Apple today made its $2,000 Mac Pro Afterburner Card available as a separate purchase, having previously been offered only as a build-to-order option when configuring a new ‌Mac Pro‌.

apple afterburning card
Apple Afterburner is a PCIe accelerator card specifically for the 2019 ‌Mac Pro‌, created to enhance Apple ProRes and ProRes RAW workflows for creative professionals by accelerating the decoding and playback of multiple streams.

Afterburner supports playback of up to 6 streams of 8K ProRes RAW or up to 23 streams of 4K ProRes RAW. It accelerates ProRes and ProRes RAW video codecs in Final Cut Pro X and QuickTime Player X, as well as supported third-party applications.

The Afterburner can be installed in any full-length slot in the 2019 ‌Mac Pro‌, but it delivers maximum capability in a PCIe x16 slot. Apple Afterburner Cards ordered today from Apple's online store currently ship in five to seven business days.

For more information on the ‌Mac Pro‌ accelerator card, check out Apple's Afterburner FAQ.

Related Roundup: Mac Pro
Buyer's Guide: Mac Pro (Caution)
Related Forum: Mac Pro

Top Rated Comments

TheDevler Avatar
77 months ago
Let the 5,1 experiments begin!
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
XDR Avatar
77 months ago
Well, I would be more grateful if Apple finally decides to release the Radeon Pro W5700X, which is in "limbo" for months now ?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
seek3r Avatar
77 months ago
Should be addable to a cMP now...
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
avkills Avatar
77 months ago

I'm waiting for that as well.
Me as well.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
XDR Avatar
77 months ago

Why? Does that accelerate Prores processing?
My pain is related to the fact, that we are waiting for the W5700X for too long. "Comming soon" is stretched in this case extremely, and it causes frustration. Technology getting older, and some of us, including me, who are not that rich (who planning that kind of purchases) waiting for the price announcement of the card. It would be kind to know at least that, so we can do some moves.

So personally I would prefer to hear news regarding that, rather than about Afterburner, which is a bit of "gimmicky" for most people (but of course I respect what it is and the small number of people, who can benefit from it).

peace!
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MisterAndrew Avatar
77 months ago
Standalone Vega II and Vega II Duo MPX modules are available as well.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April. Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far. iOS 26.3 iPhone to Android Transfer Tool iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014. This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026. "I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
maxresdefault

M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Launch Imminent as Reseller Stock Dwindles

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:12 pm PST by
New M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are slated to launch in the near future, according to information shared with MacRumors by an Apple Premium Reseller. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The third-party Apple retailer said that MacBook Pro stock is very low currently because there is an imminent new product introduction. Apple typically coordinates supply with...