which non apple graphic card in mac pro 3,1 to use with fcp7-fcp x-premiere?

R

robfilms

Veteran
which non apple graphic card in mac pro 3,1 to use with fcp7-fcp x-premiere?

i'm running a mac pro 3,1/10.6.8/with stock gt8800/512 graphics card.

i'm hoping to eek out a bit more life from this mac pro by upgrading the graphics card.

by upgrading to mavericks (or mountain lion), i can access non-apple graphic cards but lose the boot-up screen.

but i'm unsure of which graphic card will fit/work/be effective in my mac pro.

it has been recommend to me the EVGA GeForce GTX 660 2GB Graphic Card:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130826

any thoughts on the above card?

any other cards that might be a better solution?

i welcome any and all thoughts.

thank you in advance.

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions/nyc
 
We have the same machine (3.1) and updated to Mavericks. Upgraded, bought a used nvidia gtx 680 and running two Dell U2713H 27" (one I bought from this forum). Got that gtx680 card for $280 earlier this year--and has been great for editing with Adobe suite CS6 (Premiere, AE). I've also just recently swapped/installed a ssd for the startup/scratch disc. It's an old machine, but kicks butt over an i7 27" iMac we also have :./

It's also just running on 16gb ram. Wish ram for these machines were cheaper, but even with only 16gb--it's a great work horse!
 
Last edited:
reygun said:
We have the same machine (3.1) and updated to Mavericks. Upgraded, bought a used nvidia gtx 680 and running two Dell U2713H 27" (one I bought from this forum). Got that gtx680 card for $280 earlier this year--and has been great for editing with Adobe suite CS6 (Premiere, AE). I've also just recently swapped/installed a ssd for the startup/scratch disc. It's an old machine, but kicks butt over an i7 27" iMac we also have :./

It's also just running on 16gb ram. Wish ram for these machines were cheaper, but even with only 16gb--it's a great work horse!
Click to expand...

reygun-

thanks for the thoughtful reply.

in installing, how did you handle the power requirements of the card in the older mac pro?

you managed to just plug into the mac pro power supply?

did you have to purchase a 2nd power supply cable?

any other configurations i need to know about?

thanks in advance for any additional info you can offer.

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions/nyc
 
robfilms said:
reygun-

thanks for the thoughtful reply.

in installing, how did you handle the power requirements of the card in the older mac pro?

you managed to just plug into the mac pro power supply?

did you have to purchase a 2nd power supply cable?

any other configurations i need to know about?

thanks in advance for any additional info you can offer.

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions/nyc
Click to expand...

Rob,
you're correct about the power requirements of upgraded cards. The 3.1 main board has a built-in power supply (actually two outlets on the main board) of which you will need to utilize. It's an easy, and cheap add-on (requiring two) of these power cables http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Apple-M...S_Power_Cables_Connectors&hash=item3f1f9b978e

No other configuration needed...just plug and play, or work... :D

I'll actually be cleaning her out (pretty dusty) maybe this weekend, and take some pics opened up. I'll post up the pics when I do.

Best,
Ed
 
With my 3,1 I am using 10.7 Lion and a Quadro 4000 for Mac. Seems to work well. It is a hot card, though.
I imagine going with a newer OS so you can use non-mac cards would work fine but I don't know if there are any issues. Might check the mac forum too
 
I put in a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 570 a couple years ago, and it's been great. Probably newer faster cards out there now.
A lot of the cards will boot up starting with a grey screen for 20 seconds or so instead of the happy mac logo. A little scary the first time, but you get used to it.
 
reygun said:
Rob,
you're correct about the power requirements of upgraded cards. The 3.1 main board has a built-in power supply (actually two outlets on the main board) of which you will need to utilize. It's an easy, and cheap add-on (requiring two) of these power cables http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Apple-M...S_Power_Cables_Connectors&hash=item3f1f9b978e

No other configuration needed...just plug and play, or work... :D


I'll actually be cleaning her out (pretty dusty) maybe this weekend, and take some pics opened up. I'll post up the pics when I do.

Best,
Ed
Click to expand...

ed-

thanks for the link on the power cable.

i just ordered via ebay.

now i need to buy the darn evga gtx660 and move the mac pro 3,1 to mavericks!

i will update the thread when i get everything together.

be well.

rob
smalltalk productions/nyc
 
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