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Fastest/Best GPU Upgrade for MP 4,1

S

scottrichardson

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jul 10, 2007
718
297
Ulladulla, NSW Australia
Hey all,

What's the best/fastest GPU I can put in my Mac Pro 2009 model 4,1 without needing to use any splitters or additional power supplies?

Currently running Gigabyte GeForce 660Ti OC edition.

Will be upgrading to a larger display (34" LG 3440 x 1440) to replace my two 24" LED displays soon and want something that can push the additional pixels.

I hear the GeForce 800 series is on its way with better price, performance and power efficiency - but still keen to know what's doable NOW.

I appreciate your input and suggestions.

Kindest regards,

Scott
 
I'm running a Gigabyte 3 Fan GTX 780, 3GB RAM that's been flashed with an EFI by MVC. It's on my 5,1 Mac Pro. It's a sweet card, I recommend it and MVC.

Lou
 
Dual HD7970s

scottrichardson said:
Hey all,

What's the best/fastest GPU I can put in my Mac Pro 2009 model 4,1 without needing to use any splitters or additional power supplies?

Currently running Gigabyte GeForce 660Ti OC edition.

Will be upgrading to a larger display (34" LG 3440 x 1440) to replace my two 24" LED displays soon and want something that can push the additional pixels.

I hear the GeForce 800 series is on its way with better price, performance and power efficiency - but still keen to know what's doable NOW.

I appreciate your input and suggestions.

Kindest regards,

Scott
Click to expand...

If you want to have the similar performance to the nMP, you should consider using two HD 7970s. Both cards are using internal power only, and it runs smoothly. Even using single HD7970 will bring you much better results (comparing to Nvidia) if APPLE video apps, e.g. FCPX, is what you mostly focusing on.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1732849/
 
I went with the 770 4GB in a 5,1 for the extra VRAM

Worth considering if you need to load large scenes into Octane render or work with 4k+ files in resolve.

3GB would probably be enough for 4k but the 1.28GB on our old GTX570 sure as hell wasn't
 
flowrider said:
I'm running a Gigabyte 3 Fan GTX 780, 3GB RAM that's been flashed with an EFI by MVC. It's on my 5,1 Mac Pro. It's a sweet card, I recommend it and MVC.

Lou
Click to expand...

I was under the understanding that due to the way the power is distributed it couldn't run, are you using anything other than the stock PSU?

Thanks.
 
MacVidCards said:
If you want/need bootscreens our GTX780 is top spot. The 6 GB version barely fits in the envelope, the 3 GB is an easy fit.
Click to expand...

I sent you a PM about this the other day, if you get in touch I'll be buying either this or the Titan once I've heard back. Thanks
 
MacVidCards said:
If you want/need bootscreens our GTX780 is top spot. The 6 GB version barely fits in the envelope, the 3 GB is an easy fit.
Click to expand...

I'm tempted by your 780. But, may I ask - will the standard one that I can buy on the shelves of PC stores still work? I already have no boot screen so it doesn't really bother me. But just wanted to know. Have you changed anything else on the card aside from the EFI?
 
Prince134 said:
If you want to have the similar performance to the nMP, you should consider using two HD 7970s. Both cards are using internal power only, and it runs smoothly. Even using single HD7970 will bring you much better results (comparing to Nvidia) if APPLE video apps, e.g. FCPX, is what you mostly focusing on.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1732849/
Click to expand...

I have been very happy with my 7970 from MVC.
 
applegeek897 said:
I was under the understanding that due to the way the power is distributed it couldn't run, are you using anything other than the stock PSU?

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Stock Power Only, No Issues! MVC modified the two 8 pin connectors to work just fine with the Mac Pros two 6 pin cables and board plugins.

Lou
 
since MVC cards come pre-flashed, will I ever have to worry about flashing them again, or this is a one and done type of situation?
 
Last edited:
MacVidCards said:
If you want/need bootscreens our GTX780 is top spot. The 6 GB version barely fits in the envelope, the 3 GB is an easy fit.
Click to expand...

when you say the 6gb barely fits, do I have to force it in?
I am interested in buying from your ebay page.

I want to update my gtx680 mac edition 2gb. How much faster speeds can I expect?
 
I'm looking to buy a 3GB or 6GB EVGA GTX 780 from Newegg. Should any of them work with my 5.1 Mac Pro? Will I need to buy a 8-6 pin power adapter? Thanks
 
flowrider said:
Stock Power Only, No Issues! MVC modified the two 8 pin connectors to work just fine with the Mac Pros two 6 pin cables and board plugins.

Lou
Click to expand...

And you have no power issues at all? How many peripherals/pcie/hdd bays do you have plugged in? Does that even matter? Sorry for the newb questions. I am thinking about purchasing from MVC and I am wondering If it will go good with my setup.
 
Korican100 said:
the Titan needs external power
Click to expand...

You mean "the Titan in an Apple Pro needs external power", right? Lots of other systems have plenty of internal power for a Titan. And if they don't, one can simply replace the standard ATX power supply with one that can feed one or more Titans.
 
Korican100 said:
And you have no power issues at all? How many peripherals/pcie/hdd bays do you have plugged in? Does that even matter? Sorry for the newb questions. I am thinking about purchasing from MVC and I am wondering If it will go good with my setup.
Click to expand...

All my PCIe slots are filled.

1 = Nvidia GTX 780
2 = Apricorn Solo x2 with a Samsung 840 series SSD
3 = Generic USB 2.0 Card
4 = Inatek USB 3.0 Card

I am running 2 Xeon W5590s. They have a max TDP of 130 watts ea.

All My HDD bays are filled and both of my optical bays are filled with optical drives. My UPS with everything plugged in shows max load of less than 350W.

No Issues.

Lou
 
AidenShaw said:
You mean "the Titan in an Apple Pro needs external power", right? Lots of other systems have plenty of internal power for a Titan. And if they don't, one can simply replace the standard ATX power supply with one that can feed one or more Titans.
Click to expand...

Exactly what I meant. Thanks
 
Can someone recommend a supplemental power supply for a Mac Pro to feed a Titan, with some headroom?

Also, I'm trying to decide between the gtx780 6G and a Titan, flashed. I can't seem to get a good opinion on real world differences, and this isn't my area of expertise at all.

I work with video apps like Avid, Adobe, Resolve, and I use the vram loving X-Plane.

Thanks
 
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