Need a low end unpowered GPU for a secondary monitor

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Need a low end unpowered GPU for a secondary monitor

So I have an upgraded 5,1 Mac Pro 2012 3.46GHZ 12 core with an ATI 580 PCIE graphics card. That is what I use for the main monitor. It has the two power ports wired to it and I want to use a secondary monitor for tool sets. I can use the secondary port on the card but it splits that card and doesn't need that power. I gather it is a PC version as it has no boot screen so Im hoping running the secondary graphics card will allow the boot screen. There are no power ports left so Im hoping there is a low end card that is usable.

Secondary question I hear Moave solves the boot screen issue on those cards . True?

Mac Pro

Posted on Dec 14, 2018 8:27 PM

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Answer 1

Top-ranking reply

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Dec 14, 2018 9:29 PM in response to darlie brewster

Look for the Nvidia GeForce GT 120, make sure it is the Mac edition with the plain light grey cover, can be picked up second hand for about £70.00. Draws power straight from the main board, no need for extra cables. Was the stock card for Mac Pros from 2009-2012.

As for your other card if you don't get boot screens now it is highly unlikely you will with Mojave. The card needs to be a Mac Edition card or have been 'flashed' for use on Macs. You may be able to find a You Tube tutorial on how to do this, you will need a P.C. to do this.

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Answer 2

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Dec 15, 2018 1:37 AM in response to darlie brewster

Yes, the GT 120 card above does not have 'metal' capability which you need for running Mojave efficiently, hopefully your other card will provide this. The GT 120 will be fine for giving you the boot screen. If you were to boot to Mojave with the GT 120 there is no graphics acceleration, so expect sticky windows when dragging for example and the standard grey/ aluminium theme will suffer from incorrect tone and transparency in certain areas.

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Answer 3

Dec 14, 2018 10:13 PM in response to Eau Rouge

Thanks I think I flashed a PC card for my G5 way back so I have long since forgotten. :) I will look up that Mac Edition GT 120. Sounds perfect. The reason is that using the secondary card on the tool monitor I will get the boot screen so I can go into restore or repair. Run hardware tests. A Mac Edition will run the boot screen .

By the way I was getting WAY higher numbers FPS on cinebench in High Sierra , something like 70 FPS so I was really nervous about upgrading again. I may try it on one SSD

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Answer 4

Dec 15, 2018 1:07 AM in response to Eau Rouge

That is perfect. To upgrade to you have to have a Mac card anyway so it's great. Hopefully there is no conflict with the two drivers having to be loaded . Plugging and unplugging the giant cards is a hassle . This is perfect and I can leave it in.

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Answer 5

Eau Rouge

Level 8

42,656 points

Dec 14, 2018 10:49 PM in response to darlie brewster

Forgot to mention the Nvidia Geforce GT120 has a single DVI and single mini display port.

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Answer 6

Dec 15, 2018 1:07 AM in response to Eau Rouge

Oh and they go for around 40 dollars US on ebay.

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Need a low end unpowered GPU for a secondary monitor

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