Graphic Card For Mac Pro Early 2008

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Level 1

72 points

Graphic Card For Mac Pro Early 2008

Looks like the video card in our old Mac Pro finally died. Our other Mac Pro's video card failed a couple of years ago (we replaced the computer). Apple lists the following compatible video cards:

ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT (part number 630-9191 or 630-9897)*
NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600
ATI Radeon HD 4870, offered as an upgrade kit

I was wondering if there are any others, maybe more recent cards, that might also work. And be more available. I'm also a bit concerned with compatibility between an older card and more recent versions of macOS.

Current Pro Desktops

Posted on Nov 25, 2020 5:14 PM

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Answer 1

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Grant Bennet-Alder

Level 10

129,355 points

Nov 25, 2020 6:04 PM in response to John Baro1

The Mac-firmware GT120, that shipped in the 2009 model, used about US$50

The Mac-firmware 5770, that shipped in the 2009 model, used about US$80

drivers were in 10.6.5, so if running anything later, you have the drivers.

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Answer 2

John Baro1 Author

Level 1

72 points

Dec 2, 2020 4:37 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I bought a new (to me) graphics card, an ATI Radeon HD 4870. It arrived with a piece that was loose, shown by the arrow in the pict, a blue/silver cylinder that looks like a tiny capacitor. It doesn't appear to be broken off of anything or to have been soldered. I installed the card, and it works, so far. Any idea what that piece is, or should I be worried that it's no longer attached to the card?

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Answer 3

John Baro1 Author

Level 1

72 points

Dec 2, 2020 5:34 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

This capacitor did not fail. It fell off. I don't know how to put it back on or replace it, since there doesn't appear to be any way that it was attached before (no apparent breakage and no solder). I just want to know if I should be concerned that this piece fell off. Seems to be working fine for a day so far without this capacitor.

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Answer 4

Dec 2, 2020 5:04 PM in response to John Baro1

That is an Electrolytic Capacitor. A metal 'can' filled with plates rolled inside and dampened with electrolyte (whence comes the name).

When they start to fail, they can get amazingly hot, then can boil the electrolyte, and the top dishes up from the steam as they fail.

It will have a rating in capacitance, a Voltage rating, and a temperature range. You can go higher, but must not install one lesser in any parameter, or it may quickly fail.

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Graphic Card For Mac Pro Early 2008

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