EVGA announces a GTX 680 Mac Edition

[stevedusa]

I'm happy to report back that the dumped ROM from Abulia (#111) works.

I have this eVGA GTX680 I bought from Newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130769

It's a 2Gig, reference card with two 6-pin connectors.

However do rename the extension of the gtx680mac.bin file to .rom otherwise the flash program won't take it.

Flash with nvflash in Windows, "nvflash -4 -5 -6 -y gtx680mac.rom"

Took around a minute, rebooted and VOLIA! I have EFI boot screen on my MacPro 5,1.

Thanks dude

 

[lewdvig]

I'm happy to report back that the dumped ROM from Abulia (#111) works.

I have this eVGA GTX680 I bought from Newegg:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130769

It's a 2Gig, reference card with two 6-pin connectors.

However do rename the extension of the gtx680mac.bin file to .rom otherwise the flash program won't take it.

Flash with nvflash in Windows, "nvflash -4 -5 -6 -y gtx680mac.rom"

Took around a minute, rebooted and VOLIA! I have EFI boot screen on my MacPro 5,1.

Thanks dude

Can you check system monitor and tell us what pci speed you have?

 

[stevedusa]

Can you check system monitor and tell us what pci speed you have?

See attached.

 

[tomvos]

Flashing an EVGA GTX680 with the Mac ROM

1. Prerequirements
   • Mac Pro (I used a 5.1)
   • EVGA GTX 680 (I have a 02G-P4-2680-KR)
   • Old ATI graphics card like the 5770
   • Windows within a virtual machine
   • Wired USB keyboard
   • Blank CD-R/W
   
   Caution: Proceed at your own risk.
   
   
2. Download the following files:
   
   NVFlash for DOS from
   http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/2229/NVFlash%205.128.0.1.html
   
   The EVGA GTX 680 Mac Edition ROM file from
   https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/17132316/
   
   A bare minimum DOS to put on a boot-cd like bootcd.zip from
   http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootablecd
   
   
3. Preparing the boot-cd
   
   
   1. Start Windows in your virtual machine. Copy the following files to windows
      • bootcd.zip
      • nvflash_5.128.0.1.zip
      • gtx680mac.bin.zip
      
      
   2. Extract gtx680mac.bin.zip and rename the extracted file from "gtx680mac.bin" to "gtx68mac.rom" because DOS has a 8.3 filename convention and the nvflash utility expects a filename extension like *.rom or *.nvr.
      
      
   3. Next, extract nvflash_5.128.0.1.zip. It should contain the files
      • CWSDPMI.EXE
      • nvflash.doc
      • nvflash.exe
      
      
   4. Extract bootcd.zip. This should create a folder called "bootcd". The nvflash utility and the ROM have to be integrated into this folder structure. Normally any additions would be placed into the "bootcd/CD" folder. But since this boot disk works only with ATAPI CD drives and the Mac Pro uses SATA CD drives, the solution is to put all required files into the "bootcd/floppy" folder.
      
      Copy the files
      • gtx68mac.rom
      • nvflash.exe
      • CWSDPMI.EXE
      into the folder "bootcd/CD".
      
      
      
      Hint: In case of emergency a backup BIOS file stored in the "bootcd/floppy" folder might be handy. Look for your original BIOS here:
      http://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios/127446/EVGA.GTX680.2048.120307.html
      Remember to rename your backup BIOS according to DOS 8.3 convention.
      ​
      
      
      
   5. Modify the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files. A very basic configuration is sufficient and will avoid potential problems. Here are examples of the contents of the modified files:
      
      CONFIG.SYS
      

      LASTDRIVE=Z

      
      AUTOEXEC.BAT
      

      @ECHO OFF
      PATH=A:\
      ECHO   HINT: nvflash -5 -6 gtx68mac.rom

      
      All the other DOS configuration menu stuff was removed. No additional device drivers, memory managers or RAM-Disk have been loaded because these might interfere with the nvflash utility.
      
      
   6. Before creating the ISO image, edit the file "bootcd/Build-ISO.cmd". Since there are now additional files on the virtual floppy, the size limit of 1.44 MB has been exceeded for disk. Fortunatly, there is the option to use 2.88 MB disk size.
      
      Change the line
      
      

      .\Tools\bfi.exe -b=Floppy\boot.dat -f=cd\Floppy.ima Floppy

      
      to
      
      

      .\Tools\bfi.exe -b=Floppy\boot.dat -f=cd\Floppy.ima -t=7 Floppy

      
      The additional argument -t=7 indicates that a 2.88 disk size should be generated.
      
      Now save the file, close it and execute "Build-ISO.cmd". This should write an ISO file called BootCD.iso. When the command window shows done. in the last line, close the window.
      
      
   7. Copy the "BootCD.iso" file back to your Mac. A test of the ISO image in a virtual machine is advisable.
   
   
4. Burn the BootCD.ISO to a CD-R/W. You can use Mac OS X built in Disc Utility. Keep the CD-R/W in the drive.
   
   
5. Power down the Mac Pro. Disconnect the video cable and power line.
   
   
6. Place the ATI 5770 into the lowest PCIe slot (closest to the CPU and RAM). Connect one internal power cable to the ATI 5770.
   
   
7. Place the EVGA GTX 680 in the next slot and connect the other internal power cable to the EVGA GTX 680.
   
   Important: Do not try any heavy task on the GTX 680 with only one power cable connected!
   
   
8. Optionally remove all other PCIe cards and the harddisk bays.
   
   
9. Plug in the USB keyboard.
   
   
10. Boot from the CD-R/W by either pressing ALT/OPTION key during startup or let your Mac boot to the only valid boot device since all HD bays have been removed before.
    
    
11. Your Mac will greet you with the funky retro looking message:
    
    

    Starting...
    
      HINT: nvflash -5 -6 gtx68mac.rom
    A:\>_

    
    Now, follow the hint and type
    
    

    nvflash -5 -6 gtx68mac.rom

    
    There are going to appear some messages about some mismatches.
    
    Acknowledge both messages with Y.
    
    About half a minute later the flashing should be finished successful.
    
    
12. Well done. Power down you Mac Pro. Remove the ATI 5770. Place the GTX 680 in the lowest slot again. Connect both internal power cables to the GTX 680. Put back the HDDs and any other PCIe cards.
    
    
13. Start your Mac and you should see a dull gray Apple on dull grey Background.

----------

Can you check system monitor and tell us what pci speed you have?

CUDA-Z shows

Host-to-Device ca. 5600 MiB/s
Device-to-Host ca. 6300 MiB/s​

so I guess, the flashed GTX 680 has to work as a PCIe 2.0 device in a x16 slot using 5.0 GT/s mode.

 

[xcodeSyn]

PCIe 2.0 Speed

Thanks to Abulia for providing the EFI rom, and to both stevedusa and tomvos for confirming that the flashed GTX 680 is running at PCIe 2.0 speed. Looks like EVGA didn't bother to block its EFI and this is great news for people who want to flash their PC card.

 

[Killerbob]

I have the EVGA GTX680 SC card, the 02G-P4-2682-KR. I know it will go "down" to normal speeds (the SC card is slightly overclocked), but will the standard GTX680 ROM work on it? And, if I do this, I guess I can download the original ROM first, and have that to revert to?

 

[proxtoyz]

thanks tomvos stevedusa and Abulia

appreciate your help and feedback in allowing others to flash this card for themselves, looks like a fun project I will save it for when I have a day free

 

[patlee88]

I brought a Zotac GTX680 4GB, and running happily in MacPro 5.1 (without boot screen)since last year, glad to know that 2GB reference pcb can flash and the boot screen working now.

Anyone know if 4GB version works with this flashing method, or need another 4GB ver. rom dump? Thanks.

http://www.zotac.com/products/graphics-cards/geforce-600-series/gtx-680/product/gtx-680/detail/geforce-gtx-680-4gb.html

 

[derbothaus]

Great work all!
So I went the pedestrian expensive way, as I needed to perform some testing, and bought the EVGA Mac edition. Works fine except all that extra dough and I still have the expansion slot fan rev to 1300RPM at differing times after boot ala PC only cards.
I was hoping for a more seamless experience
I have to run a stress test after initial boot to quite the Pro back down to regular 800RPM speed. Any hints on how to squash this annoyance? PRAM has been zapped SMC has been reset. Booting into Windows and then into OS X does seem to keep fans under control but any shut down and then a re-start will ramp the fans again. I have yet to find a definite pattern but it is a bother and makes me wonder why I didn't save the extra bucks and get a FTW model with higher clocks and the same issues.

 

[Abulia]

I'm happy to report back that the dumped ROM from Abulia (#111) works.

However do rename the extension of the gtx680mac.bin file to .rom otherwise the flash program won't take it.

Thanks dude

Happy to help and hear that it worked. Apologies for naming the file .bin; it was late and I just wanted to get it up quickly.

Great work all!
So I went the pedestrian expensive way, as I needed to perform some testing, and bought the EVGA Mac edition. Works fine except all that extra dough and I still have the expansion slot fan rev to 1300RPM at differing times after boot ala PC only cards.
I was hoping for a more seamless experience
I have to run a stress test after initial boot to quite the Pro back down to regular 800RPM speed. Any hints on how to squash this annoyance? PRAM has been zapped SMC has been reset. Booting into Windows and then into OS X does seem to keep fans under control but any shut down and then a re-start will ramp the fans again. I have yet to find a definite pattern but it is a bother and makes me wonder why I didn't save the extra bucks and get a FTW model with higher clocks and the same issues.

I don't experience this at all, bouncing between Windows and OS X. The only time the fans peak is just prior to startup, as per normal. This card is really quiet, even under considerable load.

You may have a defective card or an issue with your Mac Pro.

 

[Alex-IN]

my 570 and 680 https://forums.macrumors.com/posts/17041605/

Heaven 4.0 ??

 

[Atmos4]

Can someone please verify that audio over DisplayPort and HDMI is working under OS X?
(You need at least MacPro5,1 or MacPro4,1 flashed to 5,1 for HDMI audio to work, at least for ATI cards.)

 

[maximage]

So, not bing much of a Windows PC user, how generic are "reference cards?" ie, can I use the EVGA rom on a MSI reference card? (quietly whispers to self please say yes, please say yes)

 

[patlee88]

anyone flash GTX680 4GB ram successfully?

 

[xcodeSyn]

The new Mac GTX680 rom works on many GTX680 2GB cards.

It will NOT work on your card if the EEPROM is not 256K.

It will NOT work on any "oddball" cards that difer from reference.

It will NOT work on 4GB cards.

The above quote from the Rominator's post here should answer some of your questions regardingflashing the Mac GTX 680 rom. The EVGA 02G-P4-2680-KR and 02G-P4-2682-KR have been confirmed to work fine with flashing.

 

[Chumnick]

and what do you think about this card 02G-P4-2687-KR?

 

[aphexz]

No, it requires MP 2008 or later models and OS X 10.8.3 as stated here.

Thanks, but what actually works often has nothing to do with the spec-sheets of the vendor in the case of mac pros.

The question is, if this card has the 32bit efi part like the 7950, which is also not officially supported but shows boot-screens in my 1,1

 

[KBS756]

The above quote from the Rominator's post here should answer some of your questions regardingflashing the Mac GTX 680 rom. The EVGA 02G-P4-2680-KR and 02G-P4-2682-KR have been confirmed to work fine with flashing.

Do superclocked cards lose their superclocking when running the ROM?

 

[patlee88]

If any reference board of GTX680 2GB will also works as well?

 

[xcodeSyn]

The question is, if this card has the 32bit efi part like the 7950, which is also not officially supported but shows boot-screens in my 1,1

No, I don't think NVIDIA supported EFI32 since the GTX 120, let alone the newer GTX 680. If you don't believe it, no one is stopping you to try it yourself.

 

[GP-SE]

Do superclocked cards lose their superclocking when running the ROM?

yes they will run at whatever the mac edition clocks are.

 

[Killerbob]

So cost of Boot Menu and full PCI 2.0 in OSX and Bootcamp is 5-10% clockspeed... Good deal!

 

[fouel]

MSI GTX 680 4GB works but...

anyone flash GTX680 4GB ram successfully?

THANKS Abulia for uploading Mac rom.


Don't directly flash the "EVGA Mac GTX 680 2GB rom" to the "MSI GTX 680 4GB card" without modding BIOS and EFI part.
If you did that, you may get a GTX 680 4GB brick card.

I tried the MSI GTX 680 4GB Twin Frozr III OC edition and it works.
1.apple boot screen --OK.
2.It works on Mac OS X 10.7.5 but shows up GK104 in OpenGLviewer and Luxmark. (On 10.8.3, it shows up GTX 680 normally.)

one issue has to solve:
I only got 2.5GT/s. Will try to get it running 5.0GT/s.

 

[patlee88]

THANKS Abulia for uploading Mac rom.


Don't directly flash the "EVGA Mac GTX 680 2GB rom" to the "MSI GTX 680 4GB card" without modding BIOS and EFI part.
If you did that, you may get a GTX 680 4GB brick card.

I tried the MSI GTX 680 4GB Twin Frozr III OC edition and it works.
1.apple boot screen --OK.
2.It works on Mac OS X 10.7.5 but shows up GK104 in OpenGLviewer and Luxmark. (On 10.8.3, it shows up GTX 680 normally.)

one issue has to solve:
I only got 2.5GT/s. Will try to get it running 5.0GT/s.

That's the great news for my GTX 680 4GB, may you provide your 4GB modified rom image? That's definitely help me a lot.

The way of flashing process is just same as 2GB ver., just using the modified rom file? thanks.

 

[Macuser789]

got the GTX 680 mac a few days ago...

got the GTX 680 mac a few days ago...

ordered directly from EVGA website in Europe; arrived two days later (Berlin)

Here my totally unscientific benchmark results:

Witcher 2; everything cranked up to ultra or enabled, including ubersampling

AMD 5770 (mac edition): 10 fps in opening scene
GTX 680 mac: 30 fps in opening scene

Running Windows 7 with Bootcamp using FRAPS, latest Nvidia Windows drivers
16 GB RAM
2x Quad Core Xeon 2.8 Ghz
Mac Pro Early 2008

In other words, it crushes the 5770. Haven't tried any other games yet.

Installation was a breeze.

Of course as an early adapter, had to bend over regarding price: EUR 599