GPU choices for 2009 Hex Mac Pro

[brom]

I've been following Barefeats, MacVidCards on ebay and a bit of this forum.
I'm pretty excited by all the video options we've now got for our previous gen Mac Pro towers. I wanted to get some advice as things are changing super fast as you all know.

First up I am running a 3.33 hex 48GB RAM PCI-E SSD two 27" LED (Apple) Cinema Displays with mini display port. So, I do like the Radeon cards that have these MDP ports built-in. That said I sense that nVidia cards are smoking Radeon speed-wise. Is this correct? Also seems like there's no CUDA with Radeon (sure I'm simplifying and/or mistaking some of these details).

For a while I was following the 680, then 780, now 780ti, and now Titan Black!
I also see that the Radeon 280X is available for us too. So there are a ton of choices and I have read Barefeats charts until I'm blue in the face but I'm still no closer to deciding. One thing is that some require external power which I am unsure/worried about (Titans, 780ti etc) while some don't.

I have a nice power supply in my old Windows box (that I don't use anymore), not sure if it will work. Could I repurpose this? The power supply is a Thermaltake W0093RU 500W ATX 12V 2.0 Version Passive PFC Power Supply
ATX 12V 2.0 Version
115 / 230 V 50/60 Hz
+3.3V@30A, +5V@28A, +12V1@14A, +12V2@15A, -12V@0.3A, +5VSB@2A

Could I use this power supply with a Titan Black for example? Would I be able to easily use one of these cards with my dual mini-display port setup (what adapters would I require, any issues with those?)

I really need to accelerate Adobe Lightroom 5. I will also edit using FCPX. I use the Creative Suite heavily. Also scoring video in Ableton Live (live real-time audio/video sync). Finally I freely admit that I game when I can and want to run everything on max. Thanks for your advice! I am a little reluctant to use an external power supply and do like the built-in Mini Display Ports (nice and clean), but want to get the best card available. Your advice on the best option available for us right now, and how I could make a clean install would be great. Most appreciated

 

[brand]

I would recommend the GTX 780 as it does not require external power.

 

[Robert Davies]

You have not said what you've got now as far as graphics cards eg: Most things will be quicker than a 7300….

From frequenting the Adobe Lightroom forums and listening to the dev techs there, LR5 does not use the gpu for computational acceleration - but you will of course get the usual benefits just from running a faster card.

 

[brom]

thanks

Thanks Brand and Robert for your very kind replies.
Currently I am running a stock Apple 5870. (Apple ATI Radeon HD 5870).
So I am hopeful that this upgrade will have a nice effect.

Brand I appreciate your thought that the GTX780 wouldn't require extra power- I've definitely reflected on this! How would the 780 compare with the R9 280 that I see MacvidCards is also offering now?

Would anyone potentially have the opinion that rather than a 780 with no power supply, that it would be worth it to use an external PS and go for the gusto with a Titan Black? Or is the tradeoff not really worth it compared with the plug and play of the 780?

Even if I were to go with a power supply; could I use my existing one (from my first post) or is there something really easy to install/use now available for the Mac Pro? I don't want to keep my Mac's door open all the time with cables all over the place, would like to keep a clean install.

By the way- thanks so much for your replies I'm hoping to make a choice before the end of the month