installing Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8G in a 5,1 Mac to run Mojave

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installing Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8G in a 5,1 Mac to run Mojave

I have a Mac 5,1 running Mac OS 10.13.6 and have bought a Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8G graphics card for it, so I can upgrade to Mojave. It's the PC version.

I know that when I install it I will lose my boot screen. I am looking into having it flashed for Mac, though the only service I can find, Macvidcards, is not responding. Does anyone else do this?

My goals are to be able to access:

1) Single User Mode

2) the Startup Manager

3) Target Disk mode

4) Recovery mode

Without the boot screen, can I still access any of those modes? I know I won't be able to access the Startup Manager, but if I hold down T, will I still get to Target mode? Or any of the others (Cmd-S, Cmd-R)?

Mac Pro, OS X 10.11

Posted on Dec 16, 2020 2:58 PM

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Answer 1

Dec 17, 2020 12:13 PM in response to Smashprod

I know you don't want to hear this, but the safest and simplest way to proceed is to buy a card already flashed to support boot screens. then you have no issues.

Flashed Used cards with a 580 are available on US eBay in the US$350 range.

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Answer 2

Dec 17, 2020 11:38 AM in response to Smashprod

so sorry.

There have been so many inquiries about Target DISPLAY mode that's all I can see lately.

Target Disk Mode is implemented in your Mac's ROM. it does not involve the graphics card. You might not get the floating disk icon, but it should work.

I think Terminal will still work, but not certain if it will have a problem seeing its screen.

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Answer 3

Smashprod Author

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Dec 16, 2020 5:18 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Well, that’s good to know.

Aside from getting the card flashed so it will be EFI, I’ve heard about another way to get those boot screens back, which is by using OpenCore. Is that reliable? Is there a guide somewhere that explains how to use it for semi-non-technical-types like me?

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Answer 4

Smashprod Author

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Dec 17, 2020 1:33 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for the advice. I'm still trying to get ahold of Macvidcards and get my card flashed, but I see used flashed cards on eBay for about $320. I'm sure I could sell my new one for $200 and then I'm only out $120, about the same as getting my card flashed once you include shipping. And I'd rather not hack the system with OpenCore. I'm a happy camper!

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Answer 5

Smashprod Author

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Dec 16, 2020 6:29 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks again! I gather that after installing OpenCore I will have a boot screen where I c an select the startup drive, but will I be able to use the other startup modes as well (Target, Single User and Recovery)?

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Answer 6

Dec 17, 2020 6:06 AM in response to Smashprod

When you install OpenCore, your Mac boots up to OpenCore. From there (only) you can invoke Recovery or change Boot drive.

Target mode was never supported on your Mac, and single-User is being phased out in favor of Terminal access inside Recovery.

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Answer 7

Smashprod Author

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Dec 17, 2020 6:36 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

That clears things up.

As for Target Disk Mode, I have two 5,1 Mac Pros and they both support it. As for Single User Mode, I only use it to run /sbin/fsck -y (it’s faster than loading Recovery Mode). I assume fsck will still work once I upgrade to Mojave?

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Answer 8

Smashprod Author

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Dec 17, 2020 11:39 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Great!

I am wondering if it's better to install OpenCore with my current configuration (old Radeon HD 5770 card and High Sierra), then install the RX 580 and upgrade to Mojave, or install the new card and upgrade, then install OpenCore. Does upgrading the OS mess with OpenCore?

Just trying to find the safest and simplest way to do this.

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Answer 9

Dec 16, 2020 4:56 PM in response to Smashprod

No, you won't get any of those.

That's what "no boot screens" really means.

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Answer 10

Dec 16, 2020 5:37 PM in response to Smashprod

Greg Gant wrote the best reference on the 2006-2102 Mac Pro. This section talks about open core:

http://blog.greggant.com/posts/2018/05/07/definitive-mac-pro-upgrade-guide.html#opencore

.

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installing Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8G in a 5,1 Mac to run Mojave

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