Level 1

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Good Graphics Card for Mac Pro

Hello,

Can anyone well up on graphics cards suggest a decent one that will go in a Mac Pro (mid 2010) that is currently supported, something equivalent to an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980?

My problem is that I have a Mid 2010 Mac Pro which is still a great machine but my graphics card is an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 and since its not supported any more I am stuck on Mac OS High Sierra. This wouldn't be too much of a problem if it weren't for the fact that I want to get the new Logic Pro and Motion but they will only run on Mojave as a minimum.

The reason I ask is that there are so many of them I'm lost and don't really know what to look for. So if anyone more experienced who is clued up on this stuff could point me in the right direction that would be much appreciated. I'm not a gamer so that's not important to me but in my work as a graphic designer I am increasingly doing more video/motion graphics and 3D work, so that would be a consideration. Many Thanks

Dave

Mac Pro, macOS 10.13

Posted on May 15, 2020 3:45 AM

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BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

Posted on May 15, 2020 7:15 AM

Hi Dave, here's a start for you,,,

According to Apple, the following graphics cards are known to be Metal-capable and compatible with macOS Mojave on the mid-2010 and mid-2012 Mac Pro models:

MSI Gaming Radeon RX 560 128-bit 4GB GDDR5
SAPPHIRE Radeon PULSE RX 580 8GB GDDR5
SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 7950 Mac Edition
NVIDIA Quadro K5000 for Mac
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 Mac Edition

Apple also lists other AMD graphics cards that "might" be compatible with macOS Mojave:

AMD Radeon RX 560
AMD Radeon RX 570
AMD Radeon RX 580
AMD Radeon Pro WX 7100
AMD Radeon RX Vega 56
AMD Radeon RX Vega 64
AMD Radeon Pro WX 9100
AMD Radeon Frontier Edition

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/09/24/mojave-2010-2012-mac-pro-metal-graphics-cards/

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24 replies

mandarcy Author

Level 1

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May 15, 2020 1:26 PM in response to BDAqua

Hi BD Aqua, just had a quick look at that card and it appears to be a better spec than my current NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980? And not prices either!

BDAqua

Level 10

250,253 points

May 15, 2020 1:53 PM in response to mandarcy

I think that's why it's the most common one, but the ones listed below that above are faster as you go down.

mandarcy Author

Level 1

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May 19, 2020 10:07 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks Grant, I'll remember that info when the time comes to upgrade 👍

mandarcy Author

Level 1

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May 19, 2020 7:54 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Hi Malcolm,

Thanks for this. I'm not sure what type mine is but it looks like this;

I can't find anything in the 'About this Mac' section, even in the system report it tells me nothing! No model number or anything, other than its a 20 inch Cinema Display

Anyway I've seen this adapter here online that looks like it might be right:

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/video-converters/1778751?cm_mmc=UK-PLA-DS3A-_-google-_-PLA_UK_EN_Computing_%26_Peripherals_Whoop-_-Video+Converters_Whoop-_-PRODUCT_GROUP&1778751&matchtype=&pla-301383998149&s_kwcid=AL!7457!3!428942741415!!!g!301383998149!&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIq7Pog_m_6QIVxrTtCh3eFQAoEAQYASABEgIP0PD_BwE

Do you think this would be the correct one?

Many thanks

Kind Regards

Dave

mandarcy Author

Level 1

5 points

May 19, 2020 8:01 AM in response to mandarcy

Actually no its not right! The DisplayPort end is different! I just looked at the Radeon card and the plug looks like that in the link you posted above. I don't get it?? On your link and mine, they both say DisplayPort so why are they both different?

Kind Regards

Dave

mandarcy Author

Level 1

5 points

May 19, 2020 8:32 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Hi Grant,

Yes as I say I've only just discovered that there is mini and a full size DisplayPort. On that last link I posted, both ends look like they fit my monitor (DVI) and the DisplayPort on my new GPU, so that one should be right for me yes?

Kind Regards

Dave

May 19, 2020 9:19 AM in response to mandarcy

Yes. It meets all the criteria for your single-link DVI display up to 1920 wide.

looks like it will fit at each end, and

costs under US$20 or 20 pounds, and

no additional power pigtail supplied or required.

mandarcy Author

Level 1

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May 19, 2020 9:29 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks Grant,

I've only ever bought three monitors and every time its been a new connection type! This Apple Cinema Display is the one I've had the longest though and it still looks good, still functions perfectly! However its beginning to seem really small now in these days of big screens, and I want higher definition so a nice new big monitor will be my next upgrade when funds allow it 😉

Kind Regards

Dave

May 19, 2020 9:58 AM in response to mandarcy

For best performance in a new display, try to get a display with DisplayPort (family) input. It will extend easily to higher resolutions, and generates far less heat than DVI or HDMI, because it drops the "heartbeat" refresh required for CRT displays. ("Heartbeat" refresh is where the computer must send the ENTIRE screen data every 60th second, whether it has changed or not.)

The selection criteria should be based on resolution (number of pixels on the screen) not physical size. A 60-in TV set is still just HD: 1920 by 1080p -- the pixels are just BIG.

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Good Graphics Card for Mac Pro