quadro fx 1700 video card upgrade in early 2008 mac pro

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quadro fx 1700 video card upgrade in early 2008 mac pro

Hi all,
Mac Pro early 2008 3,1. currently ATI Radeon HD 2600 with a 30" cinema display.

I just picked up an Nvidia Quadro FX 1700 by PNY from a local mac store, slapped it in and the display stays black even though the machines seems to boot up fine, itunes opens at login and I started a playlist blindly... Screen blank though. I tried twice as I thought maybe I didn't seat it properly but to no avail. I don't know where to start. I put the ATI card back in and it still works fine. Where should I start here? Any suggestions would be appreciated, thanks very much!

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.5.8)

Posted on Oct 27, 2009 6:02 PM

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Answer 1

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Oct 27, 2009 6:49 PM in response to BShrope

You didn't realize that PC cards don't work? because they lack EFI firmware. So it works only if/when you are running Windows natively on Mac.

The ATI 4870 or GTX 285 from Apple are probably $1000 less? and work.

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Answer 2

BShrope Author

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Oct 27, 2009 7:08 PM in response to The hatter

hmmm, well I ordered it from a mac store with help from an apple specialist so I didn't really think it was a PC only card but it doesn't surprise me. I do run vista x64 natively and I suspected it would install fine there after I got past the osx side of things but I wasn't sure as I'm kinda new to the mac world. I guess I'll take it back and let them know... thanks for the help Hatter.

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Answer 3

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Oct 27, 2009 7:29 PM in response to BShrope

I was going to suggest going back or talking to where you bought it - do they carry PC equipment? sounds like their goof possibly.

Always good to do a little 'research' and also take a look at a couple Mac review sites - and see if the Apple Store has any Quadro, along with Nividia has Mac list. And not all cards work with every Mac Pro either.

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Answer 4

Oct 27, 2009 7:54 PM in response to BShrope

The Quadro FX 4800 will work in your Mac Pro
<http://store.apple.com/us/product/TW386LL/A?mco=MTM2MDM0MTE>

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Answer 5

BShrope Author

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Oct 27, 2009 8:03 PM in response to The hatter

Yah I think I was a bit lazy in not doing any research really, and just wanting someone who "knows" Macs well to suggest one. They said they'd take it back and apologized profusely, poor guy prolly feels like I do right now, LOL. It's my own fault for not being more knowlegable... I friggin love this machine though! 🙂 Thanks again for the speedy help and suggestions you guys! Ben.

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