Problem getting a RX580 card running on Mac Pro 5,1

[kenshin27]

So I currently have a late 2009 Mac Pro that I upgraded to a MacPro5,1 w/2x 3.33Ghz procs. I've been using a Radeon HD 7950 for awhile now and have already updated to Mojave 10.14.1. But I just recently picked up a "Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8G GDDR5" on eBay and have been trying to get it to work in place of the 7950 to no avail. I thought this particular card was one of the ones supported by Apple, correct? But when I install it, computer boots up fine, I see the fans on the RX580 kick in, but then like 20 seconds later they stop, and that's it. I'm feeding the card the extra power it needs with a 2x Mini-6 pin to 8-pin cable. I normally have 3 displays connected but I'm just trying to start with one right now. I tried each of the 2 DisplayPorts as well as the DVI and nothing has helped. Anyone have any idea what else I can try to get this working? Or is a problem with the vid card itself?

On a side note, I noticed that even though I'm running 10.14.1, my Boot ROM version is still 138 instead of 140. And I can't update it to 140 because of the Metal detection bug whenever I try to run the full Mojave installer. Am I missing out on anything by not having 140? And if so, is there any way I can get it to install w/out somehow going back to High Sierra?

 

[jimj740]

So I currently have a late 2009 Mac Pro that I upgraded to a MacPro5,1 w/2x 3.33Ghz procs. I've been using a Radeon HD 7950 for awhile now and have already updated to Mojave 10.14.1. But I just recently picked up a "Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8G GDDR5" on eBay and have been trying to get it to work in place of the 7950 to no avail. I thought this particular card was one of the ones supported by Apple, correct? But when I install it, computer boots up fine, I see the fans on the RX580 kick in, but then like 20 seconds later they stop, and that's it. I'm feeding the card the extra power it needs with a 2x Mini-6 pin to 8-pin cable. I normally have 3 displays connected but I'm just trying to start with one right now. I tried each of the 2 DisplayPorts as well as the DVI and nothing has helped. Anyone have any idea what else I can try to get this working? Or is a problem with the vid card itself?

On a side note, I noticed that even though I'm running 10.14.1, my Boot ROM version is still 138 instead of 140. And I can't update it to 140 because of the Metal detection bug whenever I try to run the full Mojave installer. Am I missing out on anything by not having 140? And if so, is there any way I can get it to install w/out somehow going back to High Sierra?

Bad card? I am running the exact setup flawlessly (minus boot screens of course) on one of my cMPs (4,1->5,1, 2x3.33Ghz, saphire pulse 8G RX580... and was originally running a 7950!

As for the side question, you are really only missing the NVMe boot capability. The metal detection bug is supposed to be fixed in 10.14.2... should release soon. I too hit that bug but resorted to a external boot disk running 10.13.6 to upgrade the boot rom.

 

[MarkC426]

I agree with jimj740.
The fans don’t normally spin until the card gets very hot.
This may be an ex-mining card.

 

[kenshin27]

Ugh, that's what I was afraid of. Well I have a new one coming in tomorrow so I guess we'll know for sure then. Thanks guys.

 

[kenshin27]

Well, the brand new card arrived today and unfortunately, still no dice. Can't figure out why it doesn't seem to want to work w/my system. I've removed all other PCIE cards in my system, zapped PRAM, reset SMB, nothing. Plugged in my 7950, still works. Plugged in the ancient Nvidia GT 120, still works. Tried to plug in RX580 w/GT 120 and only one display connected to the GT, the system stalls halfway through startup (Apple logo comes up, progress bar shows up, about halfway through the screen flashes but stays white, and then no more progress bar). Just to be thorough tried the 7950 w/GT 120 and same thing, halfway through startup the screen flashes, progress bar disappears and then nothing.

By itself, the RX580 seems to just stop working a short while after the startup chime. Stop working meaning the fans stop spinning. With the other vid cards the fans keep spinning at least throughout the startup process. If I try to startup in safe mode, the fans on the RX580 keep spinning but I still get nothing on screen.

Pretty much ready to throw in the towel and assume I'm stuck w/the 7950 for the remaining usage life of my Mac Pro. :\

 

[crjackson2134]

Are you sure you are getting power from both your mini6-8 connection. Check both the output of each header, and verify the cable. I wouldn’t be surprised if the card(s) isn’t getting fully powered.

 

[kenshin27]

Are you sure you are getting power from both your mini6-8 connection. Check both the output of each header, and verify the cable. I wouldn’t be surprised if the card(s) isn’t getting fully powered.

I don't even know how to check that. It's a new 2x mini6 to 1x 8 cable that I just got off Amazon. I guess I could order another from a different source to make sure...

Although if it were a power issue why would it be spinning ok when trying to boot into safe mode?

 

[tsialex]

I don't even know how to check that. It's a new 2x mini6 to 1x 8 cable that I just got off Amazon. I guess I could order another from a different source to make sure...

Although if it were a power issue why would it be spinning ok when trying to boot into safe mode?

Did you checked for AirDisplay kexts?

 

[h9826790]

Try

1) only install the RX580 but not other GPU (with that dual mini 6pin to single 8pin cable)
2) Connect that to a single known good monitor with known good cable
3) Hold "Command + R" to boot

This will completely eliminate any user modified kext / OS issue. As long as you have proper Mojave installation (with recovery partition), the card will display (may need up to few minutes depends on if you use SSD / HDD).

If the RX580 displays in recovery partition, then highly likely the card itself is good, but the OS is the problem.

The fan spin only a few seconds and then stop is completely normal. The RX580's fan is designed to only spin up when required. During initial start up, the fan will spin up. But once the pre-defined fan profile take over, it will stop, until the GPU runs warm again. (In multi monitors config, the GPU will idle with much higher power consumption, therefore, the fan almost always spins)

 

[kenshin27]

Did you checked for AirDisplay kexts?

Doesn't look like I have any in my system.
[doublepost=1543935492][/doublepost]Hmm... well looks like starting up in recovery does work. Now what? =) Should I have it reinstall macOS?

Try

1) only install the RX580 but not other GPU (with that dual mini 6pin to single 8pin cable)
2) Connect that to a single known good monitor with known good cable
3) Hold "Command + R" to boot

This will completely eliminate any user modified kext / OS issue. As long as you have proper Mojave installation (with recovery partition), the card will display (may need up to few minutes depends on if you use SSD / HDD).

If the RX580 displays in recovery partition, then highly likely the card itself is good, but the OS is the problem.

The fan spin only a few seconds and then stop is completely normal. The RX580's fan is designed to only spin up when required. During initial start up, the fan will spin up. But once the pre-defined fan profile take over, it will stop, until the GPU runs warm again. (In multi monitors config, the GPU will idle with much higher power consumption, therefore, the fan almost always spins)

 

[h9826790]

Hmm... well looks like starting up in recovery does work. Now what? =) Should I have it reinstall macOS?

Make proper backup.

Then you can boot to recovery partition to re-install the OS without erase anything (low chance can fix the issue).

Or format the boot partition, and make a clean macOS installation (very high chance can fix the issue).

If you have spare drive laying around, you can simply install a clean macOS to that drive and see if help.

 

[kenshin27]

Wow, you pretty much called it. I first tried an OS reinstall which didn't fix the issue. Then I wiped my boot and did a clean install and that fixed it right up. Migration Assistant + Time Machine afterwards pretty much had me back up and running w/out even skipping a beat. This is awesome, thanks so much!

Make proper backup.

Then you can boot to recovery partition to re-install the OS without erase anything (low chance can fix the issue).

Or format the boot partition, and make a clean macOS installation (very high chance can fix the issue).

If you have spare drive laying around, you can simply install a clean macOS to that drive and see if help.

 

[howiest]

I'm running 10.13.6 and I'm not seeing AirDisplay kext in my System either. Wonder why?

I have a RX580 waiting to be installed whenever the cables arrive in the mail. (Canada Post Labour Dispute mail delays)

 

[kenshin27]

I don't think we're supposed to? I didn't have them and I read elsewhere that sometimes they cause problems.

I'm running 10.13.6 and I'm not seeing AirDisplay kext in my System either. Wonder why?

I have a RX580 waiting to be installed whenever the cables arrive in the mail. (Canada Post Labour Dispute mail delays)

 

[howiest]

I don't think we're supposed to? I didn't have them and I read elsewhere that sometimes they cause problems.

Oh okay I misunderstood that part of this thread, thinking that it was a needed kext for RX580 operation. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

 

[GhostImage]

Make proper backup.

Then you can boot to recovery partition to re-install the OS without erase anything (low chance can fix the issue).

Or format the boot partition, and make a clean macOS installation (very high chance can fix the issue).

If you have spare drive laying around, you can simply install a clean macOS to that drive and see if help.

I have the same issue with my fans not running after my MacPro 4,1-5,1 starts up. During the preliminary start up (before the screen shows the log in), the fans run. As soon as the login screen appears, the fans on the Sapphire RX 580 stop. I did a fresh install of macos 10.14.6 but as soon as the fresh install was complete, the fans stopped again. I am concerned about overheating issues despite the fact that the card does not seem to get hot and a fan in the case blows across the card from behind. ANy insights would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MIKX]

The RX 580 8gb fans start up when the cMP starts up .. then . . they stop until the GPU gets hot enough to warrant starting the fans again. ( My MSI Armor RX 580 8gb behave just like this.

If your cMP fans are running then everything is normal.

To test the fans . . take your cMP side cover off and then run some high quality videos & maybe a game or x-plane 11 demo..

Watch your fans . . they should spin up.

The RX 580 8gb cards have more sophisticated thermal control than the older 7xxxx or R9 series cards.

 

[Eljutre]

Well, the brand new card arrived today and unfortunately, still no dice. Can't figure out why it doesn't seem to want to work w/my system. I've removed all other PCIE cards in my system, zapped PRAM, reset SMB, nothing. Plugged in my 7950, still works. Plugged in the ancient Nvidia GT 120, still works. Tried to plug in RX580 w/GT 120 and only one display connected to the GT, the system stalls halfway through startup (Apple logo comes up, progress bar shows up, about halfway through the screen flashes but stays white, and then no more progress bar). Just to be thorough tried the 7950 w/GT 120 and same thing, halfway through startup the screen flashes, progress bar disappears and then nothing.

By itself, the RX580 seems to just stop working a short while after the startup chime. Stop working meaning the fans stop spinning. With the other vid cards the fans keep spinning at least throughout the startup process. If I try to startup in safe mode, the fans on the RX580 keep spinning but I still get nothing on screen.

Pretty much ready to throw in the towel and assume I'm stuck w/the 7950 for the remaining usage life of my Mac Pro. :\

I have the exact same Issue, I have a Mac Pro 4,1 2009 flashed to 5,1 and I have the stock GPU, the GTX 120 so I can't upgrade to Mojave and I'm Stock in High Sierra, and I bought the Sapphire Radeo Rx 580, and the sistem boots up, but I have no screen, the fans on the card spins and a try every port on the GPU, but I get no screen.
Any Ideas on how to solve this on High Sierra o the probleem could be the os x?, if that's so, how can I migrate to Mojave, because the official upgrade won't let me because the gtxx 120 it's not metal supported.
Help!!!!

 

[MIKX]

Which cable are you using for the RX 580 ?

It should be : 2 x Mini 6 pin to 1 x 8 pin

Dual Mini 6 Pin to 8 Pin PCI Express Video Card Power Adapter Cable

Features: Dual Mini 6 Pin to 8 Pin PCI-e cable is to connect a PCIe video graphics card with 8 pin port to Mac motherboard with mini 6 pin port; Specification: Cable Length: 15-inches/(38cm) ; Connector 1: standard GPU 8 Pin male ; Connector 2 : 2x mini 6 pin male ( not standard 6 pin male); Gaug...

www.amazon.com

 

[Eljutre]

Which cable are you using for the RX 580 ?

It should be : 2 x Mini 6 pin to 1 x 8 pin

Dual Mini 6 Pin to 8 Pin PCI Express Video Card Power Adapter Cable

Features: Dual Mini 6 Pin to 8 Pin PCI-e cable is to connect a PCIe video graphics card with 8 pin port to Mac motherboard with mini 6 pin port; Specification: Cable Length: 15-inches/(38cm) ; Connector 1: standard GPU 8 Pin male ; Connector 2 : 2x mini 6 pin male ( not standard 6 pin male); Gaug...

www.amazon.com

View attachment 898249

That one, I even replace it two times, but nothing changed

 

[tommy chen]

sometimes it needs a triplicate NVRAM reset

 

[MarkC426]

I have the exact same Issue, I have a Mac Pro 4,1 2009 flashed to 5,1 and I have the stock GPU, the GTX 120 so I can't upgrade to Mojave and I'm Stock in High Sierra, and I bought the Sapphire Radeo Rx 580, and the sistem boots up, but I have no screen, the fans on the card spins and a try every port on the GPU, but I get no screen.
Any Ideas on how to solve this on High Sierra o the probleem could be the os x?, if that's so, how can I migrate to Mojave, because the official upgrade won't let me because the gtxx 120 it's not metal supported.
Help!!!!

Are you starting up with just the RX580 (i.e. no gt120)?

 

[tonysabbath]

I've owned two brand new retail Sapphire RX5xx series cards in a Mac Pro 5,1 and they are suppose to not run the fans until they reach a certain temperature. Its the same when running under Windows 10. Relax and enjoy it. To recap: fans will briefly run when the computer switches on, then they stop until the card gets hotter under load.

 

[Eljutre]

Are you starting up with just the RX580 (i.e. no gt120)?

yes, I tried with both cards in and just the rx 580

 

[Macsonic]

yes, I tried with both cards in and just the rx 580

Maybe you can try connecting to the different ports of your Sapphire RX580. There's another MR thread here as the user is getting a black screen issue on his 2009 Mac Pro with Sapphire RX580

Mac Pro 2009 Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 Display Issue

OK So ... I was gifted a: Mac Pro (Early 2009) 2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon 8GB DDR3 I flashed the BIOS from 4,1 to 5,1 without any issues and then I upgraded to macOS High Sierra (Version 10.13.6) Still no issues. My new Graphics Card showed up: (Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8GB and the...

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