NVIDIA Quadro 4000 rebooting my Mac Pro (mid-2010)

[=MikeMike=]

Hello All,

I apologize if I'm posting this in the wrong section.

I recently decided to upgrade my 2010 Mac Pro's video card. I read in the forums that I could purchase an INVIDIA Quadro 4000 for MAC. I downloaded the drivers and installed both cards with appropriate power cables. It boots up. However, after 2-3 minutes it shuts down completely and reboots again. It keeps repeating the process. I saw something online about CUDA drivers, I installed them. I have also made sure that the box checked for reboot on power failures is not checked. I also heard that I may need SLI adapters to connect the cards. I'm wondering if that could cause the rebooting or if I need to upgrade the power supply.

Can anyone PLEASE offer some advice how to fix this? I'd really like to use the upgraded video cards. Thanks

 

[lclev]

I sounds like a power supply issue. The Quadro 4000 card needs 142 watts to run which means supplemental power cables. Are you running dual cards - because you mention SLI connectors which are only used on identical cards to connect them.

You may need to do some troubleshooting. Does the MP run with the old video card? Has the rebooting started with the new card(s)? Are you using dual video cards that are both needing supplemental power cables from the power supply? If you only install one card does the rebooting stop?

I run a Nvidia GTX 1080 in my MP 2010. I have also left the original GT120 card in it for the times OS X is updated and the Nvidia drives are a day or two behind in updating. But the GT120 only requires power from the PCI slot and no other cables. The GTX 1080 needs two 6 pin cables for additional power. I have not needed to upgrade my original power supply.

Lisa

 

[=MikeMike=]

I sounds like a power supply issue. The Quadro 4000 card needs 142 watts to run which means supplemental power cables. Are you running dual cards - because you mention SLI connectors which are only used on identical cards to connect them.

You may need to do some troubleshooting. Does the MP run with the old video card? Has the rebooting started with the new card(s)? Are you using dual video cards that are both needing supplemental power cables from the power supply? If you only install one card does the rebooting stop?

I run a Nvidia GTX 1080 in my MP 2010. I have also left the original GT120 card in it for the times OS X is updated and the Nvidia drives are a day or two behind in updating. But the GT120 only requires power from the PCI slot and no other cables. The GTX 1080 needs two 6 pin cables for additional power. I have not needed to upgrade my original power supply.

Lisa

Hello, Thank you for responding.

I tried using supplemental power cables,1 cable per card. I did not try using one card at a time. That seems like a good idea.

I noticed you said 2 cables. In your opinion, do you think that's 2 cables per card or 1 cable for each card. There is also a small 4 pin connector on the side that I never tried. Sounds like I may need to go cable hunting.

 

[=MikeMike=]

I just realized that the side connector is for PCI-E which I don't think I need. So I'm guessing it's 1 cable per card.

 

[lclev]

From what I have read the card needs just one 6 pin cable. From what I am reading the NVIDIA Quadro 4000 does not support SLI. I am not sure what the connector at the top of the card is for as it looks like one for SLI.

Truthfully if you only need one 6-pin cable for each card your power supply should run both. I would try running one card at a time and if one card works switch them and see if both will run one at a time. If that works then try both and if the same problem occurs I would say your power supply can not handle them. I would guess the PS is getting weak.

As I said I have a card that needs 2-6 pins and I have also left the GT 120 in with no issues. There is a possibility your two cards are right on the edge with what your PS can handle. You don't say if you are running dual CPUs which pulls more power. I run dual so that adds additional power needs on my PS.

Lisa

 

[=MikeMike=]

From what I have read the card needs just one 6 pin cable. From what I am reading the NVIDIA Quadro 4000 does not support SLI. I am not sure what the connector at the top of the card is for as it looks like one for SLI.

Truthfully if you only need one 6-pin cable for each card your power supply should run both. I would try running one card at a time and if one card works switch them and see if both will run one at a time. If that works then try both and if the same problem occurs I would say your power supply can not handle them. I would guess the PS is getting weak.

As I said I have a card that needs 2-6 pins and I have also left the GT 120 in with no issues. There is a possibility your two cards are right on the edge with what your PS can handle. You don't say if you are running dual CPUs which pulls more power. I run dual so that adds additional power needs on my PS.

Lisa

Thanks for all the input Lisa. I ordered 2 new cables today. I'll try your suggestion as soon as they come in and follow back up with you. I had to use my other cables for a customer's computer so I am temporarily on hold.

 

[lclev]

Okay - I thought only I did that! Let me know what you figure out.

Lisa

 

[=MikeMike=]

Okay - I thought only I did that! Let me know what you figure out.

Lisa

haha. Did I say that out loud? : )

 

[lclev]

BTW: I hope you have seen the notice that they are shutting down this forum. The admins and mods are in the process of creating a new forum at mac-forums.org but it will be a while getting it set up. Until then if the forum should shut down we have a temp meeting place set up on facebook. It is a closed group. The info on how to get in the FB group or on an email list that Slydude (one of the mods) is working on can be found here:

http://www.mac-forums.com/news-and-community-announcements/344718-life-mac-forums-com.html

Lisa

 

[=MikeMike=]

Hey Lisa,

You'll never guess what happened... my MP power supply died. Yeah, I know, nobody has better luck than me.

Anyways, so I did try each card one at a time. They both work by themselves. However, when I add them together it's doing the reboot thing still. Forgot to mention, I am running dual monitors.

I think I may sell them on eBay and see if I can find something better.

 

[lclev]

I thought the PS was weak - now it looks like you have the answer. I have a Nvidia GTX 1080 with flashed for EFI boot from MacVidCards.com in mine and run dual monitors. It avoids the SLI setup fun. I use it for a ton of video work so I need the ability to render on the fly when I am scrubbing video.

I have never been that impresses with the Quadro line mainly because I think they are over priced. I had one that I used in a Windows computer - I don't remember the model number. I ended up replacing it with a GTX 970 and I like it better.

I would pick up a new power supply and try the cards first before I sold them. They are not bad cards. Oh, and bad luck? Sometimes I think my name is listed next to the definition in the dictionary....

Lisa

 

[=MikeMike=]

I thought the PS was weak - now it looks like you have the answer. I have a Nvidia GTX 1080 with flashed for EFI boot from MacVidCards.com in mine and run dual monitors. It avoids the SLI setup fun. I use it for a ton of video work so I need the ability to render on the fly when I am scrubbing video.

I have never been that impresses with the Quadro line mainly because I think they are over priced. I had one that I used in a Windows computer - I don't remember the model number. I ended up replacing it with a GTX 970 and I like it better.

I would pick up a new power supply and try the cards first before I sold them. They are not bad cards. Oh, and bad luck? Sometimes I think my name is listed next to the definition in the dictionary....

Lisa

haha.

I already installed the new power supply it was still rebooting. I just ordered an adapter so I can try and run both monitors off of one card. That will be my Alamo. If both monitors won't run, I'll go pick something else up. Way too much time trying to get them to work. The only good part about that bad cards was chatting with you. haha. I'll keep you in the loop.

 

[lclev]

Ouch, I missed you had replaced the PS. Let me know what you come up with. It can be a challenge getting these "old silver girls" running but when they do they are real powerhouse workhorses.

Lisa

 

[Slydude]

Oh, and bad luck? Sometimes I think my name is listed next to the definition in the dictionary....

Lisa

Sorry but I currently occupy that spot. I thought I saw you standing in the line somewhere behind me.You're welcome to the spot any time you want it.

 

[harryb2448]

Watched your post for a while and wonder if the Quadro is a PC card running natively, a flashed PC card, or the Mac version. On other forums users recommend flashing a PC card for use on a Mac Pro. Will see if I can post a forum suggestion below.

The card is designed for Windows Professional Software and nVida's speil suggest it is the ideal card for use with BootCamp, but all this was some six or seven years ago when the card was released. nVidia's sales ad sure shows a power cables from the side of the card.


http://www.nvidia.com/object/product-quadro-4000-mac-us.html


https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-pro-1-1-nvidia-quadro-4000.2078195/

 

[=MikeMike=]

Thanks for everyone helping out. Sorry for taking so long to get back to you guys.

I did manage to get one card working with both monitors. Not sure if this was the best way, but for me it seems to be working fine for now. Soo, I'm happy. Now, I just need to create a new problem to work on. : ).

Lisa, thanks again for all the initial troubleshooting help. : )

 

[lclev]

Glad at least one worked out. Thanks for letting us know.

Lisa