NVIDIA 7300 GT not working... XServe 2.1 video card?

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Level 1

11 points

NVIDIA 7300 GT not working... XServe 2.1 video card?

Hey gang...

I've got a 2008 XServe, quad-core 2.8. Installed the Client version of OS 10.6.8, everything is working fine... to a point...

It has a dedicated Radeon x1300 video card installed, mounted to the motherboard directly. This card is working fine.

I'm trying to install a 2nd card in one of the PCI-X slots, and the 2 I've tried so far show up in the "About this Mac" info, usually a "generic" name, not the specific make/model that I'd expect to see, and neither is outputting a signal.

First question would be... why are they not working? One is a PNY Nvidia GeForce 7300GT, which I'd read on here was supposed to be compatible. The other was a 631-0064 - Apple Nvidia GeForce 6600LE which came out of a PowerMac G5.

Second question... given that these cards might not be compatible, for whatever reason, shouldn't a PCI-X based Radeon x1300 work? Or is there some particular firmware number that makes these cards compatible with the XServe? Can whatever x1300 I get be flashed to make it compatible?

Extending that thought... can either of the Nvidia cards I already have be flashed to make them compatible?

All I want is (... this clock... but that's all I want...) a 2nd monitor as I'm wanting to use this XServe as the foundation for my constantly evolving/morphing recording studio. (don't worry about the noise, the XServe will be in another room from the microphones)

Any thoughts?

Chip Tredo

Xserve, Mac OS X (10.6.8), 2.8 GHz Quad Core

Posted on May 25, 2016 5:17 AM

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Answer 1

May 27, 2016 3:22 AM in response to DJTEMPO

The Newer operating system might be having problems with the older cards, you could try using Nvidia web drivers and maybe a newer Nvidia card, you shouldn't have to flash anything as long as you can install the proper drivers

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Answer 2

DJTEMPO Author

Level 1

11 points

May 27, 2016 5:04 AM in response to Drakeredcrest

This computer and OS are on the order of 8 years old. What do you mean by "newer"? Past that, I believe the cards are of the same generation/era that the OS is.

Video cards, in Macs, don't need drivers. At least, not in my experience...

Do you have any specific advice?

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Answer 3

Jun 1, 2016 5:14 AM in response to DJTEMPO

Hi DJTempo,

The cards in a 2,1 should be PCI Express for graphics cards, the PCIx slots were really for older expansion cards and can be swapped for a PCIe riser. The GT120 works but you won't be able to use the mini display port. The 7300GT should also work so long as it's a mac version of the card. Apple did make an X1300 card for the Xserve which had more ram on it though I can't find the part number they do exist.

Best of luck

Beatle

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Answer 4

DJTEMPO Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 9, 2016 11:19 PM in response to beatle20359

I installed a 256MB Radeon X1300 dual-out card a few nights ago, which I figured should work since the dedicated video card (mini-display-port card) that's installed is the 128MB version of the same card.

The 256 card shows up in the "about this Mac" info, and reads "driver loaded" (with card 1 and card 2 denoted)... but I can't get it to output anything to a connected monitor. This is with the dedicated 128 version card also installed, which shows up as card 1, as well.

Is it possible the driver can't support 2 cards, and gives the dedicated card priority?

Really not sure what to make of this video card situation.

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Answer 5

Jun 9, 2016 11:35 PM in response to DJTEMPO

Are you sure it's a Mac Version of the card you've installed.

here's a link to the correct version which only has a single DVI on it

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-Apple-Mac-Edition-Radeon-X1300-256mb-Video-Car d-For-XServe-MacPro1-1-2-1-/261164378562?hash=item3cce9c29c2:g:bbUAAOxyY7FRDVff

Thanks
Beatle

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Answer 6

DJTEMPO Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 10, 2016 2:58 AM in response to beatle20359

Whelp... I don't know. Here's what I bought:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/252395842831?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STR K%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

It shows up correctly in the "about this mac" system info.

I guess I should also point out... I'm running the client OS, v. 10.6.8. Not using it as a server, but as a "desktop-replacement" for audio work. "Cheap horsepower".

Everything functions as it should, except for the fact that I can't seem to find a manner by which to get 2 video outputs.

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Answer 7

Jun 10, 2016 5:30 AM in response to DJTEMPO

That card won't work, its designed to go into a HP or Dell which would be able to recognize the split cable that goes with it

the link I posted earlier would work or get a different Mac card like a gt120

thanks

beatle

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Answer 8

DJTEMPO Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 10, 2016 5:29 AM in response to beatle20359

OK... follow up question, then...

Are there any dual output cards that will work, thereby giving me 3 monitors? (I absolutely need 2, but the 3rd would be nice)

Chip

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Answer 9

Jun 10, 2016 5:56 AM in response to DJTEMPO

ATI 2600 should work ok as it doesn't need the extra power connector.. Basically if you look around for the Video Cards that came with Mac Pro's from 2006 - 2009 then anything that is powered by the bus only should work fine..

Thanks
Beatle

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Answer 10

DJTEMPO Author

Level 1

11 points

Jun 10, 2016 6:43 AM in response to beatle20359

? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Apple-MacPRO-1-1-3-1-ATI-Radeon-HD-2600XT-256MB-DDR3-PCI e-Video-Card-630-8924-7-/231955088023?hash=item360199c297:g:lXgAAOSwY0lXRJ2z

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Answer 11

Jun 10, 2016 6:46 AM in response to DJTEMPO

That should work fine..

Beatle

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