Any PCI-Express Video Card? OS X and/or Bootcamp...

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Level 2

251 points

Any PCI-Express Video Card? OS X and/or Bootcamp...

Hi... I am looking to get a MacPro and was wondering, if I get one now w/ their standard video card and decide to get some bad-*** PCI-Express card down the road, like the X1900 - will it run on the MacPro? What about w/ Boot Camp? If I get a 3rd party ATI X1900, does that work w/ both OS X and Boot Camp?

Basically, I was about to upgrade my Windows box which I use for some work, testing, etc. and also gaming and want to make sure it'll solve all my needs. 🙂

Thanks!

MacBook Pro C2D 15", Mac OS X (10.4.8)

Posted on Nov 13, 2006 12:51 PM

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Answer 1

Nov 13, 2006 2:48 PM in response to Joshua

Only Apple cards will work with OSX. If you want the X1900, buy it from Apple, and it will work with OSX and Widows.

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Answer 2

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Nov 13, 2006 3:05 PM in response to Malcolm Rayfield

Only cards that support Apple's EFI firmware. Vista does have some support for EFI which could have a side-effect, but I wouldn't rely or base any decision on it.

A number of video cards have too small a ROM, only 64k and it would need to be 128K.

StrangeDogs seem to be the "experts" on video.

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Answer 3

Nov 13, 2006 8:59 PM in response to The hatter

"StrangeDogs"? Woof !!

You did mean SmallDogs - no?

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Answer 4

Midigator

Level 1

135 points

Dec 2, 2006 11:27 PM in response to Malcolm Rayfield

"Only Apple cards will work with OSX. If you want the X1900, buy it from Apple, and it will work with OSX and Widows."

This is very wise advice and will save a lot of headache. However, for the technical savvy, mavericks you can get a 512MB RAM ATI X1900 XT or XTX and flash it to work in both.

I can confirm this works:
http://www.tenthousandpercent.com/?section=other&article=76

Please do extensive research and make sure you aren't going to void any warranties with Apple.

And last, you absolutely need to buy this:
http://www.welovemacs.com/9227128.html

The card needs 150W at peak and the PCI-Express only supplies about half. From what I have read it's possible to go from the 2nd bay CD-ROM connector thing to the PCI Express card using an adapter, but the Apple aux power is highly preferred to supply adequate power. And also note even though the Apple aux power looks like a 4-pin molex, it is not. It's proprietary and requires the above cable to go from the board to the PCI Express card.

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Answer 5

Joshua Author

Level 2

251 points

Dec 2, 2006 11:31 PM in response to Midigator

Would this card need to be flashed as well?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814195034

Do you think it would include that cable, regardless?

Thanks for the excellent help so far!

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Answer 6

Midigator

Level 1

135 points

Dec 2, 2006 11:39 PM in response to Joshua

No clue if that will work.

From what I have read only the ATI XT or XTX with EXACTLY 512MB ram works (the 256 MB version does not). I think what people have figured out is the Mac x1900 rom can load on identical PC x1900 (not the case with the Nvidia cards, the ATI X1950, 256MB cards, etc.).

There's built-in driver support in OS X for the XT and XTX card. No other card has drivers regardless of flashing.

I would recommend getting the Mac upgrade kit. You can pick them up on E-bay for around $300 from time to time, or student pricing is around $350.

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