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Cheap FX 5200 Ultra? Flash Apple to PC?

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First post, by squareguy

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I noticed there are a few Apple Geforce FX 5200 AGP cards on eBay for cheap. High quality build and a little research tells me that Apple only had the Ultra version in either 64MB or 128MB. So.... has anyone successfully flashed one of these to a PC BIOS?

If not, I guess I am the guinea pig. Anyone have a good place with a repository of FX 5200 BIOS(s)?

Thanks

Gateway 2000 Case and 200-Watt PSU
Intel SE440BX-2 Motherboard
Intel Pentium III 450 CPU
Micron 384MB SDRAM (3x128)
Compaq Voodoo3 3500 TV Graphics Card
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Western Digital 7200-RPM, 8MB-Cache, 160GB Hard Drive
Windows 98 SE

Reply 1 of 7, by Jo22

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I've never tried it this way round, sorry. 🙁
I flashed Geforce 2 or 4 MX PC cards to Mac before.

From what I remember, anything past Geforce 3 or 4 requires accurate firmware settings.
Before, it was mainly the Video RAM speed that had to be adapted to the target card.
The firmware themselves were pretty much interchangeable.

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In what to one race is no time at all, another race can rise and fall..." - The Minstrel

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Reply 2 of 7, by The Serpent Rider

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They're also AGP Pro, which is very limiting factor.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 3 of 7, by squareguy

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Well, that does put a damper on things then 🙁

Gateway 2000 Case and 200-Watt PSU
Intel SE440BX-2 Motherboard
Intel Pentium III 450 CPU
Micron 384MB SDRAM (3x128)
Compaq Voodoo3 3500 TV Graphics Card
Turtle Beach Santa Cruz Sound Card
Western Digital 7200-RPM, 8MB-Cache, 160GB Hard Drive
Windows 98 SE

Reply 4 of 7, by MERCURY127

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u can try insert agp pro card into agp slot - pro version just have little more power contacts...

Reply 5 of 7, by xjas

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AGP Pro slots aren't hard to come across; a lot of Asus boards seemed to have them among others. I have an A7V333 right here with one & my old CUV4X-D and PC-DL did too.

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Reply 6 of 7, by The Serpent Rider

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Even if they are not too hard to find, but you're limited to them only.

I must be some kind of standard: the anonymous gangbanger of the 21st century.

Reply 7 of 7, by dm-

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Whoever want to convert Geforce 5200 Ultra MAC edition to PC

yes it is possible, but at the same time there is a limitations:
- there will be only one DSUB output enabled via ADC port connector. You will need an APPLE ADC to DVi converter and then DVI to DSUB converter.
Or just desolder ADC port from card, solder a regular DVI port and do rewire 4 wires for DSUB only. Check differences in pinout.

- Apple 5200 Ultra has very non standart configuration of 64Mb ram with 128bit bus.
A custom bios must be flashed to the card. I have one, will check with owner if i can publish it.

- Do not use default passive cooler. Card will overheat immediately. There is an unpopulated fan connector and other unpopulated smd components on the board related to the fan. solder it, install a good fan.

So yes, you can get at least very unusual FX5200 Ultra 64mb AGP Pro card.

upd.
the bios. many thanks to R-998

The attachment 5200u.rar is no longer available
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