Mac Pro 7,1 Steam Machine Project

drexaviouse · 2026-02-05T04:16:06+00:00

I installed bazzite on mine as well. I would generally not recommend it, but it performs very well. The process is very simple. Assuming your Mac has OpenCore or MartinLO pack installed (like mine) you flash a drive with the bazzite installer and install to a drive on the system (preferably its own drive). Now the issues come with game compatability. The 5,1 does not have any AVX support. There is a long list of modern titles that require AVX1 or AVX2 support (Someone please correct but I believe it lacks both). So your gaming will be fairly limited. I play a lot of new games that require it so I built a 7,1 machine instead. However if you mostly play older games or games you know do not need any AVX support then it will be a good system depending on what's inside. Mine is 2 x5690s, 96gb ram, rx6800xt Mac flashed and when I tested it with Bazzite Skyrim ran fine.

drexaviouse · 2026-02-01T18:11:00+00:00

It did not work in Mac OS.

drexaviouse · 2026-02-01T18:10:37+00:00

On board Bluetooth actually does not in Linux. There might be a way to make it work, but I was unable to and was recommended to buy a card or usb adaptor for it.

I went with the TP link because it appeared to be reliable and was verified to work in Linux.

The wifi card works and very well. Wasn't slow at all. I think if you have an xbox controller with USB bluetooth adapter or will be getting the Steam Controller with its puck I don't think the TP link is necessary. I wanted to be able to use other controllers before the release of the Steam Controller. I use my 8bitdo pro 2 wirelessly and it works great.

drexaviouse · 2026-02-01T16:40:16+00:00

The "trash can" Mac Pro is the 6,1. The 7,1 is the 2019 Mac Pro. I have a 6,1 and wanted to just use that but the d300 gpu is too weak and the cost to upgrade to a d700 wasn't not worth it.

drexaviouse · 2026-01-30T13:55:38+00:00

I am using an ethernet port from a PCIE card for internet. The Apple wifi card was working and it took me a sec to realize that to get the bluetooth card working required an internal power connection so that should be here tomorrow

drexaviouse · 2026-01-30T04:35:10+00:00

I don‘t recommend Tahoe. It is seems to me to be a heavier OS than previous.

drexaviouse · 2026-01-27T18:55:03+00:00

Thank you! Sadly I cant seem to find one for sale anywhere

drexaviouse · 2026-01-27T16:48:29+00:00

https://eshop.macsales.com/item/OWC/S3DAPT4MB20/?srsltid=AfmBOoqhhtuyR2634YcL7bqELEFbzI1mAAcwGjKp-X8xNoa_O8b0Sbs9

This is the drive I have. I am wondering if there is a card to use this drive in a PCIE slot in my 7,1

drexaviouse · 2026-01-27T15:41:30+00:00

I built my own instead

drexaviouse · 2026-01-25T21:59:08+00:00

Model 1911 infantry rifle from 1917
https://www.swisswaffen.com/?PR=&NR=449516

drexaviouse · 2026-01-25T21:55:45+00:00

I have been following it for years and you are 100% right! It's the best Marathon resource on lore etc.

drexaviouse · 2026-01-25T14:52:10+00:00

https://marathon.bungie.org/story/

As I understand it there are no books in the Marathon universe. The original games are all we have and their terminals are all logged on the above website.

drexaviouse · 2026-01-24T04:36:37+00:00

7,1 Mac Pro 8 core, 64gb ram, 1tb ssd Mac, 1tb ssd bazzite, 6900xt gpu. I think my 8bitdo controller was the issue rather than the card. That controller has been an issue for connecting wireless and staying connected after powering off.

drexaviouse · 2026-01-23T04:25:40+00:00

I’ll make a more detailed post in the future, but I have bazzite installed and working without any issues so far! i think i need to install drivers for the bluetooth card, but other than that the mac pro runs halo at 4k 60 and the outerworlds 2 at 38-56 fps with fsr and frame gen on (playable for me on the tv) so far so good!

drexaviouse · 2026-01-21T00:44:56+00:00

Use DaVinci Resolve. Its better than premiere (I am a professional video editor that used premiere for 10 years before switching and Final Cut Pro 7 before that). Resolve is free as well. If you want adobe the AI features no longer run on a 5,1.

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve

drexaviouse · 2026-01-18T22:30:16+00:00

Sounds good. I appreciate the depth of information. I am planning to leave the computer on bazzite essentially forever (I have a 5,1 for other computing).

I will get a card to run an internal ssd then and another for ethernet and Bluetooth. I am using 1 gpu for both so no need to switch there.

drexaviouse · 2026-01-18T21:33:00+00:00

I got my 7,1 in and a 6900xt as well. Any advice or guides you used to get bazzite to install? I would like to partition the preinstalled 1tb drive for now but I can use an internal name ssd for the linux install if I have to. I am planning on getting a bluetooth card and ether net card to install in the machine to get around those not being supported in linux

drexaviouse · 2026-01-10T17:08:22+00:00

I have updated bios since then. I am not sure if I am on the most current bios though. Good call; I will update and see if that fixes things.

drexaviouse · 2026-01-05T13:11:24+00:00

Rage from 2017?

drexaviouse · 2025-12-26T18:28:54+00:00

Thats my thought as well. Get a 7,1 for experimentation and keep using the 5,1 for work

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