what graphics cards will stop mac os x from booting?

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what graphics cards will stop mac os x from booting?

I'm getting a gaming graphics card to run things like COD4, Supreme Commander, Crysis, and UT3 on my Mac Pro under windows. I'm considering a few - ati 4870, nvidia gtx 260, or the 8800 gts (g92) on the cheaper end.

I know some cards will actually prevent Mac OS X from booting, and don't want to purchase any card which will do that. Does anyone know if any of these cards will do that?

Mac Pro 2.66GHz Intel Quad-Core w/ 5GB RAM, Mac OS X (10.5.1), PreSonus Firepod Audio Interface

Posted on Aug 22, 2008 9:42 PM

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Answer 1

samuel1 Author

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Aug 22, 2008 10:27 PM in response to samuel1

Let me add a little more to this.

My first choice of those cards is the ATI 4870. The 4870 requires two extra power attachments - does the mac pro have the needed hookups to power this thing?

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Answer 2

Aug 22, 2008 11:01 PM in response to samuel1

Except for the ATI Readon 3870 which are made for PC and MAc the only cards that work with OS X are those made by Apple.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2848?viewlocale=en_US

Message was edited by: Freddie Herbst

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Answer 3

The hatter

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Aug 23, 2008 3:42 AM in response to samuel1

http://www.barefeats.com/harper17.html
http://www.barefeats.com/harper11.html

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Answer 4

samuel1 Author

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Aug 23, 2008 6:23 AM in response to The hatter

"I'm getting a gaming graphics card to run things like COD4, Supreme Commander, Crysis, and UT3 on my Mac Pro _*under windows*_."

I definitely understand that only certain cards will work with os x, but that is not what I'm asking at all. I am looking to get a graphics card to run ONLY under boot camp vista. I am wondering about the three cards I listed.

Can are they known to work under boot camp? Can they be powered?

I have also read that some cards even if only used under boot camp, can actually prevent mac os x from booting up on the other osx compatible card.

Spesifically the 4870 - if that can be powered and used only underboot camp on my 2007 mac pro I will likely buy it.

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Answer 5

The hatter

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Aug 23, 2008 9:16 AM in response to samuel1

I thought Rob (Barefeats) went into what works, how to use the 4870 and 280.

A lot of cards won't allow you to boot if present in OS X at all and need to be removed. Some have other side effects like fans running on high.

Yes, there are two aux power connectors.

Most any PC card works natively in Windows.

And the 2008 Mac Pro is fortunate in having two 16x slots which is a luxury we lack.

If a card doesn't have video out during early boot before any OS loads and is controlled by EFI at that point in the process, you can't use the OPTION key for instance to choose which system drive to boot from, for instance.

LEGEND of GRAPHS
G9800 GX2 = nVIDIA GeForce 9800 GX2 (1000MB GDDR3 - Windows Only)
R3870 X2 = ATI/AMD Radeon HD 3870 X2 (1000MB GDDR3 - Windows Only)
G8800 GTX = nVIDIA Geforce 8800 GTX (768MB of GDDR3 - Windows Only)

I didn't include this but figured you see the link to article from top of Barefeats:

Radeon HD 4870 Or GeForce GTX 280
http://www.barefeats.com/harper19.html

ONE MORE THING We were successful in getting CrossFire to work on the Mac Pro under Vista 64 using dual Radeon HD 3870s

Take a look at forums.macrumors.com which has Mac Pro and Windows on Mac sections.
http://forums.macrumors.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1
http://forums.macrumors.com/forumdisplay.php?f=86

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Answer 6

samuel1 Author

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Aug 23, 2008 1:50 PM in response to The hatter

I still don't see the part where it describes the hookup. But the page answered some other questions thanks. I'll be ok just taking out my is x drive when gaming and taking the ati 4870 out for osx.

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Answer 7

The hatter

Level 9

60,980 points

Aug 23, 2008 3:41 PM in response to samuel1

Because any video card works, as long as it doesn't need more than 300W total and you don't have anything else on PCIe drawing power I think the sky is the limit.

Maybe I just don't understand.

Did you read Rob's report on the 4870 x2 vs GTX 280?

WHERE TO BUY "WINDOWS ONLY" GRAPHICS CARDS
We recommend NewEgg for the following overclocked versions of the cards we tested:
MSI GeForce GTX 280 N280GTX-T2D1G OC Video Card
MSI Radeon HD 4870 R4870-T2D512 OC Video Card
MSI Radeon HD 3870 X2 RX3870X2-T2D1G OC Video Card
http://www.barefeats.com/harper19.html

I found that article and others via:
http://www.google.com/search Apple Mac+Pro+4870x2

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