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For testing today we are using a Mid 2012 Mac Pro Desktop system which features two Xeon E5645 processors and 12GB of DDR3 memory. It is fitted with a 500GB SSD boot drive and 6TB of hard drive storage. A single CPU Xeon system fitted with a X5675 actually makes for a faster gaming system but this machine has been used for 3D rendering and video editing duties over the last year.
A breakdown of the system, highlighting the e5645 processors and flagship HD5870 graphics card. When these machines were sold in 2012 the standard graphics card fitted was the HD5770, but Apple did offer the HD5870 solution, albeit with a hefty price premium. As we know from prior testing, the HD5870 offers approximately twice the performance of the HD5770.
I have to admit, I am a particular fan of the Mac Pro chassis design. Most of the hardware inside is accessible by simply pulling on levers, which is always a bonus when it comes to working on the systems. The first move is to pull the lever at the rear and lift off the side panel.
The graphics card is locked in place with a single retention bracket. The first step is to unfasten the two screws and remove it (the screws only pop out, they won't disconnect from the bracket so no chance of losing them). Store it in a safe place as it will need to be refitted later.
Above, the HD5870 which has two six pin power connectors attached. It is more than likely the system will have a HD5770 however, so there will only be one six pin power connector attached. Sapphire do include an extra two 6 pin power cables in the HD7950 box and these are attached to the motherboard, not the power supply.
Whatever card you may be using, disconnect all power connectors.
On the left side of the system is a plastic bay with a fan fitted, this doubles up as a locking mechanism for the graphics card. There is a small white button in the central area. Press it and slide away from the graphics card.
You can now remove the graphics card from the system. Like many Apple products, the system is engineered to fine tolerances, so there is no need to haul and tug on the graphics card, it should simply slide out. Again, worth storing this card in a safe place as a backup.
At this stage it is worth pointing out that the bottom slot in the image (above right) is the x16 rated PCIe slot, so the HD7950 MAC Edition needs to be fitted into the same place.
The HD7870 and Sapphire HD7950 MAC Edition side by side. Identically sized.
Before fitting the Sapphire HD7950 MAC Edition, ensure the bios switch is in position 2. Position 1 is used for the PC platform (Windows with UEFI hybrid firmware enabled). The manual does a rather poor job of explaining this – saying ‘left' and ‘right' positions (which would vary depending on how you were looking at the card).
Time to fit the HD7950 MAC Edition. Simply line up the card with the slot and push gently into place. As there is very little room for visual identification, you can use the tip of your finger against the motherboard to ensure the PCI e connector slides correctly into the x16 slot.
Reconnect the two PCIe power connectors and ensure they ‘click' into place. Remember, if you had the HD5770 fitted then the HD7950 needs two power connectors, so you may need to use the cables that Sapphire supplied in the box.
Finally, lock the card back in place with the mounting bracket.
When the Sapphire HD7950 MAC Edition is fitted, replace the side panel and lock it in place.
An overview of the Sapphire HD7950 MAC Edition, after it has been installed. While Sapphire include the OSX drivers on the MAC disc in the package, the latest version of Mountain Lion has them already installed (10.8.3). The manual is rather vague on this.
If you are upgrading an older version of MAC OSX it is important you hold onto the disc that Sapphire supply in the box. Sapphire's Support website didn't have any OSX specific driver for the Sapphire HD7950 MAC Edition. This may be updated in coming weeks.
Wow, thats a heck of a nice card. Mac gamers will be wetting themselves!
I have mine pre-ordered. fab review, thanks !
Well its extremely expensive, but its just as well Apple didnt get them on their store, or they would probably charge £1000 for the card and fitting!
Nice to see Sapphire looking outside the usual channels. Mac gamers will have been dying to get something like this for a long time.
Wow, £400 for a HD7950. Shame we cant buy the cooler would look awesome in my NZXT side panel modded case !
About time Apple had a decent up to date video card, but its kind of ironic its coming just before the new range, so in a few months it will already be out of date.
Perhaps Sapphire will be doing this on a more regular basis for Apple users? I dont know why people are saying its expensive, of course its going to be expensive, the production run will be limited and they wont sell millions. I reckon it might sell ok however, a lot of mac gamers with towers.
i love the styling.
Shame they didnt sell it overclocked at 1000mhz 🙂
Awesome review, many thanks for this. i definitely will buy one for my westmere mac pro.