MP 1,1-5,1 Single PCIe slot graphics card for macPro5,1

[glante]

Hi,

I have a macPro5,1 (4,1 firmware upgraded to 5,1, Early 2009)
2 x 3,46 GHz 6-Core Intel Xeon
128 GB 1333 MHz DDR3
NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 512 MB
macOS 10.13.6

I’m looking for a graphics card that allows for a higher resolution first of all, but also preferably with Metal/Mojave compatibility.
I want to be able to use a display with 3840 x 2160 resolution, and maybe also a second display.

I work with audio and my main concern is that I have an AVID HDX card in my second (x16) PCIe slot, that uses the PCIE AUX A power connector on the motherboard.
PCIE AUX B though, is still free.

I’ve read (some of) the ”GPU Compatibility List for cMP” thread/sticky, but I have very little knowledge when it comes to GPUs, so I would still need some advice.

Q: Are there any compatible graphics cards that supports 3840x2160 that only needs power from the PCIe slot itself? (Or maybe from the PCIE AUX B with only one power cable?

Q: What are my other options - External power for the graphics card etc?

 

[tsialex]

To fulfil everything you need with Mojave support, you will have to spend on AMD Pro cards:

Single slot, full powered from the PCIe slot/no auxiliar power, only AMD Radeon Pro WX 5100.

Single slot, with just one PCIe 6-pin auxiliar power, AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100.

Powering is not really the problem, you can always power the GPU via AUX B + dual SATA or do a Pixla's mod, but being a single slot GPU or a dual slot GPU thin enough to not cook the HDX card is the real problem.

 

[glante]

Does the AMD Radeon Pro WX 5100 work right out of the box for Mac?
You mean either of these two cards are thin enough not to overheat the HDX card?

 

[tsialex]

Does the AMD Radeon Pro WX 5100 work right out of the box for Mac?

AMD Radeon Pro WX 5100 it's an Ellesmere GPU and is the Pro version of the consumer/gamer RX 480. Both GPUs works out of the box with Mojave, just install it, see this old screenshot (back in the days of High Sierra and MP51.0089.B00, before 5GT/s with 138.0.0.0.0 and newer Mojave Mac Pro firmwares):

You mean either of these two cards are thin enough not to overheat the HDX card?

Exactly, both GPUs are single slot and a modern replacement for a GT120.

 

[glante]

Thank you tsialex!

This seems a bit overkill, I only need one or possibly two outputs and have no high demands regarding picture quality since I’ll use it for music applications.
If there are no less expensive single slot cards available think I’ll go for the 5100 then, cheaper; smaller; less power hungry.

 

[tsialex]

There are other cards on the used market, but won't support 4K displays or support 4K/30Hz but are too slow too be really useable.

Some eVGA NVIDIA GT740 models like 04G-P4-2744-KR are single slot/no extra power needed and work at 4K/30Hz slowly, but the drivers are really horrible and only work reliably for a day before starting to cause problems. I have one, the fan noise is terrible and the driver problems make me mad, don't buy it. With a more stable driver and a quieter fan would be a perfect single slot card/no extra power for Mojave and up two to WXGA (1900x1200) displays.

 

[tsialex]

I had an EVGA GeForce GT 640 (Dual Slot) model 04G-P4-2649-KR before buying the GT740 and worked really fine with my two WXGA displays, it's a two slots wide card that are thin enough to not overheat the next card and need no extra power, but don't support 4K at all. I regret selling it.

 

[lukesturr]

Given your graphics and display output needs this slot powered card could suit you just fine:

• AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100
  • 4GB GDDR5 128-bit
  • 1024 Stream Processors
  • 4x Mini-DisplayPort 1.4
  • $250

It's a half-height card, but it comes with the full-height bracket that you'll need in the box.

Also found it used on eBay for $225 with the full height bracket installed.

 

[zedex]

Hi mate - it's rare that I can weigh in with a better solution than Alex, but in this case I had the exact same 'requirement parameters' to negotiate and my OCD led me to test 7 different possible permutations in pursuit of 98% perfect or better.

This is it:

In slot 4 (particularly if you require native boot screen support): Install your NVIDIA GT-120
In slot 3: Install an NVIDIA Quadro M4000

I could leave it there because this is the solution that solves everything, however, knowing the detail ahead of any purchase decision reduces the risk of making a (potentially costly) mistake. So - stay tuned (i.e. give me a couple of hours) and I'll tease out the details in a follow-up post..

 

[tsialex]

Given your graphics and display output needs these slot powered cards would suit you just fine:

• AMD Radeon Pro WX 2100
  • 2GB GDDR5 64-bit
  • 512 Stream Processors
  • 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x Mini-DisplayPort 1.4
  • $125
• AMD Radeon Pro WX 3100
  • 4GB GDDR5 128-bit
  • 512 Stream Processors
  • 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 2x Mini-DisplayPort 1.4
  • $165
• AMD Radeon Pro WX 4100
  • 4GB GDDR5 128-bit
  • 1024 Stream Processors
  • 4x Mini-DisplayPort 1.4
  • $250

They are all half-height cards, but they come with the full-height brackets that you'll need in the box.

WX 2100, WX 3100 and WX 3200 all have PCIe IDs that are not supported by Apple AMD drivers, there are several reports from people that bought one and didn't got it working, like this one.

WX 4100 is a card that have the PCIe ID supported with Apple AMD drivers, but since Baffin cards are known to be working fine with some releases and then having problems with others, is a card that I usually don't recommend.

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Hi mate - it's rare that I can weigh in with a better solution than Alex, but in this case I had the exact same 'requirement parameters' to negotiate and my OCD led me to test 7 different possible permutations in pursuit of 98% perfect or better.

This is it:

In slot 4 (particularly if you require native boot screen support): Install your NVIDIA GT-120
In slot 3: Install an NVIDIA Quadro M4000

I could leave it there because this is the solution that solves everything, however, knowing the detail ahead of any purchase decision reduces the risk of making a (potentially costly) mistake. So - stay tuned (i.e. give me a couple of hours) and I'll tease out the details in a follow-up post..

Mojave is a an OP requirement, NVIDIA Maxwell GPUs are supported up to 10.13.6, Quadro M4000 is a Maxwell GPU.

Btw, you can't use a GT120 and a METAL supported card with Mojave without having weird problems, everyone has the same idea and then find all sort of problems.

 

[lukesturr]

WX 2100, WX 3100 and WX 3200 all have PCIe IDs that are not supported by Apple AMD drivers, there are several reports from people that bought one and didn't got it working, like this one.

WX 4100 is a card that have the PCIe ID supported with Apple AMD drivers, but since Baffin cards are known to be working fine with some releases and then having problems with others, is a card that I usually don't recommend.

My bad. I was going off the "definitive" Mac Pro upgrade guide, but realized right after I posted that the WX 2100 and 3100 aren't compatible and promptly edited my post.

 

[zedex]

Yep - you're dead right Alex. Somehow I failed to register ALL of the information contained in the sentence.. "I’m looking for a graphics card that allows for a higher resolution first of all, but also preferably with Metal/Mojave compatibility."

If you're upgrading to Mojave, Alex is most correct (about everything - note his knowledge of important detail regarding the WX4100 and lower cards in the series). Alex is the reason I didn't purchase and try 12 cards in my pursuit of a perfect GPU configuration. Infinitely grateful @tsialex

I'll still follow up with a solution tailored to the spirit and intent of your goal. For audio engineers that don't want to lose access/compatibility to custom plugins when going to Mojave but do want to work on a decent sized 4K display - the solution I've chosen is optimal if you're willing to forgo macOS upgrades beyond 10.13.6

 

[lukesturr]

Out of curiosity, @tsialex can you link to examples of the WX 4100 not working in Mojave?

 

[tsialex]

Out of curiosity, @tsialex can you link to examples of the WX 4100 not working in Mojave?

It works, but Apple don't have the same attention to the Baffin drivers as they have with the drivers for Ellesmere, Polaris or VEGA GPUs - from pink screens to problems with outputs. WX 4100 is the Pro version of RX 460/550 and suffer the same problems.

 

[zedex]

@lukesturr - Regarding inconsistent reports on compatibility status - I'd say it relates to 'processor architecture'. WX4100 is Baffin (4 generations old) and WX5100 is Ellesmere (3 generations old). Bad naming schematic from AMD - way too easy to buy a slightly cheaper model and get a much worse GPU. Just my thoughts..
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Also - and I cite this from memory only - I read that AMD Radeon RX 470 is the "lowest you can go" when using a metal-compatible card to run cMP FW144 update. That sorta gels with Alexs' comments on the RX 460 running Baffin - i.e. RX460 won't run firmware update

 

[tsialex]

Also - and I cite this from memory only - I read that AMD Radeon RX 470 is the "lowest you can go" when using a metal-compatible card to run cMP FW144 update. That sorta gels with Alexs' comments on the RX 460 running Baffin - i.e. RX460 won't run firmware update

Some corrections: HD 7950/7970 and R9-280/280x, are the older GPUs that have METAL support and work with Mojave/can update the firmware. Baffin GPUs are problematic on several points, but can successfully update the firmware.

You are right on one thing, RX 470 is the older GPU that works reliably with Mojave and have AMD hardware acceleration. The weaker siblings RX 450/460 have problematic drivers, and HD 7950/7970 and R9-280/280x don't support AMD hardware acceleration.

 

[glante]

Thanks a lot, all of you, for your input - I really appreciate it!

 

[Chips Stephens]

I know of one way to get cards single slot, it’s expensive, complicated, and requires maintenance.
of course I jumped in with both feet...
Putting the Vega on water...cramming a 120 radiator in, and a pump.
Not finished yet, it’s a tight fit..

 

[glante]

I’ve decided to go with the AMD Radeon Pro WX 5100.
tsialex told me it’s compatible with Mac, but the dealers I’ve contacted have no knowledge and can’t ensure that.
Before I make an order, I just want to make sure there are not several versions of the card with different configurations/specifications.
Anybody?

 

[KeesMacPro]

I’ve decided to go with the AMD Radeon Pro WX 5100.
tsialex told me it’s compatible with Mac, but the dealers I’ve contacted have no knowledge and can’t ensure that.
Before I make an order, I just want to make sure there are not several versions of the card with different configurations/specifications.
Anybody?

TechPowerUp shows only 1 version.

 

[glante]

Søgning efter AMD Radeon Pro WX 5100

ComputerSalg.se har alltid ett stort urval av s - Alltid till rätt priser!

www.computersalg.se

Here’s a few different versions, hence my question.

 

[tsialex]

Søgning efter AMD Radeon Pro WX 5100

ComputerSalg.se har alltid ett stort urval av s - Alltid till rätt priser!

www.computersalg.se

Here’s a few different versions, hence my question.

AFAIK, there is only one version from AMD. The other two from your link seems OEM for specific PCs, Dell and another brand.

 

[glante]

Bumping this old thread.
I never got to buy a GPU in 2020, but now I’m more or less forced to do so, since my software (Pro Tools 2021.3) requires macOS Mojave or higher.
2560x1440 is enough, though. (Not 3840x2160 as in my original post)
Will that give me more options?

 

[14UG]

Bumping this old thread.
I never got to buy a GPU in 2020, but now I’m more or less forced to do so, since my software (Pro Tools 2021.3) requires macOS Mojave or higher.
2560x1440 is enough, though. (Not 3840x2160 as in my original post)
Will that give me more options?

I can't answer your question as I'm no graphics guru although I think there probably ARE lower-end/cheaper GPUs that would fit the bill for you IF you were sticking at 10.13.6 and didn't require Metal compatibility. But I strongly suspect that, as you now need to move to 10.14, the advice from @tsialex stands and the 5100 or the 7100 are the only single slot game in town.

I have the 7100 flashed by MacVidCards. It works very well - everything you'd expect from MVC firmware including audio over DisplayPort (I only use it for system bleeps). The 7100 pretty much holds its own with an RX580 and makes the 5,1 fluid, functional, if not effervescent, for video editing (although I'm mainly doing audio).

I have a at least two recently developed audio plug-ins (Newfangled Audio Elevate & Pendulate) that offload OpenGL vu meters and GUI elements to the GPU and those plugs crushed the old GT120 but don't unduly trouble the 7100. It's hard to say if GPU rendered GUIs will become more common with Music softs. OpenGL is probably on it's way out but I think interfaces with whizzy graphics are here to stay and if you're planning on the cMP seeing you through for another few years (three? four? five?) then the 5100 or 7100 might be a good shout.

 

[14UG]

P.S. almost certainly not of interest to you but Pro Tools 11.3.1 runs really well on 10.14.6 (markedly better than it did on High Sierra)! Less than a handful of features are broken and most have untroublesome workarounds.