Advice Please for Sapphire HD 7950 Mac Edition Video Card

Hello.
I have a mid 2010 Mac Pro (5,1).
Was wondering if anyone out there in 'Mac Land' has had personal experience with the
Sapphire HD 7950 Mac Edition Video Card?
In particular:
Did you install it yourself?
Did you have any issues after installing?
Does it live up to its hype?
Do you think it was worth the price?
Will it freak out when using BootCamp?
I'm thinking about upgrading from the installed HD 5870 card.
I run BootCamp with Windows 8 and Windows 7. My current Mac OS is 10.9.5.
Thanks for your help.

Dear Paul S, John B here. I have a 2008 Mac Pro, single Quad Core-not state of the art at all. I bought my sapphire radeon HD 7950 to replace an nVidia 8800, so that I could play Bio shock infinite on Steam. Yes, I installed it myself, it's a piece of cake. I had no issues after installing. Some have...might have been that gpu switch on the side was defective, but not for me. to the right for mac, left for PC, as far as I know. As for the hype, can't say. It does the job quite well. I now have a Mac that can use Display Port and HDMI for output rather than DVI (very handy for buying monitors- you can use a small LCD tv as one). I guess it was worth the price, to me it was, anyway. I learned my lesson on older graphics cards: when they go, try to not have a fit, and see if you can replace them with something a bit better, and don't take your Mac in to your local Fruit PC store, cuz they don't have a clue about such things, and the Fruit PC company's policy is to replace like with like-period. You can ask them to, but they won't put a better video card into your Mac Pro, even though you are willing to pay the difference to upgrade. Also, you are on their turf, so you will be paying their prices for that old video card. $360 for an 8800GT mac version? I don't think so, at least not again ! Freak out with Bootcamp? I don't think so. I've never used it with bootcamp, but I did mention the switch, so I think you're covered there. Maybe you'd have to download and install Windows drivers for that card but that's be about it. You might try MacVidCards.com
but that's a crapshoot, as PC cards flashed to work with Mac may be.
just my 2 cents
JB

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Trouble with Sapphire HD 7850 mac edition graphics card

So i've recently decided to updagre the graphics card from a HD 5870 to the HD 7850 mac edition.
It has a toggle switch for different firmware requirements of different OS's. It works great when I have it in "Mac OS X/Windows (non-UEFI compliant)" or "Windows (UEFI compliant)" as long as i'm booting into Mac OS X. With the former option i can hold down option to get a boot screen whereas with the latter the monitor becomes active as soon as you're logged in - as expected.
However as soon as i go to boot into windows by selecting my bootcamp drive from the boot menu (switch in position 1 on GPU) it goes to a nice BSOD and i have to force restart my computer. Does anybody understand why this card won;t allow me to boot into windows like my HD 5870 did in this manner?
Secondly, i figured I would try to bypass the boot screen by throwing the GPU switch to position 2 ("Windows (UEFI compliant)") and then go into system preferences and select the windows volume to startup in. However ever since i installed windows i haven't been able to boot in this manner...when it restarts i get an error saying that there is "no bootable device" which makes no f****** sense because i can boot into my windows drive just fine by selecting it from the boot menu.
I feel like since i had to install windows by bypassing bootcamp assistant (directly booting from usb and installing to a clean separate internal SSD) that I might have screwd up the association between the startup disk selector and the target disk...i'm so exhausted of dealing with windows and my mac with RAID drives...so many problems, so complicated.
Any help with the graphics card stuff would be much appreciated.

Dear Paul S, John B here. I have a 2008 Mac Pro, single Quad Core-not state of the art at all. I bought my sapphire radeon HD 7950 to replace an nVidia 8800, so that I could play Bio shock infinite on Steam. Yes, I installed it myself, it's a piece of cake. I had no issues after installing. Some have...might have been that gpu switch on the side was defective, but not for me. to the right for mac, left for PC, as far as I know. As for the hype, can't say. It does the job quite well. I now have a Mac that can use Display Port and HDMI for output rather than DVI (very handy for buying monitors- you can use a small LCD tv as one). I guess it was worth the price, to me it was, anyway. I learned my lesson on older graphics cards: when they go, try to not have a fit, and see if you can replace them with something a bit better, and don't take your Mac in to your local Fruit PC store, cuz they don't have a clue about such things, and the Fruit PC company's policy is to replace like with like-period. You can ask them to, but they won't put a better video card into your Mac Pro, even though you are willing to pay the difference to upgrade. Also, you are on their turf, so you will be paying their prices for that old video card. $360 for an 8800GT mac version? I don't think so, at least not again ! Freak out with Bootcamp? I don't think so. I've never used it with bootcamp, but I did mention the switch, so I think you're covered there. Maybe you'd have to download and install Windows drivers for that card but that's be about it. You might try MacVidCards.com
but that's a crapshoot, as PC cards flashed to work with Mac may be.
just my 2 cents
JB

Sapphire HD 7950 Mac Pro Edition 3GB Video Card

I am thing about putting in this video card in my Mac Pro 2008.
Sapphire HD 7950 Mac Pro Edition 3GB Video Card
What do the apple support Communities think about is Card?

I have been using this card For one month now in Mac Pro 3.1 early 2008 model.
works great in Lion. This weekend I upgraded to Mountain Lion and screen rarely
might flash on left mouse clicks in firefox 23 and 22 web browsers.All other applications,
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2010 Mac Pro, Sapphire 7950 Mac Edition, and Boot Camp

A few months ago, I installed a Sapphire 7950 Mac Edition GPU in my 2010 Mac Pro (3.2GHz quad-core). I don't have Boot Camp installed. Recently, I tried setting up a Boot Camp install with Windows 7 Pro 64-bit but have been unsucessful.
I use the Apple Boot Camp Assistant (v5.1.2), use a USB flash drive (for Windows support software), and a Windows 7 Pro 64-0bit DVD. The Assistant runs, partitions my drive (I have a blank HFS+ drive that the Assistant partitions into Mac and Win partitions), and then reboots. The computer reboots but the screen is black and I cannot detect any activity.
I suspect that the Windows installer that the Assistant sets up does not have drivers for my 7950.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Ted

I'm very late to this game but thought it might be useful to reply as there have been people looking at this. The problem sounds like the 7950 is in PC mode and not in Mac mode. With the card in PC mode, you'll get a black screen instead of the Bootcamp option at startup.
There's a switch on the card to change between modes (only do it when the system is powered down). Have a look in your "About this Mac". If it says your card is an AMD 7xxx, you're in PC mode. If it says your card is an AMD 7950, you've got it in the correct mode.
Be warned that my Sapphire 7950 came with PC mode flashed to both positions of the switch and I had to beat the Sapphire support people for ages to get it properly flashed. Despite sending the card back to Sapphire, in the end I had to put the card in a PC and flash it myself.

GeForce GTX 680 Mac Edition Graphics Card advice wanted 2008 Mac Pro. Eight core desktop.

I have read some threads yet it is not clear to me if it is a good move to upgrade an Mac Pro eight core 3.1- 2008 to use GeForce GTX 680 Mac Edition Graphics Card. I ask as my GeForce 8800 GT 2008 card has given up the ghost, and it has done sterling service R.I.P.. The machine is in the repair shop for a service itself, and this problem. So I thought an upgrade, as I am at it. Daunting choice out there. Um, learning curve and all that!
I mainly do 2D graphics, Canvas, Adobe stuff, yet a little amount of video, which may grow some. No games on this work horse!
So here I am fishing for experienced advice were my own is not, from anyone who has done this. Has it held up, do you get a boot screen, does it run two monsters easily via DVI.
If you have one or something good fitted please share the skinny!
For me it is turning into the year of the video card. My laptop looks like it got the disease first!
Thanks.

#1: AMD 7950 Mac Edition, or not. $425
#2: GTX 680 Mac $625
#3: MacVidCards - various but worth a look
http://www.ebay.com/sch/macvidcards/m.html
#4: GTX 285, no idea how 'safe' as often read someone (not Macvidcards) flashed PC card and sold as "Mac" and they are old, and may not be supported in Mavericks (and that would apply to a 8800 too).
Information purposes only:
http://www.amazon.com/EVGA-Geforce-Gtx285-Graphics-Pci-express/dp/B00G9TQMOE/
Check out Barefeats, again, for ideas if you want 'near best.'
A new gpu is $5000 cheaper than an overhaul and new MP.
A 2008 though will never perform as well as later models. Ideal is 2010 or later.
Even a top of the line iMac with GTX if you are having a lot of trouble and thinking of ditching the 2008.

Does 10.5.6 Support Dual displays for Radeon 9800 Pro Mac Edition cards?

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The ATI Radeon 9600 PC/Mac edition 256 MB should work in the MDD G4. It has two DVI ports (one is dual-link and can support a 30" display). You will need adapters for ADC displays.

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What if your Mac Books video card does not meet the minimum system requirements

Just for the record it was an Early 2008 iMac 20" (MB324LL/A) with the ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB of GDDR3 memory in it.
Not sure why or how but overnight the system has decided to try and run the update again and this time it has updated all the apps.
The machine is running the apps fine and there are no real issues with the performance (other than the fact its over 5 years old, but thats understandable).
Im going to put it down to either a minor glitch in the update that was corrected fairly fast or just a hiccup from an old machine.
Thansk for the responces anyhow guys.

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No. It is PCI Express card anyway.
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Based on reports here and elsewhere, I'm not sure buying a Retina MBP is such a great investment of your money as Retina Displays make much higher demands on the systems... and provide a lower overall performance with CPU/Sub Systems intensive and timing reliant/critical applications such as Logic Pro X
While I understand the 'draw' of Laptops.. because of their portability etc... there are drawbacks that should be taken into account too.. and compared to a similar priced iMac/Mac Mini.... you get much better power/cost ration with an iMac/Mac Mini than you will ever get with a MBP....
Simply put you will spend roughly twice as much for a MBP compared to an iMac/Mac Mini to obtain the same performance... and while Retina does provide for a very good clear screen... the overheads that places on the systems of a MBP.. can often outweigh its real benefits when used with an App like LPX where Retina really serves no useful purpose/benefits....... especially for the extra cost.
Example..My nearly 3 year old 3.4Ghz i7 32GB iMac which cost less by some degree as my top of the range 2013 2.5 Ghz i7 16GB MBP with Retina.. 'smokes' the MBP so easily..... when using identical versions of LPX/LP9 under Mavericks.. Even my 2010 Mac Mini Server 2.0 Ghz 16GB gives the MBP a good run for it's money in comparision.. and that cost me less than $800 plus Monitor!
Note: This is just a personal opinion and should be viewed as such....

Mac Pro video card flaky?

I have a Mac Pro 5.1, the mid-2010 model. Recently the display has been acting flaky, and now it doesn't seem to work at all.
The problems started intermittenly for some time ago. I would switch the computer on and the monitor (a Samsung) would not receive a signal. I would get the picture by turning the monitor off and on again. I thought that maybe there was something wrong with the monitor, but since it always received the video signal after flicking it off and on again, I didn't think too much about it.
Two weeks ago the monitor suddenly lost the signal while the computer was on. The monitor and computer were still both powered, and the video cable was fine. But the flicking off and on didn't work this time. I had to turn off and on the Mac Pro itself to get the video back.
Yesterday it happened again twice and this morning again. The signal from the card disappears after the computer is on for 10-15 minutes or so. When I was at the computer as it happened, I thought that the computer became more silent when the video vanished. Switching the computer off and on, does not help. I might get a signal, but for 30 sec or so, then it is gone again.
I do not think the problem is the monitor, although I have not tried attaching another computer to it. I have the Mac Pro also hooked to my AV-receiver and LCD projector. When the Samsung loses the video signal, so does the LCD projector. My guess is that the video card is at fault here.
The card is an ATI RAdeon HD 5870. Any advice how to make sure that the video card is the culprit, and not for example the motherboard? If it turns out the card is faulty, what would be a recommended replacement for it?
Edit (addition): There is nothing wrong with the picture before it disappears. No distortions or anything. The video signal is simply gone.

Have you tried blowing the dust out?
Also the suggestion about running machine with side off and seeing if fan is running.
Video cards are cooled by an array of small metal fins connected to the GPU chip. The fan blows air through these fins. Over time, the fins build up a layer of dust. This is especially true if you have animals, keep your Mac on the floor, live in a dusty area or if you smoke.
The symptoms you describe are similar to an overheating card. They have thermal overload protection which simply shuts the card off when it reaches a temp above 100 C or so. If you are lucky, you just need to blow some compressed air BACKWARDs through the fan to knock the dust off the front face of the fins. I have seen these fins completely covered with dust, at which point the fan can only do so much to cool the card.

What is the best PC platform for LR 4? Especially optimum video card and amount of RAM?

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I am using an ATI Radeon video card and 27" monitor (2560x1440). I am prepared to buy any graphics card or even switch to an iMac, but want snappy LR performance.
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Running LR in a window, approx 1400 x 900 made the sliders responsive and smooth!
My system drive, which is also the LR Catalog is RAID 0 and is 250MB/sec access, which is as good as I can get with SSD
I have an AT Radeon HD4800 video with latest driver
I am running LR 4.1 RC2
I have tried exiting all non-essential programs, including AV (with internet disconnected) - made no difference
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I am going to try my i-7 MacBook Pro, driving the 27" monitor, as a comparison, and report back.
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Are there any configuration guidlines to make LR quicker, anywhere?
My other band-aid is to manually transfer my project's raw files to the HDD, and then pre-view them with a fast browser, to weed out the rejects, before importing the rest into LR for editing and filing.
I looked some good programs, for this:
PhotoMechanic ($150)
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Breeze Browser Pro ($70)
Fast but pricy compared to LR with all its features, but may be a goer, considering the time it saves.
Fast Picture Viewer ($40 + $10 for code pack)
Also very fast, but no tree folder view, which I find limiting. Price is getting better.
XNView (Free)
Good option. Bit slower than the paid apps, but still quite good.
FastStone Image Vewer (Free)
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Benefits of upgrading the 2008 mac pro video card?

I have the 8800 video card in my 2008 2.8 mac pro and am considering getting the radeon 4870 video card as an upgrade.
Will this card provide any real benefits to my system for things like Photoshop and FCP or is it a waste of money?
Also, might snow leopard make better use of the 4870 card as opposed to the 8800 card in my situation?
Thanks for any advice.

Give 10.6 a year, along with CS5, and maybe. I wouldn't bet my life on it but ATI does tend to be better written for OpenGL.
The 8800 isn't too shabby in some tests.
http://www.barefeats.com/nehal06.html
And the 4870 does better in 2009s.
http://www.barefeats.com/nehal05.html
Where the 2009 8 DIMM / 8-cores can shine is not just more efficient processor, but also more bandwidth to memory, too, which if you think you need more horsepower, do you have hard drives and memory to do so?
http://www.barefeats.com/nehal04.html

Upgrading a 2007 Mac Pro Video Card

So Steve Jobs said that the mac pros would offer greater expansion when they were reased a couple years back.
Its been 3 months since the Geforce 8800 GT has been 'available' on the 2008 mac pro and 3 months since it hasnt been available for the mac pros which jobs referred to as 'expandable.' I'm in need of a new monitor, and will be needing a better video card, I have a 2 x geforce 7300 overclocked setup for gaming in windows. This experience will be painful once I step up to 1920x1200 resolution some time SOON.
So I have a few questions:
1) How does the ATI 2600 XT perform compared to my setup? Is a single 2600 XT going to outperform my SLI setup?
2) Would a Crossfire 2600 XT outperform it?
3) Is the 3870x2 compatible with my computer? Can I at least boot into windows with it, but boot into OS X with my 7300 without physically removing the video card from the PCIe slot? I suppose a KVM switch would be needed unless I bought a dual input monitor?
4) Are there any video cards made for PC that will work in windows on my mac BUT still allowing me to boot into OS X without me having to remove the card out of the PCIe slot?
Thanks for all your responses in advance!
ps. funny how steve jobs got deals with EA to produce games for the mac os platform while doing nothing about offering a required component to play games at decent settings and framerates. this is going to be a failure guaranteed if apple doesnt do anything (or, at least acquire PROPER ported games)

You can find benchmarks for the ATI 2600GT at Bare Feats.
You cannot use a third-party card to boot OS X, but you can use any compatible video card for Windows as long as you install the Windows drivers. A third-party video card simply won't boot OS X because it does not have an EFI compatible ROM. It will, however, work fine for booting Windows.
ps. funny how steve jobs got deals with EA to produce games for the mac os platform while doing nothing about offering a required component to play games at decent settings and framerates. this is going to be a failure guaranteed if apple doesnt do anything (or, at least acquire PROPER ported games)
As the Discussions are not intended for complaints, you can omit comments like these in the future.

I want to upgrade my Mac Pro video card. I am using a mac quad core 2.7 GHz 8 megs of ram and an ATI Radeon 3870. Where do I start?

I am using a mac pro with a 2.7 GHz processor 8 gigs of ram and a Radeon HD 3870 video card with 512 megs of vram.
I want to upgrade to 1 gig of vram if possible.
Can anyone tell me where I can begin looking, what brand to buy, and what options I have?
I want to be able to use the Element 3D plug in After Effects.
Also, would I need to upgrade my operating system?
Thanks,
Faucheux

Shop for them at the Apple Online Store. I would suggest the ATI 5770 or 5870 or one of the new Nvidia GTX models - 650 Ti, 660, or 680.
Note that unless your Mac Pro has PCIe 2.0 slots you should stick with the ATI 5770.

Mac mini video cards

It was reported awhile back in Macaddict and in Thinksecret that the mac mini had been upgraded with a little faster processor and video cards with 64mb of memory. However, I don't see these as being options in the Apple Store. How do you go about getting one of these upgraded mini's and do they even exist?

If they don't exist, my computer's lying to me.
Machine Name:     Mac mini
Machine Model:     PowerMac10,2
CPU Type:     PowerPC G4 (1.2)
Number Of CPUs:     1
CPU Speed:     1.5 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU):     512 KB
Memory:     512 MB
Bus Speed:     167 MHz
Chipset Model:     ATY,RV280
Type:     Display
Bus:     AGP
VRAM (Total):     64 MB
Vendor:     ATI (0x1002)
Device ID:     0x5962
You can't order these changes, they have not been announced and are not official and most likely you'll get a thread lock for talking about them here.
Over on the MacNN site (forums.macnn.com) where people figured that the minis with the udpates had been built in or after September. I'm not sure how accurate that is, but I know mine was made in September.

Advice Please for Sapphire HD 7950 Mac Edition Video Card

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