(For driver updates, see our Mac Nvidia Drivers Download page) | |
Displays/Monitor/TV Related | eGPUs & Graphics Card Articles | USB DisplayLink Apple TV Related | Home Theater, AVRs & Media | (older model) Video Card Coolers | |
(page updated 3/11/2024) |
Apple Service Utility is used to configure Apple Studio Display after logic board and display repairs, and applicable iPhone models after TrueDepth Camera repair. (Now requires macOS Sonoma.) |
Firmware Update 17 |
(Sept 26, 2023) Apple Studio Display firmware 17 adds support for zoom, recenter, & manual framing to the built-in camera. Also "Minor stability improvements". (Requires macOS Sonoma.) |
Firmware Update 4.2.37 |
(Dec 14, 2020) Apple Pro Display XDR Firmware 4.2.37 fixes issue where in-field calibration settings are not applied when using Pro Display XDR Calibrator. (If XDR Display Presets are missing after an update, see this tip.) Here's Apple's guide on how to set up & use Apple Pro Display XDR. |
| Listing of TV Firmware Updates (most recent first), with info on changes/fixes and firmware update download pages. Includes Sony & LG OLED TV models. Plus Tips for various video related problems and special features. | |
(Info on 4K/UHD 60Hz limits) |
HDMI 2.0 doesn't support 4K/UHD 10-Bit RGB (4:4:4) mode at 50/60Hz (only 8-Bit), but does support 4K/UHD 10-bit 4:2:0 & 12-bit 4:2:2 Chroma at 50Hz/60Hz using YCbCr mode. See notes on HDMI 2.0 supported modes. (Some newer Macs & Apple TVs have HDMI 2.1 with higher limits.) |
| Quick and easy way to check for an EX panel - no Service Menu access required. And info on changes in the EX vs previous WBE OLED TV panels. (Also LG's Advertising/Promotion & Privacy settings, including to NOT sell your personal info.) | |
| Notes on LG OLED TVs, comparing Compensation Cycle Times, checking for screen banding, Burn-In, bad pixels and tint. Includes info on how to make full screen color test images, and things to check when buying an OLED TV. Also has an example image showing OLED screen Burn-In from channels with static logos and banners, and tests for 3D Crosstalk. Plus tips to avoid burn-in and what to do if your LG OLED TV has burn-in (even out of warranty). | |
| Several Mac Mini (2011 and 2012) owners reported repeated HDMI video dropout/blackouts (appx every 7 seconds) when using some models of Yamaha AV Receivers like the RX-A2040/3040. (Later reports on other models/brands however and not just mac mini related.) Includes suggestions/tips and questions about OS X and their Receiver settings as I could not replicate this problem with a 2012 Mac Mini tested with Yamaha RX-A3050 and RX-A2000 receivers. (I do see an initial video blackout (handshake/sync) at boot or wake from sleep but not the repeated cases some others noted.) Includes info and tips on HDCP problems and July 28th, 2016 firmware updates for many yamaha receivers from 2010 to 2016. | |
| (2014) Notes and Tips to try if you're seeing HDCP errors or purchased HD video playback problems despite your display being HDCP compatible. Some OS X software/settings can trigger HDCP problems like screen sharing and some screen capture software. (Includes a note to check sharing status after upgrading to OS X Yosemite.) | |
| Info on Mac EDID mods to fix washed out/color issues with some external HDMI or DisplayPort Monitors used with modern Macs, that includes an EDID patch script. Also forcing RGB mode (PC mode) instead of YCbCr (typical TV mode). | |
| Reader tip for Aluminum 23in Cinema HD no video/black screen on boot or wake from sleep. | |
| Info and notes from a Mac Sapphire Radeon 7950 owner on reported resolution problems with his three connected Dell displays. | |
| Coverage of Late 2012 Mac Mini HDMI display dropouts/intermittent black screens/video noise ("snow"). With info on Apple's EFI Update to fix HDMI Flicker and tests with a Late 2012 Mac Mini using an HDMI Samsung LCD Monitor and LG LM7600 (1080P) TV using a direct HDMI connection and via an A/V Receiver. Also tested OK with a MDP 27in Cinema Display. Incliudes tips for common problems like washed-out displays, an EDID patch script to force RGB mode and notes on HDCP issues and more. | |
(There's a separate page of Mac Nvidia Driver Downloads.) | |
ThunderBolt Enclosures and Graphics Cards |
(Revised Jan 12, 2024) Apple support article on using an eGPU with Intel CPU Macs in macOS 10.13.4 and later. Article includes a list of natively supported ThunderBolt 3 chassis models, graphics cards and supported Macs. (Does not include the late 2013 Mac Pro, which has Thunderbolt 2 ports. However some owners have used Thunderbolt cased GPUs with pre-Thunderbolt 3 Macs, using modified drivers.) |
RX 580 8GB in Mac Pros (macOS 10.12.6 to 10.14.x) |
(With Mojave Installs on Mac Pro 5,1 with Radeon RX580 and Mojave supported graphics cards.) Reports on stock (not flashed) Sapphire Pulse and Nitro+ Radeon RX 580 8GB in Mac Pros running macOS 10.14.x, 10.13.x and 10.12.6. (Including Mojave upgrades with only the RX 580 card installed.) Native RX 580 driver support in macOS 10.12.6 & later including macOS 10.14 Mojave. Card has 2 DisplayPort 1.4, 2 HDMI 2.0b, 1 DVI-D ports. (System Info GPU report shows it supports Apple Metal/Metal 2.) FYI: This card also supported as an eGPU when used with a supported Mac & eGPU chassis. |
| (July 2018) GeekBench Metal, OpenCL, Unigine Heaven and Valley benchmark scores with Nvidia web driver for macOS 10.13.6 used with an Nvidia GTX-1050 Ti card in a Hackintosh (6-Core i7 8700 CPU at 3.2GHz). Includes a summary list of the system's hardware build components. | |
in Mac Pros (2008 & 2010/12) |
(Jan 2018) CineBench R15 and GeekBench benchmark scores of (flashed) AMD Radeon R9 280X 3GB card in a Mac Pro 5,1 (dual 3.46GHz) running macOS 10.12.6, using an LG 32UD59-B 4K 32in Display. Also used in his 2008 Mac Pro (3,1) running 10.12.6 now. (He ordered a Radeon RX 580 8GB for the Mac Pro 5,1.) |
Thunderbolt PCIe Chassis with a MacBook Pro |
(Sept 2015) Reader report on using a Thunderbolt PCIe expansion chassis and Nvidia GT740 card connected to a MacBook Pro with Thunderbolt 1. Article includes notes on mods and internal display/external display performance tests of the internal GPU vs the Thunderbolt PCIe expansion cased Nvidia GT 740 card in Cinebench and Games. |
| (*Important Tip for macOS High Sierra Upgrade*) See linked page for picture of the Radeon 7950 ROM Switch positions for EFI (Mac) and PC. The card's rom switch should be set to the EFI (not UEFI/PC) position for Mac use. Apparently some had never checked/changed the switch position. Updated with more info including notes on possible reversed switches and reports of no difference in either switch setting. (The macOS 10.13 High Sierra upgrade requires a Mac EFI rom card in the Mac Pro. A Radeon 7950 user reported his problems installing macOS 10.13 was due to the wrong ROM switch position.) | |
| (Sept 2015) Reader report on repairing a late 2009 27-inch iMac's Radeon HD4850 video card GPU that had cracked solder joints. (Repair was a BGA reball of the GPU for appx. $56 US.) | |
| (June 2014) Notes on repeated failures/repairs (logic board replacements) of 2011 MacBook Pros including a reader report on getting a Late 2013 MacBook Pro (retina) replacement after the 3 repairs/4th failure. Includes link to 800+ page Apple forum thread from 2011 MacBook Pro owners and Petition to Apple to replace/fix all affected MBPs. | |
| (Dec 2013) Reader's notes on his 2007 Mac Pro 2,1 running OS X 10.9 Mavericks via Tiamo's Boot EFI patch with a (PC) Radeon 7970 graphics card. (Using a cable mod for 8-pin aux power.) | |
Mac Pro (OS X 10.8.x) w/Benchmarks vs 8800GT |
Article from a 2008 Mac Pro owner (running OS X Mountain Lion) on an Nvidia GTX-570 video card upgrade (bought on auction site) that replaced an Nvidia 8800GT card. Report includes benchmarks vs the previous 8800GT card including LuxMark 2.0, smallluxGPU, OpenGL, Cinebench, NovaBench and FPS. |
| (Apple's Repair extension program has ended.) (Aug 2012) Report from an affected 15in Mid-2010 MacBook Pro owner on multiple motherboard replacements to fix Video/GPU problems. Includes links/notes on apple's updated article on the topic that extended the warranty repair for this problem to 3 years from date of purchase, with a note in the doc on 'extensions as necessary'. (Also includes links to previous posts here on Mid-2010 MacBook Pro 15" (w/Nvidia GT330M) video problems going back to fall 2011, the evolving apple support document on the problem and apple's previously posted Video/OS updates for 15" 2010 MacBook Pros (OS X Lion & Snow Leopard) which may not fix the problem so they added the extended repair service for affected models.) | |
| (July 2012) Notes/links from owners of MacBook Pros with w/Nvidia GT320M graphics about problems/failures they have seen and/or had repaired. Includes links to threads on this problem with screenshots (checkerboard patterns, etc) and repair/replacement reports. Like some others, a reader was offered a replacement motherboard but is concerned about a repeat of the problem over time. (FYI: See above for info on similar problems with 15in (GT330M) Mid-2010 MacBook Pros that had an Apple repair extension program.) | |
| Our original article from July 2008 (updated 100+ times) on flawed Nvidia GPU/Failures including the 8600M used in some series of MacBook Pros. Includes Apple's doc on the issue that notes affected MacBook Pro model production ranges and a warranty extension, Tips for affected model owners, and many reader reports (good and bad) on their experience with the extended repair program. (FYI: Apple doc on this updated to note the repair program ended Dec. 7th, 2012.) | |
Oven-Bake/Solder Reflow Tip (Feedback) |
(Apr 2012) A few more positive reports on the "Oven Bake"/solder reflow fix (example youtube video) for some Nvidia 8800GT card problems in Apple's Mac Pro forums. Some earlier/older threads on Nvidia 8800GT card problems have updated posts (here and here) on the oven-bake fix. As always, YMMV. (Some owners had also tried older tips on removing dust buildup, redoing thermal paste, SMCfanControl to boost case fan speeds for better cooling, etc.) I was skeptical when I first heard about it but oven baking posts in Nvidia's forums go back to 2010. Be aware DIY 'reflowing' the solder balls is often not a long-term fix. (It's been used on other chip problems in AVRs, etc. but the solder joints typically fail again. |
| (Dec 2011) Replies to a reader request for Mac 5870 user feedback from longer term use. (i.e. any app or OS issues seen over time, would they buy again, etc). Also includes some owner's notes on flashed models (including 6870s) as well as comparison of 5870 vs 6870 hardware features and clock rates. | |
| 2008 Mac Pro owner notes on using a flashed PC Radeon 6870 video card in his Mac Pro running OS X Lion. (Using unofficial 64bit EFI rom noted earlier.) | |
Mac Edition Review (vs ATI 4870 and GT120) |
(June 2009) Review/comparisons of EVGA's Nvidia GeForce GTX 285 Mac edition vs the Mac ATI 4870 and the base Geforce GT120 card, tested in a 2009 Mac Pro 8-core 2.66GHz system. Includes pages on apps/game tests, power (watts) usage, benchmarks and Bootcamp/Vista use. (Including EVGA's Precision utility that supports the Logitech G15 keyboard's LCD display for realtime FPS, GPU temperature and clock speed reporting.) |
vs Nvidia 8800GT and ATI Radeon X1900 |
(June 2008) Review of the ATI Radeon HD 3870 Mac/PC Edition PCI-Express 2.0 card (backward compatible with PCI-Express 1.0 Mac Pro Systems). Includes tests in OS X Leopard and Windows Vista vs Mac Nvida 8800GT and ATI X1900XT cards in a 2008 Mac Pro (PCIe 2.0) as well as previous PCIe 1.0 Mac Pro (2007/2006) models. |
| More reader notes, tips, screenshots, etc on ATI X1900 XT display artifacts (from overheating). Included are more comments on card cooler swaps, using SMCfancontrol to increase Mac Pro bay fan speeds and card revisions. | |
| ATI X1900 XT display artifacts (from overheating) caused by clogged heatsink fins on the card. Worth checking if you've used one of these cards for any period of time, especially in a dusty enviroment. | |
| Mac DisplayLink USB Drivers & Software for macOS/OS X, from Monterey to Snow Leopard. Software downloads for older Mac OS versions are listed under the "Legacy Releases". (As of September 2021, displaylink.com now goes to Synaptics.com's site.) | |
| Apple TV section with Setup, How-To and problem solving tips, including 4K Apple TV (5th generation) info on HDR, Dolby Vision, Atmos Audio/Surround Sound, and more. | |
| (March 2010) First generation Apple TV Hard Drive Upgrade, using a method that avoids ripping off the entire bottom rubber cover. Guide includes pictures, take-apart notes and more. | |
broken by macOS 11.6 | macOS 11.6 broke M1 Mac DVD Disc Playback - see M1 Macs DVD Player Fix using Rosetta. (FYI: I still use this Rosetta tip in later versions of macOS on a M1 Mini.) |
| Free Media Player for Macs. Requires OS X 10.7.5 or later and a 64-bit Intel-based Macintosh. (VLC Media Player versions for older mac OS X versions are listed down the linked page.) | |
News, Updates, Tips | Audio/Home Theater topics page with Tips, App/Software updates, links to guides on AirPlay, HomePod, iTunes and Firmware Updates for TVs, Receivers and UHD/Blu-Ray disc players. (Also Tips for AVR, TV or Disc Player Problems and tips for some movie disc issues.) |
| Info and tips on setting OS X DVD Player output 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound. Also has general OS X Audio/Multichannel setup info & notes on Mac HDMI to AVR/TV configuration. (Test system was 2012 Mac Mini HDMI out to A/V Receiver connected to a TV.) | |
(using VLC and MakeMKV) | (Jan. 2010) Notes on using VLC player & MakeMKV to play Blu-ray movies in OS X. |
(for older video cards) | |
Accelero S1 rev2 cooler |
Short article with photos from a Mac Pro owner on using an Accelero S1 Rev 2 cooler on his 8800GT. (With temperature tests (Fanless) vs stock cooler and notes on adding a fan to this cooler.) |
Revoltec Graphics Freezer Pro (ATI X1900 XT) |
Mac Pro owner comments, notes & photos on quieting X1900 XT card using an Arctic Cooling Accelero S1. (Includes notes on fit problems with a Revoltec Graphics Freezer Pro in a Mac Pro.) FYI: Links to 4 other Radeon X1900 XT Coolers in this article. |
on ATI X800 card in G5 Tower |
Short article with photos from a G5 Tower owner on using an Accelero S1 Rev 2 cooler (passive) on his ATI X800 card - with mods to G5 tower's air deflector required to clear the S1 R2's heatsink. |
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