Upgrading graphics card for Mac Pro Mid 2012

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Upgrading graphics card for Mac Pro Mid 2012

Hi,

I have a 6 core Mac Pro, the 5.1 model I think, or Mid 2012 with pretty much bad graphics for my purposes (ATI HD5770).

I thought of installing an AMD R9 295X2 into my Mac Pro, is this a really impossible and horrible idea?

The AMD R9 295X2 is very powerful and requires a lot of power, cooling, and space, which is hard to achieve in my Mac Pro, I have done a lot of research and found solutions for these however... are these solutions just very bad or is it actually possible?

Power: Apple says that the Mac Pro I have has "300W combined maximum for all PCI Express slots" and the 295X2 requires 500W... My solution to this would be external power supply which wouldn't be a problem installing, however this would result in a big thing laying next to the computer etc. 🙂

Cooling: This also reflects on my space issue, the 295X2 comes with a big liquid cooling thing on it, attached with two hoses as seen below:

Would it be possible to fit that big thing inside? Or would I have to replace the current PCIe fan? If so, would it be a good idea? Either way, would the computer melt as a result of this?

In conclusion, would this actually work? or should I reconsider it and get a less massive card?

Thanks in advance

Mac Pro

Posted on Aug 1, 2014 3:43 AM

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Answer 1

kaz-k

Level 8

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Aug 1, 2014 4:31 AM in response to Qat_

I think it's impossible to install such Godzilla in your Mac Pro.

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Answer 2

Qat_ Author

Level 1

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Aug 1, 2014 6:06 AM in response to kaz-k

How? I've seen people do it with smaller cards using external power?

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Answer 3

The hatter

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60,990 points

Aug 1, 2014 8:37 AM in response to Qat_

Follow BareFeats on Twitter

July 25th, 2014 -- GeForce GTX 780 6G: Mac Pro Tower 'Sweet Spot'?

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Answer 4

Aug 2, 2014 2:39 AM in response to Qat_

From what I know mac pros (early 2009 4.1 mine) have 1090w so no problem in power terms. çThe only one is about the PCIe fan, but you can replace it witha normal one.

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Answer 5

Aug 2, 2014 6:28 PM in response to Qat_

What work do you do with your Mac Pro?

Barefeats also tested Dual 5770s running FCP-X (which is interesting because it requires NO additional power supplies) and their performance could be graphed on the same charts as the fastest late 2103 Mac Pro graphics.

Final Cut Pro X 10.1 Shootout:2013 Mac Pro vs 2010 Mac Pro

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Answer 6

Qat_ Author

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Aug 3, 2014 10:41 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

I do a lot of gaming, game development (minor), and 3D modelling primarily, a lot of photo editing as well 😉

I have to say... there's some interesting stuff there about the dual 5770s!!!

I am also considering a 4K monitor (also considering making "4K monitor" plural)

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Answer 7

The hatter

Level 9

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Aug 3, 2014 10:48 AM in response to Heraldo Jones

The issue isn't that the PSU is lacking, other than it just only has two 6-pin aux power connections. Which is why you can end up needing an 450W PSU designed with two sets of 6 and 8-pin cables, an "external" add on unit (some can go into the optical drive bays but then you have to snake the cables down into the gpu PCIe area). The case is not as open and flexible as say any PC tower will be.

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Answer 8

Qat_ Author

Level 1

25 points

Aug 3, 2014 11:11 AM in response to The hatter

Pretty sweet indeed 🙂

Although I would rather have a more "high end" card, the benchmarks for the 780 does seem promising though, very!

Thanks!

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Answer 9

Qat_ Author

Level 1

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Aug 3, 2014 11:16 AM in response to The hatter

I've heard of stealing power from the optical drives and HDD sockets and it seems more complicated than adding an external supply 😝

What about 6 to 8 pin adapters?

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Answer 10

The hatter

Level 9

60,990 points

Aug 3, 2014 11:32 AM in response to Qat_

you have to know what you are doing but it is not recommended or endorsed to "steal" and use those molex power sources for GPUs.

And it depends WHAT card and its requirements.

Folks on MacRumors have been tweaking cards voltage and memory to downclock and conserve power.

Seeing how a 4 cable 450W PSU is $30-70 that is the route I would take.

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Answer 11

Qat_ Author

Level 1

25 points

Aug 3, 2014 1:48 PM in response to The hatter

I'll probably go for the external PSU

What about cooling? Let say I get a 780 or a R9 290X and do a bit of overclocking, would the Mac Pro's fans be enough? I've heard that the AMD cards do not come with a very good cooling solution causing people to get one of those fan boards that you literally put on the graphics card, also sucking power?

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Answer 12

kngeyexo

Level 1

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Jul 18, 2015 3:38 AM in response to Qat_

I currently have a 2009 Mac Pro with quad-core Intel Xeon and 16gb of ram. I installed a 295x2 and I must say it works well. Under OS X it is recognized as a 290x, so crossfire is non-functional, but under windows I can use the card's full potential. I have it powered by a second PSU, an 800-watt EVGA modular supply, and I keep that outside of my case. This card works really great, it runs quiet and cool, and fits perfectly in my case. Plus 4k gaming at 60 fps is AWESOME. I highly recommend purchasing it.

http://i.imgur.com/wBEDNgw.jpg

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Answer 13

geek313

Level 1

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Sep 30, 2015 4:11 PM in response to kngeyexo

Hey,

Can you help me & all interested person with pictures or video please 😉? have you use a plug ? thxxx

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Answer 14

Sep 30, 2015 6:35 PM in response to geek313

If you end up having to run an AC plug from inside the case, remember that the hole you need must accommodate the AC or DC CORD, not the entire plug. You can pass the cord though a small hole (such as a hole in the backplate of the card) and splice the cord or attach a new end on it later.

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