-
OT: Newer display card for 2008 MacPro?
I’ve spent a far amount of time researching options (and searching the COW archives) for upgrading the ATI Radeon HD 2600 display card in my MacPro3,1 (2.8 x 8 processor OS 10.5.8).
So far the options I’ve found are for any cards that might work are all out of production. I have only a single slot available for the display card. All other slots are filled.
Anyone have a suggestion for a card with a little more horsepower that might work in this machine?
Thanks in advance,
TomFaster! Better! Cheaper!
Pick any two. -
3 Replies
-
The ATI HD 5770 seems to be compatible with the 3,1. This is the lower of the two cards currently sold in Mac Pros and as an upgrade kit for others. Not sure why the 5870 isn’t.
https://store.apple.com/us/product/MC742ZM/A?mco=MTY3ODQ5OTY
-
Thanks for the tip Chris. Looking at the card, however, it appears to take up two slots in width. Although there are only a single row of connectors, it would appear that it’s double wide card with a cooling duct taking up the additional width. I’ll do some more research, but can anyone verify whether it’s a single or a double card?
TomFaster! Better! Cheaper!
Pick any two. -
I got curious how this was addressed in the current (2010) Mac Pros and the first PCIe slot (where the vid card normally goes) is a double wide slot. That made me look at my 2008 machine (same as yours). I haven’t cracked the case, but the manual indicates the slot is double wide and looking at the back, I have openings for5 cards, though there are 4 PCIe slots on the motherboard. Short of cracking open my case, I’m pretty sure that card could work AND not take away any of your already occupied slots.
That said, it has 2 Mini Display Port and 1 DVI connector that you can use in any combination of 3. Assuming you have 2 monitors now, you may need to upgrade one (or maybe both) to something with Display Port.
Good luck. I’m curious to hear what you end up doing.
Reply to this Discussion! Login or Sign Up