Mac Pro - FYI: On 1st generation nVidia 8800 GT

Erexxx · Erexxx #1 (**permalink**)

06-14-2008, 02:53 PM

Just installed a nVidia 8800 GT video card in my 1st gen Mac Pro 2.6 Ghz. All I have to say is WOW. What an improvement! All scores are up and games run effortlessly at 1600x1200 or 1920x1200 with Win XP. The Windows Vista performance rating went from 4.2 to 5.9. The computer runs quite a bit faster with this card and as an added plus I can modulate the cards cooling fan with Riva tuner. The upgrade to install this card took all of ten minutes. If you use the computer for Leopard applications I didn't see any improvements when using the OS. Althought I admittedly don't use the OS for much more than adjusting the computer's fan speeds and computer maintenance.

tmilz · tmilz #2 (**permalink**)

07-20-2008, 08:53 AM

Thank you for your post.

The Apple website says that the video card uses 1 auxiliary power cable. I am assuming this is a pigtail off of the main power supply within the Mac Pro. When I look inside my Mac Pro (1st gen., early 2008), I don't see any power cables - Apple has them well routed somewhere within the box, or just doesn't make them available.

Did you run into problems with this?

P.S. - if I go with the Quadro FX 5600 - the website says I need two power cables...

Thanks!

bryphotoguy · bryphotoguy #3 (**permalink**)

07-20-2008, 05:14 PM

There is a little cable that goes from the video card to the logic board. It's not more than 2 inches.

tmilz · tmilz #4 (**permalink**)

07-20-2008, 08:35 PM

Excellent - doesn't sound like a problem...thanks much...time to order!

bryphotoguy · bryphotoguy #5 (**permalink**)

07-20-2008, 08:49 PM

Make sure you get that cable.

tmilz · tmilz #6 (**permalink**)

07-21-2008, 04:36 PM

So I take it that means it doesn't come in the video card packaging. Do Apple Stores sell it?

bryphotoguy · bryphotoguy #7 (**permalink**)

07-21-2008, 05:06 PM

I don't know. I would hope so.

Erexxx #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Jan 27, 2008 Posts: 9	06-14-2008, 02:53 PM Just installed a nVidia 8800 GT video card in my 1st gen Mac Pro 2.6 Ghz. All I have to say is WOW. What an improvement! All scores are up and games run effortlessly at 1600x1200 or 1920x1200 with Win XP. The Windows Vista performance rating went from 4.2 to 5.9. The computer runs quite a bit faster with this card and as an added plus I can modulate the cards cooling fan with Riva tuner. The upgrade to install this card took all of ten minutes. If you use the computer for Leopard applications I didn't see any improvements when using the OS. Althought I admittedly don't use the OS for much more than adjusting the computer's fan speeds and computer maintenance. Last edited by Erexxx; 06-14-2008 at 02:59 PM.
	QUOTE Thanks

bryphotoguy #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 02, 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,978 Mac Specs: Quad 2.8GHz Mac Pro, Edge iPhone	07-20-2008, 08:49 PM Make sure you get that cable. January 2008 Member of the Month
	QUOTE Thanks

bryphotoguy #7 (permalink)
Member Since: Feb 02, 2007 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 3,978 Mac Specs: Quad 2.8GHz Mac Pro, Edge iPhone	07-21-2008, 05:06 PM I don't know. I would hope so. January 2008 Member of the Month
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tmilz #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 20, 2008 Posts: 3	07-20-2008, 08:53 AM Thank you for your post. The Apple website says that the video card uses 1 auxiliary power cable. I am assuming this is a pigtail off of the main power supply within the Mac Pro. When I look inside my Mac Pro (1st gen., early 2008), I don't see any power cables - Apple has them well routed somewhere within the box, or just doesn't make them available. Did you run into problems with this? P.S. - if I go with the Quadro FX 5600 - the website says I need two power cables... Thanks!
	QUOTE Thanks

tmilz #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 20, 2008 Posts: 3	07-20-2008, 08:35 PM Excellent - doesn't sound like a problem...thanks much...time to order!
	QUOTE Thanks

tmilz #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Jul 20, 2008 Posts: 3	07-21-2008, 04:36 PM So I take it that means it doesn't come in the video card packaging. Do Apple Stores sell it?
	QUOTE Thanks

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