Level 2

247 points

graphics card upgrade Mac Pro 1.1 late 2007

Hello,

I want to upgrade the graphics card in my quad core Xeon/2.66, 1.1, from the original GeForce 7300 GT 256mb (for use with PS CS6 and iMovie 11 etc). I have two possibilities: the Nvidia 8800 GT 512MB or the ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB.

I understand that my machine can't utililise more than 512mb graphics card VRAM, so is there any point my considering the 1Gb HD 5770? - Would the 5770 give any noticeable improvement in performance over the 8800 GT, given the limitations of my Mac Pro?

Thanks for any help...BC

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8), Twin 20" Apple cinema displays

Posted on Mar 5, 2013 2:45 AM

27 replies

Jun 17, 2013 5:26 AM in response to Ramón G Castañeda

Ramón G Castañeda wrote:

JUST for general information, the one Apple sells currently is advertised not for use in early 2006-2007 first-generation Mac Pros.

That is false information.

It works perfectly fine in 1,1 and 2,1 Mac Pros with no issues in both OSX and Windows XP/7.

I can play copyrighted games, DVD and Blu-Ray with mine which I bought from Apple's website.

The only issue is it requires 10.6.5 to work in OSX which means you will need a second older video card or second machine to install from the retail DVD.

Apple says it won't work because they didn't sell the 5770 in MacPros until 2010.

Jun 16, 2013 6:18 PM in response to Ramón G Castañeda

The reason is that it may have trouble playing copy-protected movies, according to this article:

Mac Pro: Using ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics card with Mac Pro released before 2010

Bill Carter Author

Level 2

247 points

Mar 5, 2013 7:56 AM in response to tomfromdorchester

The 5770 I've seen on eBay has two DVI ports and one HDMI which suits me perfectly as I run two Apple cinema 20" displays (DVI)...BC

Bill Carter Author

Level 2

247 points

Mar 5, 2013 8:03 AM in response to tomfromdorchester

I believe it's a flashed PC card - does that pose a problem? Apple Mac Pro ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB Graphics card works on Macpro's 32 & 64Bit..BC

Bill Carter Author

Level 2

247 points

Mar 5, 2013 8:04 AM in response to Bill Carter

sorry.. Apple Mac Pro ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB Graphics card works on Macpro's 32 & 64Bit

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Mar 5, 2013 8:24 AM in response to tomfromdorchester

No the 7300GT did not use any aux power.

Amazon and others do sell those special design 6-pin cables.

http://www.amazon.com/PCIe-Power-Cable-nVidia-Video/dp/B002UR1654/

Mar 5, 2013 8:35 AM in response to The hatter

In the picture on ebay, it shows it comes with the 6-pin wire. I wasn't sure if his old card used a wire or not. Hence my post telling him he will need a power supply for this new card.

Mar 5, 2013 10:33 AM in response to tomfromdorchester

Tom from Dorchester-

the asterisks accurately reflect the number of characters. I expect the substituted word was the rhyming politically inappropriate word that starts with b.

Jun 16, 2013 1:27 AM in response to tomfromdorchester

Don't buy home-made junk from eBay. Get Apple's card for the best reliability and compatibility.

Jun 16, 2013 4:24 PM in response to Electricidad

JUST for general information, the one Apple sells currently is advertised not for use in early 2006-2007 first-generation Mac Pros.

Jun 25, 2013 6:24 PM in response to Electricidad

You sound too much like Bitter Creek, Elictricidad. 😀

Jun 28, 2013 3:52 PM in response to Ramón G Castañeda

Where is the "report" button to report your off-topic and trolling post?

This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

graphics card upgrade Mac Pro 1.1 late 2007