Graphics Card Installing Problems

Finally got around to upgrading my graphics card on my 2009 Mac Pro, need advice on installing.

I'm upgrading from the original NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 512 MB to a AMD ATI Radeon 6870.

Tried installing straight of the bat removing the original card then installing the new Radeon plugging in the two PCi cables.

My two monitors wouldn't operate, one time one monitor came on with the loading screen but went no further. Need some help an advice to get the new card working.

Early 09 Mac Pro
2.66 GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon
OS - 10.8.4.

Thanks

ArtistTim said:

I'm upgrading from the original NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 512 MB to a AMD ATI Radeon 6870.

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Is this a Macintosh video card? If not...that why it's not working. You cannot just plug a Windows computer video card into a Mac Pro and expect it to work.

- Nick

Hi, yeah defiantly the Mac Pro version, was specifically designed for the Pro's 2008+, wouldn't have bought it else.
I didn't get an installation disc, one was released for 10.7.3 - 10.8.2 currently hunting where I can get a hold of one. Doing many searches and talking to the vendor I bought it from.
If anyone out there has done something similar any advice, any troubleshooting I need to be aware of.

ArtistTim said:

Hi, yeah defiantly the Mac Pro version, was specifically designed for the Pro's 2008+, wouldn't have bought it else.

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Ok...good deal! You would be surprised how many folks think that they can just "pop" a Windows card into a Mac Pro & think that it will work.

ArtistTim said:

I didn't get an installation disc, one was released for 10.7.3 - 10.8.2 currently hunting where I can get a hold of one.

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What sort of installation disk are you talking about? Usually Mac video cards are Plug & Play. But if there are specific drivers (or software) for the video card...it should most definitely be available from the manufacturers website.

- Nick

This information was found on a site which showed how to install that card:

BlackKnight6667 1 year ago
I had a 2008 and it won't work, the 2008 still uses the 32 bit bios, you can use a 64 bit os, but the kernal is 32. these cards requeste a 64 bit kernal for use on a Mac Pro (late 2009) minimum...

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According to what I read, that card is not compatible with your Mac Pro. Maybe Nick can provide more information about what the above response is referring to?

chscag said:

According to what I read, that card is not compatible with your Mac Pro. Maybe Nick can provide more information about what the above response is referring to?

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I asked OP if this was a Macintosh video card in post#2 . And I was responding to OP's response in post #3...where OP mentioned that the card is the Mac Pro version (I'm trusting that the OP knows what the deal is).

I am not familiar with this Mac Pro video card (Radeon 6870). OWC doesn't sell it...so I have my doubts that it's a Mac card. Probably a flashed Windows card.

- Nick

I think you're right Nick. The guy in the article I read stated that the 2008 Mac Pro was 32bit and that particular card would only work in a 64 bit system, in other words the Mac Pro 2009 model and later.

Hi,
Thanks for all the input, I got a reply from the vendor saying the card should be all right with 10.8.4.

My attention was turning to the monitors, but maybe it is the video card, maybe it just wont work in my machine.

Here is the details of my computer,
Model Name: Mac Pro
Model Identifier: MacPro4,1
Processor Name: Quad-Core Intel Xeon
Processor Speed: 2.66 GHz
Number of Processors: 1
Total Number of Cores: 4
L2 Cache (per Core): 256 KB
L3 Cache: 8 MB
Memory: 10 GB
Processor Interconnect Speed: 4.8 GT/s
Boot ROM Version: MP41.0081.B07
SMC Version (system): 1.39f5
SMC Version (processor tray): 1.39f5

Graphics

NVIDIA GeForce GT 120:

Chipset Model: NVIDIA GeForce GT 120
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
Slot: Slot-1
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 512 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x0640
Revision ID: 0x00a1
ROM Revision: 3386
Displays:
SyncMaster:
Resolution: 1600 x 900 @ 60 Hz
Display Serial Number: H9XS303804
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Rotation: Supported
SyncMaster:
Resolution: 1600 x 900 @ 60 Hz
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
Rotation: Supported

By the looks of things it could be a 32bit/64bit thing. Reading the spec of the card I bought it failed to mention this. It is looking likely that this card wont work in my system can anyone recommend a good card for my computer which doesn't cost no more than £200, and is a good step up from the GT120. I mainly use my computer for video editing and some digital editing.

Does the ATI Radeon 5770 HD work on 32bit?