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Best option video card $100?

7

719c6

macrumors member
Original poster
Apr 4, 2018
74
8
Missouri
What't the best card for $100 that will run in Mojave and Windows 10?

And one with boot screen?


Thanks in advance.
 
Don't think you'll find a Mojave compatible Mac GPU for that price.

Try searching for R9 280X or 7950 cards. A GTX680 would work as well. You can flash PC versions of these cards with a Mac ROM file to enable pre boot configuration... There are Mac Editions of these cards out there as well.
 
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719c6 said:
Mac edition or PC version? Or can these be flashed?
Click to expand...
Doesn't matter provided OS has relevant drivers, legacy vbios is still supported on polaris, out of the newer cards you're looking at
AMD RX 470, 480, 570, 580
Radeon Pro WX 7100, 9100
AMD Vega 56, 64
Radeon VII (Should be out of beta now)

RX 400-500s will be generally under 100$ used, have Mojave drivers and are frequently flashed by gaming community, for different reasons mind you
 
Flint Ironstag said:
I stopped keeping up with which cards provide boot screen, but RX580 can be found on Craigslist for $100 all day here (Houston).
Click to expand...

For those who have barren craigslist in their area, I got my RX480 8GB on eBay for around $110. 4gb versions and RX470 are even cheaper options, but I couldn't find RX580 for $100 at the time. RX480 was good $/performance for me.
 
I picked up a RX 580 pulse 8GB for about £120~ + under £10 for power cables works well.
the RX 560 is the next best option "apple approved' i assume it will be cheaper?

you may need to use windows to flash a used card tho

or a new RX 570 is about £130 in the uk with full warranty
lol on amazon RX 570 is £125 RX 560 is £130
 
every time i see that it makes me sad apple has created a situation where this happens, AMD RX 560/570/580 are the best budget cards.
 
719c6 said:
What't the best card for $100 that will run in Mojave and Windows 10?

And one with boot screen?
Click to expand...

IMHO the best card that meets all of your requirements is the GTX 680. I see several have sold on Ebay for $80-$120. The lower priced ones are unflashed and so you'd have to flash it yourself for boot screens. There are flashed ones on Ebay too, but they are outside your budget range.

Other people have recommended cards that are indeed better than the GTX 680. In fact substantially better. But some have forgotten to mention that it doesn't meet one or two of your requirements (boot screen and/or budget).

If you decide to give up boot screens in trade for superior performance, which is a viable choice that many have made, you'll want to get your ducks in a row first. For example I'd do the following:
  • Update your firmware past the point where MAC GPUs are required for firmware updates
  • Figure out which method you'll use to switch OS, and install/configure/test it
  • Keep your current card as a backup in case you need boot screens for some unplanned reason
If you decide boot screens are a must, and you want the GTX680, then look in my signature for flashing instructions and read through them. It may refine your choices about which GTX680 to buy.

One more thing. PC cards almost never come with the right power cables for a Mac Pro. Order the GPU power cables you'll need and don't try to run the card without them.

All of this assumes that you either have a 5,1 or a 4,1 that is flashed to a 5,1.
 
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ActionableMango said:
IMHO the best card that meets all of your requirements is the GTX 680. I see several have sold on Ebay for $80-$120. The lower priced ones are unflashed and so you'd have to flash it yourself for boot screens. There are flashed ones on Ebay too, but they are outside your budget range.

Other people have recommended cards that are indeed better than the GTX 680. In fact substantially better. But some have forgotten to mention that it doesn't meet one or two of your requirements (boot screen and/or budget).

If you decide to give up boot screens in trade for superior performance, which is a viable choice that many have made, you'll want to get your ducks in a row first. For example I'd do the following:
  • Update your firmware past the point where MAC GPUs are required for firmware updates
  • Figure out which method you'll use to switch OS, and install/configure/test it
  • Keep your current card as a backup in case you need boot screens for some unplanned reason
If you decide boot screens are a must, and you want the GTX680, then look in my signature for flashing instructions and read through them. It may refine your choices about which GTX680 to buy.

One more thing. PC cards almost never come with the right power cables for a Mac Pro. Order the GPU power cables you'll need and don't try to run the card without them.

All of this assumes that you either have a 5,1 or a 4,1 that is flashed to a 5,1.
Click to expand...


Yes, 2010 5,1 on latest firmware... that I can get without Metal card and Mojave. I think a EVGA GTX680 will be my best option.
 
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