Currently, Mac Pro users can add a NVIDIA 8800 GT video card to their systems, but high-end ATI cards available are a few generations behind... In fact, two generations, because that's where the X1900 series can be placed. The good news is that things may change pretty soon, when the HD 3870 card could be added as an option for those using Apple's performance desktops.
Unfortunately, this is only a rumor for now, but I didn't hear it from a bird, or dreamed about it. Reports coming from Barefeats and Xlr8yourmac say the ATI Radeon HD 3870 will arrive on the Mac Pro by the end of May.
"We have received confirmation from a reliable source that a ATI will definitely offer a retail version of the ATI Radeon HD 3870 with 512MB DDR4 that will boot OS X on both current and legacy Mac Pros. It will, of course, boot Windows XP or Vista in your Boot Camp partition. And, like the 2600, we expect it to support CrossFire mode under Windows if you have two installed and jumpered."
Anyway, since the Singapore Apple Store briefly listed the ATI Radeon HD 3870 as a option available for Mac Pro computers, removing it shortly afterwards, this must be more than just a rumor.
Well, it's always good news finding out that Mac Pro buyers have more options to customize their computers, especially since you can only choose between the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT, NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT and the high end NVIDIA Quadro FX 5600 at this time.
Alex D, on June 01, 2008
Oh, great news!