Posts:
38
Registered:
Sep 16, 2006
|
|
|
|
New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 8:09 AM
|
|
|
I've been waiting to see a display card upgrade for the Mac Pro ever since I got mine in '06. Looks like the new gen have new graphics options. Any idea if it's possible now to grab one of the new ATI or NVIDIA cards and stuff it into my '06 Mac Pro?
I'd sure like to make Aperture run faster.
Mac Pro
|
|
Posts:
2
From:
Canada
Registered:
Dec 18, 2007
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 8:13 AM
in response to: Phil U.
|
|
|
I just purchased a quad core mac pro here in novemeber and am no kicking myself in the *** for not waiting even though i needed it pretty quick. I am also wondering if it is possible to upgrade to the 8800 and whether i need to buy the card from apple of i can go out and pick up an 8800 from any store and install it on my machine.
2.2 macbook and quad 3.0 mac pro
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
|
|
Posts:
66
From:
Japan
Registered:
Oct 26, 2007
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 8:25 AM
in response to: Phil U.
|
|
|
I can't see why it wouldn't be possible. There's been a queue a mile long of existing Mac Pro owners begging Apple for a card upgrade for months. Added to which the 8800 has been happily running in much lower spec PCs than the Mac Pro for a while now.
If it's not possible to upgrade there's going to be a lot of very unhappy people.
Mac Pro
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
4 Gig RAM, ACD 23"
|
|
Posts:
394
Registered:
Aug 14, 2005
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 8:25 AM
in response to: TMHschool
|
|
|
Me too! I got my Mac Pro in early November. I figured a new Mac Pro was around the corner. I am not concerned about a processor upgrade since I've got more Mac than I need right now. However, I am interested in the new video cards. I have the ATI x1900 with 512MB of video ram so I would need to go with the nVidia 8800.
First, will the performance increase be worth it?
If so, then can I move the ATI card to the next slot and use it to drive a HDTV?
Thanks,
Steven
2.66MHz Mac Pro, 5GB RAM, ATI X1900, 3x 250GB HDs
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
Dual Dell 2405FPW LCDs + Klipsch Promedia Ultra 5.1 speakers
|
|
Posts:
2
From:
Canada
Registered:
Dec 18, 2007
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 8:34 AM
in response to: Saiing
|
|
|
I am not worried about the specs of the machine...I have the 8 core machine with 4x2GB of ram. I am just worried that im going to have t go searching for whatever if any software that i need to install for leopard to recognize the new video card.
2.2 macbook and quad 3.0 mac pro
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
|
|
Posts:
66
From:
Japan
Registered:
Oct 26, 2007
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 8:36 AM
in response to: TMHschool
|
|
|
Since for me the 8800 would be more about games than other apps, I'd be more interested in the bootcamp drivers. Presumably Apple/Nvidia has them sorted though.
Mac Pro
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
4 Gig RAM, ACD 23"
|
|
Posts:
14
Registered:
Aug 20, 2006
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 8:49 AM
in response to: Phil U.
|
|
|
I'm also very interested in knowing the answer.
Mac Pro, Powerbook G4
Mac OS X (10.4.7)
|
|
Posts:
65
Registered:
Feb 15, 2006
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 8:49 AM
in response to: Phil U.
|
|
|
I purched my Mac Pro in november, wondering if I can put the new Nevia 8800 in.
Mac Pro
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
(2.66) 250 hd and 500hd, 3g
|
|
Posts:
160
Registered:
Feb 7, 2006
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 9:19 AM
in response to: Saiing
|
|
|
I'm also very interested. the Nvidia 8800 looks really nice. There is currently no option to buy it in the apple store and there's nothing on the Nvidia site either. (which isn't surprising since you couldn't get the last ATI card from ATI either)
So now for some rampant speculation.
- PCI express 2.0 is backwards compatible with PCI Express 1.1 so in theory the card should work in the older machines.
- This is also a nice way for Apple to make a quick buck off of existing users. Since unlike memory and hard drives we have to buy this component from Apple.
- Not allowing the upgrade undermines the expandability of the Mac Pro. If I can't upgrade the components then I might as well buy an Imac. (ok I'm being a little tongue in cheek here but you get my point)
I would personally love to get a card that has better performance and lacks the thermal issues I've been seeing in the 1900xtx since leopard shipped. It would make my world of warcraft experience a little better and will give aperture a nice boost as well.
Mac Pro & Mac Book Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.4)
(empty wallet)
|
|
Posts:
25,112
Registered:
Dec 12, 2001
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 9:22 AM
in response to: Drew85
|
|
|
No  they aren't available yet to buy separately! but that is all that is stopping us. Availability.
Mac Pro 2GHz 6GB WD Raptors Cinema HD
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
Nvidia 8600GTS, Sonnet 2EP APC RS1500 Vista Ultimate x64-SP1(RC)
|
|
Posts:
102
Registered:
Aug 18, 2005
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 9:30 AM
in response to: The hatter
|
|
|
Good news, Hatter. Would it go in the same slot as the X1900?
MacPro 2x3.0 GHz Quad-Core/4GB RAM/Radeon X1900
Mac OS X (10.5.1)
|
|
Posts:
14
Registered:
Aug 20, 2006
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 9:30 AM
in response to: LTrain
|
|
|
By backward compatible do you mean the 8800 GT will be just as fast on a PCI Express 1.1 as in the new PCI Express 2.0 on the '08 MacPros?
Mac Pro, Powerbook G4, iPhone
Mac OS X (10.4.7)
|
|
Posts:
160
Registered:
Feb 7, 2006
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 10:55 AM
in response to: JOROD
|
|
|
No it will likely cap at the maximum speed of pcie 1.1 creating a bottle neck for the card. This is however assuming that the card exceeds the performance of PCIE 1.1.
Either way again I'm just pulling this from a special place until actual tests can be run on the hardware.
Mac Pro & Mac Book Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.4)
(empty wallet)
|
|
Posts:
16
From:
Bilbao - Basque Country
Registered:
Sep 7, 2007
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 11:05 AM
in response to: JOROD
|
|
|
And if never have availability for the ancient macpros we can obtain 100000 signs and will be sent to Steve for show our frustration.
Then for A) or B) but we will have our 8800 GT compatible with OSX & Windows 
Other alternative is the flash of the Pc version but I hope that apple soon will give us the oportunity to buy the OSX version.
I hope!
I love Crysis too!
Mac pro
Mac OS X (10.4.10)
nvidia 7300 GT
|
|
Posts:
160
Registered:
Feb 7, 2006
|
|
|
|
Re: New graphics card for previous Mac Pro?
Posted:
Jan 8, 2008 11:54 AM
in response to: shongohan5
|
|
|
Ancient - mine just turned one year old 
Only 4 cores though - that's so 2006. (although honestly if you're not rendering video 8 cores just seems wasteful)
Mac Pro & Mac Book Pro
Mac OS X (10.4.4)
(empty wallet)
|
|
|
