Any suggestions on a replacement graphics card for this tower. Current installed:
ATI Radeon HD 4870 512 MB
Looking only for single mini port configuration to connect LED CInema Display
MAC PRO 2.93 Ghz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
I've been using HD5770 which works nice in my Mac Pro, though has one DVI and two mini display port.
I've been using HD5770 which works nice in my Mac Pro, though has one DVI and two mini display port.
If your only need is to have a Mini DisplayPort, check that 4870 card more carefully -- it has a DVI-I and a Mini Displayport, and already supports OpenCL.
Why are you looking to replace the 4870? Do you want something with more power/memory?
The 5770 has more memory (1GB) but is not really any more powerful than 4870.
The Apple 5870 (sold as an 'official' upgrade for the 2009 Mac Pro) is more powerful. Of course, it costs a bit more than the 5770 (which is not officially supported for 2009 MP, though works well enough).
I assume that both cards have mini display port, but someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Both 5770 and 5870 have one DVI-I and two Mini DisplayPort.
Using more than one cable Adapter requires special rules.
Studio K:
Thanks for your response. My original card is dying and needs to be replaced. I just wanted to be sure the 5770 would work in my 2009 Mac Pro. ]Apple offers no offical upgrade path to replace the 4870 but for $249 from the Apple store, the 5770 looks great if it is compatible. From what you've written, sounds like it will be.
(sidebar) I was amazed that a supervisor at Apple was not aware the card was available in the Apple store. (sigh)
Thanks. I need to replace the 4870 with a 2009 Mac Pro compatible card and am aware of what I currently have. Was looking for suggestions to this end.
The "company line" is that the 5770 is only completely compatible with 2010 model and later. It may have problems with copy-protected movies, but otherwise works fine in all models of Mac Pro.
Mac Pro: Using ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics card with Mac Pro released before 2010
There are additional "for mac" cards available (not from Apple).
When you say "copy-protected movies" are you referring to playback, ripping, what? At double the price of the 5770 for a editing and graphics machine, am I fine with the 5770 rather than the 5870?
jessevh wrote:
At double the price of the 5770 for a editing and graphics machine, am I fine with the 5770 rather than the 5870?
How well did the 4870 perform regarding these tasks? Was it good enough to do the job? If so, then the 5770 should be alright, as the 2 cards (4870 and 5770) are similar.
Yes the 4870 was OK. I like the idea of 1GB rather than 512 for better refresh, but was thrown by the comment about "copy-protected movies." Don't really want to spend nearly $500 for a new card.
"You may notice display anomalies or issues playing back video or other HDCP-encoded content when you use an ATI Radeon HD 5770 video card in Mac Pro computers released before the Mac Pro (Mid 2010)."
Need to replace graphics card in a Mac Pro Tower 4,1 Quad-Core Intel Xeon
