Mac Pro 1,1 GTX 570 Power Options

[filmjames]

Thanks to an extremely shady Craigslist posting I am now the proud owner of a 2006 2x2.66 Dual Core Mac Pro 1,1. For $200 I didn't think I could really pass it up - I love tinkering with these machines.

I have been digging through the forums here for days making lists of all the upgrades I want to do and finally couldn't wait any longer so I dropped in to my local computer store and started knocking things off my list. I picked up 2 Kingston 120GB SSD drives, an EVGA GTX570HD (for $120) along with adapters and cables.

After the lengthy process installing the SSD's in my Frankenstein version of the OWC Multi Mount (for around $20) I was finally able to get 10.7 cloned to them in a RAID 0. (I have backups, I need speed for my video and photo work.) The beast boots like a champ and is pretty snappy and I think I am almost ready to get into the video card and 10.9.

My biggest concern is power. The GTX570 card needs 2 6-pin power cables ran to it I know, but all the info I am finding is saying that I will need to adapt the 2 4-pin Molex power cables (for the optical trays) to one of the 6-pin connectors on the card.

Is there a reason that I shouldn't use both of the 6-pin connectors right on the motherboard? Everyone seems to use that method and I can't see why that is.. I am not planning to add more cards, and am now using the old optical power to fuel my SSD set. I want to fill the 4 bays with standard drives and RAID 0 them for my bigger projects at some point which would leave me with only one Molex connector.. What are my options?

Also, this being my first post, I'd like to give a huge thanks to everyone for the insane amount of great info and help you provide, it has been appreciated.

 

[Robert Davies]

I'm not quite sure what you're asking here being as your post rambled around a bit(!)

But,

Just use the motherboard 6pin connectors for your video card - you will need to get some Apple power cables 6pin mini -> 6pin.

 

[filmjames]

Sorry, was half asleep when writing.

There are 2 6-pin power connectors on the logic board - there isn't an issue using both for one card right?

The guides I have found use 4-pin Molex to 6-pin power adapters and I was curious why that is..

Also, what a pain that there aren't any of these fancy Mac Pro 6-pin power cables for sale locally.

 

[chomomo]

You need 2 cables to run the card.

Hola,

You will need the apple version of the PCIE cables to to run that card. The card require the 2 cables and best place to put it is in SLOT 1. Slot 1 is the one that is closets to the memory cage. The cable connectors for the PCIE are on the motherboard ( logic board) in the upper left near hard drive sled 2. Below is the link for the PCIE cables that you will need to power the card.

I have that same card (2.5GB) on my 1.1 as well.

http://www.amazon.com/PCIe-Power-Ca...=1392497280&sr=8-1&keywords=apple+pcie+cables

 

[filmjames]

Hola,

You will need the apple version of the PCIE cables to to run that card. The card require the 2 cables and best place to put it is in SLOT 1. Slot 1 is the one that is closets to the memory cage. The cable connectors for the PCIE are on the motherboard ( logic board) in the upper left near hard drive sled 2. Below is the link for the PCIE cables that you will need to power the card.

I have that same card (2.5GB) on my 1.1 as well.

http://www.amazon.com/PCIe-Power-Ca...=1392497280&sr=8-1&keywords=apple+pcie+cables

Thanks! I thought it would be fine but wanted to check here first.