Mac Pro video card update at DVinfo.net

Chad Dyle · November 7th, 2008, 09:18 AM

I have the current Mac Pro (8-core 2.8Ghz) with the ATI Radeon 2600 video card. I connected a 2nd monitor to it last night to use with FC. When I launched FC, it generated an error telling me that some of my effects wouldn't work with that video card. I assume that its to much for the card to display on two monitors and handle the effects.
I found this (ATI RADEON 3870 512MB 16x PCIe Video Card f... (100-435928) at OWC) for $218, but there are also other versions of it on Newegg for as little as $100. Are these the same cards and will they work with my Mac Pro?

Don Miller · November 7th, 2008, 10:35 AM

Video cards need to say specifically that they are made for the mac pro. Apple designed the mac pro to not work with "regular" video cards.

John Stakes · November 7th, 2008, 10:38 AM

yeah the site you listed above has a section specifically for Macs if you look for it. As far as your current setup, you may want to try running a lower resolution on both monitors...see if that works.

-JS

Scott Brickert · November 9th, 2008, 03:43 PM

I have the Octo with the ATI 2600, runnin' 1920x1200 and 1360x768. Never had a problem.

I'm interested in moving up to 2560x1600. Let us know what you're attempting to run it at.

Christopher Ruffell · November 9th, 2008, 08:34 PM

Chad, I had the X1900 XT in my Mac Pro till it started to die (the same way everyone else's have.. even though I been cleaning it with compressed air on a monthly basis since I bought my computer).

Anyhow, I've had that HD 3870 in my Mac Pro for 2-3 months now, and it's working fine. Not sure what's going on with your current card. And yes, you need to buy Mac-specific video cards.

Dino Leone · November 9th, 2008, 11:01 PM

I have the same machine (8 core), with the 2600 stock card and I'm using it to drive 2 x 23" screens (each 1920x1200). No problem whatsoever. I even run FCP, Motion at the same time, sometimes even together with aperture (which has the biggest appetite for graphics card RAM next to motion). I cannot see how your identical hardware config should have problems with FCP. (BTW, I used my old G5 with a Radeon 9600 with 128mb RAM to drive the same two displays, and it didn't have any problems running FCP (much slower of course, but it worked with these two screens at 1920x1200)).

Are you sure you're running the most recent versions? Maybe some other software-related problem with the machine? How much total RAM does it have?

I've been eyeing the 3870 from OWC, since it supposedly gives better performance in both aperture and motion, but so far, I'm waiting, particularly as there's been some reports that the newer generation of cards (4870) might come to Macs early next year.

Best,
Dino

November 7th, 2008, 09:18 AM	#1
Chad Dyle Major Player Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: New Orleans, LA Posts: 410	Mac Pro video card update I have the current Mac Pro (8-core 2.8Ghz) with the ATI Radeon 2600 video card. I connected a 2nd monitor to it last night to use with FC. When I launched FC, it generated an error telling me that some of my effects wouldn't work with that video card. I assume that its to much for the card to display on two monitors and handle the effects. I found this (ATI RADEON 3870 512MB 16x PCIe Video Card f... (100-435928) at OWC) for $218, but there are also other versions of it on Newegg for as little as $100. Are these the same cards and will they work with my Mac Pro? __________________ www.chaddyle.com www.chaddyleproductions.com

November 9th, 2008, 03:43 PM	#4
Scott Brickert Major Player Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Crested Butte, CO Posts: 576	I have the Octo with the ATI 2600, runnin' 1920x1200 and 1360x768. Never had a problem. I'm interested in moving up to 2560x1600. Let us know what you're attempting to run it at. __________________ Scott Shot-By-Scott

November 7th, 2008, 10:35 AM	#2
Don Miller Major Player Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 706	Video cards need to say specifically that they are made for the mac pro. Apple designed the mac pro to not work with "regular" video cards.

November 7th, 2008, 10:38 AM	#3
John Stakes Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 558	yeah the site you listed above has a section specifically for Macs if you look for it. As far as your current setup, you may want to try running a lower resolution on both monitors...see if that works. -JS

November 9th, 2008, 08:34 PM	#5
Christopher Ruffell Major Player Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Victoria, BC Posts: 202	Chad, I had the X1900 XT in my Mac Pro till it started to die (the same way everyone else's have.. even though I been cleaning it with compressed air on a monthly basis since I bought my computer). Anyhow, I've had that HD 3870 in my Mac Pro for 2-3 months now, and it's working fine. Not sure what's going on with your current card. And yes, you need to buy Mac-specific video cards.

November 9th, 2008, 11:01 PM	#6
Dino Leone Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Sunnyvale, CA Posts: 131	I have the same machine (8 core), with the 2600 stock card and I'm using it to drive 2 x 23" screens (each 1920x1200). No problem whatsoever. I even run FCP, Motion at the same time, sometimes even together with aperture (which has the biggest appetite for graphics card RAM next to motion). I cannot see how your identical hardware config should have problems with FCP. (BTW, I used my old G5 with a Radeon 9600 with 128mb RAM to drive the same two displays, and it didn't have any problems running FCP (much slower of course, but it worked with these two screens at 1920x1200)). Are you sure you're running the most recent versions? Maybe some other software-related problem with the machine? How much total RAM does it have? I've been eyeing the 3870 from OWC, since it supposedly gives better performance in both aperture and motion, but so far, I'm waiting, particularly as there's been some reports that the newer generation of cards (4870) might come to Macs early next year. Best, Dino