GPU upgrade/issues help for Mid 2010 Mac Pro

[toolbox84]

Hello,

I need a Mac experts advice on upgrading my GPU.

I am using Mid. 2010 Mac Pro (The towers), with these configurations:

Processor: 2x2.4 GHZ Quad-Core Intel Xeon
Total Number of Cores: 8
Memory: 18 GB 1066 MHz DDR3
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5770 1024 MB
OS: 10.12.5

I am using this computer mainly for creative work. The software I use is Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Dreamweaver and Corel Painter. In the near future I will be using 3D tools as well.

I would like to upgrade my Graphics Card but do not know which to choose and if it will work for my computer or not. I have watched this video and would like to know if this is a good card.

Other then upgrading the GPU for above software I think I am having issues with 2nd monitor (Lenovo) and the mouse. I am not sure if my computers GPU cant handle it or not but these are the issues I am having.

Issue #1 - The mouse is lagging big time when I connect the 2nd monitor. On a single Apple Display it works fine, as soon as i connect the 2nd one it starts lagging. I have tried a few mouse acceleration applications, which helped a little bit but the issue is still there.

Issue #2 - The computer sometimes goes to deep sleep and never wakes up, or it shuts down and results a kernel panic attack.

This does not happen when I am working on it, this happens when I leave my desk and the computer goes to sleep. It happens once a week, not everyday.

Here are the reports. I do not know what all these codes mean!

Anonymous UUID: 7AB2C231-0E27-C3E7-E2D4-D8EDDB460112

Sat Jun 3 21:56:24 2017

*** Panic Report ***
panic(cpu 0 caller 0xffffff7f89a441c6): fmt@/Library/Caches/com.apple.xbs/Sources/GPUDriversAMD/GPUDriversAMD-1.51.8.1/Common/IONDRV/ATI/IOFramebuffer/ATIFramebuffer_Legacy/Abstraction/Sources/ATIController.cpp:1814
Backtrace (CPU 0), Frame : Return Address
0xffffff922a20b950 : 0xffffff8006aea53c
0xffffff922a20b9d0 : 0xffffff7f89a441c6
0xffffff922a20ba00 : 0xffffff7f89bcf039
0xffffff922a20ba30 : 0xffffff7f89b7cafd
0xffffff922a20baf0 : 0xffffff7f89b7d2b8
0xffffff922a20bb20 : 0xffffff7f89b7ca54
0xffffff922a20bb60 : 0xffffff7f89b7c6d3
0xffffff922a20bba0 : 0xffffff7f89b763c7
0xffffff922a20bcd0 : 0xffffff7f89b767f7
0xffffff922a20be00 : 0xffffff7f8807ddcf
0xffffff922a20be40 : 0xffffff7f8807cf6a
0xffffff922a20be80 : 0xffffff7f88078cb5
0xffffff922a20bee0 : 0xffffff80070bc69f
0xffffff922a20bf30 : 0xffffff80070baf01
0xffffff922a20bf80 : 0xffffff80070ba4e6
0xffffff922a20bfb0 : 0xffffff8006a988f7
Kernel Extensions in backtrace:
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(515.3)[A423518D-758D-3021-A111-A59F44D760A8]@0xffffff7f8806d000->0xffffff7f880a8fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[BD9FCDEF-30CB-3911-B247-EE51DD069C76]@0xffffff7f87332000
com.apple.kext.AMDLegacySupport(1.5.1)[756475CD-6AB0-3EC2-BA80-CD34D6BA4676]@0xffffff7f89a3f000->0xffffff7f89b60fff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily(1.4)[4F7FB6AD-2498-3F71-827C-ED7AA4BF2511]@0xffffff7f876f6000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[BD9FCDEF-30CB-3911-B247-EE51DD069C76]@0xffffff7f87332000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(515.3)[A423518D-758D-3021-A111-A59F44D760A8]@0xffffff7f8806d000
com.apple.kext.AMD5000Controller(1.5.1)[811D3AB0-86CD-35E2-A2C9-D1C02C334919]@0xffffff7f89ba4000->0xffffff7f89c8dfff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily(1.4)[4F7FB6AD-2498-3F71-827C-ED7AA4BF2511]@0xffffff7f876f6000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[BD9FCDEF-30CB-3911-B247-EE51DD069C76]@0xffffff7f87332000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(515.3)[A423518D-758D-3021-A111-A59F44D760A8]@0xffffff7f8806d000
dependency: com.apple.kext.AMDLegacySupport(1.5.1)[756475CD-6AB0-3EC2-BA80-CD34D6BA4676]@0xffffff7f89a3f000
com.apple.kext.AMDLegacyFramebuffer(1.5.1)[AEEB4606-16B0-3682-8AE7-E8ED9242F5DE]@0xffffff7f89b6e000->0xffffff7f89b8ffff
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOACPIFamily(1.4)[4F7FB6AD-2498-3F71-827C-ED7AA4BF2511]@0xffffff7f876f6000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOPCIFamily(2.9)[BD9FCDEF-30CB-3911-B247-EE51DD069C76]@0xffffff7f87332000
dependency: com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily(515.3)[A423518D-758D-3021-A111-A59F44D760A8]@0xffffff7f8806d000
dependency: com.apple.kext.AMDLegacySupport(1.5.1)[756475CD-6AB0-3EC2-BA80-CD34D6BA4676]@0xffffff7f89a3f000

BSD process name corresponding to current thread: kernel_task

Mac OS version:
16F73

Kernel version:
Darwin Kernel Version 16.6.0: Fri Apr 14 16:21:16 PDT 2017; root:xnu-3789.60.24~6/RELEASE_X86_64
Kernel UUID: FB2170A8-257D-3C64-B14D-BC06CC94E34C
Kernel slide: 0x0000000006800000
Kernel text base: 0xffffff8006a00000
__HIB text base: 0xffffff8006900000
System model name: MacPro5,1 (Mac-F221BEC8)

System uptime in nanoseconds: 32555721374771
last loaded kext at 32549390915228: com.apple.driver.AppleXsanScheme 3 (addr 0xffffff7f89d63000, size 32768)
last unloaded kext at 31963613904349: com.apple.driver.AppleInputDeviceSupport 76.7 (addr 0xffffff7f89d63000, size 69632)
loaded kexts:
com.globaldelight.driver.Boom2Device 1.1
com.apple.filesystems.smbfs 3.1.2
com.apple.filesystems.msdosfs 1.10
com.apple.driver.AppleHWSensor 1.9.5d0
com.apple.filesystems.autofs 3.0
com.apple.driver.AppleTyMCEDriver 1.0.2d2
com.apple.driver.AGPM 110.23.17
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyHIDDriver 131
com.apple.driver.AppleMikeyDriver 279.48
com.apple.driver.AudioAUUC 1.70
com.apple.driver.AppleUpstreamUserClient 3.6.4
com.apple.driver.AppleMCCSControl 1.3.1
com.apple.driver.pmtelemetry 1
com.apple.kext.AMDLegacyFramebuffer 1.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOUserEthernet 1.0.1
com.apple.driver.AppleHDA 279.48
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothSerialManager 5.0.4f18
com.apple.AMDRadeonX3000 1.5.1
com.apple.Dont_Steal_Mac_OS_X 7.0.0
com.apple.kext.AMD5000Controller 1.5.1
com.apple.driver.AppleOSXWatchdog 1
com.apple.driver.AppleHV 1
com.apple.driver.AppleLPC 3.1
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelSlowAdaptiveClocking 4.0.0
com.apple.driver.ACPI_SMC_PlatformPlugin 1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBDisplays 380
com.apple.iokit.IOAHCIBlockStorage 295.20.1
com.apple.iokit.SCSITaskUserClient 394.50.1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeDataless 1.0.0d1
com.apple.AppleFSCompression.AppleFSCompressionTypeZlib 1.0.0
com.apple.BootCache 40
com.apple.filesystems.hfs.kext 366.50.19
com.apple.driver.AppleFWOHCI 5.5.5
com.apple.driver.AirPort.Brcm4331 800.20.24
com.apple.driver.Intel82574LEthernet 2.7.2
com.apple.driver.AppleAHCIPort 326.60.1
com.apple.driver.AppleRTC 2.0
com.apple.driver.AppleHPET 1.8
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIButtons 5.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBIOS 2.1
com.apple.driver.AppleACPIEC 5.0
com.apple.driver.AppleAPIC 1.7
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagementClient 219.0.0
com.apple.nke.applicationfirewall 172
com.apple.security.quarantine 3
com.apple.security.TMSafetyNet 8
com.apple.driver.AppleIntelCPUPowerManagement 219.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleXsanScheme 3
com.apple.kext.triggers 1.0
com.apple.driver.DspFuncLib 279.48
com.apple.kext.OSvKernDSPLib 525
com.apple.iokit.IONDRVSupport 516.1
com.apple.iokit.IOSerialFamily 11
com.apple.iokit.IOAcceleratorFamily2 311.13
com.apple.iokit.IOSurface 159.7
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusController 1.0.18d1
com.apple.AppleGraphicsDeviceControl 3.14.47
com.apple.driver.AppleSSE 1.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMBusPCI 1.0.14d1
com.apple.iokit.IOFireWireIP 2.2.7
com.apple.driver.AppleHDAController 279.48
com.apple.iokit.IOHDAFamily 279.48
com.apple.kext.AMDLegacySupport 1.5.1
com.apple.iokit.IOGraphicsFamily 515.3
com.apple.iokit.IOSlowAdaptiveClockingFamily 1.0.0
com.apple.driver.AppleSMC 3.1.9
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginLegacy 1.0.0
com.apple.driver.IOPlatformPluginFamily 6.0.0d8
com.apple.driver.AppleUSBAudio 308.7
com.apple.iokit.IOAudioFamily 205.15
com.apple.vecLib.kext 1.2.0
com.apple.driver.CoreStorage 540.30.1
com.apple.iokit.BroadcomBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport 5.0.4f18
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothHostControllerUSBTransport 5.0.4f18
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothHostControllerTransport 5.0.4f18
com.apple.iokit.IOBluetoothFamily 5.0.4f18
com.apple.driver.AppleHIDKeyboard 199
com.apple.driver.usb.IOUSBHost


Model: MacPro5,1, BootROM MP51.007F.B03, 8 processors, Quad-Core Intel Xeon, 2.4 GHz, 18 GB, SMC 1.39f11
Graphics: ATI Radeon HD 5770, ATI Radeon HD 5770, PCIe, 1024 MB
Memory Module: DIMM 1, 1 GB, DDR3 ECC, 1066 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54313132553754465238432D48392020
Memory Module: DIMM 2, 1 GB, DDR3 ECC, 1066 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54313132553754465238432D48392020
Memory Module: DIMM 3, 1 GB, DDR3 ECC, 1066 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54313132553754465238432D48392020
Memory Module: DIMM 4, 8 GB, DDR3 ECC, 1066 MHz, 0x0510, 0x4752384755313848353132382D333320FFFF
Memory Module: DIMM 5, 4 GB, DDR3 ECC, 1066 MHz, 0x8394, 0x393731373030410000000000000000000000
Memory Module: DIMM 6, 1 GB, DDR3 ECC, 1066 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54313132553754465238432D48392020
Memory Module: DIMM 7, 1 GB, DDR3 ECC, 1066 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54313132553754465238432D48392020
Memory Module: DIMM 8, 1 GB, DDR3 ECC, 1066 MHz, 0x80AD, 0x484D54313132553754465238432D48392020
AirPort: spairport_wireless_card_type_airport_extreme (0x14E4, 0x8E), Broadcom BCM43xx 1.0 (5.106.98.100.24)
Bluetooth: Version 5.0.4f18, 3 services, 27 devices, 1 incoming serial ports
Network Service: Ethernet 1, Ethernet, en0
Network Service: Wi-Fi, AirPort, en2
PCI Card: ATI Radeon HD 5770, Display Controller, Slot-1
Serial ATA Device: HL-DT-ST DVD-RW GH61N
Serial ATA Device: APPLE SSD TS512C, 500.28 GB
Serial ATA Device: WDC WD1001FALS-41Y6A1, 1 TB
USB Device: USB 2.0 Bus
USB Device: G-DRIVE USB
USB Device: USB 2.0 Bus
USB Device: Keyboard Hub
USB Device: Apple Keyboard
USB Device: USB2.0 Hub
USB Device: Hub
USB Device: Apple LED Cinema Display
USB Device: Display iSight
USB Device: Display Audio
USB Device: USB Bus
USB Device: USB Bus
USB Device: BRCM2046 Hub
USB Device: Bluetooth USB Host Controller
USB Device: USB Bus
USB Device: USB Bus
USB Device: USB Bus
USB Device: USB Bus
FireWire Device: built-in_hub, Up to 800 Mb/sec
Thunderbolt Bus:


I have disconnected the 2nd monitor now until I fix this issue.

I need a GPU that has 2 display ports and one HDMI and the card in that video had those. I am just not sure if its a powerful card since the video was made in 2013

Can someone advice/help?

Thank you

 

[William_si]

Your GPU is old, which probably is also the issue why it crashes. A 7970 is not THAT old as replacement but still has years down, and you pay a premium for the "Mac Edition" which you don't need as:

You can add pretty much any GPU as second GPU; the boot screen will be on this one you have now then. Depending on your GPU power needs and brand pref. (AMD/Nvidia) your range is very wide. If you want to replace it you will need a flashed one (ebay has some, or you can flash a BIOS yourself on some but this is at first not that simple) or you have no boot screen at all.

2 DP and 1 HDMI that actually work is eg. nearly any AMD RX 4xx/5xx or a recent Nvidia (1050 Ti and up, 900 series also but no HDMI 2.0).

 

[toolbox84]

Your GPU is old, which probably is also the issue why it crashes. A 7970 is not THAT old as replacement but still has years down, and you pay a premium for the "Mac Edition" which you don't need as:

You can add pretty much any GPU as second GPU; the boot screen will be on this one you have now then. Depending on your GPU power needs and brand pref. (AMD/Nvidia) your range is very wide. If you want to replace it you will need a flashed one (ebay has some, or you can flash a BIOS yourself on some but this is at first not that simple) or you have no boot screen at all.

2 DP and 1 HDMI that actually work is eg. nearly any AMD RX 4xx/5xx or a recent Nvidia (1050 Ti and up, 900 series also but no HDMI 2.0).

Thank you William, so I can have 2 GPUs? I did not know that, wont that make the computer even warmer?

What do you mean "if you want to replace it you will need a flashed one"? I am not techie when it comes to hardware so I dont know what you meant by this. Can you please explain this?

 

[adam9c1]

Some PC video cards can be flashed with Mac firmware.

I don't have experience with it.

That way you would have full Mac functionality without the premium cost.

 

[William_si]

Yes, you can have 2... or more... http://imgur.com/a/AaPip

It will get more warm generally but the heat you get from your 5770 (which even in idle is pretty bad in power usage) is higher than what you can expect from eg. a RX460.

This mostly depends on the GPU power you need; you can get a similar performance to the 5770 with said AMD RX 460: http://gpuboss.com/gpus/Radeon-RX-460-vs-Radeon-HD-5770-Mac which is natively supported and seems to work well. I use RX 470 and RX 480 which need some patches (automated) to enable full power but the 460 has only one edition seemingly. I'll likely shortly get a dual slot 460 to test, week or so, single slot worked for me fine but is rare in US/around. Avoid XFX.

Used higher power cards (more performance generally but also more power usage) are on ebay and can be flashed rather easily, R9 280X, 270X and some others. I have currently a R9 270X in my primary Mac which works fine incl. boot screen, support OOTB but have limits in monitor outputs (no 5k/old HDMI). Avoid XFX here also to be safe, my XFX 270X does halt the Mac and not boot at all.

Not 100% sure on Nvidia - a 1050 Ti for around 140$ should work out of the box for desktop booting and fully once you install the Nvidia driver. 1060 is 250$ ~ and the same should apply. 1070 350-400$ and up 1080/1080 Ti/Titan Xp.

The flash is needed as a normal GPU does not show you the boot screen (bootloader, Apple logo and filevault), it will work at one point (driver loaded by macOS) but with filevault you need to type blindly.

 

[pb69]

toolbox84:
We have the same issues except mine happen several times a day. I too am researching video cards. I am leaning toward a new GTX 750 ti or a GTX 660. Both of which work with the addition of the proper Nvidia web driver for whichever os version one is using. I plan to keep my original GT 120 card so that I have boot screen access if needed.

 

[toolbox84]

toolbox84:
We have the same issues except mine happen several times a day. I too am researching video cards. I am leaning toward a new GTX 750 ti or a GTX 660. Both of which work with the addition of the proper Nvidia web driver for whichever os version one is using. I plan to keep my original GT 120 card so that I have boot screen access if needed.

Do you have a tutorial on how to keep the original booth and properly install a compatible graphic card?

 

[pb69]

Do you have a tutorial on how to keep the original booth and properly install a compatible graphic card?

As far as I know you leave the original as is then install the new one above it and plug your display into it. Then plug your display into the original when you need the bootscreen .

 

[devon807]

Since you have workflows in Adobe, you should primarily be looking for Nvidia GPU'S. It seems like you do a lot of photo work, so I would consider anything from a GTX 680 (Which can be flashed for a boot screen if important) but only has one Displayport OR go with a GTX 960/970/1060 as they can be had for under $200 and are comparable in performance to a 7970/ 280X with you also benefiting from CUDA acc. under Adobe software.

 

[pb69]

Since you have workflows in Adobe, you should primarily be looking for Nvidia GPU'S. It seems like you do a lot of photo work, so I would consider anything from a GTX 680 (Which can be flashed for a boot screen if important) but only has one Displayport OR go with a GTX 960/970/1060 as they can be had for under $200 and are comparable in performance to a 7970/ 280X with you also benefiting from CUDA acc. under Adobe software.

What about under $150?

 

[Blakehoo]

What about under $150?

The HD 7970 seems to be increasing in price. ( There are power and other useful FCPX mods for it, ) I would get one or two of these....