Radeon 4890 in a mac?

I assumed you knew that PC cards only work in Windows, won't in Mac OS without flashing, and ClubMac (see Barefeats) has Mac version for $349.

Mac OS requires EFI and PCs don't.

People do flash PC cards and has been discussed here and on MacRumors.
http://forums.macrumors.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1

So, 4890? don't know what store that was but lately, seems like there has been mis-information on a number of topics.

I think things are getting a little confusing.

The 4890 cannot be flashed for mac, yet (this depends on a number of things, particularily on whether apple releases an oem 4890 of their own, AND how big the rom size is as well).

The ONLY way people are using 4890s in the MP is by using "injectors" which also requires ANOTHER graphics card to be installed (for booting the EFI). You also need to install of installer files in OSX.

The other graphics card MUST be a apple oem card with EFI. I'm guessing you are running a 2009 MP, so ideally you would want an GT 120 or ATI 2600, as those do not require aux power connectors. Before when the first couple of batches of 4890s came out, it came out with 2 x 6pin PCIe connectors. However recently it seems,(i.e. xfx 4890) certain revisions have changed the power to 1x 6pin and 1x 8pin. This poses a problem of using the MP aux power connectors. Make sure to double check how the brand 4890 you buy is powered.

There is another way to power by using the lower optical bay power; using 6pin pcie to molex. However ever again, watch out for the 8pin versions, as you will need to buy an adapter accordingly. Also just to note, while people have had success with powering from the lower optical bay, it is more "safer" to power from the above mentioned aux power ports.

Here is the thread about running 4890 in MPs:

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=713428

Again, you will need another graphics card, so plan for that when you buy the 4890. Also note, you will not get dual dvi functionality, however since you have another card in there already its not really an issue I guess.

Very foggy here in this thread.

Gonna try to clear the fog.

I was one of first to try 4890 so I KNOW what I am talking about, not trying to paraphrase other's reports.

The "second card with EFI" limitation to injectors ONLY applies to Nvidia cards. The 4890 works all by itself....with a NUMBER of caveats:

1. No EFI boot screen...nothing until desktop appears
2. No Dual Display currently
3. Only 5-10% faster than a 4870

So, lots of bother for very little benefit.

Stick with your 4870, you'll be much happier down the road.

Wow! 5-10% is all it would yield. Yeah, u are right - a waste of time!

Noice_T,

A very full, understandable, and thought out reply as usual. I was wondering what you might make of this article I read today. What surprised me the most was the Quadro and how a powerful card like that is not optimized for Mac apps. I'm sure it's good, but have a look at what the reviewer says.
A lot of strange stuff going on that I don't quite understand. Seems EVGA, if I and others are lucky,... have crafted a glove that is waiting to fit a growing and grown hand. Again, if we're lucky.
Right now I wouldn't advise anyone to get one.
http://arstechnica.com/hardware/news/2009/07/review-nvidia-gtx-285-on-the-mac.ar s

Another downside of using flashed video cards (I have a 4870) is that it probably won't be recognized as a HDCP component. I could play HD movies bought through iTunes on my 8800GT, but not with my 4870. Is that because Apple puts a component ID on the cards they sell? Probably, to identify compatible cards and disable playback of DRM HD content on others.