Is Apple's Metal framework really not supported on Mac Pro 5,1?

[1024724]

Is this actually true? Seems like it according to Apple's Metal support documentation. Anyone know for sure though?

List of Mac computers that support Metal

"These Mac computers support Metal:

• MacBook (Early 2015)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

Published Date: Jul 18, 2016"


Geez Louise, Apple...

 

[rawweb]

Is this actually true? Seems like it according to Apple's Metal support documentation. Anyone know for sure though?

List of Mac computers that support Metal

"These Mac computers support Metal:

• MacBook (Early 2015)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

Published Date: Jul 18, 2016"


Geez Louise, Apple...

The GPU that shipped with the 2010/12 does not support metal. The HD 5770/5870 are pretty ancient by todays standards. This shouldn't shock you...

An upgraded video card would get you going if you must have this:

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-pro-5-1-and-metal-gpu-compatibility….1910084/

 

[Gazember]

I can confirm that the HD 7950 cards shows up on my cMP 5,1 with Sierra as Metal supported.

 

[redheeler]

Is this actually true? Seems like it according to Apple's Metal support documentation. Anyone know for sure though?

List of Mac computers that support Metal

"These Mac computers support Metal:

• MacBook (Early 2015)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

Published Date: Jul 18, 2016"


Geez Louise, Apple...

As @rawweb said, you can get Metal support with an aftermarket GPU, even though Apple doesn't want to officially mention that. The 2010 Mac Pro originally shipped with Radeon HD 5770 or 5870, and those cards don't support Metal.

 

[1024724]

OK, I get it then. The limitation is only regarding the GPU, that's fine and makes sense. Thought maybe Apple did some sort of blacklist based on the computer model itself.

Incidentally, anyone know if a GEFORCE GTX TITAN X Maxwell is compatible with Metal?

 

[mattspace]

OK, I get it then. The limitation is only regarding the GPU, that's fine and makes sense. Thought maybe Apple did some sort of blacklist based on the computer model itself.

Incidentally, anyone know if a GEFORCE GTX TITAN X Maxwell is compatible with Metal?

as far as Apple is concerned, the specific configurations they sold are the only macs that exist. Hence if a feature is GPU limited, they only consider the GPUs they sold machines with. A socket, or a card slot exists to allow manufacturing to have more flexibility in creating configurations, if a user takes advantage of that to improve the machine after purchase, great for them, but Apple's not going to test or acknowledge it.

 

[DearthnVader]

I can confirm that the HD 7950 cards shows up on my cMP 5,1 with Sierra as Metal supported.

Doesn't mean anything, my Quadro 600 show up as Metal Supported under Sierra, but I assure you, it's not.

OK, I get it then. The limitation is only regarding the GPU, that's fine and makes sense. Thought maybe Apple did some sort of blacklist based on the computer model itself.

Incidentally, anyone know if a GEFORCE GTX TITAN X Maxwell is compatible with Metal?

Yes, the Titan X Maxwell supports metal.

 

[Demigod Mac]

Incidentally, anyone know if a GEFORCE GTX TITAN X Maxwell is compatible with Metal?

Confirmed it is. I've tested Metal support on WoW, HotS, and Universe Sandbox2 and they run great on my cMP + Titan X Maxwell.

 

[TzunamiOSX]

When WoW Legion is comming out I have used Metal under El Capitan on my 5,1, but now I can't select it under 10.11 with an Titan X.

My MacPro 3,1 under Sierra with an 680 supports Metal.

 

[haralds]

Metal is supported based on the video driver and card installed.
My 7970 does fine with it.

 

[Gazember]

Yes, the Titan X Maxwell supports metal.

How did you determine that?

 

[TzunamiOSX]

How did you determine that?

Oh, and under Sierra you can activate Metal in WoW.

 

[Gazember]

GFXBench shows that for the HD 7950 as well so it does support Metal, and I am pretty sure Apple can figure it out also to show it in the system report.

 

[Apple Computer Expert]

Is this actually true? Seems like it according to Apple's Metal support documentation. Anyone know for sure though?

List of Mac computers that support Metal

"These Mac computers support Metal:

• MacBook (Early 2015)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)
• Mac Pro (Late 2013 or newer)

Published Date: Jul 18, 2016"


Geez Louise, Apple...

 

[PianoPro]

Apple published a list of Mojave-supported metal cards for the Mac Pro.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208898