lesterfromspace
Level 1 (5 points)

Q: 3 monitors from a single 5870

I have a Mac Pro with  a single ATI Radeon HD 5870. I am trying to use 3 monitors with but the although it has 3 outputs only 2 monitors work. I have a MiniDisplay to Dual Link DVI Adapter  but the 3rd screen is still all black. Can any one suggest a configuration. I hope i dont need another graphics card.


Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.7.3)

Posted on Jul 28, 2012 11:06 AM

by Grant Bennet-Alder,Solvedanswer
Grant Bennet-Alder Grant Bennet-Alder
Level 9 (61,292 points)
Desktops
A:

Apple says:

 

 

Three DVI displaysUse Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI AdapterUse Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI AdapterConnect to display

 

That will work using Apple's Dual-Link adapters which cost US$100 each.

 

As will these adapters:

 

Adapts:  Mini DisplayPort™   To:  DVI-D Single Link Active
AMD StatusManufacturerPart NumberMax. ResolutionPurchase
GoldAccellB087B-006B1920x1200Buy Now

 

available here for US$32.48 with SuperSaver shipping:

 

http://www.amazon.com/Accell-B087B-006B-DisplayPort-Single-Link-Certified/dp/B00 4071ZXA/ref=sr_1_2?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1343515421&sr=1-2&keywords=accell+B087B-006B

Posted on Jul 28, 2012 3:45 PM

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lesterfromspace

Q: 3 monitors from a single 5870

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  • by Ty from GA,

    Ty from GA Ty from GA May 11, 2014 6:13 AM in response to lesterfromspace
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 11, 2014 6:13 AM in response to lesterfromspace

    Hi. Thanks for this post. I edit video as part of my occupation. I've been trying to discover the magic formula to get my 5870 working with 3 monitors. Pictures of my setup below. I would think these connections would just work. But that would be too easy. Well it doesn't. Any combination of 2 seems to work. Any 2 monitors, and any 2 ports. But when I go with all 3 ports and monitors, I lose the DVI port and whatever monitor is connected to it. All monitors are HDMI and 1920x1080. But because of what I had available from past systems/configs, these are the adapters I have going. In the pic listed furthest to nearest. 1.) Apple MDP-DVI adapter then connected via DVI to HDMI cable. 2.) MDP-HDMI adpater then connected via HDMI cable. 3.) DVI-HDMI adapter connected via HDMI cable. After upgrading to Mavericks and FCPx, due to ceased support and compatibiltiy,I had to ditch my AJA Kona LHe pro video card I had running the 3rd monitor above in the picture. And since I'm not really capturing video from tape machines anymore, instead of re-upping for a new compatible pro card I wanted to save some bucks and try to get this 5870 cranking all 3 monitors. I guess one cheaper option is to buy a USB powered/USB port external video card adapter to power the 3rd HDMI monitor and forget about the 3rd port on the 5870. I welcome any input. Thanks for the discussion.

     

    20140511_082816.jpg

    20140511_085243.jpg

  • by Malcolm J. Rayfield,

    Malcolm J. Rayfield Malcolm J. Rayfield May 11, 2014 8:03 AM in response to Ty from GA
    Level 5 (7,945 points)
    May 11, 2014 8:03 AM in response to Ty from GA

    You need ACTIVE Mini DisplayPort adapters.

     

    DVI (1920 x 1200 maximum resolution)

    <http://www.accellcables.com/B087B-006B.html>

     

    HDMI

    <http://ca.startech.com/AV/Displayport-Converters/Mini-DisplayPort-to-HDMI-Active -Video-and-Audio-Adapter-Converter-Mini-DP-to-HDMI-1920x1200~MDP2HDS>

  • by Ty from GA,

    Ty from GA Ty from GA May 12, 2014 11:22 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield
    Level 1 (0 points)
    May 12, 2014 11:22 AM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

    So the ones I have pictured are not ACTIVE? I thought they were. I'll have to check my purchase history and see what I bought. But thanks for the input Malcolm.

  • by beyondthenet3,

    beyondthenet3 beyondthenet3 Sep 29, 2014 8:13 PM in response to Ty from GA
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Sep 29, 2014 8:13 PM in response to Ty from GA

    Hi Ty,

     

    I also have a 2009 Mac Pro and am considering buying a HD 5870, but only if I can confirm that it can support 3 monitors.

     

    Did you get 3 monitors to work after you bought the ACTIVE mini DisplayPort adapters?

     

    Thanks in advance to Malcolm and Ty!

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