The Mac Observer

Skip navigational links

You're viewing an article in TMO's historic archive vault. Here, we've preserved the comments and how the site looked along with the article. Use this link to view the article on our current site:
Apple Posts Radeon HD 2600 XT Update for Mac Pros

Apple Posts Radeon HD 2600 XT Update for Mac Pros

by , 4:50 PM EDT, March 10th, 2008

Apple posted an update for Mac Pros with 10.5.2 and the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics card on Tuesday. The firmware update improves the system stability, according to Apple.

"This update is for Mac Pro computers with one or more ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics cards installed, running Mac OS X 10.5.2 or later with the Leopard Graphics Update. It updates the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics card firmware on all of the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT graphics cards in the Mac Pro to improve system stability. Installing this update on a 2.8 GHz Mac Pro system configured with multiple hard drives or more than 2GB of RAM will result in the system meeting Energy Star 3.0 requirements," the update says.

The update is available via System Preferences -> Software Update or as a standalone update, 792 KB.

Observer Comments

Show: Subjects Only | Full Comments
Close Name:Guest
Subject: Overheating? Downgrade a cards performance...

"Installing this update on a 2.8 GHz Mac Pro system configured with multiple hard drives or more than 2GB of RAM will result in the system meeting Energy Star 3.0 requirements," the update says."

Translation: The graphics card was overheating and causing system lockups. This firmware update has now degraded the performance of your card.

Close Name:Intruder -   TMO Mac Specialist Posts: 3149 Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Subject: Re: Overheating? Downgrade a cards performance...

Quote
Anonymous wrote:
"Installing this update on a 2.8 GHz Mac Pro system configured with multiple hard drives or more than 2GB of RAM will result in the system meeting Energy Star 3.0 requirements," the update says."

Translation: The graphics card was overheating and causing system lockups. This firmware update has now degraded the performance of your card.


Do you have proof of this claim, or are you speculating?

Close Name:Guest
Subject:

Quote
Intruder wrote:
Do you have proof of this claim, or are you speculating?

Honest Truth: Speculation - but an educated guess based on some of the threads I have read on the Apple discussion forums (*pre firmware update* - talks of possible overheating).

I mean, after a firmware update for a graphics card suddenly it - "will result in the system meeting Energy Star 3.0 requirements"? Odd... possibly under-clocking it a tad to prevent overheating? And yes, overheating graphics cards will lock up your system.

I would say this is a very probable scenario. Apple's sparse KB article doesn't help, so one can ONLY surmise.

Close Name:algr Posts: 296 Joined: 07 Aug 2003
Subject:

But is it as powerful as a real Atari 2600?

Comment on this Article


You cannot edit your comments.   You cannot delete your comments.

Comments are currently closed. Please email the author instead.


Recent Headlines - Updated November 8th

Sun, 11:59 AM
Mac Geek Gab Podcast - MGG 226: Magic Mouse, Apple Battery Secrets, Q&A
Sat, 7:58 PM
News - Apple TV 3.0.1 Update Fixes Missing Content Bug
Fri, 7:45 PM
Rumor - Taiwan Leak Shows Verizon UTMS/CDMA iPhone for Q3 2010
6:40 PM
News - iPhone Moves Into RadioShack
6:30 PM
News - Apple to Open Stunning Paris Apple Store in Le Louvre on Saturday
5:43 PM
Free on iTunes - Dictionary, Dictionary, Dictionary, And More
4:09 PM
John Martellaro's Blog - Particle Debris (week ending 11/6) Failure IS an Option
3:32 PM
Games - The Latest App Store Games: Gravity Sling, RocketBird, Ground Effect, Checkers!
2:25 PM
Games - Star Soccer 2010 for Mac Puts Gamers in Role of Up-and-Coming Player
2:15 PM
How-To - The Mysteries of Rosetta Housekeeping
1:33 PM
News - iPhone Game Developer Sued for Collecting User’s Cell Numbers
1:17 PM
Games - Warhammer Online Expands Trial Play Option

The Mac Observer Reader Specials

  • TypeStyler For Mac OS X is Now Shipping! Download The Free Fully Functional 60 Day Tryout at www.typestyler.com
  • RamJet Memory: Mac Pro 8-core 8GB Kit $199.99, 4GB Kits $109.99! Sale on MacBook and MacBook Pro 8GB kits $549.99! New MacBook DDR3 2GB for $49.99. iMac and Mac mini 4GB Kits for $79.99! 1TB SATA Hard Drives for $109.99! Click here
  • OWC: We Make DIY Upgrading Easy! Maximize your Apple MacBook / MacBook Pro. Up to 8.0GB Memory, up to 1.0TB HD & More. Easy Guide + Free, Detailed Installation Videos. Click here
  • Poker Mac If you're using a Mac, then you've gotta check out Full Tilt Poker for Mac. This Full Tilt Poker bonus code does the unthinkable, it actually rewards!
  • For the latest Apple products use Ciao, a price comparison website, to find laptops like MacBook Air. Then find the best prices on MP3 players and use our comparison tool to evaluate mobile phones like the Apple iPhone.

  • Laptop Hardware Provided by TechRestore - Overnight Mac & iPod Repairs.
  • __________
  • Buy Stuff, Support TMO!
  • Podcast: Mac Geek Gab
  • Podcast: Apple Weekly Report
  • TMO on Twitter!