Hi, I have a 2008 iMac with the above Graphic card installed from new by Apple along with 4Gb Ram.
All was fine.
Now it chimes on boot up but remains at a black screen, I have read that these Graphic cards fail.
They are listed on E Bay about £200 from Hong Kong,
Is there a Current compatible card that can be fitted, that is cheaper?
Thanks
Sam
iPod touch
you are confusing an iMac wtih a workstation?
ebay MacVidCards
Is there a Current compatible card that can be fitted, that is cheaper?
The Apple-firmware ATI 5770 (or for your model 5870 as well) works with all models of Mac Pro 65 lb. tower, but requires 10.6.4 or better for the drivers.
Hi, Thanks for you post.
Just looked under the foot of the iMac is reads like this:
EMC 2134. Model. A1225. IMac 24/2.8/2x2G/ NVIDIA/750/M/UK
Bfn
Sam
Hi Thanks for the post.
Could be my mistake, but I have an iMac,
You mention tower,
Are the Graphic cards smaller in a iMac?
Thanks for the info so far.
Bfn
Sam
Only the RAM memory and the Drives in an iMac are replaceable.
I expect that anything else requires a new motherboard, but your local Genius Bar can confirm that when you visit them for a free evaluation.
| Graphics | ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB of GDDR3 memory | ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB of GDDR3 memory | |
|---|---|---|---|
http://support.apple.com/kb/SP485
I don't find any references or Mroogle hits for an iMac 8800GS,
Mac Pro uses a standalone PCIe card that is user upgradable.
Nvidia 8800GT up until end of 2008.
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you.
Thanks for the post.
I know of the Genius Bar, they had the iMac in to fit another DVD drive in October 2011, but that was under warranty.
The warranty has now expired, and while I know they only charge a flat rate of £29 for any job, it is the parts that will cost.
Reading on third party sites, the iMac showing a black screen is comon for this model, and the fault lies with a failing Graphic Card.
If I revert to ATI Radeon, then Lion will struggle or so I have read.
So I am stuck, I thought if there was a compatible card to the Ge Force 8800 GS then that could be fitted.
If it is a Mother Board, well, I will invest in a New Mini Mac, and cut my losses.
Bfn
Sam
you buy an iMac or laptop and you give up having any choice in GPU other than the BTO that was offered.
the fault lies with a failing Graphic Card.
If this is a know flaw in the iMac, there may be a recall program behind it. Some of these recall programs are not publicized, so ONLY a Visit to the Genius Bar will let you know if it is there.
The "graphics card" in an iMac is not implemented as a separate card. Instead, the same components are soldered directly in place on the motherboard, and are not replaceable. Opening an iMac to replace anything but drives and memory is not trivial.
Evaluation of the problem at the Genius Bar is free, in warranty or out. But the stores are very busy these days, and an appointment is essential.
Usually you will though find reader reports and feedback on failures, recalls, etc:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/video.html
MacBook Pro 8600M one:
Article from July 2008 (later updated) on the issue of flawed (packaging defect) Nvidia GPUs - including the 8600M used in many MacBook Pros. Updated to include Apple's later doc on the issue that noted affected MacBook Pro model production ranges and a warranty extension. Also includes reader reports, links to info on the issue, actions by other notebook mfrs and more.
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/feedback/MacBookPro_video_failure.html#storytop
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS
