X1900XT and Tiger on July 2008 MacPro

[Mr_P]

Have done some testing in the last few weeks using X1900XT on a June 2008 MacPro, running Leopard - and also Tiger...

Initial tests revealed that currently available X1900XT cards DO work in 2008 MacPro. Model tested was purchased June 2008. Old X1900XT cards also work once the firmware is updated.

Firmware update available from: http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/atiradeonx1900xtfirmwareupdate.html

The X1900XT cards supplied as specified with a new MacPro also work (!...)

Tests were carried out under Leopard 10.5.4 with all online updates.

[ you dont want to do this...]

Also tested installing Tiger (10.4.11) on a 2008 MacPro - and initial indications show that it works ok. [ no it doesnt - you dont want to do this ]

Method for installing tiger was to swap the Hard Drive from a 2007 MacPro and put it in the 2008 MacPro. Haven’t actually tried doing a DVD install of Tiger - I use disk images burnt on to hard drives for all my builds. Tiger Hard Drive was initially created on the 2007 MacPro (The Leopard disk also worked in the 2007 MacPro... obviously)

Reasons for test is that there has been a lot of rumors about exactly these subjects. These tests were to establish what works and what doesn’t.

So far, I've not compared performance directly between any hardware/software configuration - so cannot comment directly. Any further feedback welcome

Watch this space...

Simon

[NevBull]

Hi Simon

I too have done some X1900XT vs 8800 testing under Leopard - with the X1900XT being marginally better - variation in FPS per layer is noticeably more stable with the X1900.

Nev.

[SourceChild]

X1900XT is the best card for Catalyst (short of getting a quatro FX).
Sadly though I can still only run two TH2G boxes on an 8800 (or quatro) and not on the X1900XT.

[Peter]

Is there still a difference in the amount of layers between 1st and 2nd gen macpro's?

[Mr_P]

There are a number of factors that dictate 'how many layers you can run' on any mac - the main consideration is Hard Drives - for best results, use SSD's and the correct codec. (eg Apple Intermediate)

Performance differenced have been noticed between Leopard and Tiger - but this cannot be quantified by 'layers'.... or with reference to the generation of Mac.

Simon

[rosswill]

Should also note Apple Intermediate only improves things on 8-core not 4- core machines. I get 15 layers on 8-core with ssd drives and only 10-11 on 4-core in either photo jpeg or AIC on the 4 core machines and AIC on the 8's.

Ross

[Peter]

Is this only on the 1st gen macpro's or on both?

Did you run tiger or leopard?

[Mr_P]

Is this only on the 1st gen macpro's or on both?

Did you run tiger or leopard?



Tested using X1900XT on a June 2008 MacPro, running Leopard - and also Tiger...

Initial tests revealed that currently available X1900XT cards DO work in 2008 MacPro. Model tested was purchased June 2008. Old X1900XT cards also work once the firmware is updated.

The X1900XT cards supplied as specified with a new MacPro also work (!...)

Tests were carried out under Leopard 10.5.4 with all online updates.

Also tested installing Tiger (10.4.11) on a 2008 MacPro - and initial indications show that it works ok.

Haven't tested an NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT on a 2007 MacPro yet... X1900XT is good enough.

Simon

[Peter]

Is this only on the 1st gen macpro's or on both?

Did you run tiger or leopard?



Rosswill, how about your system specifications?

Simon, which 2008 macpro did you use? Is there a relevance in 2,8 or 3,0 or 3,2 in layers like roswill said?

For the moment we're running on a macpro 2,66 X1900XT tiger with no problems but we need a new one. And i dont now if i should go for the newer models instead of a 2nd hand.

[Mr_P]

Mac pro used was a 3.2G 8 Core, tested with both tiger and leopard

I usually recommend the most up to date - however, you need to consider direct compatability - ie memory & graphics card (X1900XT works in both)

For example - all my macs are the same spec and generation - which means I can swap graphics cards, drives/os, memory etc with no problems

A recon 2007 macpro will work out cheaper and is just (if not more) reliable as a new 2008 MacPro, as they go thru a more intensive testing process.

The bus speed and RAM is faster on a 2008 MacPro - and the 3.2G processor is 0.2G faster than before.!. While this wont have much impact on playback, you might want to think ahead for future HD video input...

choice is yours.....

S

[samsc]

but you can always re-install tiger if reqd. 2008 Macs will run tiger. I found no obvious issues, I havent tested in GREAT depth.

S

you really really dont want to install tiger ( overwrite the shipping os ) on current mac pro ( jan 2008 +)-
the hardware really IS different - and apple has stopped development or updating of tiger for new hardware.


There were issues on sinatra in february.

[Spam Butterfly]

I've been using the X1900XT in all my Mac Pros new and old, Catalyst and Virtual VTR systems with no problems at all.

The older 07 systems I run on 10.4.11 tend to have better playback performance with SSD's and conventional hard disks.

All my systems are 8 core.

H.

[samsc]

I've been using the X1900XT in all my Mac Pros new and old, Catalyst and Virtual VTR systems with no problems at all.

The older 07 systems I run on 10.4.11 tend to have better playback performance with SSD's and conventional hard disks.

All my systems are 8 core.

H.

Nothing with x1900 was quite such plain sailing ( in fact it was rather difficult for several months - seems better now ):

there were several versions of x1900 as noted by internet users- with possible compatibility issues between mac versions-
even within this - also apple seemed to do two revisions of the x1900 intel.
there was also a 'driver update' that could not be universally applied-

http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/Graphics/Mac_X1900XT_FirmwareUpdate.html
http://www.apple.com/support/downloads/atiradeonx1900xtfirmwareupdate.html

( the first revision displayed image corruption problems due to overheating - i had this on macs i got from apple at ldi 2007 - and it was reported to apple
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/Graphics/X1900XT_Overheating/pink-artifacts-10.4.9.jpg ( mine looked like this at LDI 2007 !)
http://www.dganimation.com/CIMG3574.jpg
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/Graphics/Mac_X1900XT_FirmwareUpdate.html
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/Graphics/X1900XT_Overheating/ATI_X1900_overheating.html#storytop
)

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1563717&tstart=90
http://forums.creativecow.net/thread/223/6474
http://discussions.apple.com/message.jspa?messageID=5578500#5578500


Apple currently ships two versions of the X1900XT, one for the previous version Mac Pros and one for the current version. I know because I ordered one to replace the 2600 that came in our newest Mac Pro. When I placed the order, the Apple tech on the phone said there were two different part numbers in the system for the 1900. The 2600 worked fine with Color, but it did not work with my DVI extender for some reason, and the 1900 does.


there is also a g5 edition:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1350061&tstart=502

http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=94000596&sid=1&pageNo=7

[SourceChild]

I'm actually starting to get a little pissed off at one of my 07 machines. The x1900 is constantly overheating and locking up the system. Granted this happens more on things unrelated to Catalyst but nevertheless.

Sadly though Apple's "Geniuses" didn't do anything to help when I brought it in to be looked at.

I lost the machine in the middle of a show and was freaking pissed because the only way to fix it was to invert the compressed air after a reboot. Just fair warning, it's always good to have a hot spare machine onsite and a tech that can swap them for you.

[Peter]

So which 1900 one would we choose? For the moment ours isnt giving any problems in a 2007 macpro.

Does this mean we need to specify when we're buying one its for a 2007 or 2008 macpro?

Todd, is there a difference in running 2008 macpro with x1900 or 8800? Because you mentioned that you could get the TH2G running with the 8800, So why would we need the x1900 in the latest macpro's? Higher res or smoother playback on more layers?

[SourceChild]

Hey Peter,

I have a few different computers and a few different video cards. Some of the events I do are not completely mission critical. Basically, entertainment events where I do not have to be 100% up. In cases like these I push the envelope and will actually run six projection sources on 2 TH2G devices.

At a XGA or SXGA, the only cards that will drive 2 TH2G devices are the 8800 and the Quatro Cards.

For all other show environments and for any system I would potentially rent or sell, I have the x1900 because it is a better card overall.

In most cases, it's worth it to get an x1900 and be content with only running 4 video devices off of your system. Of course most people still only use 2 outputs per machine and in this case the x1900 is always the better choice.

So basically it depends on your circumstances. If you are interested in the new Phoenix Capture Cards from Active Silicon then get an x1900. Otherwise, if you take into account what I've said and the advice of the others in assorted threads, you'll be just fine.

Good luck

[samsc]

If you are interested in the new Phoenix Capture Cards from Active Silicon then get an x1900.

Good luck

there is no such preference.

[samsc]

At a XGA or SXGA, the only cards that will drive 2 TH2G devices are the 8800 and the Quatro Cards.
Good luck

8800 has shown itself to be fine - and certainly no worse than x1900- so i would suggest people get it in new bto macs- in preference to installing x1900