MP 1,1-5,1 Trying to install Metal GPU with HDX card on Mac 2012

[aftermid]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum. I have an old Mac Pro Mid 2012 with a Quad core 3.4 Ghz and 48 Gbs of Rams on High Sierra. I wanted to move up to Mojave. This required me buying a compatible metal card for the computer, so I did. Upon putting in the new card, I saw that it's power cable goes from an 8 pin to two 6 pin plugs. The problem is the mac only has two 6 pin power jacks, of which one is being used to power my Pro Tools HDX card.

I was very specific about this with the reseller. They guaranteed it would work. Don't know why the Mac has 4 PCI slots, but can only power two.

After many hours with apple tech support and the reseller, there was new viable solution, so the graphics cards was returned.

Is there a way around this, how can I power a new metal graphics card and power my HDX card?

Has anyone run up against this problem?

 

[tsialex]

Buy a GPU, like AMD Radeon RX 560, that require only one 6-pin PCIe power connector.

Do not buy a RX 560 model without any PCIe power connector, several are known to have issues with macOS.

 

[majus]

This thread has a wealth of information which very likely will answer all your questions.

GPU Compatibility List for cMP

Content: 1. Summary 2. Information on common GPUs that can be used in cMP 3. GPU power consumption 4. Color compatibility 5. Flashing nuances 6. What to choose? 7. Useful links. 1. Summary 1.1. There are 50+ GPU types that are compatible with cMP (classic MacPro = Mac Pro 1.1-5.1/...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[aftermid]

Buy a GPU, like AMD Radeon RX 560, that require only one 6-pin PCIe power connector.

Do not buy a RX 560 model without any PCIe power connector, several are known to have issues with macOS.

Hi,
I looked on Amazon for these. These have an RX version and a XRX version. Neither says, if it is metal compatible and/or if they have a power cable. From the pictures, it seems like they don't.

 

[aftermid]

This thread has a wealth of information which very likely will answer all your questions.

GPU Compatibility List for cMP

Content: 1. Summary 2. Information on common GPUs that can be used in cMP 3. GPU power consumption 4. Color compatibility 5. Flashing nuances 6. What to choose? 7. Useful links. 1. Summary 1.1. There are 50+ GPU types that are compatible with cMP (classic MacPro = Mac Pro 1.1-5.1/...

forums.macrumors.com

Looked at the compatibility chart. On it is my card, that I have now, ATI Radeon HD 5770 1024 MB. It says on your chart it is Mojave compatible, but is it metal compatible, if I decide to go higher than Mojave? I also see that a lot of the cards on the list don't have "flash screens or boot up screens" what does this mean and how is this important?

 

[tsialex]

All AMD Radeon RX 560 models are listed here:

AMD Radeon RX 560 Specs

AMD Polaris 21, 1275 MHz, 1024 Cores, 64 TMUs, 16 ROPs, 4096 MB GDDR5, 1750 MHz, 128 bit

www.techpowerup.com

Get one like Sapphire PULSE RX 560 4 GB:

Sapphire PULSE RX 560 4 GB Specs

AMD Polaris 21, 1275 MHz, 1024 Cores, 64 TMUs, 16 ROPs, 4096 MB GDDR5, 1750 MHz, 128 bit

www.techpowerup.com

 

[aftermid]

Thanks Tsalex,
Would it be safe to assume that this Mac and metal compatible, so that I can move up to Mojave and beyond?

 

[aftermid]

Mojave and higher OS's.

 

[tsialex]

Thanks Tsalex,
Would it be safe to assume that this Mac and metal compatible, so that I can move up to Mojave and beyond?

All real - there are fakes being sold - AMD Radeon RX 560 are METAL compatible and work from Mojave to Monterey, but the models without power connector have issues when running macOS, so avoid these.

 

[aftermid]

Ah, tsalex, that was my next question. I saw your post for the powered version of the RX560, but I have seen some that either don't have a power plug or don't specify in their description. How do you know, which is which? Any reliable sites, you could recommend for these? Also, the powered version, is it 6 pin to 6 pin or 8 pin to 6 pin?

 

[tsialex]

Ah, tsalex, that was my next question. I saw your post for the powered version of the RX560, but I have seen some that either don't have a power plug or don't specify in their description. How do you know, which is which? Any reliable sites, you could recommend for these? Also, the powered version, is it 6 pin to 6 pin or 8 pin to 6 pin?

Techpowerup usually have the info about the PCIe power connector, then you go to the manufacturer web site to double check with the specs and photos.

AFAIK, only ASRock is using 8-pin connectors, probably to make it compatible with current PC PSUs. Avoid those.

Btw, the ASRock with 8-pin connector was the model on sale on Newegg yesterday.

 

[aftermid]

You mentioned the ASRock. Is this the same thing as the RX 560? Also, the techpowerup site has the specs, but doesn't show the price.

 

[aftermid]

Saw this on ebay. What do you think?

Nvidia Quadro K5000 4GB Apple Mac Pro - Mojave Catalina Big Sur - IN STOCK! | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nvidia Quadro K5000 4GB Apple Mac Pro - Mojave Catalina Big Sur - IN STOCK! at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[tsialex]

You mentioned the ASRock. Is this the same thing as the RX 560? Also, the techpowerup site has the specs, but doesn't show the price.

I've cited it as to warn you to not buy it. ASRock is one of the manufacturers of GPUs. Techpowerup do not sell cards, it's an informational site.

Saw this on ebay. What do you think?

Nvidia Quadro K5000 4GB Apple Mac Pro - Mojave Catalina Big Sur - IN STOCK! | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Nvidia Quadro K5000 4GB Apple Mac Pro - Mojave Catalina Big Sur - IN STOCK! at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Forget. NVIDIA cards are a hassle now.

 

[aftermid]

Still looking around on eBay, Amazon, wherever. The problem with find these cards, especially the RX 560 is when you ask the seller, either they are not Mac compatible or aren't powered. I guess there are 2 versions of the card. Makes the search a little more difficult. Wish the sellers were more specific as to whether it is a mac compatible card and uses the 6 pin power supply. Any reliable vendors you can suggest?

 

[tsialex]

Still looking around on eBay, Amazon, wherever. The problem with find these cards, especially the RX 560 is when you ask the seller, either they are not Mac compatible or aren't powered. I guess there are 2 versions of the card. Makes the search a little more difficult. Wish the sellers were more specific as to whether it is a mac compatible card and uses the 6 pin power supply. Any reliable vendors you can suggest?

There are at least three versions, unpowered, 6-pin, 8-pin. Mac compatibility is not an issue, most 6-pin and 8-pin work perfectly, but you don't have two 6-pin connectors available to use a dual 6-pin to 8-pin cable.

Get a Sapphire RX 560 4GB 11267-01, I have one with one of my Mac Pros, works perfectly and it's just 6-pin. This one is exactly the model I have:

Sapphire PULSE RX 560 4 GB Specs

AMD Polaris 21, 1275 MHz, 1024 Cores, 64 TMUs, 16 ROPs, 4096 MB GDDR5, 1750 MHz, 128 bit

www.techpowerup.com

This one Sapphire RX 560 OC 4GB 11267-00 also works:

Sapphire PULSE RX 560 OC 4 GB Specs

AMD Polaris 21, 1300 MHz, 1024 Cores, 64 TMUs, 16 ROPs, 4096 MB GDDR5, 1750 MHz, 128 bit

www.techpowerup.com

 

[aftermid]

Do these have the Mac boot up screen?

 

[tsialex]

Do these have the Mac boot up screen?

It's a PC GPU, not an overpriced Mac Edition from a decade ago, so, no pre-boot configuration support.

Anyway, when you gonna need a BootROM reconstruction service for your Mac Pro, I'll add pre-boot configuration support for any modern PC GPU with EnableGop module directly to the Mac Pro BootROM.

 

[aftermid]

Not sure what you mean by : "Anyway, when you gonna need a BootROM reconstruction service for your Mac Pro, I'll add pre-boot configuration support for any modern PC GPU with EnableGop module directly to the Mac Pro BootROM."

Does this allow for the boot screen to work? Also, I noticed in the cards you mentioned above, one had OC and a higher Mhz. How is this significant, what's the difference and does it matter which?

 

[aftermid]

Hi Tsialex,

Saw this card. What do you think?

404 - MacVidCards Europe

MacVidCards store in Europe. The latest and fastest graphics cards upgrades for your Apple Mac Pro computer.

www.macvidcards.eu

 

[tsialex]

Hi Tsialex,

Saw this card. What do you think?

404 - MacVidCards Europe

MacVidCards store in Europe. The latest and fastest graphics cards upgrades for your Apple Mac Pro computer.

www.macvidcards.eu

Insanely expensive. You don't need to buy a flashed GPU, like I've already wrote, today the Mac Pro BootROM can be reconstructed with pre-boot configuration support and you can buy a modern UEFI PC GPU without any flashing of the GPU.

If you just want to install Mojave and your focus is audio applications only, you can get the HP GeForce GT630 2GB for € 45 and be happy, it's a slot powered UEFI card, so EnableGop works, and fully compatible with Mac Pro. Let's not forget of the best thing, no cables needed. eBay link below, no affiliation:

HP GeForce GT630 2GB PCI-E 2.0 x16 684455-002 702084-001 B4J92AT | eBay

HP GeForce GT630 2GB PCI-E 2.0 x16 684455-002 702084-001 B4J92AT Condition: Refurbished SKU: 101000280013 Manufacturer Nvidia Model number GeForce GT 630 HP P/N 684455-002 Spare number 702084-001 SKU 101000280013 Description Accelerate your desktop’s performance by up to 4x with...

www.ebay.com

More info here, btw, no need to flash it anymore, now with EnableGop added to your Mac Pro BootROM, all modern UEFI GPUs that are compatible with Mac Pro have pre-boot configuration support.

Last thing, if you ever want to run Monterey with your Mac Pro, do not buy a NVIDIA GPU. If you want to color grade/compress/decompress/export videos or do any type of video editing, do not buy a NVIDIA GPU.

 

[aftermid]

Insanely expensive. You don't need to buy a flashed GPU, like I've already wrote, today the Mac Pro BootROM can be reconstructed with pre-boot configuration support and you can buy a modern UEFI PC GPU without any flashing of the GPU.

If you just want to install Mojave and your focus is audio applications only, you can get the HP GeForce GT630 2GB for € 45 and be happy, it's a slot powered UEFI card, so EnableGop works, and fully compatible with Mac Pro. Let's not forget of the best thing, no cables needed. eBay link below, no affiliation:

HP GeForce GT630 2GB PCI-E 2.0 x16 684455-002 702084-001 B4J92AT | eBay

HP GeForce GT630 2GB PCI-E 2.0 x16 684455-002 702084-001 B4J92AT Condition: Refurbished SKU: 101000280013 Manufacturer Nvidia Model number GeForce GT 630 HP P/N 684455-002 Spare number 702084-001 SKU 101000280013 Description Accelerate your desktop’s performance by up to 4x with...

www.ebay.com

More info here, btw, no need to flash it anymore, now with EnableGop added to your Mac Pro BootROM, all modern UEFI GPUs that are compatible with Mac Pro have pre-boot configuration support.

Last thing, if you ever want to run Monterey with your Mac Pro, do not buy a NVIDIA GPU. If you want to color grade/compress/decompress/export videos or do any type of video editing, do not buy a NVIDIA GPU.

So on the ebay HP card, you mentioned, I wouldn't have to flash it, it's Mac ready out of the box with the boot screen? Also, I do want to move up higher than Mojave, will this card be able to do that? I've read some of the instructions for enbleGop and boot rom, seems complicated beyond my skills. Trying to keep it easy.

 

[tsialex]

So on the ebay HP card, you mentioned, I wouldn't have to flash it, it's Mac ready out of the box with the boot screen?

If you add EnableGop yourself, yes. PC GPUs do not have pre-boot configuration support with an unmodified Mac Pro BootROM.

Also, I do want to move up higher than Mojave, will this card be able to do that?

Native support up to Big Sur, for Monterey you will need to use OCLP to install the BigSur drivers back.

Same issue with all other supported NVIDIA GPUs, Apple completely terminated NVIDIA support with Monterey. That's why it's not a vey smart move to spend £ 239 + shipping with a NVIDIA GPU.

I've read some of the instructions for enbleGop and boot rom, seems complicated beyond my skills. Trying to keep it easy.

Your Mac Pro right now have at least 10+ years of usage, the BootROM probably already have issues with the NVRAM volume right now.

A BootROM reconstruction service will be something that you gonna need to keep your Mac Pro working and avoid bricking in the future. The reconstructed BootROM image already have EnableGop injected, so, no issue with advanced skills.

One HP GT 630 (684455-002 702084-001 B4J92AT) + EnableGop = perfect pre-boot configuration support up to full HD screens.

 

[aclarubicin]

I've got a few suitable cards in stock, sent you a PM

 

[aftermid]

Ok,
So, I totally new at the tech part of computers. So, I'll ask so dumb questions:

"Your Mac Pro right now have at least 10+ years of usage, the BootROM probably already have issues with the NVRAM volume right now.
A BootROM reconstruction service will be something that you gonna need to keep your Mac Pro working and avoid bricking in the future."

What do you mean by my "BootROM has issues with the NVRAM volume? " What is BootROM and NVRAM?
What is a BootROM reconstruction service? Is that something can do myself or do I have to take it to a tech?



The reconstructed BootROM image already have EnableGop injected, so, no issue with advanced skills.

What is EnabeGop? When you say reconstructed BootROM image have EnableGop, what does this mean and does it relieve me of the above mentioned reconstruct etc.
Just want be able to plug and play.

One HP GT 630 (684455-002 702084-001 B4J92AT) + EnableGop = perfect pre-boot configuration support up to full HD screens.

So does this mean, with this card, I won't have to do any set up or installs? I'll have my boot up screen with this pre installed EnableGop? Will this card allow me to move up from Mojave?