Upgrade Graphic Card 2009 Mac Pro

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Level 1

2 points

Upgrade Graphic Card 2009 Mac Pro

Hello:

I have an early 2009 Mac Pro 2.93 GHZ Quad Core with 24 GB ram. It has the stock Nivida GT-120 512mb in it currently. I am trying to achieve better and smoother performance when using FCPX both in rendering and exporting. I tried to install the Sapphire HD 7950 but found out it is not compatable with the 2009 Mac Pros only the 2010 forward. Are they any good upgarde cards I can use to achieve what I am looking to do? I dont want to spend $1,000+ on a card but I would like somethign that will be a noticable performance differance. Is there anythignout there for me?

Thanks in advance.

Mac Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.2), 2009 Quad Core, 24GB Ram

Posted on Apr 16, 2014 1:51 AM

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Answer 1

Apr 16, 2014 2:25 AM in response to vignola

Well, apparently the Sapphire HD 7950 3GB should be compatible with 2009-2012 Models.

Check out OWC: select My OWC, select your Model, select Video Updates:

https://eshop.macsales.com/MyOWC/

Personally, I am using the GTX 680 Mac Edition:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/EGVA/02GP43682/

So far the best graphic card I have ever used with my 2009 Mac Pro 2.26 GHz.

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Answer 2

vignola Author

Level 1

2 points

Apr 16, 2014 2:34 AM in response to nolanscott

I can tell you from 1st hand experiecne that the Sapphire HD 7950 does not work in my 2009 Mac Pro and when you do some reading online others have had the same issue. However, I have read that some people got it to work so I am not sure what the heck is going on there. I purchased mine from OWC so I was able to return it. All I got was a black screen at startup and yes, there is a little switch on the card to switch between Mac and Windows and regardless on which way I flipped that switch and re-booted, orthing but a black screen.

I saw the GTX680 on OWC as well and it was a little more than I wanted ot spend but I am finding out that there are very few cards on the market that will work with a 2009 Mac Pro Quad Core, unless you wantt o purchase a "flashed" card off e-bay etc, which I really dont want that sort of headache. I just want to plug and play solution with a card that was made to work with my Mac Pro.

Do you use you GTX680 with FCPX? If so how was the performance with rending and exporting?

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Answer 3

Apr 16, 2014 2:54 AM in response to vignola

Do you use you GTX680 with FCPX? If so how was the performance with rending and exporting?

Everything works very well with rendering and exporting… no issues.

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Answer 4

vignola Author

Level 1

2 points

Apr 16, 2014 3:32 AM in response to nolanscott

Thnaks for the information. Werte there any special drivers I need to download? I am running Mavricks. Did you notice an increase in exporting times in FCPX?

Again, thanks for the information

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Answer 5

Apr 16, 2014 3:57 AM in response to vignola

Download and install the latest graphic- and cuda-driver from the nvidia website.

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

FCPX has always been working fairly well (e.g. exporting) with my old graphic card (GTX 285).

Since installing the GTX 680, upgrading to Mavericks and replacing my Hard-drive with an SSD

performance has gone up another step.

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Answer 6

vignola Author

Level 1

2 points

Apr 16, 2014 4:49 AM in response to nolanscott

Again - Thank you. I am seriously considering upgrading to a SSD for my project drive. I think I am plannig on running my applications (fcpx etc) on the main MAC HD and use the SSD for runnign the projects themselfs. It's a bit of an expense but it seems that it would really increase my speed trameduously, not only with editing but exporting as well.

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Answer 7

Apr 16, 2014 8:53 AM in response to vignola

That sounds like an interesting organization, but most Users have found that rotating Hard drives are fast enough for production files. The place to put the first SSD is for the System:

User Tip: Creating a lean, fast Boot Drive

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Answer 8

Jun 13, 2014 11:11 AM in response to vignola

The sapphire 7950 should work it is dual boot for Pc and mac so if the switch on the card is on the wrong setting it wont work its probably set for pc and needs switching over as there is firmware for both pc and mac on the card you just need to select the correct setting for the system you are using.

Though there were reports that some of the switches were faulty.

I have just ordered a GTX 680 Mac edition 2 gig which in my opinion is no slouch as cards go and is way more powerfull than the stock GT120 512mb.There are good and bad points between all the cards some excel in areas where others don't do so well.

I am replacing an ATI 5870 1 gig, thought I would get my new card now before they all become unavailable due to the new mac without pci slots which I think the wife would go mad if I bought its not cheap but it does look pretty cool. I still have a spare ATI 4870 HD Mac edition in storage as a back up along with the original GT120 that came with my mac.

You could keep your GT120 512mb in your mac and then add a flashed card if you wanted and use the GT120 if you need to access the boot screen utilities at start up if needed as the flashed card will work but without the boot screen it skips it.

I hope you got the card you wanted

Best wishes

Martin

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