MP 1,1-5,1 NVIDIA Quadro K6000 (12GB GDDR5) - will it work NATIVELY?

[zedex]

I would appreciate feedback from anyone that understands the 'vagaries' of Kepler architecture and Apple NVIDIA native driver support.

I have owned a GTX Titan that works like a treat from Mountain Lion 10.8.5 through to High Sierra 10.13.6
I like this GPU because it has 6GB GDDR5 Video RAM and most NVIDIA GPUs are light on VRAM.
I want to swap it for a Quadro K6000 (12GB VRAM) this GPU is still KEPLER - but I noticed that the Kepler chip ID is GK110B which is different from the GTX TITANs GK110A

Does anyone know if this makes a difference when it come to macOS compatibility (basically I'm trying to avoid using webdrivers unless absolutely necessary)

 

[DFP1989]

I found this resource very useful when I was toying with a couple of 5,1s. Suggests that it would be compatible without web drivers.

The Definitive Classic Mac Pro (2006-2012) Upgrade Guide

The largest/most-complete guide to all possible classic Mac Pro upgrades covering OS, Firmware, GPU, CPU, Storage, USB, THunderbolt and Network upgrades.

blog.greggant.com

 

[zedex]

PERFECT! - thank you

 

[AlexMaximus]

PERFECT! - thank you

Hi there,

The last official Nvidia Mac Edition card was the Quadro K5000 from PNY.
Since it was very expensive and focused on workstation only, it didn’t receive much fame for consumers. This was the big exception in the web driver eara, because it was the only card that did not require a web driver Compared to all other Nvidia card. My suspicion is, that the successor card K6000 is based on that chip with an enlarged Ram. If this proves to be true, you have a good chance that it will work.
There might be also a chance for MVC to flash the K5000 onto a K6000 to have a genuine Apple screen card with more ram. Please keep us updated on further developments and if it worked for you in the end. Cheers,

 

[zedex]

That is really what I'm hoping for - the K5000 with a bumper RAM allocation. So far.. Wikipedia and Techpowerup give the best information on the question of "maybe / maybe not".

wikipedia says:
GPU released: 2013-07-23
GPU Architecture: GK110GL
GEFORCE Equivalent: GeForce GTX TITAN Black [emphasis added]

techpowerup says:
GPU Name: GK110B
GPU Variant: GK110-890-B1

so what does this mean..?

I did more searching on this website (this forum) and there is much discussion about the GK110B from back in the day - the issue as I interpret it is that the GK110B needs webdrivers before OSX10.10

My goal is to find the greatest card ever made that does not need webdrivers AND on the surface of things the K6000 is it. It is (A) MUUUCH more powerful than a K5000 (B) MUUCH more memory than the AMD Vega Series (C) Much more power efficient than GPUs needing PIXLAS (2x6-pin ONLY) and (D) MUUUUUUUCH more compatible than any other card (equivalent to GTX TITAN with native support from 10.8 to 10.14)**.

** This compatibility question remains UNRESOLVED - was it fitted with the GTX TITANs GK110 or the GTX TITAN BLACKs GK110B..? Sources cited above clearly indicate GK110B BUT the release date suggests GK110 (because all other cards with GK110B were released in Late 2013 and Early 2014.

The QUADRO K6000 was never discussed by MVC Dave and other long-term members in the GK110B threads from back in the day because they were only focused on the GTX 780ti and the GTX TITAN Black (both GK110B cards).

With pricing at around USD400 (7 years later) - who wouldn't want the greatest Mac Pro 5,1 compatible GPU ever made?

 

[AlexMaximus]

I wouldn’t open that can of worms, it might be not worth it...

 

[startergo]

That is really what I'm hoping for - the K5000 with a bumper RAM allocation. So far.. Wikipedia and Techpowerup give the best information on the question of "maybe / maybe not".

wikipedia says:
GPU released: 2013-07-23
GPU Architecture: GK110GL
GEFORCE Equivalent: GeForce GTX TITAN Black [emphasis added]

techpowerup says:
GPU Name: GK110B
GPU Variant: GK110-890-B1

so what does this mean..?

I did more searching on this website (this forum) and there is much discussion about the GK110B from back in the day - the issue as I interpret it is that the GK110B needs webdrivers before OSX10.10

My goal is to find the greatest card ever made that does not need webdrivers AND on the surface of things the K6000 is it. It is (A) MUUUCH more powerful than a K5000 (B) MUUCH more memory than the AMD Vega Series (C) Much more power efficient than GPUs needing PIXLAS (2x6-pin ONLY) and (D) MUUUUUUUCH more compatible than any other card (equivalent to GTX TITAN with native support from 10.8 to 10.14)**.

** This compatibility question remains UNRESOLVED - was it fitted with the GTX TITANs GK110 or the GTX TITAN BLACKs GK110B..? Sources cited above clearly indicate GK110B BUT the release date suggests GK110 (because all other cards with GK110B were released in Late 2013 and Early 2014.

The QUADRO K6000 was never discussed by MVC Dave and other long-term members in the GK110B threads from back in the day because they were only focused on the GTX 780ti and the GTX TITAN Black (both GK110B cards).

With pricing at around USD400 (7 years later) - who wouldn't want the greatest Mac Pro 5,1 compatible GPU ever made?

I think @Macschrauber had K6000 working even with a boot screen through OC. He can chime in to confirm/deny.

 

[zedex]

On balance it seems more likely than not it has the GK110B - that video has the guy doing a deep dive and making assurances that the 'core architecture' is the same as the GTX780ti BUT I really wish he showed us the die (he opened it up and it was clean and ready for thermal!).

The threads from way back when identify / isolate ALL the GK110B cards because of the issues that arose and so we know GTX 780 6GB, GTX 780Ti and TITAN Black all had the 'B' version. Sadly - I'm slowly becoming convinced that this model (K6000) also has the 'B' version installed

Thanks for the vid @AlexMaximus

 

[themacpronovice2022]

On balance it seems more likely than not it has the GK110B - that video has the guy doing a deep dive and making assurances that the 'core architecture' is the same as the GTX780ti BUT I really wish he showed us the die (he opened it up and it was clean and ready for thermal!).

The threads from way back when identify / isolate ALL the GK110B cards because of the issues that arose and so we know GTX 780 6GB, GTX 780Ti and TITAN Black all had the 'B' version. Sadly - I'm slowly becoming convinced that this model (K6000) also has the 'B' version installed

Thanks for the vid @AlexMaximus

Did you find out by furthest information? I’m starting to think after reading This Form open core is my only option which is okay. I’m looking at selling my custom Mac Pro the even includes the pixlas mod. It will soon have it.

 

[zedex]

Regarding the K6000.. I can confirm that I use this card natively (WITHOUT Nvidia webdrivers) on Yosemite, Mavericks and High Sierra. Each macOS version delivers 4K@60Hz video output through the displayport. I have successfully tested 2 4K displays running at the same time.

It seems to be the model card IMO. A notable problem is that it will not work with google chrome browser. I just use firefox instead and the effects of the bug are eliminated. Hope this helps everyone.

 

[themacpronovice2022]

Regarding the K6000.. I can confirm that I use this card natively (WITHOUT Nvidia webdrivers) on Yosemite, Mavericks and High Sierra. Each macOS version delivers 4K@60Hz video output through the displayport. I have successfully tested 2 4K displays running at the same time.

It seems to be the model card IMO. A notable problem is that it will not work with google chrome browser. I just use firefox instead and the effects of the bug are eliminated. Hope this helps everyone.

what about 10.14 through big sur?

 

[TzunamiOSX]

I would appreciate feedback from anyone that understands the 'vagaries' of Kepler architecture and Apple NVIDIA native driver support.

I have owned a GTX Titan that works like a treat from Mountain Lion 10.8.5 through to High Sierra 10.13.6
I like this GPU because it has 6GB GDDR5 Video RAM and most NVIDIA GPUs are light on VRAM.
I want to swap it for a Quadro K6000 (12GB VRAM) this GPU is still KEPLER - but I noticed that the Kepler chip ID is GK110B which is different from the GTX TITANs GK110A

Does anyone know if this makes a difference when it come to macOS compatibility (basically I'm trying to avoid using webdrivers unless absolutely necessary)

Why a Nvidia? For what did you use the GPU?

 

[themacpronovice2022]

Why a Nvidia? For what did you use the GPU?

what do you mean?

 

[themacpronovice2022]

Regarding the K6000.. I can confirm that I use this card natively (WITHOUT Nvidia webdrivers) on Yosemite, Mavericks and High Sierra. Each macOS version delivers 4K@60Hz video output through the displayport. I have successfully tested 2 4K displays running at the same time.

It seems to be the model card IMO. A notable problem is that it will not work with google chrome browser. I just use firefox instead and the effects of the bug are eliminated. Hope this helps everyone.

what would the gaming performance be like?

 

[TzunamiOSX]

what do you mean?

I mean, why he want a NVIDIA card? Does he have special software who needs CUDA for example. For what he need the VRAM?

Why not a much faster and more compatible AMD card like a RX580 with 8 GB VRAM?

 

[themacpronovice2022]

I mean, why he want a NVIDIA card? Does he have special software who needs CUDA for example. For what he need the VRAM?

Why not a much faster and more compatible AMD card like a RX580 with 8 GB VRAM?

primarly becauase i play with a few shadders mods that strickly use cuda cores.

 

[h9826790]

what about 10.14 through big sur?

primarly becauase i play with a few shadders mods that strickly use cuda cores.

No CUDA in 10.14 and newer MacOS.

 

[Borowski]

Bootscreens should be possible; not tried yet, i don't own this card, sorry.
- OOB with OC or
- flashed with customized EFI from Kepler-/MVC-card.

 

[zedex]

Yes - I have tested it and I can confirm it works nicely with Mojave. I don't believe anything from Nvidia works beyond this point.

I'm a purist and I prefer working with older OS X versions. I just mentioned my experience for anyone who wants to work with 2 4K screens on an older macOS release. It's very hard to find a GPU from back in the day that will do 4K@60Hz but the K6000 is excellent.

The excessive VRAM is just for headroom after installing virtual machines running on Parallels and VMWare.

Unfortunately, I can't comment on CUDA performance because I don't use it and I don't really understand the CUDA framework.

I get full bootscreen support because I run a GT-120 in SLOT 4 and the K6000 in SLOT 1.. NO power mods necessary.

These cards play nicely together but I don't really know why. @tsialex has previously pointed out that dual GPU installations will no longer work together beginning macOS 10.14 and beyond. I mainly use High Sierra and Yosemite so this limitation doesn't affect me.

FWIW, the RX580 and the Vega 64 LC are my two favourite AMD cards when I'm using High Sierra. I would have kept them if I could use earlier versions of OS X but thats just not the way it works..