Mac Pro 4,1 Graphic Card options?

[WillO95]

Hello All!

I have 2 Mac Pro 4,1 Machines and I need to buy graphics cards for them.

I've found a second hand GT120 (original card), which sorts me out for one machine. But Now I need to find a card for the 2nd machine.

This needs to be cheap(ish) but also work well. I want to drive 2 screens, one being the apple Cinema Display (can easily swap out with a standard 1080p display), and then the second screen will go to a TripleHeadToGo making an Ultrawide screen.

I presume I can't just go out and buy a Nvidia Gefore GT610 and stick that in can I? Nvidia had drivers for ElCapitan for this card, but not having any experience with Mac Pros, I just need to know if this is actually possible? It's about 80 Dollars which is a good price, but it isn't a special Mac card, just a retail card.

(I know I will have to get an AUX power lead to power the card)

Alternatively, can someone recommend a good card?

Thanks in advance for any info!

 

[Synchro3]

Do you want a card with or without Boot Screen (Mac EFI)?

Supported by OS X native drivers, or only Nvidia drivers (could give hassles with OS X udpates)?

 

[WillO95]

Do you want a card with or without Boot Screen (Mac EFI)?

Supported by OS X native drivers, or only Nvidia drivers (could give hassles with OS X udpates)?

Simplest possible, I'm not using the machine so it just has to work that it doesn't kill itself in a year.....

 

[Synchro3]

Ok, cheap, simple, supported by OS X native Drivers, has two DisplayPort connectors, for example Nvidia GT 630 2 GB: http://www.macvidcards.com/store/c2/Nvidia_GPUs.html

 

[WillO95]

Ok, cheap, simple, supported by OS X native Drivers, has two DisplayPort connectors, for example Nvidia GT 630 2 GB: http://www.macvidcards.com/store/c2/Nvidia_GPUs.html

Thanks for the advice! Although one issue, I live in Belgium, and I can't seem to find a 630 anywhere, only 610/710 etc?

I did find one 630 but it's for a HP desktop:

https://www.amazon.de/gp/aw/d/B008H...gt+630+2gb&dpPl=1&dpID=41R75DzaftL&ref=plSrch

 

[Synchro3]

I did find one 630 but it's for a HP desktop:

https://www.amazon.de/gp/aw/d/B008H...gt+630+2gb&dpPl=1&dpID=41R75DzaftL&ref=plSrch

If you can stand without boot screen this card is ok. MVC Version has boot screen.

Don't forget a DP to MiniDP Adapter if you want to use an Apple Cinema Display:

 

[WillO95]

If you can stand without boot screen this card is ok. MVC Version has boot screen.

Don't forget a DP to MiniDP Adapter if you want to use an Apple Cinema Display:

View attachment 633707

The Cinema is still the old DVI version, but will make sure I get the right stuff

When you say boot screen, you mean the Apple logo etc? But either way the screen will just start up?

I just plug it in, start up and then install drivers? Or will it plug and play?

 

[Synchro3]

Plug and Play without installing drivers. Nvidia web drivers are optional, but recommended nevertheless.

No boot screen: You won't see any screen before the OS X desktop appears. That means no Option boot, boot into recovery partition etc.

 

[WillO95]

Plug and Play without installing drivers. Nvidia web drivers are optional, but recommended nevertheless.

No boot screen: You won't see any screen before the OS X desktop appears. That means no Option boot, boot into recovery partition etc.

Ah okay! So I will lose recovery mode etc? That might be an issue....I need to set up a fusion drive etc, so this will be necessary! Thanks for your help so far! I found someone who does upgrade kits, and will ask him if they have boot screens

 

[nigelbb]

Buy a used PC GTX680 & flash it yourself for the Apple boot screen. It's the fastest natively supported graphics card with a boot screen.

 

[WillO95]

Buy a used PC GTX680 & flash it yourself for the Apple boot screen. It's the fastest natively supported graphics card with a boot screen.

I know this is a stupid question, but how do you flash a GPU? (Never done it)

 

[Synchro3]

I know this is a stupid question, but how do you flash a GPU? (Never done it)

Read this thread and deal with the topic: https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...ens-full-clock-rates-pci-e-2-0-5gt-s.1603260/

Windows needed afaik.