Davirus Posted September 3, 2011 Share Posted September 3, 2011 Im about to build a PC for hackintosh. I have a lot of question about video cards, but I have no problem to buy any one of them. I just a a little question: If I buy any of the video cards listed on the Apple website to be compatible with lion, do they will function on a hackintosh? I have heard that Apple ship their computers with modified hardware, that it means: Even if a iMac or a Mac Pro come with a "Radeon HD 5870" it doesn't means that If I but the same video card, it going to work. Not sure if it is true or not. Should I buy the video card listed specifically for Apple that work with their systems or should I buy the ones commented in to forum that do work. Apple technical specifications: Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/267068-video-card-question-about-lion/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davirus Posted September 4, 2011 Author Share Posted September 4, 2011 Well, I really tough this was an easy one. I did't expect this needed a lot of brain work to answer. I know there are a a lot of experienced users on the subject, Im not asking for a tutorial or download links, just an opinion about my question. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/267068-video-card-question-about-lion/#findComment-1743920 Share on other sites More sharing options...
^Andy^ Posted September 4, 2011 Share Posted September 4, 2011 Well, I really tough this was an easy one. I did't expect this needed a lot of brain work to answer. I know there are a a lot of experienced users on the subject, Im not asking for a tutorial or download links, just an opinion about my question. I'm no expert but seeing as nobody else has chimed in with a response I will offer what little I know. As far as I know the only difference between the apple supplied gpu's and reference ones are the price tag and the efi bios on the card. PC cards do not contain the efi bios that a genuine mac requires - on a hackintosh this isn't an issue as we have chameleon to bypass the problem however on a genuine mac the lack of efi bios on the gpu means no output to your display until you reach the desktop. Cards that I have personally used in my hackintosh without issue so far are all ATi cards (sorry AMD lol) 5770, 5870, 6870 and now miraculously the 6970 (although this card has only just been made to work courtesy of Netkas' and only using the latest beta 10.7.2 drivers along with a little software nudge so no guarantees). I don't believe there is any benefit whatsoever in using a proper apple branded gpu in a hackintosh - the hackintosh will ignore the efi bios and probably just smirk at you for paying twice the price lol Of the cards you listed I believe (personal opinion) that either a 5770 or 5870 will give you the best perfomance and least hassle - you may also want to consider a 6870 (its not on your list) as its a damned good card. P.S - No need to get tetchy, it's not the best way to get people to help you! Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/267068-video-card-question-about-lion/#findComment-1743941 Share on other sites More sharing options...
aufa333 Posted September 5, 2011 Share Posted September 5, 2011 its not a hard question but the thing with hackintosh is the same as cracked games ,sometimes it work and sometimes it doesnt even if u followed every trick in the book ,but to simplify that ,search google for the least problematic ati vga cards with hackintosh and also check the mb because if differs of how the mb bios handle its components + some vga cards wont work now but later u can find a solution for it like what netkas did with 6970. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/267068-video-card-question-about-lion/#findComment-1744429 Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMax Posted September 6, 2011 Share Posted September 6, 2011 Hi, All! I've found this question and would like to extend it. We see a list of graphics cards published by Apple that will 100% support OpenCl. Now I'm seeking for a cheapest nVidia graphics card to buy that will correspond to following requirements: 1. Full acceleration support (must have!) 2. OpenCl in MacOS and CUDA development capabilities (very desirable) I saw a list of graphics cards that will support full acceleration and saw official OpenCl-capable cards list, but here is the question. If graphics card IS in Lion/Snow Leopard acceleration supported list and NOT IN official OpenCl Aplle list, BUT card chip is one of the GPU families supporting OpenCl/CUDA, will it support OpenCl in Snow Leopard/Lion and could I use it for CUDA develppment? For example, I have an ability to purchase GF 9600 GT instead of listed GF 9600M GT that is known to support OpenCl and CUDA. 9600GT is the same chip as 9600M GT, but with more functional units. Will it work at full caps? Or other nVidia card with OpenCl supported and that is in full acceleration capable list (for example GT210)? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/267068-video-card-question-about-lion/#findComment-1745021 Share on other sites More sharing options...
smcpipint Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 If graphics card IS in Lion/Snow Leopard acceleration supported list and NOT IN official OpenCl Aplle list, BUT card chip is one of the GPU families supporting OpenCl/CUDA, will it support OpenCl in Snow Leopard/Lion and could I use it for CUDA develppment? Well, I'm running a 8800GTX, which is technically not on the list, and it runs QE/CI/OpenCL Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/267068-video-card-question-about-lion/#findComment-1745550 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davirus Posted September 7, 2011 Author Share Posted September 7, 2011 But then, how can we know which cards do work and which doesn't? It start to see like if it is just a matter of luck. Wich is kind of confusing since I do know that people which own Mac Pro computers can upgrade their graphic cards, so how they know which one to buy? Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/267068-video-card-question-about-lion/#findComment-1745554 Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilMax Posted September 7, 2011 Share Posted September 7, 2011 But then, how can we know which cards do work and which doesn't? It start to see like if it is just a matter of luck. Wich is kind of confusing since I do know that people which own Mac Pro computers can upgrade their graphic cards, so how they know which one to buy? I guess, cards, specified in Mac official list will work 100% and cards on the same graphics chip supposed to work too (if they not very cut - card should be working with the same driver). Changing card to any other is a matter of luck, right. But knowledge of cards architecture and specifications could provide useful information. Also this topic here is very helpful: http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=256103 - this is where MacOS and different cards users exchange their experience including a way how they make their videoadapters work in Lion. I think if you'll find required card in this list reported that it is fully working by default without any additional manual work, it probably will work in your platform without any problems. If you see no problem with other listed ways, you will be able to run MacOS on any card listed there using posted 'receipes' Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/267068-video-card-question-about-lion/#findComment-1745735 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davirus Posted September 11, 2011 Author Share Posted September 11, 2011 I guess, cards, specified in Mac official list will work 100% and cards on the same graphics chip supposed to work too (if they not very cut - card should be working with the same driver). Changing card to any other is a matter of luck, right. But knowledge of cards architecture and specifications could provide useful information. Also this topic here is very helpful: http://www.insanelymac.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=256103 - this is where MacOS and different cards users exchange their experience including a way how they make their videoadapters work in Lion. I think if you'll find required card in this list reported that it is fully working by default without any additional manual work, it probably will work in your platform without any problems. If you see no problem with other listed ways, you will be able to run MacOS on any card listed there using posted 'receipes' Thanks a lot for the detailed reply. I'm going to check out the thread your showed me. Just a one more quick question. The video cards that Apple sells in their page are compatible with normal PC? http://store.apple.com/mx/product/MC742ZM/...NDA5OQ#overview Also I see those come with a different monitor output than normal video cards (which come with VGA or HDMI). About the price is not a problem, so Im starting to think it would be a better idea to buy the ones Apple sells in their site, but not sure If Im right at all. Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/267068-video-card-question-about-lion/#findComment-1746992 Share on other sites More sharing options...
verdant Posted September 11, 2011 Share Posted September 11, 2011 Thanks a lot for the detailed reply. I'm going to check out the thread your showed me. Just a one more quick question. The video cards that Apple sells in their page are compatible with normal PC? http://store.apple.com/mx/product/MC742ZM/...NDA5OQ#overview Also I see those come with a different monitor output than normal video cards (which come with VGA or HDMI). About the price is not a problem, so Im starting to think it would be a better idea to buy the ones Apple sells in their site, but not sure If Im right at all. A good summary of the similarities/differences between the same model PC graphics card and the Mac Graphics card version I have seen is here....... Thus, use a PC graphics card in a PC and an Apple graphics card in a Mac is the best general advice......even though there are exceptions.......it will save you money too...... Focus on either getting a PC graphics card with a Hardware Matching Device ID that the OS X graphics kexts will recognise and can function with full CI/QE via the Chameleon GraphicsEnabler=Yes flag in the .Boot.lpist file, either nVidia or ATI......also, checkout netkas.org for the latest on ATI (now AMD) graphics cards and OS X on Macs and OX86 PCs..... For nVidia graphics cards, see post #2 here.......especially the last section on "Inserting Graphics Card Hardware Matching Device ID into nVidia Graphics Kexts"....... Link to comment https://www.insanelymac.com/forum/topic/267068-video-card-question-about-lion/#findComment-1747111 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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