Video card replacement

Noel Evans

Noel Evans

Mod V3 New and Improved
Staff member
Ive asked similar questions in the past, but now its imperative.

My vid card is having some problems, weird artifacts, not displaying correctly, and some other strange things going on so I must replace it.

At this point in time, what are my options? I have a 2007 mac pro, Intel Quad 3Ghz. Do I just replace the x1900 with the same?
 
I just found this

"By the way, the Radeon HD 2600 XT kit will work on the older Mac Pros as well as the new one (thanks to having both a 32-bit and 64-bit EFI driver in the ROM). Search on "MB198Z/A" when you visit Apple Store USA "

Is this an upgrade of the 1900?
 
I assume you didn't get applecare? I had the same thing happen to my identical 07 Mac Pro. It ended up being the logic board and apple sent me a new one. It could be a memory issue too though?

Australia...its beautiful there. I was in Sydney in July.
 
hanz221 said:
I assume you didn't get applecare? I had the same thing happen to my identical 07 Mac Pro. It ended up being the logic board and apple sent me a new one. It could be a memory issue too though?

Australia...its beautiful there. I was in Sydney in July.
Click to expand...

Cheers mate. Go see the Australia movie! :p

I have tested the vid card as the culprit, swapped Radeon with the original 7300 that I bought it with and all is fine - just that the 7300 chokes.

Happy to see so many options now for upgrade thats for sure.
 
David S. said:
ATI 3870 is a great card for early MacPros.
Click to expand...

David, thats where my research has led me. On the 07 mac pros, this is the best card to get from the current cards that work. Even out performing the Nvidia 8800 on an 08 core comparison with an 07 mac pro core and the 3870 for render times in motion.

Also, suprised to find that Im just one of many people whose x1900 has died. Apparently over a period of 12 months use many people had the same issues as me. Not to mention the older x1900 is also more expensive than the newer cards.

So after a lot of reading, its the 3870. Hope that saves some others from having to go searching for a few hours to find the best option.
 
Here's a suggestion. Go to the link I provided below (Mac Sales) and then click the link that says: Find what's right for any Mac. Select your Mac from the list and then whatever category you want and you should get some decent results.

http://www.macsales.com/

I am kinda in the same boat except I want to add some Fx Factory plugins and a particular product requires certain graphic cards for it to work correctly. According to the list on their website, my current card is outdated in my Powermac G5. So Since I do a lot of video editing work, I want to upgrade my graphics card. Is this something that is a simple install that I can do or is it complicated and would need to take my computer to a shop and have them install it? If it is as easy as popping out the cover on the back of the tower and plugging the board in that I can handle that with no problem! LOL!
 
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Noel --

CALL APPLE SUPPORT!!!!!

CALL APPLE SUPPORT!!!!!

The x1900 was a flawed card and you can get a free one from apple. Tell them the issues you are having and if necessary, tell them you know about the replacement plan.

Same thing happened to my card. Had a new one in 24 hours.

Good luck,

CaptM
 
Capt. by replacement I gather another X1900? If so I think Id prefer the upgrade anyway. Other thing is this mac is travelled (bought in Japan) - not sure if the warranty is global but wont hurt to ask.
 
Wasn't any warranty issue. Mine was out of warranty and they replaced it. I'd get it anyway if you can... you can always trade it in or sell it.

But yes... upgrade when you can anyway.

Good luck,

CaptM
 
As I told shooter just awhile ago, take a few minutes and check out http://everymac.com they have the best info on all macs, including possible upgrades in all categories. While they do have advertisers, they are not sellers of anything so have no conflict of interest .

Ken
 
Just an update. Got the new 3870 in and it works very well. Ive seen a good improvement. SO well worth it.

Captain, Apple are replacing the x1900, and I have already found someone who wants to buy it. All in all its worked out as a cheap upgrade.
 
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