Need advice on upgrading Mac OS and Graphics card!

[ZachEgan]

I'd like to upgrade my Mac OS so that I can download newer versions of audio editing software for work. It looks like I need to upgrade to Mac OSx Catalina 10.15.7 at a minimum but I think I'd like to go higher if it saves me the headache or doing this again in the future.

Here are my current specs:


In order to upgrade my Mac OS I believe that I need to get a new graphics card that's compatible. I like my current 1060, it does the trick for gaming so I don't need anything too crazy, just something of equal or better value. I've also never upgraded Mac OS before and don't know how it works with restoring data and such but I have my system backed up on an external drive via timemachine. I could use some advice on how to go about this process. Would like this to be as smooth as possible.



Thank you very much in advance!

 

[UtterDisbelief]

Hi there.

I've moved your question to Catalina Support as that seems more appropriate.

 

[Feartech]

I'd like to upgrade my Mac OS so that I can download newer versions of audio editing software for work. It looks like I need to upgrade to Mac OSx Catalina 10.15.7 at a minimum but I think I'd like to go higher if it saves me the headache or doing this again in the future.

Here are my current specs:


In order to upgrade my Mac OS I believe that I need to get a new graphics card that's compatible. I like my current 1060, it does the trick for gaming so I don't need anything too crazy, just something of equal or better value. I've also never upgraded Mac OS before and don't know how it works with restoring data and such but I have my system backed up on an external drive via timemachine. I could use some advice on how to go about this process. Would like this to be as smooth as possible.



Thank you very much in advance!

you can remove it and use your intel graphics up to Ventura if needs be

 

[ZachEgan]

you can remove it and use your intel graphics up to Ventura if needs be

remove what? can you elaborate please?

 

[UtterDisbelief]

remove what? can you elaborate please?

The GTX1060 graphics card you have is not compatible with macOS for versions newer than High Sierra. The suggestion was that if you don't wish to buy a new one, but still upgrade the operating-system, you can remove it and use the iGPU built-in to your CPU for display output instead.

If you need an equally powerful compatible solution for Catalina, then you will need to change to an AMD GPU such as an RX 580 or similar.

 

[ZachEgan]

The GTX1060 graphics card you have is not compatible with macOS for versions newer than High Sierra. The suggestion was that if you don't wish to buy a new one, but still upgrade the operating-system, you can remove it and use the iGPU built-in to your CPU for display output instead.

If you need an equally powerful compatible solution for Catalina, then you will need to change to an AMD GPU such as an RX 580 or similar.

ahh okay so I wish to buy a new one. I will look into AMD. How can i know which ADM GPU's to choose from?

 

[UtterDisbelief]

ahh okay so I wish to buy a new one. I will look into AMD. How can i know which ADM GPU's to choose from?

As I mentioned, the RX580 - which is only available second-hand now - was roughly equivalent to your GTX1060.

Most of the RX 560 / 570 / 580 are fine for Catalina and up to get you started. (Do not get an XFX brand RX 560 as they are not compatible). If you ever need more power then the newer RX 6600 and RX 6800 models are compatible too, from Monterey 12.1 on.

Our Buyers Guide:

https://www.tonymacx86.com/buyersgu...osh-the-ultimate-buyers-guide/#Graphics_Cards

Dortania Buyer's Guide:

https://dortania.github.io/GPU-Buyers-Guide/modern-gpus/amd-gpu.html#native-amd-gpus

 

[ZachEgan]

As I mentioned, the RX580 - which is only available second-hand now - was roughly equivalent to your GTX1060.

Most of the RX 560 / 570 / 580 are fine for Catalina and up to get you started. (Do not get an XFX brand RX 560 as they are not compatible). If you ever need more power then the newer RX 6600 and RX 6800 models are compatible too, from Monterey 12.1 on.

Our Buyers Guide:

https://www.tonymacx86.com/buyersgu...osh-the-ultimate-buyers-guide/#Graphics_Cards

Dortania Buyer's Guide:

https://dortania.github.io/GPU-Buyers-Guide/modern-gpus/amd-gpu.html#native-amd-gpus

thanks so much - this is very helpful. are the RX 560/570/580 compatible with Monterey ?

 

[UtterDisbelief]

thanks so much - this is very helpful. are the RX 560/570/580 compatible with Monterey ?

Yes. I used them in my own builds.

 

[Feartech]

remove what? can you elaborate please?

your unsupported graphics card....