ATI X1950?

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Level 1

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ATI X1950?

So now that the 1950 has been released I was wondering if us Mac users are able to use this card? I'm going to be buying a Mac Pro soon and I have MBP (which is unexpandable for the GPU). I'm not too educated on the difference of Mac GPUs if there even is one anymore but I was curious if you can install the same X1950 that my brother's XPS could use?

MacBook Pro, Mac OS X (10.4.7), 2.16 Ghz 1.5 GB RAM 120 GB HDD 30GB iPod with video

Posted on Oct 15, 2006 1:06 PM

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Answer 1

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 15, 2006 3:43 PM in response to Outsider

As has been covered numerous times you cannot use any video cards in the Mac Pro other than those available from Apple because third-party cards do not have the necessary ROM to work with OS X. If you use such a card it would only be usable with Windows (running Boot Camp) and you would need the Windows drivers.

Also note that if you plan to have two video cards installed they must both be either ATI or NVidia.

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Answer 2

Outsider Author

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115 points

Oct 15, 2006 5:07 PM in response to Kappy

I apologize for the question if it has been asked very often. Thanks for the clarification Kappy. What are the chances that ATI and Nvidia will supply Apple with newer/better cards more often; basically are there any chances that we will get more GPU choices because of the move to Intel and the success Apple has had because of the move?

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Answer 3

Kappy

Level 10

362,007 points

Oct 15, 2006 5:37 PM in response to Outsider

I have no idea. No one here is an authorized Apple representative, so you will just have to wait until Apple offers different video cards or ATI and NVidia start making Mac Pro compatible models.

I don't know what video requirements you have, but the ATI X1900 is a pretty substantial video card based on its specifications. The NVidia 7300GT is roughly equivalent to the ATI X1600 card. Perhaps you should look at the specs on these products before deciding they not suitable for you.

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Answer 4

Outsider Author

Level 1

115 points

Oct 15, 2006 7:22 PM in response to Kappy

I'm sorry if I misdirected my comment, the X1900 is a magnificent card. I was merely asking about future expansions down the road for my Mac Pro's GPU.

Thanks again though.

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Answer 5

Oct 16, 2006 4:19 AM in response to Outsider

Outsider,

Unfortunately nobody really knows. Because the Macs use EFI as opposed to a BIOS ATI has to add some specific EFI type code in the rom.

While I haven't really followed the x1950xt too closely I thought it was just a small incremental increase in speed.

Either way right now we have to choises and the X1950xt is not one of them.

Mike

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Answer 6

Outsider Author

Level 1

115 points

Oct 16, 2006 10:31 AM in response to Michael Flynn

Well thanks Michael and Kappy both for your insight. I didn't mean to make it sound like I was unhappy with the options we had now, I'm just hoping that as Apple gains market share in the computer industry again, maybe us Mac users will be treated better by third parties as well, especially in the gaming department.

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