Frequently Asked Questions About NVIDIA PC (non-EFI) Graphics Cards

[h9826790]

Are you asking if *I* am gaming in windows, or stating that NVidia's focus is windows gaming. I'm, gaming on the Mac side primarily, but have a Bootcamp volume for windows.

Yeah, the subject of that question is “you”. Sorry I didn’t make that clear enough.

If the primary usage is gaming in Windows. Then I really believe Nvidia is a better choice.

But if mainly gaming in MacOS. Better to stay with RX580. Some games in MacOS can’t even start up properly with my 1080Ti. There can be an internal check if you have the “supported” GPU. And they only check If that’s a Apple listed GPU, high performance Nvidia may not on the list (even it can actually work better).

 

[MacGamver]

Yeah, the subject of that question is “you”. Sorry I didn’t make that clear enough.

If the primary usage is gaming in Windows. Then I really believe Nvidia is a better choice.

But if mainly gaming in MacOS. Better to stay with RX580. Some games in MacOS can’t even start up properly with my 1080Ti. There can be an internal check if you have the “supported” GPU. And they only check If that’s a Apple listed GPU, high performance Nvidia may not on the list (even it can actually work better).

OK, then my next question is on the bootcamp side there should be no problems with an RX580?

 

[h9826790]

OK, then my next question is on the bootcamp side there should be no problems with an RX580?

No problem, tested, works well on my cMP.

Just not as powerful as Nvidia.

 

[bsbeamer]

In case it's helpful for anyone following the last few days of this thread, the officially recommended for Mojave Sapphire PULSE RX580 is down to $240 directly from Amazon at the moment. Lowest price I've ever seen and highly considering ordering, at least for a backup to my GTX 1080 FE on authentic 5,1.

Sapphire 11265-05-20G Radeon PULSE RX 580 8GB GDDR5 DUAL HDMI / DVI-D / DUAL DP OC with Backplate (UEFI) PCI-E Graphics Card Graphic Cards: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZ6FMF8

 

[MacGamver]

No problem, tested, works well on my cMP.

Just not as powerful as Nvidia.

I'm going to comb the AMD threads now, but I think I'm buying the Sapphire today. When you say not as powerful, how's that in regards to gaming? There are no games that use CUDA anyway right?

Plus, it's got 8Gb VRAM, as opposed to a 3,4 or 6 for significantly higher price.

 

[PowerMike G5]

I guess it depends on usage. I had an RX580 for a little and tested it against my current Titan X (Maxwell), but found the RX 580 to be noticeably slower for Adobe Premiere Pro usage. But for $240, it seems like a great upgrade for most users.

 

[h9826790]

I'm going to comb the AMD threads now, but I think I'm buying the Sapphire today. When you say not as powerful, how's that in regards to gaming? There are no games that use CUDA anyway right?

Plus, it's got 8Gb VRAM, as opposed to a 3,4 or 6 for significantly higher price.

I try to keep the discussion Nvidia related

I should make it more clear that my Nvidia card is the 1080Ti, so, obviously the RX580 is quite a bit weaker, and no AMD card can deliver that kind of performance yet (especially after I downvolt and OC the 1080Ti. My PNY XL8 1080Ti can run at 0.975V, 1944MHz, and stay at 74C with 30C ambient. Still powered by the mini 6pins only. Really very amazing).

No CUDA, but still quite a few special effects are Nvidia only, e.g. Nvidia has their own technology to handle AA, smoke, or hair. If the games use that, only Nvidia card can enjoy the benefit.

But if for 1080P 60FPS gaming, RX580 is definitely good enough. My Sapphire PULSE can do 1000mV, 1366MHz, and stay at 75C.

 

[bsbeamer]

Personally much prefer NVIDIA cards and the GTX 1080 FE works great with NVIDIA Web Drivers in 10.13.6, but who knows what the future holds for NVIDIA cards and Mojave.

 

[MacGamver]

Personally much prefer NVIDIA cards and the GTX 1080 FE works great with NVIDIA Web Drivers in 10.13.6, but who knows what the future holds for NVIDIA cards and Mojave.

I prefer Nvidia too, but the 1080 is 550 bux! :O

I went the Sapphire Pulse RX580 route this time. 80% price, and 20% because it's the "Apple recommended" card. I'll still watch this thread, as you guys are the smartest, most helpful bunch anywhere!

 

[MacGamver]

Well this does sort of pertain to Nvidia... Do I need to uninstall the web drivers if I take out the old Nvidia GPU entirely?

 

[h9826790]

Well this does sort of pertain to Nvidia... Do I need to uninstall the web drivers if I take out the old Nvidia GPU entirely?

No, but it can be quite annoying if you don't do that. Because there should be a notification every time you boot to desktop to tell you something like no Nvidia GPU found etc (may be only from the CUDA control panel, not really the web driver panel, I am not 100% sure)

 

[MacGamver]

In Addition, I need to connect an Apple 27" Display that has only MDP to a GPU that only has DVI or miniHDMI ports in; Will this combination of cables work?

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6502

plugged into

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p...MIyqm-4MSD3QIV0VqGCh1mXQ1gEAQYAiABEgK-q_D_BwE

Not sure if this will work or not... Thoughts? This is going into the Nvidia GTX650Ti

 

[bsbeamer]

Not sure if this will work or not... Thoughts?

Believe that cable is limited to 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 resolutions. You'd need Mini DisplayPort to DVI Dual Link Adapter for full 2560x1400 and think it needs to be an active adapter.

Think this is more what you're looking for, plus some adapters and cables:
https://www.startech.com/AV/Display...Dual-Link-Active-Adapter-USB-Powered~MDP2DVID

 

[MacGamver]

Believe that cable is limited to 1920x1080 or 1920x1200 resolutions. You'd need Mini DisplayPort to DVI Dual Link Adapter for full 2560x1400 and think it needs to be an active adapter.

Think this is more what you're looking for, plus some adapters and cables:
https://www.startech.com/AV/Display...Dual-Link-Active-Adapter-USB-Powered~MDP2DVID

Wait, that adapter is not right. The Display has the MDP plug; I need to adapt that to either DVI or MiniHDMI to plug into the GPU.

 

[bsbeamer]

Wait, that adapter is not right. The Display has the MDP plug; I need to adapt that to either DVI or MiniHDMI to plug into the GPU.

According to these specs:
https://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-650ti/specifications

Your GPU has: One Dual Link DVI-I, One Dual Link DVI-D, One Mini HDMI

Only way to drive 2560x1400 with that GPU is via Dual Link DVI-D connection. DisplayPort and miniDisplayPort are easily interchangeable with adapters. Personally would just look for another GPU with mini DisplayPort onboard to make your life easier.

This is the product you want, but it is no longer made:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/810627-REG/Atlona_AT_DP400_Dual_Link_DVI_to.html

Looks like this may be it:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...l_Link_DVI_to_Mini_DisplayPort_Converter.html

 

[MacGamver]

According to these specs:
https://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-650ti/specifications

Your GPU has: One Dual Link DVI-I, One Dual Link DVI-D, One Mini HDMI

Only way to drive 2560x1400 with that GPU is via Dual Link DVI-D connection. DisplayPort and miniDisplayPort are easily interchangeable with adapters. Personally would just look for another GPU with mini DisplayPort onboard to make your life easier.

This is the product you want, but it is no longer made:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/810627-REG/Atlona_AT_DP400_Dual_Link_DVI_to.html

Looks like this may be it:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/prod...l_Link_DVI_to_Mini_DisplayPort_Converter.html

Yup, that's the one. If I'd gotten the 660 for like 20 bucks more it had a Full-size DP slot in it... :/

I'll probably just have to use a different display with that Mac. Thanks for the help.

 

[bafonso]

Hey everyone. I have recently become interested in upgrading an older mac pro as a desktop osx. Don't personally care for windows but I'd like to dual boot into linux for machine learning use with a 980gtx. Is there a way to dual boot even if I just need to press 1 or 2 while screen is black using refind? Otherwise how does it work using an old card? Could I connect both to my single screen?

 

[h9826790]

Hey everyone. I have recently become interested in upgrading an older mac pro as a desktop osx. Don't personally care for windows but I'd like to dual boot into linux for machine learning use with a 980gtx. Is there a way to dual boot even if I just need to press 1 or 2 while screen is black using refind? Otherwise how does it work using an old card? Could I connect both to my single screen?

Blindly using rEFInd is possible.

Use the original card is also possible. Of course you can connect it to the same screen as well. Then select input source on the monitor side to see the boot screen. But buy a small cheap monitor is generally easier.

Or you may simply buy a flashed GPU.

 

[bafonso]

Or you may simply buy a flashed GPU.

I already have this 980gtx and was planning on using it. Would consider if I would upgrade though...

 

[crjackson2134]

You might be interested that Boot Runner works with LINUX. It will present a graphical boot picker.

What happens is that it starts/loads macOS, then at the login screen, you are presented with a graphical boot selection that looks a lot like macOS Boot Picker except it’s nicer looking and customizable (I use defaults personally).

It will allow you to pick macOS, Linux, Windows, etc...

I’m on the 14 day free trial and so far I really like it a lot. It’s also fast... it doesn’t slow down the boot process and it boots the alternate OS faster than Startup Disk Slector.

 

[assoc]

This morning I got a prompt for a driver update, but the OS quarantined it immediately (a prompt about enabling it in system preferences came up right before everything went black).

Now it seems I’ll need to swap cards to fix this. Anyone else have this happen?

 

[bsbeamer]

387.10.10.15.15.108 is available. Not 100% sure which build it is for and have not yet installed. Know there were MBP updates to 10.13.6 and new build numbers.
[doublepost=1535644128][/doublepost]says build 17G65: https://images.nvidia.com/mac/pkg/387/WebDriver-387.10.10.15.15.108.pkg
[doublepost=1535644696][/doublepost]Screenshots of this install was from MacBookPro with NVIDIA GeForce GT 750M, NOT MacPro 5,1. And yes, was prompted with the System Extension Blocked and immediately opened Security & Privacy to click ALLOW before clicking on RESTART in the installer window.

 

[bitnaut]

This morning I got a prompt for a driver update, but the OS quarantined it immediately (a prompt about enabling it in system preferences came up right before everything went black).

Now it seems I’ll need to swap cards to fix this. Anyone else have this happen?

Same thing happened to me...went black before I could hit Allow...

Now it seems I can’t even rollback to previous 105 driver. Am I effed?

UPDATE: I’ve managed to install 108 but now multiple monitors are no longer supported...it immediately crashes the OS. Also dragging windows on the desktop shows trails...not happy at all. If I delete all traces of 10.33, I should be able to install old 105 right?

 

[bsbeamer]

Same thing happened to me...went black before I could hit Allow...

Now it seems I can’t even rollback to previous 105 driver. Am I effed?

Just tried installing on Mac Pro. Also experienced the full black screen almost immediately after the popup appeared. Tried connecting via screen sharing and the MBP would not connect. Also tried VNC. No luck. Was almost like all connections were shut down. Did a hard system power off. Crossed fingers. Powered on and everything (eventually) loaded as usual.

Reports 387.10.10.15.15.108 on Mac Pro 5,1 in NVIDIA Driver Manager and same report in CUDA Preferences.

AFTER rebooting, clicking on SECURITY & PRIVACY in System Preferences has an ALLOW button active for:
System software from developer "NVIDIA Corporation" was blocked from loading.



Clicked ALLOW and it disappears. Shut down system. Powered back on. Everything seems to be operating normally. Screens loaded at the same time they usually do.

Authentic Mac Pro 5,1 with non-EFI (generic PC version) of GTX 1080 Founders Edition 8GB in Slot 1 internally powered via dual mini 6-pin to standard 8-pin cable.

 

[Earl Urley]

I used the nVidia driver installer from InsanelyMac to update/install 387.10.10.15.15.108, got the security prompt but machine rebooted before I could do anything.

On reboot, went straight to Security prefs and Allow-ed the nVidia extension, closed the panel, rebooted again.

Seems to be running as smoothly as before, even GPU compute tasks are taking the same amount of time.

Running 10.13.6 with an unflashed generic GTX 770 w/2GB VRAM.