Q: Mac Pro Early 2008 Graphics Card Update Questions

Hi there

I have an early 2008 Mac Pro running Lion with one ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256 MB GPU.

I'm planning on updating it but I'm not sure if I can stick any PCIe GPU or if I need to get a "Mac version". I can't find any clear info on "Mac specific GPU's"

Is there any list of compatible devices out there besides these two?

http://support.apple.com/kb/SP11

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4664

Thanks in advance

Mac Pro

Posted on Jun 15, 2012 4:07 AM

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Q: Mac Pro Early 2008 Graphics Card Update Questions

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by The hatter,Helpful

The hatter Jun 15, 2012 4:35 AM in response to Paulo Cunha Martins
Level 9 (60,935 points)

Jun 15, 2012 4:35 AM in response to Paulo Cunha Martins

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT2848

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1385329

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/displays?n=graphi c_cards

Today, yes, two really and what apps, budget, but if you plan to make heavy use of CS6, a GTX 570 now, (670 or 680 later) w/ 2.5GB VRAM can be nice.
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by Paulo Cunha Martins,

Paulo Cunha Martins Jun 15, 2012 4:44 AM in response to The hatter
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Jun 15, 2012 4:44 AM in response to The hatter

Thanks for the reply!

I'm on a tight budget so I found this one for 143€ here in Portugal
http://www.mbit.pt/catalogo/detalhes.php?id=74893&cat=2792&nome=SAPPHIRE+-+HD577 0+1G+GDDR5+PCI-E+DUAL+DVI-I+%2F+HDMI+%2F+DP+RETAIL

I read that it's fully compatible with my Mac Pro 3,1
http://store.apple.com/us/question/answers/product/MC742ZM/A?pqid=QXXTFHAKU4YJ9K HF29TCF9AAJPAXP7C94

Again, is there a Mac version for this card, is the difference in the Apple boot logo only? Is this a safe buy for me?

Thanks again
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by The hatter,Helpful

The hatter Jun 15, 2012 4:59 AM in response to Paulo Cunha Martins
Level 9 (60,935 points)

Jun 15, 2012 4:59 AM in response to Paulo Cunha Martins

Yes there are cards that are Mac specific, they have EFI - from Apple or flashed.
PC cards lack EFI. So if you want cheap and supported... you won't get it with a PC Sapphire.

http://forum.netkas.org/index.php?&board=6.0
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Q: Mac Pro Early 2008 Graphics Card Update Questions

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by The hatter,★Helpful

by Paulo Cunha Martins,

by The hatter,★Helpful

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by The hatter,Helpful

by The hatter,Helpful