Mac Pro 5,1 Video Card Questions

[kirathus]

OK. So I have been sifting through the amazingly vast amounts of information regarding video cards on this forum and the community of Mac Pro enthusiasts here is incredible.

I recently purchased a used Mac Pro 5,1 (2.8 Quad) to replace my upgraded 1,1 (2.66 Octo) ...I will eventually do the 3.33 Hex upgrade, just working through the budget right now though.

Firstly though, I want to upgrade the video card from the stock 5770. From what I can gather, a 2x6pin GTX 580 is the very best card available for the machine in a realistic budget ($$$ and MP Power) right now... Is that true? Is the ATI 7970 a better card?

Currently, I am considering the MSI GTX 680 4GB TF3 found here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127695

What would you all recommend? My budget is around $500 and my needs will be primarily gaming across 3 23" monitors @ 1080p. Boot screen is not an issue to me.

Thank you so much in advance for your help!

 

[ashman70]

I would just go with a 670 then, you would require an additional external power supply for a 680 since it has 8pin connectors, so just get a 670. I have three 23" LED monitors myself and recently upgraded from a 5770 to a 670 and it has been fantastic.

 

[kirathus]

Msi gtx 680 tf3 4gb

The card I posed actually uses 2x6pin it was proposed by superchimp, pkshdk, and Topper in the "break through the gloom...kepler" forum.

It seems that a 680 4GB would seriously overpower a 670... am I wrong?

 

[ashman70]

Maybe I'm wrong but I just don't see how a 680 is going to me that much better with respect to gaming then a 670? I know the 680 is a more powerful card, just not sure if you are going to realize that power and justify spending the extra dollars between a 670 and 680.

 

[adww12321]

I would just go with a 670 then, you would require an additional external power supply for a 680 since it has 8pin connectors, so just get a 670. I have three 23" LED monitors myself and recently upgraded from a 5770 to a 670 and it has been fantastic.

i'm curious -- how have you found the 670's stability driving multiple monitors? is it performing as stably as the 5770? thinking about taking the plunge...

 

[All Taken]

I run a twin frozr 680 in my 5,1 Mac Pro. No complaints here, it's a superb card. I would recommend using a helper card with any non-efi card for your machine as the PCI fan and system hanging are known issues for some setups. Something like a GT 120 is perfect for this role.

The 670 argument is compelling until you take into account the newest releases are starting to push the 670 and the 680 can give more power on top. 670 is great but it's not a 680.

A 4GB 680 is perfect for multi monitor gaming. A 7970 3GB would be great and cost less but it also requires more than 2x 6 pin meaning a 5.25" power supply or external supply.

 

[kirathus]

Thank you for your reply. I am really set on that MSI 4GB 680 but I wanted to make sure there wasn't something better in the same realistic budget.

I definitely want to avoid a second power supply so 2x6 pin is a must.

Thank you again!

 

[ashman70]

i'm curious -- how have you found the 670's stability driving multiple monitors? is it performing as stably as the 5770? thinking about taking the plunge...

It works fine, however the one monitor that is connected to the display port, does not go to sleep so I have to power it off, the other two connected to the DVI ports work fine in terms of sleep. Otherwise I have no issues with the card at all, it works just as well as the 5770 did.

 

[adww12321]

It works fine, however the one monitor that is connected to the display port, does not go to sleep so I have to power it off, the other two connected to the DVI ports work fine in terms of sleep. Otherwise I have no issues with the card at all, it works just as well as the 5770 did.

Thanks, one final question then I promise i'll stop bugging you

How does the noise level compare to the 5770? My stock MacPro is hardly silent, much to my dismay, and I think some of the noise is coming from the video card.

 

[ashman70]

Thanks, one final question then I promise i'll stop bugging you

How does the noise level compare to the 5770? My stock MacPro is hardly silent, much to my dismay, and I think some of the noise is coming from the video card.

No worries, you are not bugging me at all. I guess it depends on your environment, I'm in a small office with a few other machines, my MP is under my desk, its as silent to me as it was with the 5770, so I don't notice any difference.

 

[kirathus]

Msi 4gb gtx 680

OK, so it is safe to say that within this budget and the desire to not use an external power supply, the MSI 4GB GTX 680 mentioned above is likely the best card I could get for this mahcine for gaming?

 

[tjlazer]

With the GTX 670's, do both DVI ports work in Mac OS X?

 

[kirathus]

With the GTX 670's, do both DVI ports work in Mac OS X?

I'd be curious to know this... I have recently considered a 670 instead of the 680 since they benchmark so close...

SIGH... I just don't know!

 

[ashman70]

I'd be curious to know this... I have recently considered a 670 instead of the 680 since they benchmark so close...

SIGH... I just don't know!

Yes both DVI ports work with the 670, even the display port works with a display to DVI adapter, I had three monitors running off this card, no real issues.