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MacPro [12345],1 upgrades. Which GPU for under $200? Under $150?

R

rpseguin

macrumors member
Original poster
Nov 30, 2013
35
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I am configuring an 8 core MacPro 4,1 for my brother.
I've already bumped up the RAM and put in a boot SSD which make it really snappy, but I want to do a bit more.
I can't afford to upgrade the CPUs right now (would love to get W5590s or 12 core setup), so I will wait for prices to fall or until I find a screaming deal on a matched pair of W5590s/X5680/X5690/... CPUs.

For a MacPro 4,1, what is a good GPU/graphics card to get?
Criteria: good performance, at least 1 mini-displayport connector. Would be nice if it has 4K/HDMI 1.4 capability...
Under $200?
Under $150?
Under $100?


Same questions for MacPro 1,1 2,1 and 5,1
 
rpseguin said:
I am configuring an 8 core MacPro 4,1 for my brother.
I've already bumped up the RAM and put in a boot SSD which make it really snappy, but I want to do a bit more.
I can't afford to upgrade the CPUs right now (would love to get W5590s or 12 core setup), so I will wait for prices to fall or until I find a screaming deal on a matched pair of W5590s/X5680/X5690/... CPUs.
Click to expand...

Good luck with that meanwhile an extremely affordable 12 core setup can be had for ~$300 using x5650s.

For a MacPro 4,1, what is a good GPU/graphics card to get?
Criteria: good performance, at least 1 mini-displayport connector. Would be nice if it has 4K/HDMI 1.4 capability...
Under $200?
Under $150?
Under $100?


Same questions for MacPro 1,1 2,1 and 5,1
Click to expand...

Doubtful you will find the 4k for them prices. Again for another ~$300 you could go with a used gtx 680 PC card flashed with the Mac ROM.

Edit: The 680 has full sized display port on the models I have had/seen.
 
MacUser2525 said:
Good luck with that meanwhile an extremely affordable 12 core setup can be had for ~$300 using x5650s.
Click to expand...

Good to know. Holding off for now, but hoping...


MacUser2525 said:
Doubtful you will find the 4k for them prices. Again for another ~$300 you could go with a used gtx 680 PC card flashed with the Mac ROM.

Edit: The 680 has full sized display port on the models I have had/seen.
Click to expand...

Full sized DisplayPort should be fine. I just want to be sure that he can drive a TV with audio. Ie, DVI doesn't cut it.
 
Last edited:
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Ok.
Thanks!
I will some digging.
I do know that my ATI Radeon 5770 does work for 4K through the mini displayport connector via one of the Accell MDP->HDMI active adapters, but I also know that card is old.
Would prefer to use Nvidia if I could.

I might be able to get a PC Nvidia GTX-680 for a good deal.

gpzjock said:
Best card for under $200 but won't like 4k much:
http://www.amazon.com/Asus-GTX660-DC2O-2GD5-ASUS-Graphic-Cards/dp/B00919CI5Q/ref=sr_sp-atf_title_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1390862344&sr=8-3&keywords=Asus+GTX

Need about $400 to do it properly.

Next one up:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121770 $340

4GB version: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121837 $410

I have the Palit 4GB Jetstream version in a Hack, it flies at 1920 x 1080 not 4k.
Click to expand...
 
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Techpowerup's GPU database reckons that the 660ti renders faster than a standard 760, despite having a smaller memory bandwidth and lower clock speeds, making it quicker and cheaper:

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/364/geforce-gtx-660-ti.html $200

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/1857/geforce-gtx-760.html $220

An overclocked 760 will beat the 660ti, just:

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/b2349/asus-dragon-gtx-760-directcu-ii-top.html $240

The 770 hammers them all:

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/1856/geforce-gtx-770.html
 
Last edited:
https://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/HD7970DC2T3GD5/

Has anybody tried one of these Asus HD 7970 DirectCU II graphics cards in a Mac Pro?
Got it working?
Any problems?
I am thinking it might take too much power; it says max power consumption of 300W...

----------

That's good.
Which is quieter?

Thanks!

Since Costco has the Toshiba 65" 3D 4K display for sale for $3000 right now, I brought my MacBook Pro 17" with the Accell mini-displayport -> HDMI 1.4 active adapter in (which drives my Seiki 4K just fine).

I was trying get the Toshiba to run at 4K, but it would only come up as 1080p. Higher resolutions were not available.
When I tried setting it to 30Hz (what I use to drive the Seiki 4K), the Toshiba wouldn't sync at all.



gpzjock said:
Techpowerup's GPU database reckons that the 660ti renders faster than a standard 760, despite having a smaller memory bandwidth and lower clock speeds, making it quicker and cheaper:

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/364/geforce-gtx-660-ti.html $200

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/1857/geforce-gtx-760.html $220

An overclocked 760 will beat the 660ti, just:

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/b2349/asus-dragon-gtx-760-directcu-ii-top.html $240

The 770 hammers them all:

http://www.techpowerup.com/gpudb/1856/geforce-gtx-770.html
Click to expand...
 
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