View Full Version : Replacing ATI Radeon X1900 XT on Mac 8-core


Kalunga Lima
May 19th, 2010, 04:54 AM
I tired of my ATI X1900 XT always overheating and need to find a replacement video card for my 3Mhz 8 Core mac Pro to drive my 30" and 23" cinema displays. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Robert Lane
May 19th, 2010, 08:30 AM
Have you done a software update recently? For some Mac Pro's there was an SMC firmware update that addressed ATI video card power issues - which caused hotter than normal operation. That was some time ago and I don't see that link anymore on the Apple support site.

You might try contacting a Genius Bar in your area and see if that firmware is still out there or see if you don't have other hardware-related issues that could be causing this.

Outside of that and you should probably contact OWC:

Performance Upgrades; FireWire USB SATA Storage; Memory, more at OWC (http://www.macsales.com)

Those guys would know - and sell - all the cards that are compatible with your specific machine.

Kalunga Lima
May 26th, 2010, 02:47 PM
Thanks,

The OWC guys replied in minutes that indeed the MAc version ATI Radeon HD 4870 is not officially sanctioned but that it does work, while Mac Support suggested I get a new Mac Pro....

Robert Turchick
May 26th, 2010, 03:54 PM
my 8-core 2.66 (nehalem) has the 4870 and it's been flawless.

Trevor Harrison
May 28th, 2010, 01:12 AM
The air intake on the X1900 XT clogs very easily. You just need to clean it out and then the card will work well again. I have that card in my 2006 (April 2007) 2.66Ghz Mac Pro.