Installing ATI Graphics Card in Mac Pro

[durangotang]

Hello,

I just tried to install a Radeon 4870 graphics card in my Mac Pro 3.1. I got the card for cheap on craigslist because it didn't have any power cables. I googled some youtube videos on how to install such video cards. The card has two pci 6 pin power cable slots. One of the videos on youtube said you only needed one cable so I bought one, plugged everything in, but when I start the computer, I don't get an image on my monitor. I just get this half black image with some black/white checkerboard things on the bottom. I have attached an image of the screen. Any ideas on what I should do? Get another PCIe power cable and plug in both power ports?

Thanks!
Mickey

 

[chscag]

Are you sure that the ATI Radeon 4870 is the Mac version? Getting a card like that cheap from Craig's List makes me think that's it's either a PC card or has been re-programmed (flashed).

 

[durangotang]

well, I'm not really sure but the guy I bought it from was a serious computer guy and he said it was a Mac card. I didn't get the vibe from him that he was screwing me over. is there a way for me to check?

 

[chscag]

Really no way to tell unless you can't get that card working right.... The reason I stated what I did is because we have had a lot of folks disappointed in trying to get a flashed PC card to work in their Mac Pro. Mac factory programmed video cards are about twice as expensive as their PC cousins.

 

[pigoo3]

well, I'm not really sure but the guy I bought it from was a serious computer guy and he said it was a Mac card.

I know plenty of "serious" computer guys that know nothing about Macintosh computers!

I didn't get the vibe from him that he was screwing me over.

Most folks that get ripped off...don't realize it WHILE they are being ripped off. If folks knew that they were getting ripped off during the actual process...then if they were smart...they wouldn't go thru with the deal (just walk away).

is there a way for me to check?

I don't know if there is an easy way to check...but one way to possibly know is by how much you paid for it. Macintosh video cards are not cheap...even used ones...especially the ones that fit into a Mac Pro.

Here are a couple Radeon 4870's for sale on e-Bay. The first one is NOT a Mac 4870 (see the ports)...the 2nd IS a Mac 4870 ($155 "Buy It Now").

Apple ATI Radeon HD 4870 MB999Z A 512 MB GDDR5 SDRAM PCI Express 2 0 0885909300525 | eBay

Apple MC742ZM A ATI Radeon HD 4870 Graphics for Mac Pro Customer Return * 0885909430956 | eBay

One way to VERY EASILY tell if it's NOT a Macintosh version of a video card is if it has either a VGA port or an "s-video" port on it. As far as I know...no recent mainstream video card for a Mac Pro has had a VGA port on it...and I'm pretty darn sure none of them had an "s-video" port on it.

I believe the proper ports on a Radeon 4870 Macintosh version is that it should have one DVI port...and one mini-display port.

Bottom line is...if you paid much less than say about $125 for it...it's probably a Windows card (especially if you paid a lot less).

- Nick

 

[techiesteve]

Apple ATI Radeon HD 4870 MB999Z A 512 MB GDDR5 SDRAM PCI Express 2 0 0885909300525 | eBay

Apple MC742ZM A ATI Radeon HD 4870 Graphics for Mac Pro Customer Return * 0885909430956 | eBay

One way to VERY EASILY tell if it's NOT a Macintosh version of a video card is if it has either a VGA port or an "s-video" port on it. As far as I know...no recent mainstream video card for a Mac Pro has had a VGA port on it...and I'm pretty darn sure none of them had an "s-video" port on it.

I believe the proper ports on a Radeon 4870 Macintosh version is that it should have one DVI port...and one mini-display port.

Bottom line is...if you paid much less than say about $125 for it...it's probably a Windows card (especially if you paid a lot less).

- Nick

Dead right. I've fitted a few HD 4870's in Mac Pro's recently, for compatibility with when they have been upgraded to FCP X. The bottom eBay listing shows the correct card, the top listing pictures are not of the Mac HD 4870.

 

[pigoo3]

Dead right. I've fitted a few HD 4870's in Mac Pro's recently, for compatibility with when they have been upgraded to FCP X. The bottom eBay listing shows the correct card, the top listing pictures are not of the Mac HD 4870.

Back when I had a 2009 Mac Pro...and I was shopping for a video card to upgrade to...I noticed that many of the Windows versions of the cards had a VGA or S-video port...which the Mac versions never have.

Not sure if you noticed it. But with the first e-Bay link (not a Mac 4870)...the seller doesn't even mention that it's NOT a Mac 4870...and it's most certainly a "flashed" Windows card.

- Nick