Mac video card
printguy (11 pencils) | Tue, 2007-03-13 20:20I'm looking for a replacement video card for my Mac G5 (running Tiger). It came with a GeForce FX5200 AGP 64mb card but now it's clipping very light screens. Can't see them at all... If I VNC in from another machine they show up fine so I think it's my card. I've been looking for a new one but can't tell which ones will work for Mac. I don't need anything special, just a replacement would be fine. I can find plenty under $50 but I think they're for PC. The cheapest I can find that actually says it's for a Mac is over $150. Is that just the way it is or can I use one of the other AGP cards and it will work fine? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Confused...
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Hi, USUALLY you have to buy what Apple tells you to use. Its the nature of the beast. When our Dual G5's video card started acting up they just replaced it with the same type. HOWEVER that being said you can slog through this website:
http://www.xlr8yourmac.com/video.html
and see what COULD work and whats possible, its not the BEST designed website, hard to find stuff, but they have been helpful b4.
In reality, ANY part that Apple requires is more expensive than the 'run of the mill' parts in a generic beige box PC. . . video cards are the top of the expense list. :P
"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda
Thanks for the link. I found a pretty good buy on macconnection. Since I'm not 100% sure that this is the problem, I don't want to spend too much of the companies money to find out. I appreciate the feedback.
Short of sending it to the Genius Bar in the Apple Store (or authorised Apple technician) the best way to troubleshoot a video card problem is to run the Apple Hardware test that came with the G5: Boot from the install DVD and hold down option, click 'Hardware test' button and choose the standard or extended test. Another 'cheaper' way is to buy a copy of TechTool pro and run their own hardware test suites, however BOTH these tests pale in comparison to the tests that the Apple techs do to diagnose the problem. These tests give them code number which they interpret from Apple to troubleshoot the issues.
I wouldn't just buy a video card B4 you know for sure that's the problem! ;)
Oh I just remembered. . . did u try switching resolutions and refresh rates in the control panels dispaly settings? Maybe the refresh rate is too high or low?
Did you try changing the cable and seeing if its a cable issue?
"Try not, Do! or do not, there is no try."
-Yoda