MacPro 4,1 / GT120 upgrade

[CaptainJeff]

I've still got the stock GT120 graphics card in my MacPro4,1. Especially after Yosemite updating, I'm seeing degraded graphics performance. So, thinking it's time for a new card.

I don't do very much that is complex or graphics-intensive, so I don't need overkill. Just a lot of normal productivity apps, development work (Eclipse and xCode), and streaming media consumption. I currently run dual monitors, both off the GT120, at 1920x1080 each. Would prefer to connect to both displays using the new card using HDMI if possible.

Thoughts?

 

[Macsonic]

I've still got the stock GT120 graphics card in my MacPro4,1. Especially after Yosemite updating, I'm seeing degraded graphics performance. So, thinking it's time for a new card.

I don't do very much that is complex or graphics-intensive, so I don't need overkill. Just a lot of normal productivity apps, development work (Eclipse and xCode), and streaming media consumption. I currently run dual monitors, both off the GT120, at 1920x1080 each. Would prefer to connect to both displays using the new card using HDMI if possible.

Thoughts?

At the back of my mind, what I could suggest is Nvidia 680gtx Mac Edition or flashed or AMD 7950 or 7970 flashed as these cards have HDMI connection.

 

[zephonic]

At the back of my mind, what I could suggest is Nvidia 680gtx Mac Edition or flashed or AMD 7950 or 7970 flashed as these cards have HDMI connection.

What does that entail? I surmise standard PC GPU's do not always work with MacPros and need to be 'flashed', but how does one do that?

 

[MacVidCards]

What does that entail? I surmise standard PC GPU's do not always work with MacPros and need to be 'flashed', but how does one do that?

There are approx 1,000 threads here.

You should spend some time luxuriating through the wealth of knowledge here, it came at cost to the posters.

 

[zephonic]

There are approx 1,000 threads here.

You should spend some time luxuriating through the wealth of knowledge here, it came at cost to the posters.

Funny you should say that. I was doing exactly that, and had landed on your website. Very informative and I thought that would be the way to go.

But your snarky tone has curbed my enthusiasm considerably.

 

[MacVidCards]

Sorry you saw it that way.

I have posted many times that there is immense value in reading the experience of others.

In my experience it is very rare for someone to lie about what works or doesn't.

So when someone says "i bought card XXX and put it in computer YYY and it worked like this...." that is exactly what you will find if you use the same card in same machine.

Being able to read exact experiences is much more valuable than having someone spoon feed you specific memories of theirs. There is an incredible value in these accumulated posts.

 

[DEMinSoCAL]

Sorry you saw it that way.

I have posted many times that there is immense value in reading the experience of others.

In my experience it is very rare for someone to lie about what works or doesn't.

So when someone says "i bought card XXX and put it in computer YYY and it worked like this...." that is exactly what you will find if you use the same card in same machine.

Being able to read exact experiences is much more valuable than having someone spoon feed you specific memories of theirs. There is an incredible value in these accumulated posts.

To be honest, much of the information in the "approx 1,000 threads" is highly technical and confusing, and after perusing random threads (because there isn't a "The best video card for the simple Mac Pro user"), I find that even I can not say what the best card to get is.

The OP has a GT120 which screams "I spend no time researching Mac hardware and don't care to" and just needs a recommendation for a basic card that is more modern than the GT120.

I think, instead of directing people down the road of rifling through a bajillion posts, you just link them to your website and have them pick a card that fits their budget. Done deal!

 

[IowaLynn]

I've still got the stock GT120 graphics card in my MacPro4,1. Especially after Yosemite updating, I'm seeing degraded graphics performance. So, thinking it's time for a new card.

I don't do very much that is complex or graphics-intensive, so I don't need overkill. Just a lot of normal productivity apps, development work (Eclipse and xCode), and streaming media consumption. I currently run dual monitors, both off the GT120, at 1920x1080 each. Would prefer to connect to both displays using the new card using HDMI if possible.

Thoughts?

I'm of the "start your search with a list of cards sold by a vendor that will have support" and price - seems OWC or MacVidCards and then go with your price point.

OWC sometimes has an ATI 5770 available too.
http://eshop.macsales.com/Search/Se...P_Popularity|1&Ne=5000&N=7418&Ntt=video+cards

 

[MacVidCards]

I frequently recomend Barefeats.com.

He tests a variety of cards in a variety of apps, this allows you to find things that are important to you. To find older cards like 120you may need to dogs ways back.

BTW, he posted a fun article today showing the cMP giving a wallop to nMP and 5K iMac.

 

[smallpotato]

All of the Radeon 7xxx and nVidia 6xx, 7xx, 8xx are a bit of an overkill. For your needs, a 5770 or 5870 are your best bets. I can run two 22" 1080p monitors no problem on my 5870, which only cost me $130 on eBay (it's flashed but performs miraculously).