bootcamp video driver disabled with >750GB RAM 2019 Mac Pro

Question

When I install any amount of RAM greater than 750 GB on my 2019 Mac Pros (2 workstations attempted), the RX580 video driver in bootcamp becomes faulty (yield icon in device manager) and units (1) lose advanced video capabilities (single monitor only, HDMI only, no thunderbolt) and the AMD drivers no longer recognize any installed cards (RX580 installed in both units). When I remove RAM modules (128GB modules in pairs) the issue is resolved. Issue only occurs in bootcamp for Win 10 & Win 11, not in OS X.

Answer 1

Hello,

It sounds like you're encountering a compatibility issue between the large amount of RAM and the video driver when running Windows via Boot Camp on your 2019 Mac Pro. Here are some steps you can try to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Update Boot Camp and Drivers: Ensure that you have the latest version of Boot Camp and all associated drivers from Apple. Sometimes driver updates can resolve compatibility issues.
2. Install AMD Drivers from Their Website: Instead of relying on Boot Camp drivers, download and install the latest drivers for the RX580 directly from the AMD website. Make sure to use the correct version for Windows 10 or Windows 11.
3. BIOS/UEFI Setting: Check if there are any settings in the Boot Camp configuration or the UEFI firmware (macOS System Preferences -> Startup Disk) that can affect how the system allocates resources, particularly with large amounts of RAM.
4. Windows Memory Management: In Windows, go to System Properties -> Advanced -> Performance Settings -> Advanced -> Virtual Memory and try adjusting the size of the paging file. Sometimes a manual configuration can help with large RAM configurations.
5. Limit Windows RAM: You could temporarily limit the amount of RAM Windows uses to see if the issue is directly related to exceeding a certain threshold. To do this, use the System Configuration tool:
   • Open msconfig via the Windows Run dialog.
   • Go to the Boot tab and click on Advanced options.
   • Check the Maximum memory box and set it to a value lower than 750 GB.
   • Restart your computer and see if the issue persists.

Given the specifics and complexity of your hardware configuration, reaching out to Apple Support or visiting an Apple Store might be a good step. They can provide guidance or possibly escalate the issue if it's a known problem.

Best Regards,

Yanhong

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