Recommendations for Graphics Cards for 2012 Mac Pro for 4K Editing (supported High Sierra/Mojave)

[Earl Urley]

SKU is 11265-05-20G.

 

[bsbeamer]

The model of Sapphire Radeon RX580 that I bought, identified by part# 100411P8GOCL, ships with with a single-link DVI port. Most other revisions ship with a dual-link DVI port. It was also until recently cheaper than other RX580s for this reason why I bought it (typing on it right this second.) You need dual-link DVI to support 4K output.

I only have older DVI/VGA only monitors available to me at the moment, don't have access to any newer monitors that have HDMI ports which would let me connect at 4K resolution. I've modified my post to reflect this and deflect confusion.

tl;dr: I'm cheap as sh*t and bought an RX580 that won't drive the monitors I have available to me at higher res.

Right on the box it is identified as a Sapphire Pulse RX580, but it says "DVI-D" not "DVI-DL."

Only paid $219 for it, got it before all the prices got hiked.

SKU is 11265-05-20G.

So 100411P8GOCL is the same as 11265-05-20G, which specs state:

Displays Maximum 5 Outputs

Output 1 x DVI-D
2 x HDMI
2 x DisplayPort 1.4

5120×2880 (60Hz) Pixel DisplayPort Resolution
2560x1600 (60Hz) Pixel Dual Link DVI Resolution
4096×2160(60 Hz) HDMI Resolution

 

[Earl Urley]

So you're saying with your bolding what I've been saying all along, since I only have access to DVI / VGA monitors I'm not going to get 4K output even on those that support DL-DVI.

 

[bsbeamer]

So you're saying with your bolding what I've been saying all along, since I only have access to DVI / VGA monitors I'm not going to get 4K output even on those that support DL-DVI.

Your GPU has DUAL LINK DVI, not single link.

I have not seen a 4K/UHD monitor supporting Dual Link DVI sold in the past several years. Do you have a model that only accepts Dual Link DVI at 4K? Nearly all that I've seen are HDMI and DP/DisplayPort or mDP/miniDisplayPort models. There are some that are Thunderbolt-based, but even those usually still have HDMI and/or DP/mDP connections.

Edit:

Based on the switch your GPU model has (reported in this thread), it is likely the V2 model which added DUAL BIOS support. All other specs are the same. Does not change the ports and available resolutions, but this is the 11265-05V2 model.

http://www.sapphiretech.com/productdetial.asp?pid=77B48A1E-9FCB-4F19-BC2D-17C3087E4850&lang=eng

 

[mavots]

So 100411P8GOCL is the same as 11265-05-20G, which specs state:

Displays Maximum 5 Outputs

Output 1 x DVI-D
2 x HDMI
2 x DisplayPort 1.4

5120×2880 (60Hz) Pixel DisplayPort Resolution
2560x1600 (60Hz) Pixel Dual Link DVI Resolution
4096×2160(60 Hz) HDMI Resolution

bsbeamer,

This clears up the same confusion I had.
Both Amazon and Newegg have the RX 580s on sale until Monday for $189.99.
I came online this morning to order from Amazon (11265-05-20G) only to see they were sold out.
NewEgg's (100411P8GOCL) are still in stock and I had to research the difference I'm model numbers.
Glad to see they are the same.

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[Gilles9999]

Have a hard time recommending anything but one of these on the official list below directly from APPLE.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT208898

These specific third-party graphics cards are Metal-capable and compatible with macOS Mojave on Mac Pro (Mid 2010) and Mac Pro (Mid 2012):

• MSI Gaming Radeon RX 560 128-bit 4GB GDRR5
• SAPPHIRE Radeon PULSE RX 580 8GB GDDR5
• SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition
• NVIDIA Quadro K5000 for Mac
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 Mac Edition

https://www.apple.com/final-cut-pro/specs/

Minimum System Requirements

• macOS 10.13.6 or later
• 4GB of RAM (8GB recommended for 4K editing, 3D titles, and 360° video editing)
• OpenCL-capable graphics card or Intel HD Graphics 3000 or later
• 256MB of VRAM (1GB recommended for 4K editing, 3D titles, and 360° video editing)1
• Discrete graphics card, macOS High Sierra or later, and SteamVR required for VR headset support. AMD Radeon RX 580 graphics card recommended for best performance.
• 3.8GB of disk space

Many thanks bsbeamer to have noticed which card Apple recommends. I have to update my Mac Pro (Mid 2012) and I didn't know which card to buy. After this post i can easily say that I am going to buy the

• SAPPHIRE Radeon PULSE RX 580 8GB GDDR5

 

[kohlson]

I am going to buy the

I did a year ago for my 2009 cMP and am happy that I did. Even happier after I applied the AMD Hardware hack. Note that I have not yet gone the route of Open Core, which is mentioned at the outset of this thread. It is promising, but there are still unknowns.

 

[drose1979]

This is the dual mini 6-pin to single standard 8-pin power cable I have:
https://www.moddiy.com/products/Apple-Dual-Mini-PCI%2dE-6%2dPin-to-Standard-PCI%2dE-8%2dPin-Video-Card-Cable.html

They now sell a version with a sleeve to tidy up the wires.

These ones should also work:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07J336WY4
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MV3G9QV

There's a surge of them on Amazon lately after the need to use with RX 580.

This is the Sapphire Pulse RX 580 8GB GPU that is approved. I've purchased this same GPU and it's identified as
11265-05-20G. There is another version and unsure if that is the same or what the modification is/was.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06ZZ6FMF8

You may also need this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014DV2RGG

Believe the older 30" ACD uses Dual Link DVI only (been awhile since I've used). These are active adapters. Do not believe the passive adapters have resolution required. Some may need mDP>DP adapters (above).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A493CNY
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00856WJH8
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001IF252C

If you're scared of the CPU swap/upgrade and interested, dual 3.46GHz trays are available for purchase. It's much more expensive, but another option. If you do this just MAKE SURE you buy an authentic 5,1 tray and not a 4,1>5,1 tray. They physically look the same but are different parts.
[doublepost=1548769025][/doublepost]For RX 580 install suggestions, review this thread:
https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...-for-pcie-slot-2.2134562/page-2#post-26413743

Hey @bsbeamer, having some display issues that I'm hoping you or anyone else on this forum can help me out with. I followed your post (and links) and upgraded to the Sapphire RX 580 on my 2012 Mac Pro (currently on High Sierra). When I connect to my Dell U3011, I only have a max resolution of 1920x1080. I'm using a cable from the DP Out to DVI In on the monitor. When I try using a DP to DP cable, I have no signal. Do I need an adapter of some sort or special cable? I figured a DP to DP cable would just be plug n play? Thanks in advance for your patience and input~

 

[handheldgames]

Hey @bsbeamer, having some display issues that I'm hoping you or anyone else on this forum can help me out with. I followed your post (and links) and upgraded to the Sapphire RX 580 on my 2012 Mac Pro (currently on High Sierra). When I connect to my Dell U3011, I only have a max resolution of 1920x1080. I'm using a cable from the DP Out to DVI In on the monitor. When I try using a DP to DP cable, I have no signal. Do I need an adapter of some sort or special cable? I figured a DP to DP cable would just be plug n play? Thanks in advance for your patience and input~

Taking a look at the Manual.

• On the u3011, DVI-D, HDMI(1.3), and DP all support the max resolution of 2560x1600.

Some thoughts

• While DVI maxes out at 1920x1080. Dual0-link DVI supports up to 2560x1600.
• On older Dell displays, like the 3007wfc-hc - Going from mDP -> Dual-link DVI required an active adapter on the mac.
• Dual Link DVI cables tend to go bad over time, at least in my case.
• Have you used the controls to change input to DP?
• Make sure the DP cable is fully inserted and clicked into place.
• It may be worth installing SwitchResX on your mac to provide better insight on what's happening with the display.

 

[bsbeamer]

@drose1979 As stated above, make sure you're using an ACTIVE adapter.

 

[drose1979]

@drose1979 As stated above, make sure you're using an ACTIVE adapter.

thank you @handheldgames and @bsbeamer for your quick replies. Would the first adapter you listed DP to MiniDP work in my situation (I also have a DP to MiniDP cable) or do I specifically need one of the DVI active adaptors you listed? You listed that DP to MiniDP as a "you might need" cable so wasn't sure if that was still considered an active adapter -- was hoping for the lesser expensive solution. Thank you again.

 

[MIKX]

This works for me with an MSI Armor RX 580 8gb but I do not have a 4k monitor.

DisplayPort™ to 4K HDMI™ Active Adapter

The JDA158 DisplayPort™ to 4K HDMI Active Adapter allows you to quickly and easily connect your Mac or PC to a 4K HDTV or other display device using an HDMI input. Simply connect the DisplayPort™ end of the connector to your computer and plug your existing HDMI cable from the display into the...

en.j5create.com

 

[drose1979]

This works for me with an MSI Armor RX 580 8gb but I so not have a 4k monitor.

DisplayPort™ to 4K HDMI™ Active Adapter

The JDA158 DisplayPort™ to 4K HDMI Active Adapter allows you to quickly and easily connect your Mac or PC to a 4K HDTV or other display device using an HDMI input. Simply connect the DisplayPort™ end of the connector to your computer and plug your existing HDMI cable from the display into the...

en.j5create.com

Thanks @MIKX, I ordered a similar active adaptor that is coming tomorrow. Fingers crossed**