QuadroFX 5500 on Mac Pro

[NormLi]

Hello,

Just wondering if this video card is compatible with a Mac Pro 8-core system as I just picked one up for a pretty price on eBay but realized that it may actually not be compatible when checking nVidia's website! I also read though that others are using it on their Mac. If not, I'll just slap it into my PC but that's a shame.

Thanks,

Norm

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

5500? Is it actually the 5600? AFAIK, the Quadro comes in 3500, 4600 and 5600 currently and a few different variations on each. If it's a 5600G, 3500, etc.. then there is no OSX driver support for the card. I think the G series will work, but no support for the extras, not sure though.

The problem with using a standard FX5600 in OSX is the card needs to have the proper EFI ROM image loaded. This is something you can do with the proper FLASH utility and ROM image. But you run the risk of screwing up the card or loading a corrupt or improper image. If you install the card as-is, it will run in the Mac Pro if you boot into Windows or Linux.

 

[NormLi]

Actually, it's the 5500 that I have purchased:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/quadro_fx_5500_4500.html

I don't think it has a driver for this one as I can't find it anywhere. That's unfortunate as I was hoping to use it in my MacPro. I could use it for Vegas8 on my PC though.

 

[John Tissavary]

There was a Mac version of the 5500, definitely supported in OSX... but I'm not sure if just _any_ 5500 will work.

Does yours have the SDI daughtercard?

cheers,

jt

 

[NormLi]

Here's the exact one I'm getting...will this work?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110270607619&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:US:1123

 

[NormLi]

Anyone? I have contacted nVidia tech support and they said they're not sure although the site says it requires XP/Vista/Linux.

They said it may work but I want to see if anyone else has had any success.

Thanks,

Norm

 

[Jeff Kilgroe]

Hmm... I don't recall Apple ever offering or supporting an FX 5500, I could swear they went from offering the FX4500 to the FX5600. But if they did offer it, then there should be driver support for it. You can try it in the Mac Pro, but to get it to work with OSX, you'll most likely need to have the proper EFI ROM and will have to hope that it works on the EVGA card.

The 5500 appears to be an oddball variation like the 4700, 3700, 3800, etc.. Not all cardmakers who offer Quadro cards are producing them. This may actually help to clarify if it will work as there are fewer options for 5500s out there than 5600s. I guess the question is if there is truly driver support and if so, where do you find the right FLASH utility and ROM image.