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GTX480 running OSX in 1st Gen & Nehalem Pro !!!

Open GL test on 480

So I have managed to get to the next step and run the OpenGL Extensions viewer with the ACD 23 on the 480 as the primary monitor now (I switch after booting with the 285). As Rominator noted, the scores are not very good, but I think as a demo of early functionality it is very encouraging. OGLEV also sees the 1.5 memory OK and the same tests work as on the 285, albeit with much lower scores. My guess is Nvidia released these drivers before they were properly optimized, so I would not pay so much attention to the levels of the numbers as to the fact that the OpenGL stuff is working on a Pro now. No life from CUDA yet, though I am guessing the Mac release probably does not have the links yet - am looking around the libraries to see if there is a list of valid PCI IDs omitting the ones we want! If someone else gets CUDA or OpenCL up on this do tell!
 

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Might just be a premature release of a first hack-up, with debug stuff in it.

Netkas - under the about this Mac, "PCI cards", I get an error message - I cannot see the link speed etc. Is this clue to problem?
 
My 23 ACD is exhibiting screen tearing, there's no option in System Prefs to set the refresh rate. OpenGL Extensions Viewer reports the refresh rate as 0 as well. My projector on the other hand has the option and it is detected correctly by the system.

Has anyone got issues with coming out of sleep (i.e. display doesn't turn on)?
 
Some questions

1. macest -

which version of mac pro do you have?

2. Everybody who has got it working -

can you see the link speed (usually 5 for mac cards, 2.5 for injected pc cards) under About this Mac: More Info: PCI cards,

because I get an error message when I try this. (Graphics is ok as already noted)
 
10THzMac said:
Some questions

1. macest -

which version of mac pro do you have?
Click to expand...

2008. I've also noticed the screen tearing is not limited to my ACD, it is present on my projector as well.

10THzMac said:
2. Everybody who has got it working -

can you see the link speed (usually 5 for mac cards, 2.5 for injected pc cards) under About this Mac: More Info: PCI cards,

because I get an error message when I try this. (Graphics is ok as already noted)
Click to expand...

All I get in that section is "There was an error while gathering PCI card information.". I've always had this error when I have a PC card installed.
 
That's the error I get, but only with the 480. With 260 or 280 alongside 8800 or 285 helpers that revealed link speed and other data OK. Odd, given we have same Mac Pro. Have you run Open GL benchmarks and do you get same poor data I do?
 
10THzMac said:
That's the error I get, but only with the 480. With 260 or 280 alongside 8800 or 285 helpers that revealed link speed and other data OK. Odd, given we have same Mac Pro.
Click to expand...

I also have a Creative X-FI Titanium sound card in mine, I think that also breaks the PCI section.

10THzMac said:
Have you run Open GL benchmarks and do you get same poor data I do?
Click to expand...

benchmark.png


Do you have screen tearing or wake from sleep issues with yours?
 
Fermi faster than we think

I have been consumed with trying to get 5xxx series ATI cards working in our Pros, so Fermi has taken a back seat. I guess we all also feel that it's power will be felt in next OS or Driver update.

(10.6.5 seeds out yet?)

However, I have Bioshock running as a good place to test cards. The entrance to "Neptunes Bounty" area is quite a test.

It brings an 8800GT to it's knees. At 2560x1600 with all the EyeCandy maxxed, the 8800GT is a SLIDE SHOW. Almost impossible to get from VitaChamber to entrance. There is transparency, fire, flashing lights, all enemies of a struggling GPU.

So while the GTX480 scoes quite similarly to the 8800GT in our benchmarks, the difference here is MORE than night and day.

With the GTX480, there is no slow down, no sense of "lots of stuff going on, GPU can't keep up". In fact, the experience is of smooth gameplay, no jerks, stutters, etc. Even a 4870 has trouble with this place.

So, while we don't have good benchies from GTX480, I feel that it already is able to flex it's muscles.

I have found that it doesn't wake from a long sleep, but I don't see screen tearing.

With 5xxx still a pipe dream for Mac users, the Fermi "feels" like king.

Someone needs to figure out an automated timedemo for Bioshock. If nothing else so that PC users don't have such a laugh looking at Barefeats. I think Rob still uses Doom3/Quake4/UT2004...why? Because there isn't anything else.
 
well, now we can test in native hl2 ep2, cs:s and other source games, just need to figure out how to do it.
 
netkas said:
well, now we can test in native hl2 ep2, cs:s and other source games, just need to figure out how to do it.
Click to expand...

Well, one of the nice thing about Source games is the common terminal system. Since there is nothing like FRAPS (that I am aware of) for Mac, you should be able to use some of the Source terminal commands to monitor and log framerates for you...

Then you just have to pick something people can run consistently (like a cut scene or scripted mod -- TF2 or Gary's Mod (etc.) would be well suited to the latter).
 
I have not seen any tearing, but did not put my system to sleep before taking it to bits to put back my 2x285 config. Will have another play with 480 after some hols. I agree with Rom's comments on benchmarks.
 
netkas said:
well, now we can test in native hl2 ep2, cs:s and other source games, just need to figure out how to do it.
Click to expand...


done & done

I dropped $30 and got Orange Box through Steam.

HL2 EP2 has a timedemo function.

I recorded a short bit of play and then ran it on 4 different cards.

Ran it at 2560x1600, textures & shadows, etc maxed, AA and AF both @ 2X. Had to keep resetting for each new card.

8800GT 30 FPS

4870 1 Gig 44 FPS

GTX285 60 FPS

GTX480 60 FPS

So, at same time that OpenGl extension viewer rates it equal to 8800GT, 2 different heavy 3D games show GTX480 much higher.

When the drivers reach release stage, it's going to be something.

WIsh I could include 5870 but still no 3D on real Mac Pros.

I can attach a timedemo file but to compare,but you will have to pay for HL2 Episode 2 from Steam. ( $8 or $10, but a better deal at $30 for Orange Box)
 
looks like vertical sync is enabled, maybe that's why u have 60fps limit

share the demo, anyway there is a way to get ep2 it without buying(i hope i didnt say it too loud)
 
netkas said:
looks like vertical sync is enabled, maybe that's why u have 60fps limit

share the demo, anyway there is a way to get ep2 it without buying(i hope i didnt say it too loud)
Click to expand...

Still, seems quite a waste of resources, computing power and time caring so much about video games on a workstation.

Why not care about open cl benchmarks, cuda performance speedups on mathematica, matlab and labview. How's the cuda/open cl performance difference compare between a single and two quadro fx4800 to a single gtx480.

In other words, tests that fit a workstation. But if you guys are all over gaming, why not just get a pc or a console?
 
Major Reeves said:
Why not care about open cl benchmarks, cuda performance speedups on mathematica, matlab and labview. How's the cuda/open cl performance difference compare between a single and two quadro fx4800 to a single gtx480.
Click to expand...

because it's booring.
 
Aside from which, neither OpenCl nor Cuda is working yet on this card.

Mybe next round of drivers.

Meanwwhile, we test where we can.
 
cured.not.dried said:
i think the justification lies in being able to play the newest games at high settings 4 or 5 years after you buy the machine, with nothing but a graphics card upgrade.
Click to expand...

Games = waste of time and who seriously buys workstations and macs for gaming.
Still, where's that video card upgrade? An overpriced and discontinued HD4870 and a gtx285?
Only the quadro fx4800 can be called an upgrade at this point, although it's a waste given how bad the drivers are.
 
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