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#1 2009-08-24 2:01 pm
- Mneub12
- Member
- From: Canada
- Registered: 2004-01-15
- Posts: 94
Mac Pro Graphics Cards
I have one of the older Mac Pros with a 32-bit PCIe bus. I want to purchase a newer graphics card, since I only have a nvidia 7300. I understand that a 8800GT was made that is compatible, and ATI made some card too.. Can anyone tell me the specific cards that are compatible and where they may be purchased?
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#2 2009-08-25 1:22 am
Re: Mac Pro Graphics Cards
You can upgrade to at least three cards that I know of; the 8800GT, the Radeon 3870 and the 4870.
You can buy Mac-specific models of those cards from most online Mac retailers.
Alternately, you can buy a PC model of the Radeon 4870 for less than $150 and flash that card with a Mac EFI ROM. It will then work in a Mac Pro.
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#3 2009-08-25 1:43 pm
- Mneub12
- Member
- From: Canada
- Registered: 2004-01-15
- Posts: 94
Re: Mac Pro Graphics Cards
I've never flashed a card before, but I would need to find a rom that works with the 32-bit bus, right?
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#5 2009-08-26 2:47 am
- NightCougar_37
- For Gallia!!
- From: The back of my Twilight Drake
- Registered: 2001-07-22
- Posts: 9142
Re: Mac Pro Graphics Cards
If you can boot into Boot Camp mode then this shouldn't be hard. Usually you do flashes on a PC. However, some PC flash software may need a boot disk.
Personally I haven't tried this but i'd try to get as close to reference design 4870 as you can if you go that route. Usually what makes it to Mac side is reference boards. In the past this was so and whenever you'd get an odd board, standard ROMs would have issues.
However, this might already sound a bit advanced for you. The best way to calm those fears is research flashing procedures for these type of things first. Once you get an idea of how easy it can be, you'll be more apt to try it.
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