MP 1,1-5,1 Mac Pro 5.1 OCLP Seqoia GPU issues

[jlnabais]

Hi all,


I'm trying to set up macOS Sequoia on a Mac Pro 5,1 using OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) and running into some roadblocks. Here's a quick summary:

• ✅ OCLP experience: Successfully used it before on a MacBook Pro 9,1.
• 🎥 Watched various guides (e.g., Mac Sound Solutions), and I believe I understand the process.
• 💿 Currently running macOS High Sierra, fully updated.
• 🔧 Boot ROM version is 138.0.0.0.0 — I’ve been unable to update it to 144.0.0.0.0, even though I can boot from a Mojave installer USB.
• 🎮 I have two GPUs:
  • HD 5870
  • RX 580 from Soyo (AliExpress) — unsure if it supports Metal.
• 🧪 Tried installing Mojave with both GPUs (slots 1 and 2, RX 580 connected to external PSU), but no display output, even in the installer.
• 💡 I read that Mojave might be needed first for firmware update/Metal compatibility?
• 💾 Also tried booting Sequoia OCLP USB — no success.
• 🔌 NVMe note: Using ASUS Hyper M.2 x16 card v2 — it shows up in Disk Utility under High Sierra.

Questions:

1. Does the RX 580 (Soyo, AliExpress) lack Metal support or EFI ROM compatibility?
2. Is the firmware version blocking my ability to use OCLP + Sequoia?
3. Would using a Sapphire RX 580 Nitro+ 8Gb with known Metal support help resolve this?

Any guidance or advice would be really appreciated — just want to get this Mac Pro running a modern macOS.


Thanks in advance!

 

[tsialex]

If your RX 580 is 2048SPs, fake RX 580 with RX 570 GPU, there is no support in macOS GPU drivers, get a real 2304SPs one.

You really need to upgrade to 144.0.0.0 with Mojave 10.14.6, see the stickie thread. There are loads of issues with 138.0.0.0.0 and can’t boot from NVMe.

MacPro5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (10.13/10.14 BootROM upgrades instructions thread)

Please fully read this first post, you will probably find that you have one or more problems described into the various notes below. Mojave will only install if you have upgraded your BootROM to the current release and your Mac Pro have a Metal capable GPU*. If you are trying to install Mojave...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[jlnabais]

Thanks for the reply. I'll get the RX 580 and go through that thread. Thanks a lot!

 

[jlnabais]

@tsialex I've read through the guide and I am on 138.0.0.0. Do I also need to get MP51.0089.B00 firmware or I can try to Install Mojave with an RX 580? It seems on the instructions that I only need MP51.0089.B00 if I am on an older firmware versions than that.

I can also see mentions of updating from 140.0.0.0 to 144.0.0.0 (clearing NVRAM 3 Times and only have one sata erased drive) but I am not sure how I get to 140 from 138, because I've installed the high Sierra versions from APP store.

Thanks for the help

 

[tsialex]

@tsialex I've read through the guide and I am on 138.0.0.0. Do I also need to get MP51.0089.B00 firmware or I can try to Install Mojave with an RX 580? It seems on the instructions that I only need MP51.0089.B00 if I am on an older firmware versions than that.

Correct.

I can also see mentions of updating from 140.0.0.0 to 144.0.0.0 (clearing NVRAM 3 Times and only have one sata erased drive) but I am not sure how I get to 140 from 138, because I've installed the high Sierra versions from APP store.

Thanks for the help

No need to get to 140.0.0.0 from 138.0.0.0.0, do a Mojave full install from 138.0.0.0.0 to get to 144.0.0.0.0

 

[jlnabais]

Thanks for all the support, I am still waiting on the rx 580. Regarding NVME the 144.0.0.0.0 with Mojave installer also will allow for it to be boot disk?

Is it worth on your experience to flash the RX 580 (or any better card, I intend to do pixlas mod latter on and I have a 590 and I want to get a Radeon VII) with custom firmware like the ones on MacVideoCards website? Is there a guide to that?

Thank you very much.

 

[tsialex]

Thanks for all the support, I am still waiting on the rx 580. Regarding NVME the 144.0.0.0.0 with Mojave installer also will allow for it to be boot disk?

Yes. Btw, this info is on the stickie thread, all Mojave firmware upgrades since 140.0.0.0.0 can boot from NVMe, if MacPro compatible, blades.

Is it worth on your experience to flash the RX 580 (or any better card, I intend to do pixlas mod latter on and I have a 590 and I want to get a Radeon VII) with custom firmware like the ones on MacVideoCards website?

Not worth. EnableGop is the way to go today.

Is there a guide to that?

No, the MacVidCards firmware is not public, you send the GPU to them for the flashing service.

 

[jlnabais]

Sorry I can see now the mention to the NVME topic. SHould be compatible because I can see the nvme listed on the high sierra disck utility

EnableGOP on OCLP will however not show apple bootscreen right? That's the only advantege I can see from my homework, nontheless I am not needing it since I only need OCLP latter down the road.

Will wait for the RX 580 and do this. Thanks for all patience and support! Much appreciated.

Also a last quick question the firmware is stored on the removable tray with cpus and ram? I have a tray with dual CPU config and I am waiting for the CPUs to arrive, I have to repeat the process for that or it's hot swappable with OCLP?

 

[tsialex]

SHould be compatible because I can see the nvme listed on the high sierra disck utility

This is no guarantee of compatibility at all.

Macs are not compatible with all NVMe blades, most are only tested with Windows. You can get tried and true Mac Pro compatible blades with the stickie below:

PCIe SSDs - NVMe & AHCI

This is a general info thread for blade SSDs that can be used in the Mac Pro. This is a WikiPost so anyone with the proper credentials may edit it. NVMe SSDs can be used as a boot drive in the MP5,1 and MP6,1 with the latest firmware installed (beginning with version 140.0.0.0.0 for MP5,1 and...

forums.macrumors.com

EnableGOP on OCLP will however not show apple bootscreen right? That's the only advantege I can see from my homework, nontheless I am not needing it since I only need OCLP latter down the road.

I was talking about this and not OCLP EnableGop:

EnableGop: Pre-OpenCore GOP support for EFI-era iMacs and Mac Pros

You wait ten years for a driver to enable pre-boot graphics on unsupported GPUs in EFI era Macs, and then two come along at once... This post is to announce a firmware driver to enable the native Apple boot picker and early macOS boot progress bar (plus other parts of the firmware UI: target...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[jlnabais]

Thanks a lot I'll take a read.

 

[jlnabais]

Regarding NVME I have a "ASUS Hyper M.2 x16 card v2", according to the page you've shared:

Asus Hyper M.2 x16 Asus Hyper M.2 x16 v2 Asus Hyper M.2 x16 Gen 4

requires motherboard PCI Express Lane Partitioning support (aka bifurcation). Confirmed working for one blade, not working for more than one.

PCIe Bifurcation ASUS Support Note

I am going to use only one nvme at a time, one for mac and another for windows so this should work yes? I have a Samsung 980 pro and a Crucial P3 Plus and 2 WD SN770. I think the Crucial P3 will work according to:

Crucial

P3

NVME

2TB

Unknown

Unknown

Good

Works in MP5.1

I wanted to try one of the other, for the mac partition, since they have a better capacity but that's fine.
The other onesd should be fine if I am running windows partition right? Or is not about the OS but the machine?

Do you think the above reading is accurate and it should work or am I missing something?

Also according to the GOP instructions you've linked I need to flash the card but I was under the impression you said it was not needed but on https://github.com/acidanthera/Open...g/EnableGop/README.md#install-to-gpu-firmware it seems like I have to add this to the GPU or this is not needed?

Thanks once more for the support.

 

[tsialex]

Regarding NVME I have a "ASUS Hyper M.2 x16 card v2", according to the page you've shared:

Asus Hyper M.2 x16 Asus Hyper M.2 x16 v2 Asus Hyper M.2 x16 Gen 4

requires motherboard PCI Express Lane Partitioning support (aka bifurcation). Confirmed working for one blade, not working for more than one.

PCIe Bifurcation ASUS Support Note

I am going to use only one nvme at a time, one for mac and another for windows so this should work yes?

Macs are not compatible with Intel Lane Partition, so, only one socket works (usually the first one, but this is not a rule for all models of cards that does not have the PCIe switch, some is the last one) and the rest are dead.

Forget this Asus card since only one of the blade are detected and the other 3 are effectivily not working logically since Macs doesn't have the Intel Lane Partition required support, even 2019 Mac Pro does not support it.

I have a Samsung 980 pro and a Crucial P3 Plus and 2 WD SN770. I think the Crucial P3 will work according to:

Crucial

P3

NVME

2TB

Unknown

Unknown

Good

Works in MP5.1

I wanted to try one of the other, for the mac partition, since they have a better capacity but that's fine.
The other onesd should be fine if I am running windows partition right?

No. Again, only one socket works, the other three are dead.

Or is not about the OS but the machine?

All Macs, in general. Macs require a card with a PCIe switch to have multiple blades connected to one PCIe slot.

Do you think the above reading is accurate and it should work or am I missing something?

You missed the whole point…

Also according to the GOP instructions you've linked I need to flash the card but I was under the impression you said it was not needed but on https://github.com/acidanthera/Open...g/EnableGop/README.md#install-to-gpu-firmware it seems like I have to add this to the GPU or this is not needed?

You need it injected to the GPU or to the Mac Pro BootROM.

If this is too much for you, my BootROM reconstruction service can get you to 144.0.0.0.0 and EnableGop in one go. I'll send a PM about the BootROM reconstruction service.

 

[jlnabais]

Thanks once more for all the replies I'll search for a compatible card for 2 nvmes from list and get the proper NVMEs.

I have fun doing this so I'll try to do it @macsoundsolutions posted an amazing video on the topic I'll give it a go:

If I require assistance I'll let you know, does tha work remotely your service? (feel free to send PM if you don't wnat details shared here).