Hardware Question

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Hardware Question

Posted by Arnljot Bringedal on June 21, 2011 at 3:42 pm

I am on a Macpro 3,1 ( early 2008 ) – 8 cores, 32 RAM.

I obviously need a new graphic-card, as the Appstore would not let me download X because my graphic card was not supported. ( ATI Radeon HD 2600 )

What can I purchase that will run, with the OpenCL and all…… ? As lowpriced as possible….

Ive been googling, but havent figured it out

*** Norwegian videojournalist & Editor***

Craig Seeman replied 15 years, 2 months ago 4 Members · 7 Replies
7 Replies

Craig Seeman
June 21, 2011 at 3:49 pm

Same situation here
Apple sells Radeon 5770 and 5870.
Many have tested and either will run in MacPro 3.1.
Problem is Apple officially does NOT list them as supported in MacPro 3.1.
We have no idea whether FCPX will reject them as unsupported config.

Apple should really have given us the system specs in advance so we could make system upgrades as needed.
I hope someone can answer affirmatively ASAP as my credit card is waiting.
Chris Borjis
June 21, 2011 at 5:21 pm

check the link above that gary made, I posted a link to openCL compatible systems/cards that “SHOULD” work.

Your card is a rarity that doesn’t support openCL
Craig Seeman
June 21, 2011 at 5:30 pm

The question is will buying the 5770 suffice?
Many report it does work in MacPro 3.1 but Apple says Mid 2010 and up only. If someone already has 5770 or 5870 on MacPro 3.1 and was able to download FCPX I’d like to know.
Craig Seeman
June 21, 2011 at 7:35 pm

Got confirmation from someone on another forum who has MacPro 1.1 (2006) with Radeon 5770 and they were able to purchase FCPX.
Ken Andersen
June 25, 2011 at 1:48 am

I got 3 answers from Apple Support:

1: The only Video cards supported By Apple for MacPro 3.1 and FC X are:

Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT for Mac and
Nvidia Qudaro FX 5600 fir Mac

2: The ATI Radeon HD 5770 Should Work but is not Supported
The ATI Radeon HD 5870 Should Work but is not Supported

The Apple Store Warns that these are not computable with MacPro 3.2

3: The Cards in Item 1 may not work with Rev 2 MacPro ?

If you find out whats going on it would be great to hear

Ken Andersen
Ken Andersen
June 25, 2011 at 1:52 am

I got 3 answers from Apple Support:

1: The only Video cards supported By Apple for MacPro 3.1 and FC X are:

Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT for Mac and
Nvidia Qudaro FX 5600 fir Mac

2: The ATI Radeon HD 5770 Should Work but is not Supported
The ATI Radeon HD 5870 Should Work but is not Supported

The Apple Store Warns that these are not computable with MacPro 3.2

3: The Cards in Item 1 may not work with Rev 2 MacPro ?

If you find out whats going on it would be great to hear

Ken Andersen
Craig Seeman
June 25, 2011 at 2:59 am

Regardless whether Apple “supports” it, the 5770 works all the way back to 1.1. I just installed it on 3.1 and it’s working fine.

I haven’t heard anyone needing a new card for 3.2. Only 1.1, 2.1, 3,1 (2006 through early 2008).

The problem with Apple’s position is it no longer sells andy of the graphics cards it claims is compatible with 3.1. or earlier. Nice to know they “support” cards they no longer sell.

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