Just noticed the Snow Leopard Graphics Update, anyone install it yet/found noticeable improvements (can't install it until I get back home in a week)? Hopefully no problems for people with flashed graphics cards? I would like this update to let me run SC2 in Mac OS X; it's so much faster in Win 7...
View 9 RepliesApparently, Apple is seeding updated Graphics drivers .
Can any of our GPU gurus hazard a guess at whether these will benefit those of us with flashed cards, or will they more likely brick them, or do we just not know until we test them?
I don't want to get my hopes up for improvements that might never happen!
For a while, my MacbookPro, which is a MacBookPro5,3, has been telling me that I have updates. Among the updates was a graphics update. Back when my iMac5,1 ran Leopard, I blindly got the graphics update, so it is no longer usable, unless I use Ubuntu Hardy on it. I do not want to run into that issue again, since I have programs that I need on my Mac for me to be productive, as I started writing books and publishing them through Lulu (e.g. Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.). Is the Snow Leopard graphics update going to cause stability issues, like the Leopard graphics update did on my old iMac5,1? Right now, I am getting all updates, except for the graphics update, that are available for my MacBook Pro.
View 2 Replies View RelatedApple on Tuesday released Snow Leopard Graphics Update, a patch for Mac OS X 10.6 that is said to improve performance and reliability of popular titles like StarCraft II and Portal. The 69.2MB update was released by Apple Tuesday afternoon. It is available from the company's support site, or via Software Update. It requires Mac OS X 10.6.4. According to Apple, the software update contains performance and stability fixes for graphics applications, including fixes that: address frame rate issues occurring in Portal and Team Fortress 2 on certain Macs resolve an issue that could cause aperture 3 or StarCraft II to unexpectedly quit or become unresponsive.
The update addresses framerate issues on the titles Portal and Team Fortress 2 for the late 2009 and mid 2010 iMac and Mac mini; early 2009 Mac Pro; early 2009 and mid 2010 MacBook; and mid-2010 MacBook Pro 15- and 17-inch models. The update also resolves an image corruption issue that may occur when disconnecting and reconnecting external displays while the system is running. Valve, the maker of Portal, Team Fortress 2 and the Steam gaming client for Mac, said in June that it was working with Apple to improve the performance of games running in Mac OS X. The company said that improved drivers from Apple would have the greatest impact on performance. "We are making a lot of progress identifying specific issues that need work inside the game and inside OpenGL and drivers," Rob Barris of Valve said at the time. "Apple, ATI and Nvidia are all involved."[ View this article at AppleInsider.com ]
Has anyone ran some tests with the new Snow Leopard Graphics Update Apple just released. I am primarily interested in the performance increases it offers SC2. I am at work and will not be able to install it until late tonight, after which I will post before and after FPS and settings for SC2.
View 11 Replies View RelatedEvery once and a while, usually when my MacBook is running on it's battery, the screen will show a black screen for nearly only a millisecond or two. It's not too bothersome, and it usually blinks back to normal before I can notice it, but nevertheless I don't want it, and from what I can recall, this only started happening after I installed the Snow Leopard Graphics Update. Is anybody else getting these problems on their MBPs or MBs? MacBook config details in my sig.
View 4 Replies View RelatedI have a MacPro3,1. It currently runs 10.5.7, and I use it for development. I bought Snow Leopard on Friday, and I'm worried about installing it. I have a flashed Sapphire 4870 card running in addition to my 2600 XT (stock.) I made the BIOS with which I flashed the card using a python script I found on MacRumors.
I know the card works pretty well in 10.5.7. I have Dual-DVI, rotation support, and Quartz Extreme working. Sleep does not work (crashes the machine) but I'm pretty okay with that; I seldom sleep the Mac anyways.
I understand that to get everything working in Snow Leopard, I have to add the device ID to a .kext file that is installed with Snow Leopard.
I've found the device ID in System Profiler on this line:
Device ID:0x9440
Is this the right line to look for a device ID? Should I be looking somewhere else?
Also, on [URL], netkas says "just need to add dev-id into ATI4800Controller.kext." for my kind of card. How do I add the device ID to the kext? I think it goes somewhere in info.plist, but I'm not sure...
Will I still have Dual-DVI? It's very critical that I have it working, so I'd like to make sure before installing the new OS.
Look at [URL] there are some specs about snow leopard and OpenCL (supported video cards)
- NVIDIA Geforce 8600M GT, GeForce 8800 GT, GeForce 8800 GTS, Geforce 9400M, GeForce 9600M GT, GeForce GT 120, GeForce GT 130.
- ATI Radeon 4850, Radeon 4870
Is my GF 8800 GS not supported?
Can SDXC cards be used to transfer picture from onto the snow leopard 10.5.8 mini mac?
Info:
Mac mini, Mac OS X (10.5.8)
Last night I installed Leopard's Graphic Update. I can't boot my macbook since then. Stuck at the gray screen with apple logo. Here's what I already tried to do: Boot with leopard DVD and run Repair Disk - it tells me the disk appears to be ok. If I click on repair permissions tough, it takes a long time and then hangs. Nothing happens, the progress bar even stops spinning.
I then tried to boot with Disk Warrior 4.0 (it's the version I have). I tried reparing disk and files permissions there, and it worked ok. But I can't boot after it as well. Again in Disk Warrior, I tried clicking REBUILD to get my file directory back and retrieve my files, but after some seconds it states there is not enough memory. I hope this is RAM memory, because I just ordered a pair of ram chips, Im gonna upgrade it to 2gb (I only have 512mb ram, first gen intel macbook core duo)
So tried SAFE MODE (shift), nothing. Single user mode, typing fcsk -y , reports the disk is ok, but nothing as well. I have a time machine backup from 11 days ago (apple makes it so easy to backup and I cant even bother plugging in my lacie firewire external hd, retarded me), and for me that's kind of unnaceptable. I go to university and thats 2 weeks worth of priceless annotations, I really need to get them back.
I have Leopard 10.5.4 installed and would like to update my graphics with the new patch. I'm getting this message when I try to install: You cannot install Leopard Graphics Update on this volume. This volume does not meet the requirements for this update.
My system is as follows:
1.8ghz PowerPC G5 (Single Core)
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200
Mac OS X 10.5.4
So if I have a GT 120, and I buy a 4870 of newegg, can I flash it? Also how loud is this card? I used to have a alienware desktop with a GTX 280 and it was loud as all hell. Also can I switch between graphics cards when not gaming?
View 1 Replies View RelatedI'm thinking of getting myself a Mac. I have not decided on much more than this. Well, a few things have been sorted. I'm either going for a MB 13" as a nice little e-mail and surfing companion or I'm getting the next iMac. If I would go for the latter then it would have to serve as a gaming platform as well and preferably for a couple of years.
Since gaming will be a good part of the duties performed by the dear little thing I must ask what we could expect in terms of graphics cards?
I'm aware that Apple often use last generation GC in their computers so a GeForce GT 120M is probably out of the question.
I'm currently working on completely migrating from my PC to my Mac (having kvm switches here and there has got very tiresome and I'm now very much restricted for room.) So I've set up boot camp and I am able to dual boot between OS X and Windows 7. I have two graphics cards currently sat inside the Mac, 1 ATI 4870 which I use with Snow Leopard, and a GTX 280 (which I've pulled from its water cooled environment in my PC) to use in Windows.
Now the problem, I use OS X exclusively for productivity apps like FCS3 and Adobe CS4, and wish to use Windows preliminary for recreation and games, which is where my GTX280 comes in.
Currently I have both cards in the machine, naturally OSX doesn't detect the 280, and I am fine with that. In windows I am able to utilize both cards, Windows detects both cards, installs drivers for them and works no problem running games on either card (preferably the 280 as it's relatively more powerful)
But that's with the aid of an additional PSU to separately power the 280 as the 4870 uses up both of the 6-pin PCI-e sockets on the Mac Pro Logic Board.
My real question is, am I able to buy two 4-pin molex y-splitters (still allowing the power to the DVD ROM drives), and then using the spurs to connect those to a '4-pin molex to 6pin PCI-e connector'; with addition to getting two 6-pin PCI-e Y splitters and connecting the 2 spurs to both the 4870 and the 280 via 6 to 8 pin PCI-e connector? -- Yeah the 280 is a power hugry card!
I've contemplated this myself knowing that the Mac Pro as a rated 1KW PSU, what concerns me is the PSU rails. Even if I can get these connectors to wire up the 280 with the built-in PSU, I don't know if the PSU's rail's will be able to provide the current required.
by following the very active community you have set up for the scene of flashing PC cards to work under OS X I myself bought a 4870 XFX ZWFL & ZWFC 1GB and flashed it.This occurred about one month ago, and since then the card has been working flawlessly, so a big thanks for that.
A very nasty problem occurred after the 10.6.3 update tho, as since then I started having horrible fps's in any application that required 3d acceleration (say, World of Warcraft); down from a rock steady 50-60fps (that easily topped the 120 mark) i can barely get a 30fps after the update.
I checked the other topics, and all of them pointed me into downloading the last version of Zeus and update the drivers, wich I did for every time an update (or fix for a fix) as been released, and tried every time to install both before and after the reboot from the 10.6.3 combo update.
I'm using only one monitor, so I did not encounter any problem concerning dvi ports not working or anything.
I currently have an ATI 4870 card in this Mac Pro (late 2009). I use this rig for heavy Adobe Creative Suite 5 and FCP work. I use dual Apple LED 27" monitors.I'm about to order the 5870 graphics card upgrade from Apple, but before I do, is it possible to run TWO 5870 graphics cards? I am running into conflicting information and trying to get a definitive answer. If yes, do I need additional power cables and if so, which ones?
Alternatively, I've read the 5970 card is essentially two 5870 GPUs on one chip.Will this be a better solution?I also want the cards to be drop and play ready/natively supported. As I rely on this computer for business, I'm not interested in continually chasing down third-party drivers.
why can't we have discrete graphics inside the mac mini? Two reasons. There isn't any space, and there's no way to connect it. To the first we could always mount the card outside the enclosure - I'm sure many of us here are able and willing to sacrifice the time needed to make that look pretty (or even the good looks) in order to get some better frame rates.
View 24 Replies View RelatedSo, its now the 3870 vs. the 8800. As someone who plays games on the Windows and uses iLife '08 on the Mac side (not many games though), which card is looking better?
View 23 Replies View RelatedCurrently I have a GTX 285 in Slot 1, and a GT 120 in Slot 3. Slot 2 is the faster slot, which I would think would benefit the GT 120, but then it's closer to the GTX 285 that leads to overheating concerns. I'm going to run anything graphics intensive on the GTX 285-connected monitor, so any real drawback then to having the GT 120 in Slot 3?
View 4 Replies View RelatedI have a 2008 Mac Pro with a Nvidia GeForce 8800 GT in it. I'm currently running two Dell 24" monitors (at 1920x1080) and I'm looking to add two Dell 21" Monitors to the setup (at 1600x1050).
Do I need to purchase an identical GeForce 8800 GT or can I run a different card for the second paid of monitors?
I'm also planning on running Windows 7 via BootCamp with the same four monitors - are there any potential problems with this?
I'm also having trouble locating Mac specific graphics cards, are there any recommended retailers? Or will I be OK with a 'normal' PCIE graphics card? I'm in the UK btw.
How do I switch the graphics cards in my 15" MBP? Its the current highest end 15" and is there just a application or what. It has the dual graphics cards.
View 3 Replies View RelatedI have a Power Mac G4 AGP Machine and was wondering what is the best graphics card that will go into this machine??I dont it can but im going to ask Are there any HD Graphics cards that will work with it??
View 2 Replies View RelatedI am thinking about buying a used original 2007 Mac Pro. This Mac Pro would not come with a graphics card, so I am obviously responsible for finding one for it. I found a Radeon HD 5770 that I like on Newegg, and want to know if it would work with the Mac Pro. I really can't imagine it not, but don't want to toss a piece of hardware in my new machine that won't work.
Here's the graphics card in question: [URL]...will it work? If not, is my only option for a 5770 the one that is available on the Apple Online Store? What other cards does this Mac Pro support?
Info:
Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.4), Original (2007)
I'd like to start by saying excuse the stupid questions, I'm still very new with using macs. I'm a long time PC user, but I've recently made plans to replace my PC with an iMac. Specifically a 21.5" with an Intel i3 processor. This mac comes with 4gb ram, and a Radeon 5650 HD graphics card.
Now I'm a fairly big gamer, and I like my hardware to be as high-end and up-to-date as possible. If I were to plan on upgrading the graphics card, ram, and processor, could this be easily done at home?
I'm asking because of the unusual structure of the iMac. i.e. the lack of tower, and all the hardware being merged with the screen. I'm assuming it would be a lot easier on a mac pro because it actually has a tower that I can easily open/customize.
Lastly, granted that the above is possible, are the generic graphics cards, processor, and ram chips compatible with iMacs? Or would I need to buy a special iMac compatible version from an Apple specialist shop?
Several manufacturers have tried to produce external graphics card boxes to connect to your laptop. Most have given up, but it seems the only real barrier is bandwidth.
MSI have this: http://www.tomshardware.com/news/Gra...nal,10527.html
using the Expresscard 34 (max 2.5Gpbs) and say they will switch to USB 3 (4.8Gbps) when it goes mainstream.
Do you think 4.8Gbps is enough to make connecting high end external graphics cards to your laptop a possibility?
I am about to purchase a Mac Pro, and I saw the rumor about the new ATI Radeon 3870 coming for the Mac Pro in late May.
I had a few questions about it and Mac Pro graphics cards in general. First, will this card be available as an optional upgrade when configuring a Mac Pro from the Apple Store? Is that usually how it goes?
Secondly, I'm a video editor planning to use this Mac Pro primarily for Final Cut Studio and After Effects. It seems to have been indicated that ATI cards are better for this sort of work, versus the 8800GT they off right now.
Do these programs gain significant benefit from using ATI or is it more unsubstantial?
The other question I have is whether or not these cards would be recommended for use with the Avid product line (namely Avid Xpress Pro or Media Composer). It seems that Avid only will certify NVidia graphics cards, as it has with the 8800GT. I also am aware that Avid is not compatible with Leopard just yet, but will be in the near future.
So does anyone know if Avid performs well (or at all) with the ATI cards? Would the overall performance increase of ATI over NVidia be enough to take a chance with compatability issues?
My primary concern is whether or not uMBP users will ever be able to switch the graphics cards without logging out every time? I remember hearing that it was a software issue, does that mean that it might be supported in Snow Leopard?
View 4 Replies View RelatedI have a 2011 Macbook Pro, quad core, RAM maxed at 16gb, 250 SSD, and SSHD to replace optical drive, but wanted to know if there was a way to add an external graphics card via Thunderbolt for more screens and faster work in VIDEO editing on-the-go?!?!
I DO have a 2006 Mac Pro that I've also maxed out and it's STILL a BEAST and i love using it... but wanted to see how i could increase my macbook pro too, seeing it can run mavericks and ALL my adobe CC apps too.
Info:
MacBook Pro, OS X Mavericks (10.9.3)
I may have sold a PC user on buying a mac and she's interested in the MBP. I noticed that some models of the MPB have a "NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB" while others have the "NVIDIA GeForce 9400M." Are either of these integrated graphics? And what is the advantage of the models with "NVIDIA GeForce 9400M + 9600M GT with 512MB?" That sounds to me like it has two video boards. Why would Apple do this? And is there a big difference in video processing power between the models with one video board and two?
View 2 Replies View RelatedHas anybody upgraded their Mac Pro's stock graphics card to the NVIDIA card?
Does it make a big difference?
I'm playing way to much X3 Reunion at the moment, and I've noticed that the graphics on the PC screenshots look a lot better than what my Mac Pro produces. I don't know if it's a Cider thing, or simply down to the stock graphics card in the Mac Pro being a bit pants?
