Replacing ATI Radeon X1900 XT on Mac 8-core at DVinfo.net

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

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.

May 19th, 2010, 04:54 AM	#1
Kalunga Lima Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Luanda - ANGOLA & Lisbon - PORTUGAL Posts: 160	Replacing ATI Radeon X1900 XT on Mac 8-core 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 __________________ Kalunga Lima PMW-350, PDW-F350, PDW-EX1, MacBookPro, MacPro 8-Core, Final Cut Studio 2, Canon 5D MkII

May 26th, 2010, 02:47 PM	#3
Kalunga Lima Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Luanda - ANGOLA & Lisbon - PORTUGAL Posts: 160	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.... __________________ Kalunga Lima PMW-350, PDW-F350, PDW-EX1, MacBookPro, MacPro 8-Core, Final Cut Studio 2, Canon 5D MkII

May 26th, 2010, 03:54 PM	#4
Robert Turchick Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 1,389	my 8-core 2.66 (nehalem) has the 4870 and it's been flawless. __________________ The older I get, the better I was!

May 19th, 2010, 08:30 AM	#2
Robert Lane Go Go Godzilla Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ USA Posts: 2,825 Images: 15	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 Those guys would know - and sell - all the cards that are compatible with your specific machine.

May 28th, 2010, 01:12 AM	#5
Trevor Harrison Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vancouver B.C. Canada Posts: 35	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.