Contribute
Register

Best Graphics Cards for Stable Build, Longevity

Status
Not open for further replies.
cakemonster

cakemonster

Joined
Mar 27, 2010
Messages
425
Motherboard
Gigabyte P44M-UD4
CPU
i7 860
Graphics
5770
Mac
  1. 0
Classic Mac
  1. 0
Mobile Phone
  1. 0
Hello,

I am looking for a good graphics card for optimal compatibility and as close to native support as possible.

I have looked through the guides and they seem to suggest Nvidia cards.

I have reviewed the following threads:

http://www.tonymacx86.com/general-hardware-discussion/147802-cheapest-graphics-card-yosemite.html

However, the recommended card for the Customac *EVGA GT 740SC" also has threads like this for yosemite:

http://www.tonymacx86.com/graphics/156096-evga-nvidia-gt-740-sc-yosemite-10-10-1-troubles.html

I was going to use my XFX 5770 which has served me well, but found threads like this...

http://www.tonymacx86.com/graphics/116323-ati-hd5750-hd5770-kext-mavericks-10-9-a.html

I wish I had the BATMAN card!

What is the best card under $120 that is optimally compatible and would be expected to stay compatible, even if not the latest and greatest?
 
cakemonster said:
Hello,

I am looking for a good graphics card for optimal compatibility and as close to native support as possible.

I have looked through the guides and they seem to suggest Nvidia cards.

What is the best card under $120 that is optimally compatible and would be expected to stay compatible, even if not the latest and greatest?
Click to expand...

GTX 760 if you can get one. You would have to pay more than $120 unless you find
a really good deal on one that is used. Here's some possible choices. Just make sure
they have a good rating and a return policy you could use if needed.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00DHW4HXY/ref=dp_olp_used?ie=UTF8&condition=used
 
This is a good question. $ spent on GPUs can be questioned if you are not into games in MS Windows.

OS X systems is my hobby and I own a bunch of GPUs. Basically I never throw out a GPU card, I just put the ones not in use back into storage. In my hacks today (all running Mavericks and/or Yosemite) I have 8400 GS, 8800 GTS, 9600 GT, 5770, 6870, GTX 460, GTX 650 TI, and GTX 760.

Out of frustration I have returned two GPU over the years, the first one I don't recall the details however the last one was a R9 270X.

My advise to everyone is to use the internal graphics if you can. Do not invest in Maxwell based cards until Apple OS X contains support for them.

My current favorite is the GTX 760. The problem here is that these cards are out of production and the new inventory is disappearing from stock. However they can still be had at fairly reasonable prices, under $200 in the US (after rebates and shipping).

But my point is that almost any of the older GPUs work fine with the current OS X releases and if you are not gaming in Windows, there is not much reason to throw big $ at new GPUs.

Good modding,
neil

OBW in my home office lab I have 15 desktop hacks and one hacked laptop. With exception of the Dell D420, they are all on current versions of OS X.
 
Thank You.

You reference several older cards working. Can you name specific older models that work in yosemite either with GE=no (native preferred) or consistently with GE=yes?

Is there an older card that is "native" or close to it? I have been running two p55m-uD4/I7-860 builds for almost 5 years now and they have been near perfect (I just stayed at 10.6.8 as I didn't need anything else). I have been on the XFX 5770 with GE=yes, but recently it seems people have had issues since Mavericks.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150462

Is there an older card you would recommend? I don't need anything amazing, just drive two 24 inch monitors and render some scientific stuff (not incredibly frame rate dependent, a 9800GT card 4 years ago was just fine).

How about the 6870 series? Any 6870 folks recommend? I don't even need that much horsepower, just compatibility.

I do not need latest and greatest, I just need good and stable, not too much power. Maybe integrated is good enough now.

Thank You again for your time and expertise. My current systems have been so good, just time to upgrade at 4+ years.

If easier to PM me, please feel free.
 
6870 is natively supported by OS X. I run one in my actual Mac Pro.

Great card for FC X and 1080p gaming at mid settings. Mine is flashed with EFI bios (enables boot screens on a real Mac) but I don't think you'd need to do that on a hack.

5870 is natively supported too, as is 5770 as I recall. All of these would offer great general performance in OSX and the ability to do video/photo editing well.

My pick would be the 6870 as it's more power efficient.

EDIT: Just noticed you already have a 5770, just use that. there was a Mac edition of this card so it's supported, you shouldn't need a kext.
 
http://www.tonymacx86.com/graphics/116323-ati-hd5750-hd5770-kext-mavericks-10-9-a.html

This is what spooked me with the XFX 5770. My experience is that it is a not a "5770" but a specific 5770, but maybe that was one situation. They seem to behave differently (at least circa 2011-2012).

Maybe the answer is build, integrated graphics, try 5770 with GE=NO, and if doesn't work grab a 6870.

Are there specific 6870's that were thought to be most compatible? They are prevalent and reasonable on Ebay.
 
The rule has always been go for the ones based on the reference model for best compatibility. You can recognise them from the distinctive stock cooler usually. One fan at the end that blows out through the back of the case. Having said that others work too.

There are quite a few threads on the Mac Pro forum of macrumors.com, and there was one about specific 6870s known to work well.

To be honest I think that was more about flashing them for bootscreens on the Macs, you shouldn't need to do that.

For what it's worth, this is the exact model I've been using in my Pro since 2012, never had any problems with it:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/AMD-Radeo...953?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2c99891549

Hope this helps!
 
cakemonster said:
http://www.tonymacx86.com/graphics/116323-ati-hd5750-hd5770-kext-mavericks-10-9-a.html

This is what spooked me with the XFX 5770. My experience is that it is a not a "5770" but a specific 5770, but maybe that was one situation. They seem to behave differently (at least circa 2011-2012).

Maybe the answer is build, integrated graphics, try 5770 with GE=NO, and if doesn't work grab a 6870.

Are there specific 6870's that were thought to be most compatible? They are prevalent and reasonable on Ebay.
Click to expand...

The XFX version of the 5770 was the only one that had problems as it was not reference built. My Sapphire HD5770 vaporX model has worked well with SL, Lion, ML and Mavericks and is still going strong in Yosemite. No kexts, no GE=yes - just smooth native support.
 
Thank You to all.

This is appreciated.

Take home seems to be:

1. Pick model in Mac at some point (5770, 6870)
2. Pick Reference Model Build

I will sell my XFX cards and grab a 5770 (partial to Batmobile if I can find one!) or more likely 6870.

MJ
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Copyright © 2010 - 2024 tonymacx86 LLC
Back
Top