Optimizing NVIDIA GeForce 4xx and 5xx Graphics Cards for Mac OS X Lion Using OpenCL and CUDA

Posted by tonymacx86 on Monday, March 19, 2012
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Many graphics and video professionals prefer using NVIDIA graphics cards. OpenCL (Open Computing Language) was initially created by Apple to provide applications access to the computing power of the graphics card as well as the CPU. This can dramatically increase the general performance of high-end applications at the OS level, and has become an industry standard. Apple has supported OpenCL since Mac OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard.

Using the latest MultiBeast, all NVIDIA 4xx and 5xx graphics cards can be optimized for Mac OS X Lion. We've included a Combo OpenCL Enabler, that not only patches all device IDs into the native driver, but patches the system to use the power of OpenCL. Earlier NVIDIA (pre-Fermi) models and ATI/AMD cards are OpenCL enabled by default, and do not need any patching. Integrated graphics solutions such as Intel HD 3000 do not support OpenCL.
How to Enable OpenCL for NVIDIA 4xx and 5xx Graphics Cards:

     1. Update to the latest version of Mac OS X Lion
     2. Download MultiBeast
     3. Run Combo OpenCL Enabler
     4. Reboot

NOTE: Only for Mac OS X Lion native drivers with NVIDIA 4xx and 5xx cards. If you've previously installed the official Quadro for Mac drivers for Lion from NVIDIA's site, do NOT run the Combo OpenCL Enabler.


NVIDIA has created a similar but proprietary technology, called CUDA. According to NVIDIA's site, CUDA is "a parallel computing platform that enables dramatic increases in computing performance by harnessing the power of the graphics processing unit (GPU)". NVIDIA's CUDA driver for Mac can be downloaded free from NVIDIA's site here.
It is important to note that both CUDA and OpenCL don't work with every piece of software. The application itself must be coded to support them. Refer to the developer's website for compatibility with these technologies.

Below are some of our top picks for modern NVIDIA cards that can be fully enabled using the new Combo OpenCL Enabler and CUDA. 

GeForce GT 430Amazon  Newegg
GeForce GTS 450Amazon  Newegg
GeForce GTX 460Amazon  Newegg
GeForce GTX 470Amazon  Newegg
GeForce GTX 480Amazon  Newegg 
GeForce GT 520Amazon  Newegg
GeForce GTX 550tiAmazon  Newegg
 GeForce GTX 560Amazon  Newegg
GeForce GTX 560tiAmazon  Newegg
GeForce GTX 570Amazon  Newegg
GeForce GTX 580Amazon  Newegg

Check out our CustoMac Buyer's Guide for a huge list of alternate graphics cards, parts, and full Sandy Bridge Socket 1155 builds. Good luck, and let us know how it goes!
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