EFI-flashable Sub-$200 GPU options for Mac Pro 3,1

[BigYellow]

Hey guys,

I've done a lot of googling/forum searching, and reading through Netkas' blog and a few other sites, but I'm really struggling to find a comprehensive list... I'm wanting to spend somewhere in the $150-200 mark to upgrade from my 8800GT. I think even a 1GB card would be a solid improvement for gaming. I'm primarily using BootCamp but I would like EFI Bootscreen functionality as I'd like to remove the 8800GT and not need a third-party tool for selecting my boot OS.

Anyone have success stories flashing a sub-$200 PC card and maintaining that boot screen ability?

 

[MacVidCards]

find a deal on a 7950, best and easiest option

 

[BigYellow]

find a deal on a 7950, best and easiest option

Would this be fairly straightforward to flash? And would any of the 77xx/78xx cards be in the same boat?

 

[GP-SE]

HD 6870, can be bought used for cheap and flashed with EFI very easily.
HD 7950 if you want something more powerful, can also be easily flashed with EFI.

 

[BigYellow]

HD 6870, can be bought used for cheap and flashed with EFI very easily.
HD 7950 if you want something more powerful, can also be easily flashed with EFI.

Any chance either of these cards will be able to make use of whatever power connection my Apple-issue 8800GT is using without needing to order an adapter?

 

[flowrider]

I see you've been a member here since 2006 with 51 total posts. All these folks giving you advice are really being nice to you, which, I guess is a good thing, however every question you have asked has been asked and answered before. Please do a search and you will find what you are looking for. However, for minimum money, find a used or new Radeon HD6870. Look here:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hd6870

As you can see, they fit you budget nicely. They are easily EFI flashable, and yes they will all work with the power connectors available on the motherboard of your 3,1 Mac. You will need two 6 pin to 6 pin power cables available on eBay here:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/PCIe-6-pin-Mac-video-card-power-cables-Mac-Pro-G5-QTY-2-/280891406444?hash=item41666eb86c

Lou