We are running MC 8.8 on a 2010 Mac Pro 5,1 2x2.66 Ghz 6-core with 64mb internal memory using a Radeon 5870 which has failed. Since we were hoping to upgrade the graphics card anyway, are there any recommendations anyone might have for graphics cards that will increase performance and work with our system? Thanks
Avid doesn't take advantage of the graphics card. Only Resolve and Adobe do. So if you only use Avid, than any GPU designed for the mac will work.
I have the same 2010 12-core and replaced the graphics card last year. I installed a NVIDIA Quadro K5000 and couldn't be happier. The biggest advantage for me was the huge increase in speed when encoding with Adobe Media Encoder. The GPU is recognized by Media Composer but I don't really notice much difference when using Media Composer. It was definitely on the pricey side, but I do so much encoding it was well worth it for that alone compared to the old stock Apple card.
We bought the Sapphire HD 7950. I know that GPU support on Macs is slowly developing; I do see a difference when transcoding RED footage, which does take advantage of the GPU.
-- Kevin
Get a MSI or Gigabyte R9 280X, it's essentially a rebadged 7970 - almost the same card as in the Trashcan Mac Pro.
It won't have a boot screen out of the box, but if you're a bit tech savvy, it's easy to reflash it with a Mac ROM. Then it behaves exactly as a Mac card, with built-in drivers.
@dnext: a couple leads:
1. MacVidCards.com
2. https://eshop.macsales.com/item/Sapphire/100352MAC2/
Worth mentioning again: like Shane said, Media Composer doesn't use the GPU. Only certain plugins do. Since you're replacing it out of necessity, you need something. Definitely worth keeping this Mac Pro alive.
Workflow Architect at Hedge.
Ask me about Mimiq and Mimiq Pro!
I went with a flea-bay 980TI that had been mac flashed. It's about as fast as you can get without going full Titan.
Thanks to everyone for the advice. Much appreciated.
© Copyright 2011 Avid Technology, Inc. Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Site Map | Find a Reseller