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2010 Mac Pro + Yosemite + Radeon 7950

Hey all,


So, I'm running a 2010 Mac Pro (8-core, 42 GB RAM, OS X 10.9.5) with a Radeon Sapphire 7950 graphics card. Curious if anyone has encountered any issues with Yosemite on a configuration like this, particularly with the 7950. No reason to think the graphics chip would stop working, but worth a call-out!


Thanks.

J

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 8-core Westmere (2x2.4GHz)

Posted on Oct 18, 2014 9:52 AM

Reply
50 replies

Dec 26, 2015 8:12 PM in response to TalonG0LD

The big issue is always the power.


The slot itself supplies 75W

Each of up to two six-pin aux cables supplies 75W


An 8-pin aux cable requires 150W, and although it is all 12Volts and returns, you can not just splice 6 from the Mac onto 8 for the card and expect that to work.


a side issue is if not running 10.8.3 or later, you may need genuine Mac firmware, and if not running genuine Mac firmware, you may not get Boot-up screens.

Jan 4, 2016 3:50 AM in response to TalonG0LD

There has only been one Mac specific version of the Radeon HD 7950 and it was made by Sapphire. It can be recognised by having a white plastic cover on the card, normal PC versions typically have a red plastic cover.


It is possible to 'flash' a PC version with Mac EFI compatible firmware but if you want the 'official' Mac version look for one with a white plastic cover like this one. http://www.sapphiretech.com/productdetial.asp?pid=4602E84F-4A09-4B9A-B9F9-CBA9CF 197B15&lang=eng


It is of course now discontinued but I bought one via eBay previously myself.


As mentioned you can flash PC equivalent models, this is done using a Windows utility typically by running Windows in Boot Camp, you cannot do it when running Windows in a virtual machine. Ideally you want to find one that looks as similar to the Mac one in appearance as possible, particularly with regards to the video connectors. The Mac one has two Mini Displayport, one DVI, and one HDMI connector. As you will see from above the Mac one also has a single fan.

2010 Mac Pro + Yosemite + Radeon 7950

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