ati radeon hd 4870 for 1st generation mac pros?

unfortunately the ati radeon hd 4870 is working for all mac pros except the first generation: http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB999ZM/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=NDE4NDMxOA

are there any other graphics cards that have a mini displayport connector and are compatible with a mac pro first generation?

thanks for the help!

Power Mac G5 Dual 2GHz, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Mar 3, 2009 9:05 AM

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30 replies

Mar 18, 2009 6:36 AM in response to Colourist

I saw Rob saying "it will, but have to wait" and then I read OWC's, before Rob posted actual results, and all that between afternoon one day, and AM the next.

Then I see actual results. But at the time, OWC had had the only actual hands on attempt.

And then there is the whole speculation about future OS update.

I link to Barefeats so often, I almost feel I should put a disclaimer that I have no relationship of any kind with the site or its personnel! And Rob has always been "right on" and quoted statements from site regularly.

Mar 18, 2009 9:13 AM in response to Derek Cooper2

Derek Cooper2 wrote:
I think it's a power issue. The first generation Mac Pros (I'm assuming Intel) only have a 300W power supply, and this video card needs more power. I'm also searching for an upgrade to the GeForce 7300GT that came with my machine, but struggling - primarily cause of the power supply limitation.

Can you upgrade the power supply in these boxes?


The 1st gen Mac Pro's have a 1000watt power supply, there's more than enough power to handle the 4870.

Mar 19, 2009 2:33 AM in response to The hatter

The information on the AMD/ATI site actually says the 4870 has lower power requirements than the 3870.

The PCIe power limit of 300W is the same for the 2008 Mac Pros as the 2007 8-core Clovertown Mac Pro. Power is not an issue. EFI appears not to be an issue either as Rob's tests have shown.

Can anyone give a logical or technical reason why the 4870 is not being made available to 1st Gen Mac Pros like the 3.0 GHz 8-core. I can't think of anything.

Surely Apple aren't restricting this cards use in an effort to persuade users to upgrade? Are they?

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ati radeon hd 4870 for 1st generation mac pros?

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