macOS Sonoma on Mac Pro 4,1 and 5,1 with RX 580

In this video I will take a look on how we can get to install macOS Sonoma on my classic Mac Pro 4,1 which is upgraded to a 5,1. In the video, I will start with macOS Mojave and go through the process to get to Sonoma. I will also do some benchmarks to compare the performance to Ventura and Windows 11. Finally I will also upgrade the video card to an AMD Radeon RX580.

Other videos related to this machine:

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
02:39 - Prepare Drives
04:47 - Create installation media
07:05 - Starting Sonoma Insallation
07:45 - Workaround for Keyboard/Mouse
08:47 - Install macOS Sonoma
09:52 - OpenCore on SSD
11:19 - Benchmarks before GPU upgrade
12:11 - Upgrade to RX 580
13:21 - Revert Root Patches
14:09 - Black screen issue with RX 580
16:58 - Install Root Patches
17:40 - Wifi and Bluetooth
17:58 - Benchmarks with RX 580
18:50 - Conclusion

[lavinchi]

Thank you so much!!!The best video iv seen for solving this problem🏆

[Newinceptions]

Hey @jensd_be - great video. Glad I found you!

My 4, 1 has been upgraded to a 5, 1 for a few years now (since Mojave). And I'm currently working on Monterey. I'm considering moving up to Sonoma/Sequoia (I think OCLP 2.0.2 covers Sequoia pretty well - but Sonoma is probably more stable).

My question: Do you have a listing of all of the hardware upgrades you've made for this beast of yours? I think it's time to upgrade a couple of my SATA HDs to SSDs.

[laurencejohnson]

That took a while but you got there!👍👍

[ThomasCGass]

looks easy... but is tricky ;-) I've tried to install Monterey on the exact system you have, but end up in a macOS Installer loop... The mac Pro starts up, shows me a macOS Installer icon and automatically changes to the apple logo and the progress bar. After about 30% it stops, black screen and back we are at the installer icon. Any ideas?

[Iglesiabiblicafundamental]

And how do you deal with drivers? For example, I use a FireWire audio interface, and that operating system does not have drivers for this format, and the Internet card I ordered does not have drivers for that operating system... so how do you make everything work properly?

[deanmorara]

Does it work for MacBook Pro (Mid-2012)?

[overdriver]

yeah... sonoma is good for supporting latest Web browser and Mac apps. but since I cannot upgrade my 4, 1 to 5, 1 boot rom I would stay in El Capitan LOL! I may install Windows for fun to entertain my friend. They will be shocked that I can install Windows to Mac pro.