[OBSOLETE] Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 Guide

[joshs85]

The card I am using:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130550

I was able to get two of these cards working perfectly together with 4 monitors. Here's How:

You must be running OSX 10.6.5

1. Update Chameleon to 2.0 RC5 You can get it here
2. Install one of the cards into the PCIe slot that it will be in and boot up, then use gfxutil to get the PCI root of it.

./gfxutil -f display

Save this output for later use
3. Repeat step 2 but with the second card in it's slot. Make sure you remove the first one while doing this.
4. Replace the keys in red below with the ones you got from steps 2 and 3. Save this file as in.plist. I have included a copy of this file in the attached zip file.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x3,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0)</key>
<dict>
<key>@0,AAPL,boot-display</key>
<string></string>
<key>@0,can-hot-plug</key>
<string></string>
<key>@0,compatible</key>
<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
<key>@0,device_type</key>
<string>display</string>
<key>@0,name</key>
<string>NVDA,Display-A</string>
<key>@1,can-hot-plug</key>
<string></string>
<key>@1,compatible</key>
<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
<key>@1,device_type</key>
<string>display</string>
<key>@1,name</key>
<string>NVDA,Display-B</string>
<key>AAPL,aux-power-connected</key>
<string>0x00000001</string>
<key>AAPL,backlight-control</key>
<string>0x00000000</string>
<key>AAPL,gart-width</key>
<integer>64</integer>
<key>AAPL00,blackscreen-preferences</key>
<string>0x00000000</string>
<key>AAPL01,blackscreen-preferences</key>
<string>0x00000000</string>
<key>IONVRAMProperty</key>
<true/>
<key>NVCAP</key>
<data>
BAAAAAAAAwAcAAAAAAAACgAAAAA=
</data>
<key>NVDA,Features</key>
<string>0x108006ff</string>
<key>NVPM</key>
<data>
AQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA==
</data>
<key>VRAM,totalsize</key>
<string>0x50000000</string>
<key>device_type</key>
<string>NVDA,Parent</string>
<key>model</key>
<string>GeForce GTX 470</string>
<key>rm_board_number</key>
<data>
AAAAAA==
</data>
<key>rm_multiboard_capable</key>
<data>
AQAAAA==
</data>
<key>rom-revision</key>
<string>70.00.35.00.70</string>
<key>subsystem-id</key>
<string>0x00001080</string>
</dict>
<key>PciRoot(0x0)/Pci(0x7,0x0)/Pci(0x0,0x0)</key>
<dict>
<key>@0,can-hot-plug</key>
<string></string>
<key>@0,compatible</key>
<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
<key>@0,device_type</key>
<string>display</string>
<key>@0,name</key>
<string>NVDA,Display-A</string>
<key>@1,can-hot-plug</key>
<string></string>
<key>@1,compatible</key>
<string>NVDA,NVMac</string>
<key>@1,device_type</key>
<string>display</string>
<key>@1,name</key>
<string>NVDA,Display-B</string>
<key>AAPL,aux-power-connected</key>
<string>0x00000001</string>
<key>AAPL,backlight-control</key>
<string>0x00000000</string>
<key>AAPL,gart-width</key>
<integer>64</integer>
<key>AAPL00,blackscreen-preferences</key>
<string>0x00000000</string>
<key>AAPL01,blackscreen-preferences</key>
<string>0x00000000</string>
<key>IONVRAMProperty</key>
<true/>
<key>NVCAP</key>
<data>
BAAAAAAAAwAcAAAAAAAACgAAAAA=
</data>
<key>NVDA,Features</key>
<string>0x108006ff</string>
<key>NVPM</key>
<data>
AQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA==
</data>
<key>VRAM,totalsize</key>
<string>0x50000000</string>
<key>device_type</key>
<string>NVDA,Child</string>
<key>model</key>
<string>GeForce GTX 470</string>
<key>rm_board_number</key>
<data>
AAAAAA==
</data>
<key>rm_multiboard_capable</key>
<data>
AQAAAA==
</data>
<key>rom-revision</key>
<string>70.00.35.00.70</string>
<key>subsystem-id</key>
<string>0x00001080</string>
</dict>
</dict>
</plist>


5. Run the command below with in.plist in the same directory

./gfxutil -i xml -o hex ./in.plist ./out.hex

6. Edit /Extra/com.apple.boot.plist adding the below key inserting the contents of out.hex between the <String></String> keys.
also make sure you don't have "GraphicsEnabler" turned on. If that key value pair is in there, remove it.

<key>device-properties</key>
<string>Content Goes Here</string>

7. Download and install the new drivers from nvidia Nvidia Quattro 4000 Drivers
8. Shut down and install both cards into the slots that you had them in in steps 2 and 3.
9. Boot up and enjoy your dual 470s

CUDA drivers can be downloaded as well. They do work.
CUDA Driver Download

I was able to connect the SLI bridge as well.. not sure if its actually using it, but it boots up fine.


Here's what my system profiler looks like with 4 monitors hooked up.

GeForce GTX 470:

Chipset Model: GeForce GTX 470
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 1280 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x06cd
Revision ID: 0x00a3
ROM Revision: 70.00.35.00.70
Displays:
VG2436 SERIES:
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
VG2436 SERIES:
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes

GeForce GTX 470:

Chipset Model: GeForce GTX 470
Type: GPU
Bus: PCIe
PCIe Lane Width: x16
VRAM (Total): 1280 MB
Vendor: NVIDIA (0x10de)
Device ID: 0x06cd
Revision ID: 0x00a3
ROM Revision: 70.00.35.00.70
Displays:
VG2436 SERIES:
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Main Display: Yes
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes
VG2436 SERIES:
Resolution: 1920 x 1080 @ 60 Hz
Pixel Depth: 32-Bit Color (ARGB8888)
Mirror: Off
Online: Yes

 

[guitarmonkey55]

Re: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 Guide

If I were to attempt this with 2 gtx460s, what would I need to modify?

Im following you here but I just dont feel too confident with all of this yet so any help you could give would be so appreciated!

Also, you say graphics enabler = no, I have a question about that. My system currently has 1 gtx460 in it and everything is working fine, but if I have graphics enabler = no I cant run 3d games like starcraft 2. What significance will my situation have to the prospect of running dual gtx460s like you have here? What happens if graphics enabler = yes with your setup?

 

[Dans564]

Re: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 Guide

hey josh,

like guitar monkey, im gonna be doing this with 2 gtx 460's. I was wondering if that in.plist is the same for my cards? Also, do i have to uninstall tonymac's nvidia driver for this to work?? I have been looking for a tutorial like yours for days and days. THank you very very very very much

 

[dkmn]

Re: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 Guide

Great guide. I did something very close (without multiboard capable) and it wasn't working, so I edited the DSDT eventually.

Question though: Have you come across any potential solution to the rotation problem? (I want to use 4 monitors in portrait mode, for the kind of work I do...)

Thanks,
David

 

[rnauman821]

Re: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 Guide

Both of my cards are ordered.

 

[dkmn]

Re: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 Guide

Josh,

Another question: How has stability been for you? I've just my first crash. I took NVEnabler out of /Extras/Extensions (thought I didn't need it with the DSDT). Anyhow, just trying to figure out if it's the hardware/drivers or something about my setup.

Curious how long you've run it without trouble.

Thanks!
David

 

[MacMan]

Re: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 Guide

Josh,

Another question: How has stability been for you? I've just my first crash. I took NVEnabler out of /Extras/Extensions (thought I didn't need it with the DSDT). Anyhow, just trying to figure out if it's the hardware/drivers or something about my setup.

Curious how long you've run it without trouble.

Thanks!
David

You don't need NVEnabler with the 4xx cards.

 

[dkmn]

Re: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 Guide

You don't need NVEnabler with the 4xx cards.

Cool. That's what I thought. I was just trying a few different maneuvers to see if they made any difference. As it turns out, I am getting system freezes. Am using the new Multibeast install with the addition of a DSDT edit to indicate the PCI locations of both cards. Seems to work ok until it... doesn't.

 

[Dans564]

Re: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 Guide

So any idea how to do this with the GTX 460? Would the in.plist be different?

 

[mbg032373]

Re: Dual Nvidia GeForce GTX 470 Guide

Attached are my edits for dual GTX 460s. You will still need to edit the PciRoot lines to match your system.

If you happen to be using a GA-X58A-UD3R Rev 2.0 FB motherboard, I've also included the DSDT.AML file with the edits to enable dual graphics.

Mike