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 RepliesHow can I tell when the Nvidia is in use and how can I change it?
View 2 Replies View RelatedApparently there's a utility called gfxCardStatus that shows you if your 2010 i5/i7 MBP is using integrated graphics or discrete graphics and now allows you to switch between them at will.The feature is experimental, as the site stresses, but it seems stable enough if you only wish to use it once in a while as I did. (I tested a game that didn't trigger the discrete graphics with the discrete graphics forced on) If you can't wait for Apple to get their game on I suggest using it.
View 3 Replies View RelatedHow can I tell?
24" 3.06
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GS
Late 2008 I think?
BTW, the reason I am asking is because I am interested in this new Steam software that Valve is putting out and I want to know how well my Mac will do with the games.
I researched on the internet on how to stop the discrete graphics from unnecessarily being switched into use.
From this site [url]... i found that if i typed in the key in the info.plist in the package contents of the application, the application would stop switching the discrete graphics on.
MPBr, 15", Early 2013 with dual graphics (Intel HD Graphics and AMD Radeon)
Running Maverics 10.9.3
What is happening:
1. Machine doesn't switch to AMD graphics no matter whatever app is running. In activity monitor even if some apps say "Requires High Perf GPU", the graphics card being used is still "Integrated".
2. Connecting to an external display via thunderbolt or HDMI doesn't work (external display doesn't turn on) either as it required discrete graphics too.
3. After a reboot (at what time I believe machine tries to use discrete graphics card), the display is always blank. Even the Apple logo on back of lid is turned off. Only way to get the display back is to close the lid and open it after 10 ~ 15 seconds at which time it probably switch back to integrated and comes alive.
What I have tried:
1. Reset PRAM.
2. Reset SMC.
3. Tried gfxCardStatus [URL] to no avail. If I manually switch to discrete card, gfxCardStatus checkmark say it has switched, but it doesn't.
4. Tried booting into hardware diagnosis (pressing D while booting) but was unable to get the screen turned on to proceed.
What's the likelihood that Apple could update the 13" Pro with a more powerful discrete graphics card like the 9800 GT or 260M GTX? That would enough for me to buy the 13" MBP!
View 24 Replies View RelatedDoes the 9600 discrete graphics work in windows or does it use the 9400 in windows.
View 3 Replies View RelatedSorry for the incredibly stupid question, but I just got the gfxCardStatus application for my i5, and was wondering whether turning on the NVIDIA video card will make applications like Mail, Firefox, etc. faster?
I read something about OpenCL, but am not really sure whether it works for all applications.
I find that turning on the NVIDIA card, instead of using the integrated Intel one, makes my laptop hotter.
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.
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.
So, 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)
Apple has been kind enough to replace my few week old iMac i7 with a new, refreshed model.I've heard that the graphics in the new iMac are discrete and separate from the motherboard.Does this mean the graphics card will be replaceable, albeit in a rather clumsy way?
View 4 Replies View RelatedI 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?
I have been trying to determine if NVIDIA is planning on offering the 7800 series for the PowerMac G5, but have been unable to find any information on my seareches so far. Does anyone know if this is or will be the case shortly?
View 11 Replies View Relatedit appears my graphics card on my old iMac G5 is toast. I took it to the Apple Store and they said they'd have to replace the whole logic board for around $680. After searching around this forum, that does appear to be the only fix. My question is this: is the graphics card on the newer iMacs soldered into place as it was in the older iMacs (G5 and I believe the first gen Intels as well)? Because, if so, that is really lame and may affect my computer replacement decision.
View 8 Replies View RelatedI'm interested in seeing how many of the people that own a unibody Macbook Pro switch graphic cards on a regular basis. I know when the unibody Macbook Pros came out people were complaining that switching graphics cards required logging out. Is this still an issue or do most people stick with one? I just switched to the 9600M after being on the 9400M for about two months as I needed the extra power and battery life wasn't an issue.
View 24 Replies View Related