Quadro for 2007 Mac Pro

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Level 1

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Quadro for 2007 Mac Pro

Good night

I have two separate questions regarding expanding my 2007 Mac Pro.

The specs for this machine are:

8 core 3Ghz Xeon
5GB DDR-2 FB DIMM
ATI Radeon X1900

As you might be aware I am unable to install 64bit windows on this machine due to compatibility issues with my hardware. However due to the nature of my job ( 3D artist ) I really need to run it and would be interested in any advice on which specific hardware I could replace that would allow me to run it on this machine.

Also, I am interested in buying a Quadro graphics card. Can anyone tell me are compatible with my Mac Pro?

Cheers,
Carlos

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.6)

Posted on Apr 1, 2009 2:34 PM

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Answer 1

marokero

Level 1

135 points

Apr 1, 2009 3:58 PM in response to moneyshot

I'm not sure I understand which compatibility issues you might have. If you have Vista 32 or 64, the necessary hardware drivers should be included in the OS X disc 1. I'm not sure about XP Pro 64, but Vista 64 runs just fine in my early 2008 MP.

If you can get your Windows up and running, there are many Quadro options, including the newly announced FX 380, 580, 1800, and 3800, not forgetting the higher end FX 4800 and 5800. Older Quadro models are still available through vendors like Newegg and Mac Mall.

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Answer 2

DPArt

Level 3

604 points

Apr 1, 2009 7:48 PM in response to moneyshot

You can install 64bit Vista on that.

I put it on my 1,1 just fine.

There are 64 bit drivers....search for them.

The ONLY QUadro that will work in both OSX and Windows on your machine is a Quadro 4500 Mac Pro version.

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Answer 3

moneyshot Author

Level 1

0 points

Apr 2, 2009 12:41 AM in response to DPArt

Thanks marokero and dpart

In fact the copy of windows I have bought will not install ( vista home premium 64 bit SP1 ). This is a known issue:

http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1378904

Apple's website makes mention that only 2008 Mac Pros are supported in bootcamp.
Which means I'm bang out of luck.

Thanks for the input on the quadro, if I can only get the second part of the equation figured out...

Also, has anyone tried installing windows 7 64bit beta on a 2007 mac pro?

Cheers,
Carlos

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Answer 4

marokero

Level 1

135 points

Apr 2, 2009 4:45 AM in response to moneyshot

Strangely, I tried Windows 7 (7057 or something like that) and it was impossibly slow! Even the installer was too slow. I have no idea why, but everything was delayed. Mouse cursor moved just fine, just system response was slow. I'm trying that same build in my Dell at work, and it's been working just fine. Strange...

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Answer 5

moneyshot Author

Level 1

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Apr 2, 2009 11:19 AM in response to marokero

I have just located a quadro fx 4500 on ebay. This is off a new Dell workstation, so I'm not entirely sure this will be compatible with my 2007 Mac Pro.
Can anyone confirm if this will or will not work?

Cheers,
Carlos

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Answer 6

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Apr 2, 2009 11:29 AM in response to moneyshot

The first rule of using cards in Mac Pro is that they have firmware, which is going to be some variety of EFI. A PC card would only work in Windows. Sorry.

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Answer 7

moneyshot Author

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Apr 2, 2009 11:33 AM in response to The hatter

that's pretty crap; I seem to be running into all sorts of trouble to extend the hardware ( which wasn't that cheap ) the way I intend to.

To compound my issue, it seems the fx 4500 isn't sold anymore. Any tips on where I could get a quadro that might work with my machine?

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Answer 8

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Apr 2, 2009 12:15 PM in response to moneyshot

WeLoveMacs but won't save you.

I have never had trouble with Vista 64-bit, though I had to find a few things on my own.

I'd go with the ATI 4870. At least ATI cards work across the board in all Mac Pros.

Or just run Windows only and use any graphic card you want; or build one.

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Answer 9

moneyshot Author

Level 1

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Apr 2, 2009 12:43 PM in response to The hatter

Thanks but I use Mental ray in Maya. Mental ray is made by mental images which have been bought out by Nvidia.
Besides that, Maya runs best on Quadros.
So Quadro it is...
Can anyone recommend an actual place to buy the Fx 4500, preferably in the UK?

cheers

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Answer 10

moneyshot Author

Level 1

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Apr 2, 2009 12:46 PM in response to moneyshot

PS: I have licenses for the software on mac osx ( final cut and shake ). running windows only is not an option...

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Answer 11

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Apr 2, 2009 2:19 PM in response to moneyshot

Did you take a look at WeLoveMacs even?
http://www.welovemacs.com/6613928.html

Rumor is Nvidia won't have their newest card ready until late summer possible - which puts it close to Snow Leopard.

Maybe it would make sense then to get 2009 Mac Pro. If yours runs Tiger, those have held their value (and the 2008s have had brisk sales lately too!)

I like Nvidia - under Windows. And the last year, well, the 8800GT and drivers Apple includes have a lot to be desired.

About the only new test with FX on Nehalem
http://www.barefeats.com/nehal05.html - Added Quadro FX 5600
http://www.barefeats.com/york2.html - older review

http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/amd-firepro-v8700,2154-5.html

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Answer 12

moneyshot Author

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Apr 2, 2009 2:40 PM in response to The hatter

Thanks hatter

I did take a look at welovemacs; I just thought that paying 2000 dollars for a graphics card that is 2 years old and isn't even sold by nvidia anymore is quite steep.

The hd 4870 looks good from tech specs - however I disregard bench mark tests that use gaming apps ( I don't use games in my workstation ) and no mention of 3D app performance. Besides I am only looking for grahics cards certified for DCC.

Buying a 2009 Mac pro is out of the question for me - I haven´t even finished paying the thousands of pounds I sank into this workstation. I am not in a hurry to buy another one, especially one that again doesn't even feature a Quadro graphics card in its current offering.

My intention is to make this usable for heavy duty 3D work in a shared OSX/Windows environment, preferably one that runs 64 bit windows ( my mac just refuses to boot the Vista OS I bought - any solutions welcome ).

From my standpoint, it looks as if Apple stopped bundling certified powerful graphics cards, the ones that are used in serious heavy duty production work ( I work mainly in commercials and primarily use PC's at work - they ALL run Quadros ).

It also looks as if Apple left me out to dry, having sank thousands of pounds in their system, I am unable to use 64 bit windows ( again standard issue in most commercials studios - unless running Linux ), and unable to pack serious heat ( graphics-wise ), even if I do want to run my apps in OSX.

Stuck between a rock and a hard place...

PS: don't get me wrong I love OSX, and would prefer to run everything here. Alas, the demands of my job seem to outpace the hardware that I have available to expand my Mac Pro...

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Answer 13

DPArt

Level 3

604 points

Apr 2, 2009 5:25 PM in response to moneyshot

You can FLASH a Quadro 4500 to run on your Mac.

You just need t use the correct ROM file. (Mc Pro one, obviously)

And WIndows Vista Ultimate 64 bit is running like a champ on my First Gen Quad 2.6.

You need to grab the 64 bit drivers off web.

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Answer 14

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Apr 3, 2009 5:32 AM in response to moneyshot

The price on the card from WeLoveMacs went up recently. Nvidia Quadro CX shows that they have an interest, and I would suspect focus is on 64-bit realm and they need time. Some have yet to receive and start qualifying or developing products for the 2009 let alone the next OS.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/productquadro_cxus.html
http://www.nvidia.com/object/productquadro_fx_5800us.html

FX 4600 is $1,999 from Nvidia - Item: 935-50356-2500-000
http://www.nvidia.com/

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Answer 15

Apr 3, 2009 6:01 AM in response to moneyshot

moneyshot,

Yes, Apple has left the 3D Artist out to dry. I run Maya 2009 on my 2008 Mac Pro with 8800GT and the performance is pathetic. The card was sold as being "ideal graphics performance for animation and 3D work"

I've given up with Maya on the Mac, it's slow, and Apple's lack of proper drivers do not help.

Don't bother with the Quadro under OS X, 90% of the card's features do not work under OS X because the nVIDIA (Apple) Drivers are under-developed. You're only going to waste more money on a doorstop.

Either try and get Windows running or install Fedora / Ubuntu. At least they have proper nVIDIA driver support. I'm installing Ubuntu this weekened for the sole purpose of running Maya. You can always dual boot for Shake / FCP.

I can say that Windows XP SP2 64bit works great on the Mac, with an upgrade to SP3. You have to disable Aero under Vista in any case for Maya's viewports to work properly.

If you want to buy a card that is slightly better than the 8800GT, get the ATI 4870, it has better OpenGL support under OS X. But it's still not perfect for Maya, better, but not perfect.

OR

Hang on until the next release of Maya, which apparently is being re-written for the Mac. Seems like they're getting rid of old legacy code. But new release = more bugs...!

Best of luck.

Jacques

Message was edited by: Jacques Toerien

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