Apple Event: May 7th at 7 am PT

Looks like no one’s replied in a while. To start the conversation again, simply ask a new question.

Level 1

28 points

compatible video card for G5 "PowerMac"

so apparently my G5 needs a video card. I was not booting and wouldn't shut down. I reinstalled tiger but no differance.

it will boot in safemode but I get lines across the display. they are in "groups of three" small squiggly lines.

Apple store says they think its video card but they will not support it because its "vintage"... I guess "computer years" are similar to dog years 😟

the card it came with is GeForce 6800 Ultra with 256mb ram.

OWC has a Radeon 5770 with 1G of ram for 270.00

but this card is not compatible with my machine. it says it needs 10.6 or later... but I cannot upgrade the OS cuz leopard requires Intel processor.

so my question is, if a 1G card is 270.00... one that is compatible with my machine should be less I would think?

also, even If I could find a compatible 1G card, I think it would be like having a Ferrari and only using 1st gear you know? cuz I would be bottle necked at the processors.. I would think?

so what is compatible with the G5 but more ram than the current 256mb?

any advise would be greatly appreciated

thanks.

G5 Power Mac, Mac OS X (10.4.11), 2x 2.6Ghz DCPs, 8GB Ram, 4+TB storage Acer X243W

Posted on Apr 22, 2012 6:35 PM

23 replies

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

Apr 25, 2012 2:25 AM in response to M-323

This article explains how to remove the fan-heatsink assembly, and explains thermal compound application. The articles motive is to install a third party fan, so, in your case, once thermal compound is applied, you will reassemble in reverse of assembly.

http://www.hardmac.com/articles/42/page1

Purchase Arctic Cooling MX-4 thermal compound. It is an excellent thermal conductor, is NOT electrically conductive nor capacative, so is much safer to use than silver based compounds (not to mention performs better and longer).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186038

M-323 Author

Level 1

28 points

May 3, 2012 11:44 AM in response to japamac

japamac

the card arrived this week and it works. I got the MX compound. Going to try to put that on now. thanks so much for your help.

M-323 Author

Level 1

28 points

May 10, 2012 3:50 PM in response to japamac

hey Japamac

question... I bought this card as on the Ebay description it was supposed to be a 6800 "Ultra" in fact its a 6800 "GT"

what's the difference? will I be loosing any substantial amount of performance?

I have not had a chance to get into an rendering yet.

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

May 11, 2012 2:50 AM in response to M-323

There is a marginal difference in the GPU and memory clocks, but performance is similar, maybe a couple FPS slower (application dependent).

http://www.barefeats.com/radx800.html

How did you determine that it is a GT?

M-323 Author

Level 1

28 points

May 11, 2012 6:28 AM in response to japamac

I did what you said, took it apart and applied Arctic MX4 to the processors. when I cleaned off the original compound, it said right on it, "6800 GT"

also under the "about this mac" / graphics cards... it confirms the same.

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

May 11, 2012 6:39 AM in response to M-323

also under the "about this mac" / graphics cards... it confirms the same.

Can't argue with that.

Try rendering yet?

M-323 Author

Level 1

28 points

May 11, 2012 6:44 AM in response to japamac

not yet but I have a building vitrual walk through that Im working on. will let you know how it goes...

speaking of which, when I drop the footage in the timeline, it says, "do you want FCP to change the sequence settings to match" of course I say "yes" but it STILL wants to render everything. whats up with that?

japamac

Level 7

24,400 points

May 11, 2012 6:51 AM in response to M-323

Can't help you with FCP. Best ask over there:

Final Cut Studio

http://documentation.apple.com/en/finalcutstudio/workflows/

compatible video card for G5 "PowerMac"