Mac Pro 2009-2012 PCIe Card/GPU Replacement

Written By: Taylor
  • Comments: 4
Mac Pro 2009-2012 PCIe Card/GPU Replacement

Difficulty

Easy

Steps

5

Time Required

5 - 15 minutes

Introduction

Removing a PCIe or GPU from this version of the Mac Pro isn’t as simple as pulling the card out of the PCIe slot.

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    • Lift the latch

    • Remove the side panel

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    • The screws are spring-mounted and will stay attached to the cover. You can remove them by hand, although a screwdriver may be needed to start.

    • When reassembling, pay attention to the notch at the top. The cover should slide into this notch.

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    • If the card is long enough to reach the slots in the fan casing, or the card is hooked into the lock bar next to the PCI ports, you need to slide the cover on the fan casing over.

    • Press the release button and slide the casing to the left.

    • This also moves the lock bar.

    • Push down on the clip, Not bending the port. to remove the cables.

    • If you are adding a more power hungry card, Use 2x mini 6 pin to etc cables. (what ever you may have on your card) This is to avoid burning the power rails of the motherboard.

    • On some cards, the cables may need to be removed after sliding the card out due to the clip being not able to be accessed, In that occasion. Hold the card carefully, not yanking the cables.

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    • Pull the card straight out

    • When reinstalling the card, make sure the bracket fits over the screw threads.

    • Don't wiggle it! if you do so then you might damage the card or the slot

Conclusion

To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.

Author

Taylor

Member since: 18/10/21

259 Reputation

4 comments

I was wondering if anyone knows if Sapphire Radeon video cards are repaired and who can that be

dawudi88 -

What's wrong with your GPU?

Lines, Fans not turning on, No screen, etc

Ben Capehart -

Great site! However, on the GPU upgrade:

in the most common upgrades, the GPU has an 8 pin requirement vs. the original 6 pin. I ran into this problem yesterday. I bought a Radeon r580 and the included 6 pin power cable is for a PC board, not the 6 pin mini-plug that the Mac requires. In fact, the cMP has TWO mini 6 pin slots, one of which is used by the OEM GPU. They are side-by-side. The issue is - since this is not a "Mac" GPU edition - is getting the correct 2 X 6 mini-plugs with the 8 pin that plugs into the GPU.

As I type, I am waiting for new cable. If the above is not correct, PLEASE let me know.

Thanks!!

John Julian -

Great catch!

I completely forgot this issue.

You don't want to run it off of just one mini 6, or you'll burn the motherboard.

Use 2x mini 6 pin to etc cables. And as usual Enjoy! :-)

Ben Capehart -