2nd graphics card needed for Mac Pro

Phate · 7 Oct 2008 at 14:01

Hi all,

very soon I'm going to be purchasing a new primary monitor/3rd

So I need a 2nd graphics card for the MP

Currently have the Radeon X1900XTX 512mb jobby...basically I don't want to spend millions but I don't want a rubbish card, 90% of the time the monitors will be used for iTunes, Mercury, playing videos/movies - all my photographic work and gaming will be done on the new monitor, which will be connected to my current card.

Any ideas guys?

Many Thanks,
Jake

titchard · 7 Oct 2008 at 15:31

Well you only have a choice of the Mac cards anyone because of the BIOS on the card and such - possibly get the 7300GT? I am unsure if it can work in tandem with your current one though.

I have that card and its got a fair more "umph" Than I would ever have thought.

Rich

Phate · 7 Oct 2008 at 15:45

Ok cheers

- I was aware that only certain Mac cards would work, just wondered which one would be up for the job, tbh.

Hmm...I'll give Apple a ring to see if it will work without any issues, I think it will.

Phate · 8 Oct 2008 at 01:23

On that note, does anyone know if a second card will work seemlessly with my current one?

Thanks,
Jake

Feek · 8 Oct 2008 at 06:16

I'm interested to know this as well. I've got an 8800 in my Mac Pro but I've also got the stock card in a box. I have an unused monitor on my desk and was thinking of putting the old card back in alongside the 8800 and using it to drive this spare monitor.

Will it work and will performance of the existing card be affected in any way?

J1nxy · 8 Oct 2008 at 10:41

I'll try putting my 2600xt in alongside my 8800gt later and let you know, but I'd guess they will work ok. I'll be selling the 2600xt shortly anyway as my Mac Pro is going

Darryn · 8 Oct 2008 at 10:49

Ive got the 7300gt (iirc) i took out of my 4core Macpro, if thats any use to you Phate dont buy one and you can have it for nowt.

J1234 · 8 Oct 2008 at 12:45

Some non Mac cards can have the BIOS flashed for them to work, but it's not easy to do by the looks of it.

Phate · 8 Oct 2008 at 13:08

Darryn said:
Ive got the 7300gt (iirc) i took out of my 4core Macpro, if thats any use to you Phate dont buy one and you can have it for nowt.

<3

I'll speak to you on msn dude

Thanks!

Will keep this thread updated with progress.

Darryn · 8 Oct 2008 at 20:05

Justin said:
Some non Mac cards can have the BIOS flashed for them to work, but it's not easy to do by the looks of it.

Ive flashed 2x differant X1900XT 512mb non-mac cards with the mac bios, i found it pretty easy to do tbh, you just need to make sure the card is listed on the site where you download the mac-bios patch from.

Feek · 10 Oct 2008 at 23:58

All off the same Mac

Phate · 11 Oct 2008 at 00:50

Feek said:
All off the same Mac[/FONT]

Nice

Ordering my monitor on Monday \o/