Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

PC ATI 6870 in Mac Pro

A

andyh2

macrumors member
Original poster
Dec 30, 2006
64
0
Hi,

To install the PC ATI 6870 in my Mac Pro, do I need anything other than the kexts that netkas.org describes in its latest post? Are there any hardware snags I have to get through to install it in the PCI slot, or is it just like installing a GT120. I have the early 2009 MP model. Which brand of 6870 works best, or do they all work fine (sapphire, HIS, etc).

Thanks.
 
Last edited:
It appears you need two power cables to go from the two 6-pin power connectors on the motherboard to the two 6-pin power connectors on the top edge of the video card.

According to its one review, it looks like this power cable will work. You'll need two. Check to see if your current video card has any existing that you can reuse.
http://www.amazon.com/PCIe-Power-Cable-nVidia-Video/dp/B002UR1654

Please let us know how it goes, and specifically which 6870 you get. I am watching Netkas forums and some people report success while others have problems.

I would love to join in on this, but at a minimum I need to know an exact brand/model/part# that works in a real MacPro.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
ActionableMango said:
It appears you need two power cables to go from the two 6-pin power connectors on the motherboard to the two 6-pin power connectors on the top edge of the video card.

According to its one review, it looks like this power cable will work. You'll need two. Check to see if your current video card has any existing that you can reuse.
http://www.amazon.com/PCIe-Power-Cable-nVidia-Video/dp/B002UR1654

Please let us know how it goes, and specifically which 6870 you get. I am watching Netkas forums and some people report success while others have problems.

I would love to join in on this, but at a minimum I need to know an exact brand/model/part# that works in a real MacPro.
Click to expand...
I just ordered a 27" Cinema & a Sapphire 6870 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004E0KV3I). Overnighted them w/ Amazon Prime and they should be here tomorrow. I also bought cables that take the SATA power from my second, unused superdrive slot and convert them into a molex connector. In Cindori's signature his "golden guide" says that this works. I've read this a couple other places too, so I decided to get these cables/adapters instead of the ones that connect directly to the motherboard.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
andyh2 said:
I just ordered a 27" Cinema & a Sapphire 6870 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004E0KV3I). Overnighted them w/ Amazon Prime and they should be here tomorrow. I also bought cables that take the SATA power from my second, unused superdrive slot and convert them into a molex connector. In Cindori's signature his "golden guide" says that this works. I've read this a couple other places too, so I decided to get these cables/adapters instead of the ones that connect directly to the motherboard.
Click to expand...

I can't wait to hear your results. I'll still wait for Lion on the slim chance Apple withdraws support for these cards but kudos to you on keeping us informed.
 
As an Amazon Associate, MacRumors earns a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this post.
ChuckBlack said:
I can't wait to hear your results. I'll still wait for Lion on the slim chance Apple withdraws support for these cards but kudos to you on keeping us informed.
Click to expand...

I installed the 6870 today with no problems at all. The only things that don't work are DVD Player and Geekbench according to other posters on netkas.org forum and here on macrumors. I'm currently using both SATA power cables so I have no DVD drive, but I ordered one of those cables that you posted earlier that connect directly to the mobo (http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Apple/9227128/) and it's arriving tomorrow. Before you put in the card, just make sure you have the required kexts ( available in the comments here http://netkas.org/?p=679#comments) for either 10.6.6 or 10.6.7 installed.
 
netkas said:
no way, they built on same 40nm process, so power consumption per mm2 should be same. 6870 just have smaller chip due to less execution units, so its slower.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/geforce-gtx-590-review/15

and if you use opencl a lot, then 5870 is clear winner.
Click to expand...

I usually just go with the AnandTech numbers and they show the Radeon HD 6870 and Radeon HD 5870 being neck-and-neck.

Oh well, no reason to discuss this ;)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back