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arudius · Jun 16, 2007, 10:59 AM

Quick question, I am playing Oblivion via Bootcamp 1.3 on my 2x2.66 MacPro, and the NVIDIA 7300GT is doing "ok", but I'd like to get faster framerates. I realize the graphics upgrades are EXTREMELY limited on Mac Pro right now, which is a bit pathetic...but I know that when you purchase a Mac Pro, you have the option of getting 1x, 2x, 3x, or even 4x 7300GT cards? ...does this speed things up at all? Would a Windows 32-bit game actually take advantage of multiple GPUs?

Thanks in advance. Sorry, no photos of my motherboard this time.

-Arudius

slpdLoad · Jun 16, 2007, 01:47 PM

No. It would just let you hook up more monitors.

Abbas · Jun 16, 2007, 04:05 PM

Yes- SLI, which is the term nVidia uses for connecting multiple GPUs for better performance, is NOT supported on Intel chipset motherboards which Apple uses. SLI only works on nVidia chipset motherboards at the moment. Interestingly, the 7300GT that the Mac Pro comes equipped with has an SLI connector.

-a

mduell · Jun 16, 2007, 09:43 PM

Originally Posted by Abbas

Yes- SLI, which is the term nVidia uses for connecting multiple GPUs for better performance, is NOT supported on Intel chipset motherboards which Apple uses. SLI only works on nVidia chipset motherboards at the moment. Interestingly, the 7300GT that the Mac Pro comes equipped with has an SLI connector.

I assume they're just reusing one of the usual nVidia ODM's board with a different firmware chip (for EFI support). No reason to create a unique board and drive up unit cost.

arudius · Jun 16, 2007, 11:29 PM

...faaaack. <--another happy Mac Gamer.

arudius · Jun 16, 2007, 11:36 PM

Originally Posted by Abbas

Yes- SLI, which is the term nVidia uses for connecting multiple GPUs for better performance, is NOT supported on Intel chipset motherboards which Apple uses. SLI only works on nVidia chipset motherboards at the moment. Interestingly, the 7300GT that the Mac Pro comes equipped with has an SLI connector.

-a

Wait, does this mean that I'm not f**ked? I can install another 7300GT card and get increased performance on my Mac Pro?

Leonard · Jun 17, 2007, 01:21 AM

SLI is supported on the Mac Pro in windows. There is a hack for the Intel boards. People have done it, you just have to set slot 1 & 2 to 8x lanes and away you go. SLI is not supported in MacOS X, though.

I haven't done it personally, but a few people have.

Abbas · Jun 17, 2007, 01:22 AM

You can install another 7300GT but you cant run it in SLI mode to increase performance. As slpdload stated, you can only use it to power multiple displays.

-a

mduell · Jun 17, 2007, 05:27 PM

The 7300GT is a pretty slow card to be using for SLI... I mean, a pair of 7300GTs will still be slower than a single X1900XT.

Leonard · Jun 17, 2007, 07:02 PM

Originally Posted by Abbas

You can install another 7300GT but you cant run it in SLI mode to increase performance. As slpdload stated, you can only use it to power multiple displays.
-a

In MacOS X that's true, in windows that's false. You can have SLI on the Mac Pro in windows.

Don Pickett · Jun 18, 2007, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

I assume they're just reusing one of the usual nVidia ODM's board with a different firmware chip (for EFI support). No reason to create a unique board and drive up unit cost.

I think it's a custom board because of the Firewire 800.

mduell · Jun 18, 2007, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by Don Pickett

I think it's a custom board because of the Firewire 800.

FW800 on the video card? WTF?

Leonard · Jun 18, 2007, 03:58 PM

Originally Posted by mduell

FW800 on the video card? WTF?

He's talking about the motherboard. He thinks it's a custom board because of the firewire 800.

I know Pc motherboards do come with firewire. Not sure about firewire 800.

mduell · Jun 18, 2007, 08:07 PM

I have no doubt the logic board is a custom layout for Apple.

But my comment he replied to was about video cards. nVidia doesn't have any chips on the logic board.