Running a GTX 480 on Mac Pro 2009

[Acsriot]

Hey guys, I have the opportunity to switch to a Mac pro 2009 verison, but I really do not want to give up my GTX 480 (The MacPro has the Radeon 5870 in it). I'm not familiar with Radeon cards so I'm not sure how the 5870 will compare in a gaming enviorment, I plan to run this MacPro On Bootcamp so the drivers shouldn't be an issue.

The one thing that worries me is the massive amount of power the GTX 480 requires, there are not enough 6 Pins to power it, if I only connect 2 6 Pins to the card will it pull the remaining power through the PCI slot ? or would i be better off running the Radeon card

Thanks

--riot

 

[derbothaus]

http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/294?vs=309
For my money the 480 was a waste of power. Nvidia's Vista so to speak.
But whatever. Some users have done it with external power. It is really pushing it for Mac Pro PSU only. I personally wouldn't do it. I'd get a faster less power draining card like a GTX680, GTX670, or even GTX570. Those all match or surpass. If you still NEED to do it get an external PSU and put your mind at ease.
You'd really be better off running almost anything else BUT that GTX480.
http://www.geeks3d.com/20100331/cook-your-eggs-with-a-geforce-gtx-480/

 

[NorthernSilence]

Nvidia rates the GTX 480 at least 250W while the Mac Pro can only handle 225W through the motherboard traces unless you go with a external psu. As a former owner of a 480 (on my pc) I'd say don't do it. Although they're reasonably fast, they're also hot and noisy under load (compared to current gen).

If you're going into bootcamp for gaming and don't mind not having a bootscreen then forget the 5870 and go with a 600/700 series (660ti, 670, 680, 760, 770). I have had a 660ti on my flashed 09 Mac Pro and just upgraded to a 680 and I must say, they rock.