconds when I shut down, and probably restarting too. I haven't paid close enough attention if it does it every time though...I didn't really think anything of it. I assumed it was just typical behavior for a card that was not Mac Edition official because I only have experience with that and a GT120.

 

[pat500000]

Wouldn’t gt 120 just work with non booting gpu?

 

[Dr. Rek]

Hey I'm in the same boat here. Trying to squeeze some more 4K power out of my 2010 Mac Pro 5,1 with some upgrades. Does anyone have experience with the Nvidia 1070 or 1080?
They will work with the Nvidia Mac driver? Or do they have to be flashed?

Also considering the Sapphire PULSE RX580 8GB. This will work without flashing?

I'm a video editor and use both FCP X and Premiere Pro, and I prefer FCP X.
But often my 4K work is in Premiere Pro due to client, so I'm exploring Nvidia options and price ranges too.

 

[DPUser]

I'm running a 4k TV via a Gigabyte RX460 > Display Port > Active DP to HDMI Adaptor > TV HDMI. I got it to go at 60Hz using SwitchResX software under Sierra. If using a TV for monitoring, it is important to put the TV into "Game Mode" to avoid lag.

Of course, no boot screen, but "It don't matter to me."

 

[skizzo]

Also considering the Sapphire PULSE RX580 8GB. This will work without flashing?

I use that GPU and it will not have the boot screen if that's what you're referring to? It doesn't need to be flashed in order to work properly. It actually works OOTB on 10.13.4+

 

[pat500000]

Hey I'm in the same boat here. Trying to squeeze some more 4K power out of my 2010 Mac Pro 5,1 with some upgrades. Does anyone have experience with the Nvidia 1070 or 1080?
They will work with the Nvidia Mac driver? Or do they have to be flashed?

Also considering the Sapphire PULSE RX580 8GB. This will work without flashing?

I'm a video editor and use both FCP X and Premiere Pro, and I prefer FCP X.
But often my 4K work is in Premiere Pro due to client, so I'm exploring Nvidia options and price ranges too.

Got 580 ...works great but no boot. I think gr 120 would work for booting...

 

[crjackson2134]

Reviving an old thread... I've just updated my 5770 to a 7950 3G Mac Edition from MacSales. Here's my system config:

2010 Mac Pro 5,1 6-Core 3.33 GHz
High Sierra 10.13.5
24GB RAM
Samsung 840 Pro SSD for operating system
Apple Cinema Display 1680 x 1050
Spectre X20WG-Nagall Display 1680 x 1050

I'm seeing some odd glitches:

* Pixels on start-up when the 2nd display activates.
* A strange sparkling pattern in the lower right corner of the 1st Display when powering down.

Video links:

7950 Screen Sparkle:

7950 On / Off Sequence

Notes:

* This happens only in Mac boot screen mode (Switch = 2), and not in Win mode (Switch = 1) on the 7950.

* This happens only in High Sierra 10.13.5 and not in El Capitan 10.11.6, regardless of Switch position.

It sure sounds like a software driver issue in High Sierra related to the boot screen, but I want to rule out a hardware issue that's simply showing up in High Sierra, in case a warranty card exchange is needed.

If you've experienced either or both of the above anomalies, can you please reply here? I'll watch this thread. All comments are welcome!

Regards,
Sky

I get the same dancing pixels on mine during shutdown, lower right screen quadrant. I have an AMD Reference HD7970 flashed for boot screens.