12-01-2009, 09:48 PM
At work, I use a 2008 mac pro 2.8 8-core model. Currently running a 30" dell and a 22" gateway display off the ATI 3870 that we bought from OWC. I have the original ATI 2600 and a spare 19" display here at the office, neither of which are being used. I'm thinking about adding both into this machine.
Several questions:
1. I've read on a couple different websites conflicting reports that if you add an additional graphics card, and don't plug any displays into it, programs that take advantage of GPU processing (motion, color, etc) will use the card to speed up renders/frame rates, etc. I'd never heard that before, and I can't find a definitive answer.
2. Assuming I have open slots, will the 2600 work in one of the x4 PCIe slots? I know it will run slower in terms of how much data it can crunch than the x16 slot. I'm asking more about the physical fit of the card, whether the card will need additional power connectors, etc, etc. Does it occupy the width of 2 PCIe slots? It's been a while since I had this machine open.
Any other considerations I should....consider...before trying this out? Thanks.
Several questions:
1. I've read on a couple different websites conflicting reports that if you add an additional graphics card, and don't plug any displays into it, programs that take advantage of GPU processing (motion, color, etc) will use the card to speed up renders/frame rates, etc. I'd never heard that before, and I can't find a definitive answer.
2. Assuming I have open slots, will the 2600 work in one of the x4 PCIe slots? I know it will run slower in terms of how much data it can crunch than the x16 slot. I'm asking more about the physical fit of the card, whether the card will need additional power connectors, etc, etc. Does it occupy the width of 2 PCIe slots? It's been a while since I had this machine open.
Any other considerations I should....consider...before trying this out? Thanks.