X800XT Graphics card, firmware/install

Hi Bob-

As you saw in the other thread, Leopard doesn't need any drivers for the X800 Mac Edition.
The only driver updates needed are for Tiger or Panther.
Since it is a real Mac Edition (still can't believe someone came up with those) it is a true plug and play card.

The X800 is a really strong card.
I have a flashed FireGL X800 running at OEM Mac X800 clock speeds, and it is a fantastic performer.
The OpenGL support from this card is great!

As to your question regarding the ROM, you will see it in the report given by the System Profiler/Hardware/Graphics and Displays.

ROM v109 is the latest version of that ROM.

Hi,

Thanks for your responses. I'm a bit new so bear with me.

I understand that the driver is included in leopard, so I'm good to go there as well as just having to plug the card into the AGP slot.

But is the firmware a part of the driver, and if so what would be the latest version? I found a v109 for the x800xt mac edition, but don't know if that is the latest?

Thanks again,

Oops, send my last one to quick.

Got it thanks,

Hmm,

I went to two different sites that have a link to d/l firmware version 109 and when I click on them, they take me to the AMD site that says "unauthorized download". Do you know of a link where I can get the v109?

Thanks again,

You don't need to worry about the firmware.
The card should ship with the latest firmware running.

I could link you to a download for the 109 firmware, but it is only needed if you are hacking PC cards to work in a Mac, or, for some very strange reason, dump the existing ROM from the card and lose the file.
The process for the file update isn't something that everyone wants to do, but, if you get your card, and the ROM version is not 109, come back here, or email me, and I will walk you through it.

I think what you are looking for is the 2005 ROM Updater for all ATI retail Mac cards.
If your card reports v108 or such, let me know, and I will set you up.

As it is, in Leopard, the card should be considered hassle free plug and play.
Tiger only needs the retail driver update and no OS version needs a firmware update.

Aah,

Thanks so much for your help. Here are the two links that I went to about d/l in v109:

http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/18071/ati-radeon-x800-xt-rom-update
DESCRIPTION
The June 2005 ROM installer provides the ability to revert to the original ROM for the RADEON X800 XT MAC EDITION. The ROM Update installer provides this downgrade option at setup. Safe Boot is required to use this ROM Update. Hold shift during boot to Safe Boot. The computer MUST NOT be interrupted (shut down or power failure) during firmware update.

ROM Version 109 (this release) fixes a rare occurence of corruption or hang for a few specific instances.

Added built-in Firmware Fan control - Fan control has been implemented within the card's firmware to maintain full fan control with or without the presence of the ATI ROM Xtender file. This update is recommended for all RADEON X800 XT MAC EDITION cards. Previous reports documented the loss of fan control after accidentally losing the ATI ROM Xtender in the System's Extension folder. With this update, fan control is enabled early in the boot process and maintained with or without this extension file present. To re-install the extension file, simply run the original RADEON X800 MAC EDITION installation CD, this update or a newer ATI web released driver update.
Download Now
REQUIREMENTS
Mac OS X 10.3.5 or later, Retail RADEON X800 XT Mac EDITION

http://www.filetransit.com/view.php?id=109888

Same content as above.

I'll get the card and see what happens and let you know. The thing that caught my eye about the v109 was the part about firmware control of the fans. I have tried other cards in my G5 and they all seem to be much louder than what I currently have which is the 9600xt. Original mac card, not flashed.

Thanks again.

Understand, also got your email. I'll let you know.

Bob

The thing that caught my eye about the v109 was the part about firmware control of the fans. I have tried other cards in my G5 and they all seem to be much louder than what I currently have which is the 9600xt. Original mac card, not flashed.

Yes, all the fan equipped cards will seem loud as compared to a 9600 XT, which has no fan.
The fan on the X800 XT isn't too bad, and the firmware fan control does help.
I consider the X800 XT to be quieter than the Radeon 9800 Pro, but the added heat in the PCI area may cause the G5 fans to ramp up a bit.
A work around for that would be to add an exhausting PCI fan to the slot next to the X800, which will help remove the hot air from the towers interior.

Any suggestions as to the best card?

For what purpose?
Card performance varies between applications.

As it stands, you are purchasing one of the best cards available.
Comparable options vary (plus and minus) in degrees of only a few percent.

Oops,

Should have asked it a bit different.

I was actually asking about your comment:

A work around for that would be to add an exhausting PCI fan to the slot next to the X800, which will help remove the hot air from the towers interior.

That's the card.

Thanks,

Sorry!
I have my mind stuck in graphics land..... testing a card right now.

As for a PCI slot fan, one like this:
http://www.xoxide.com/thermaltake-cyclo-blue-slotcooler.html

Hi,

just installed the card. Been running about 30 minutes. Seems great.

Here is what system profiler says about the card:
ATI Radeon X850 XT:

Chipset Model: ATY,R481
Type: Display
Bus: AGP
Slot: SLOT-1
VRAM (Total): 256 MB
Vendor: ATI (0x1002)
Device ID: 0x4a48
Revision ID: 0x0000
ROM Revision: 113-A35804-108
Displays:
SyncMaster:
Resolution: 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
Depth: 32-Bit Color
Core Image: Hardware Accelerated
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Quartz Extreme: Supported
Rotation: Supported
Display Connector:
Status: No Display Connected

The ROM revision seems to say 108. Is that correct? If so should I install the firmware update that I d/l? If so what are the steps?

Thanks for the help.

Bob

Hi-

You are correct that the ROM revision is currently 108.
That kind of confirms my thought that these cards are someone's old stock pulled out of the back of a storeroom.......

Expand the .dmg for the 2005 retail update, and open the "RADEON ROM update Aug 05.html".
The instructions for running the update are included and are clear.

I have updated cards with this update in Leopard without any special procedures; ie Safe boot.
To be on the safe side, however, if you are updating while running Leopard, go ahead and boot to Safe mode, and run the update in Safe mode.

I just realized that the card reports as a X850 XT.
If it is, then you have the fastest OEM card ever, and got it for one heck of a price as compared to new, BTO.
The latest ROM for the X850 is v 108.

I would think that no updates are needed for the X850.

Message was edited by: japamac