Future 'Mac Edition' Graphics Cards?

[Draeconis]

Since the new Mac Pro features a radical departure from the design language of the previous generations, does anyone think there will/won't be any more Mac editions of desktop class graphics cards?

Quite fancy a 680, but my stock Apple 5870 handles everything I throw at it at the moment, so buying a 680 seems like a waste of money, but in the future, once they stop making the 680, will there be newer models?

 

[Celedral]

This is a hard one. I'm starting to think the 680 Mac Edition might be the last of the breed, given how it was just released a few months ago.

 

[ActionableMango]

I feel supported PCIe cards are done for. However, I don't see any reason why we can't keep using PC cards as we do now. Either without boot screens or flashing to get boot screens. (Props to the people who make and distribute the EFI files.)

 

[MacVidCards]

This really depends on a lot of forces that we are unable to see or know.

But I doubt very much that AMD will release an EFI for Hawaii chips on Mac until AFTER nMP release.

As it stands, you can already put better cards in old Mac Pro. (780 & Titan) it will be embarrassing enough when tests are done and "old" Mac Pro can smoke the maxed out new one in OpenGL and OpenCl. This IS going to happen, there is no avoiding it.

But if AMD releases an EFI for 290X in next 6 months, it will be even worse. OpenCl is one place where generally inferior Tahiti can compete with GK110.

2 @ 290X in old MP would run rings around nMP in even it's home court, FCPX. I don't see them letting that happen soon.

Nvidia's moves are harder to predict. Are they peaved at being left out of nMP party? Being pushed out of rMBP entry models? Hard to say. We were able to make EFI for GK110 because it was largely already done, just required a few pieces. They either were planning cards or wanted someone to finish their work. Hard to read the tea leaves.

In short, I wouldn't count on new EFI cards, but either GPU maker could do one last set if demand warrants. But I would guess it would be well after nMP launches, too easy to steal thunder when it is using 2 year old GPUs that weren't competitive at launch. (And are further watered down with lowered clocks and clipped RAM)

 

[Celedral]

@macvidcards, any plans on the 290series cards?

 

[rjtiedeman]

Does any one know how many Mac pros were sold (that could be updated)? Knowing that would give you the answer. If you figure that only 15% are going to be updated by die hard enthusiasts. Would it be enough to support R&D for a product that will be toast in 6 months. I plan to keep mine running as long as possible. My office has a working Mac G5 PPC which is only there as a plotter server. That's because the RIP software costs $5,000 and works just fine. We don't see any reason to update just to spend money. I expect the 2010 MP to last at least 10 years. Then maybe turn it into a fish tank.
Bob