MacPro 5,1 (Early 2009) with AMD Radeon RX6600XT (MSI) Graphics: Display 7MB

Hi,

I have a MacPro 5,1 and I've updated the GPU. I have installed OpenCore, then I've installed macOS Monterey Version 12.6.3 using a USB stick and another graphics card (a 512MB Nvidia card, I don't know the model anymore, but I still have it) because with the original card I can install a new OS.

I've updated the vBIOS of my MSI AMD RX6600XT using this tutorial on a Windows machine.

After that I've mounted the graphics card in my MacPro.

I have then mounted the EFI partition like this, then I opened the /EFI/EFI/OC/config.plist file using OpenCore Configurator. I changed the NVRAM -> 7C436110-A... -> boot-args to:

keepsyms=1 debug=0x100 alcid=1 agdpmod=pikera -igfxvesa

After this change I made sure I have the necessary kexts, so I've downloaded the Hackintool and I've looked at the Extensions tab and saw that I have the following extensions:

- AppleALC (1.6.3)

- CryptexFixup (1.0.1)

- FeatureUnlock (1.1.4)

- Lilu (1.6.4)

- NVMeFix (1.1.0)

- RestrictEvents (1.0.9)

- WhateverGreen (1.6.4)

After all of this changes, I've restarted the machine and I've got the Display 7MB in "About This Mac"

I've opened up the Hackingtool again and this time I looked in the System tab and I saw that the GPU is actually recognized. Under display -> GPU Name, I can see "Navi 23 [Radeon RX 6600/6600 XT/6600M]", but the other properties are more interesting:

GPU Device ID: 0x73FF1002

Quartz Extreme (QE/CI): No

Metal Supported: No

Metal Device Name: {

Metal Default Device: No

Metal Low Power: No

Metal Headless: No

So it's showing me that Metal is not supported, is that so? And the even bigger question is: How can I get my GPU working, because right now I have no GPU Hardware acceleration and everything is REALLY slow. Please help!

Thanks,

Ben

submitted by /u/Benny__1611
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1 comment :

  1. The Mac Pro 5,1 (Mid 2010/Mid 2012) isn't officially supported by macOS Monterey, but the community has found various ways to get it working, and one common way is via the OpenCore bootloader, which seems like the method you're employing.

    Firstly, there are a few common hurdles to getting AMD GPUs working on these systems:

    NVRAM: The NVRAM settings you mentioned are crucial for the GPU to work properly. The boot arguments you've used seem correct for most Navi-based cards.

    BIOS Switch: Some GPUs come with a dual BIOS switch. If your card has one, try flipping the switch to the other position.

    AGPM (Apple Graphics Power Management): Sometimes, Apple's graphics power management can interfere with the card. While agdpmod=pikera can help, sometimes more adjustments are needed.

    Given the details you've provided, here are some steps to troubleshoot:

    Check GPU Power Connectors: Ensure that the GPU is properly seated and that any required power connectors are securely connected.

    SMBIOS: Within your OpenCore config.plist, ensure that you're using an SMBIOS that's compatible with macOS Monterey. While it might be tempting to use the MacPro5,1 SMBIOS, it's probably more beneficial to use a more modern one, like iMacPro1,1, especially with your graphics card.

    Update Kexts and OpenCore: Ensure that you're using the latest versions of OpenCore and all your kexts. Compatibility and stability often improve with each release.

    Recheck WhateverGreen boot-args: Make sure you've set the correct boot arguments. In most cases, for Navi-based GPUs, the boot-args agdpmod=pikera should be sufficient.

    Check OpenCore Configurations: Verify that your config.plist settings are correct, especially under the DeviceProperties section. You may need to add specific properties for your GPU.

    Logs and Debugging: If all else fails, gather logs. OpenCore has built-in logging, and you can analyze these logs to see if there's anything glaringly wrong. Look for errors related to WhateverGreen, Lilu, or other GPU-related issues.

    Community Forums: The Mac Pro community and Hackintosh community are vast and incredibly helpful. Sites like MacRumors Forums, InsanelyMac, and others have dedicated threads for Mac Pro and Monterey. If you're unable to find a solution, sharing your exact issues and steps on these forums might get you assistance from someone who faced a similar problem.

    Consider Other GPUs: If you find it too challenging to get the RX6600XT working, consider using another GPU that's more commonly supported in the community. Many people have had success with the RX 5700 XT, for instance.

    Remember, when dealing with OpenCore on unsupported Mac hardware, patience is crucial. Sometimes it's a simple oversight or a combination of factors that can make the difference between a non-working system and a smooth experience.

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