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Flashing 5770 and 5870 for Mac Pro 2008 and later (EFI64 for now boys, sorry)
- Thread starter MacVidCards
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ATI HD 5870 Success
Apple does not support Open GL 3.0 (Yet).
0 fps in the openGL 3.0 test?
Apple does not support Open GL 3.0 (Yet).
How To
Please, can someone post a simple how to for flashing a PC video card? Maybe a 5770 or a 5870? I'm not asking for detailed step by step instructions, just the simple steps, I'll be able to take it from there. IE: 1.Get the ROM (link) 2.Flash card with this app/terminal command/witchcraft 3.Install drivers. etc.
Thanks a billion guys!
(2008 MacPro 8800)
Please, can someone post a simple how to for flashing a PC video card? Maybe a 5770 or a 5870? I'm not asking for detailed step by step instructions, just the simple steps, I'll be able to take it from there. IE: 1.Get the ROM (link) 2.Flash card with this app/terminal command/witchcraft 3.Install drivers. etc.
Thanks a billion guys!
(2008 MacPro 8800)
Different rom for each manufacturer?
Hi guys
Awesome work, congratulations and many thanks!
I'm wondering if cards from different manufacturers need different ROMs. The first 5870 ROM appeared to be for an XFX card, and the second 5870 ROM for a Sapphire card.
I'll receive a HIS 5870 tomorrow to replace an Apple 4870 in my '09 Mac Pro and wonder if I should try either of the above 2 ROMs or if it's hopeless (i.e. I'd need a HIS-specific one).
The card I got off an online auction seems to be reference design and clocks, and I have 2 power cables as well.
Pic of HIS HD 5870
Hi guys
Awesome work, congratulations and many thanks!
I'm wondering if cards from different manufacturers need different ROMs. The first 5870 ROM appeared to be for an XFX card, and the second 5870 ROM for a Sapphire card.
I'll receive a HIS 5870 tomorrow to replace an Apple 4870 in my '09 Mac Pro and wonder if I should try either of the above 2 ROMs or if it's hopeless (i.e. I'd need a HIS-specific one).
The card I got off an online auction seems to be reference design and clocks, and I have 2 power cables as well.
Pic of HIS HD 5870
0 fps in the openGL 3.0 test?
INTERESTING
my 5770 never passed 3.0
framerate just about the same using your settings and new graphics update
think , a full supported 5870 will have higher scores
Hi boli !
No you can`t use the same ROM on all graphic card. You need to dump you re Graphic Bios file and talk to Rominator and ask him for help to prepare you`re file.
Hi boli !
No you can`t use the same ROM on all graphic card. You need to dump you re Graphic Bios file and talk to Rominator and ask him for help to prepare you`re file.
Alright, thanks, I'll do that.
I assume this is because the current ROM is "hand made" by combining the original ROM of the card as well as the one from an iMac? So whenever we can get our hands on the ROM of an Apple 5870, that one should work on most cards (if their design doesn't differ too much from the reference design Apple uses)? Update: apparently not, so nevermind this question (I just read Cindori's golden guide)
I've never been on this side of the fence, last year I bought a Mac Pro with the Apple 4870 and extracted its ROM for you guys.
Maybe netkas, Rominator & pipomolo42 remember...
everyone should read the Golden Guide in my signature. it's made with 4800 series cards on mind but it applies alot to 5800 series cards too. I'll update it when real 5800 flashing gets started.
zeus support for 5800 is not yet confirmed, likely no. will get support once apple releases it.
zeus support for 5800 is not yet confirmed, likely no. will get support once apple releases it.
Yes
Got the same card batch as Macroysan, I have PN:288-1E140-200SA too. Sapphire 5870 1gig Vapor-X. Just waiting on the power cables to arrive from the states and then will see what happens. Was playing HL2 on steam yesterday on ATI 2600 XT Mac pro 2008 (2 x 2.8). Usually game on PC and use Mac for work but hopefully this should change my Mac gaming experience for the better. You guys are top lads.
Got the same card batch as Macroysan, I have PN:288-1E140-200SA too. Sapphire 5870 1gig Vapor-X. Just waiting on the power cables to arrive from the states and then will see what happens. Was playing HL2 on steam yesterday on ATI 2600 XT Mac pro 2008 (2 x 2.8). Usually game on PC and use Mac for work but hopefully this should change my Mac gaming experience for the better. You guys are top lads.
Got the same card batch as Macroysan, I have PN:288-1E140-200SA too. Sapphire 5870 1gig Vapor-X. Just waiting on the power cables to arrive from the states and then will see what happens. Was playing HL2 on steam yesterday on ATI 2600 XT Mac pro 2008 (2 x 2.8). Usually game on PC and use Mac for work but hopefully this should change my Mac gaming experience for the better. You guys are top lads.
HL based games are smooth as silk with all settings maxxed on a 5870 - even at 2560x1600 so you shouldn't be disappointed!!
You can either reuse the existing cables or if you buy a genuine Apple 5870 (which is priced pretty competetively) then you'll get two power cables in the box. Installation is easy, you just have to make sure you have the drivers installed first. These will be part of 10.6.5 or they're linked a few times in here and on netkas' site. Once they're installed, just turn the machine off, put in the card, connect the two power cables and you're good to go.
Good plan. $449 is pretty reasonable in my opinion for a card that comes with all the necessary cables and doesn't need any flashing hassles. It was different with the 4870 because Apple's price was astronomical compared to PC cards but right now the cheapest 5870 on Newegg is $389.99. Cables cost a minimum of about $10 on eBay and you need two of them so in the end getting a PC card and flashing it only saves you about $40 tops (9%). It does mean you can get it now rather than wait but still.
Flashing will probably become far more desirable in a few months time when the PC cards drop in price - particularly if the Radeon 6xxx come out toward the end of the year as expected.
Right now I would advise anyone looking for a 5870 to buy the Mac version - tbh I'd probably even say PC users should get that one. It's priced in the same bracket as the good PC brands' cards and it'll likely hold it's value a hell of a lot better.
If looking on getting 5770 though, the flashing route does become a lot more appealing. The cheapest 5770 on Newegg is $159.99 so you're looking at about $170 for a flashed PC card saving you about $80 (32%).
Curiousity got the better of me, and I decided to try flashing my Sapphire Vapor-X 5870 with the same rom supplied to macroysan by Netkas/Rominator in this thread. My PN: 288-1E140-100SA (as opposed to macroysan's 200SA)
aaaaaaaaand....
SUCCESS!
Unlike Macroysan, I have the latest Snow Leopard Graphics Update kexts installed... so interesting to see the increase in framerate and the fail of the OpenGL 3.0 tests... fascinating.
Strange though... I get no detected sound output devices upon restart from Windows to Mac OS... but when I restart again into Mac OS the 2nd time... sound works just fine. Wonder whats going on there..?
aaaaaaaaand....
SUCCESS!
Unlike Macroysan, I have the latest Snow Leopard Graphics Update kexts installed... so interesting to see the increase in framerate and the fail of the OpenGL 3.0 tests... fascinating.
Strange though... I get no detected sound output devices upon restart from Windows to Mac OS... but when I restart again into Mac OS the 2nd time... sound works just fine. Wonder whats going on there..?
Attachments
Failing OpenGL 3.0 is really not that fascinating considering the operating system doesn't fully support it yet