2010 Mac Pro with 5870 - 3 monitors not working

Just want to make sure I get everything correct since I have a 24" Apple LED Display. Since I have this which comes with an adapter,

What adapter? The 24" does not come with any adapters.

I would only need to get one more adapter?

If you want two DVI displays and the 24" display, connect one DVI display to the DVI port, the 24" to a Mini DisplayPort, and the other DVI display to a Mini DisplayPort with a Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter.
<http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB571Z/A?fnode=MTY1NDA5OQ&mco=MTA4MzU1ODY>

Does that sound correct if I want to hook up 3 DVI monitors?

The 24" display is not DVI. For three DVI displays, you will need two Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapters.

Sorry, meant to say the 24" LED has a Mini Display port already. So I would just need the one Mini Display port to Dual-Link DVI Adapter for one of the two remaining DVI monitors. Thanks for clarifying, this shouldn't require this much thought or money.

Has anyone tried an adapter to a full-size DisplayPort? The "Gefen ADA-MDP-2-DPF Mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort Adapter" is a lot cheaper than the dual-link DVI. I have one monitor with DVI only and 2 monitors (Dell 27's) with full-size DisplayPort or DVI on them. Seems like these might work well. I haven't bought my new MacPro yet and want to figure out which cables will work best.

*Mac Pro (Mid 2010), Mac Pro (Early 2009): Issues with three displays and multiple DVI, HDMI connections*

Last Modified: August 26, 2010
Article: TS3477

When three displays are in use with Mac Pro (Mid 2010), only one DVI or HDMI device should be used. Note: The Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (different from the Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter) is considered a DVI device.

When using three displays, at least two of them should be connected using Mini DisplayPort, however, you may use the Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter or the Apple Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter.

Display adapters (whether they're made by Apple or a third party) should be connected directly to the display and the video card. You should not connect a secondary video adapter to them.

http://support.apple.com/kb/TS3477?viewlocale=en_US

Hi,
I have two monitors that support Standard Displayport connections. I bought two converters for Displayport to Mini Displayport, but still can not connect 3 monitors.

So the only way to make this work, will be the expensive Apple connector 🙂

Cheers
Alexander

Thank you Bryan for the post. I am having the same unpleasant surprise this morning, I wanted to add my 2x 24" dell DVI monitors and my Cintiq 12WX tablet. I just plugged the adapters and nope... only two monitors! What a sad surprise, Apple didn't mentions that, that's really sad. Would I have know I would have ordered two 5770 instead. 😟

I just put a 5770 in my 2008 MacPro. Out of the five or so times I woke it up after sleep, I saw a grey static screen once. It did go away after a minute or two. Considering that I got this card to replace some 2600s that had wake from sleep issues, it's not reassuring to see this grey screen.

Hi Brian and Everybody,

I'm a bit confused regarding the viability of the following scenario... On a new 6-core 2010 Mac Pro I want to run the new Apple 27" along with two 5 year old Apple 23" Cinema Displays (Dual Link DVI) from the 5870. Will this work?

Big thanks, Brett

According to the apple support article referenced above, you should be able to with ONE dual-link DVI adapter by connecting the 27" into the MDP and the other 23" into the DVI port.....I haven't tested it but this should work. I think barefeats had a setup similar to that one working on their machine.

This problem just bit me, after buying a new 2.8GHz Quad Power Mac. From my cursory reading of the specs, and discussion at the store, it seemed I could drive my three DVI monitors by just buying two DVI-MiniDisply adapters. I suffered the same fate as others. I was wondering about a fix similar to what Bryan suggested, and whether it may work for me as I have the 5770 card and not the 5870. I was wondering if I could add a PCIe video card I already have - a nVidia GeForce4 MX. I guess the question is whether the 5770 maxes out the machine the same way a 5870 does. Any insights appreciated.

it seemed I could drive my three DVI monitors by just buying two DVI-MiniDisply adapters.

You need two dual-link adapters. You should be able to exchange your adapter for just the price difference since they don't warn about needing the dual-link version.

I was wondering if I could add a PCIe video card I already have - a nVidia GeForce4 MX.

Only cards made for the Mac Pro will work.

I wish you all the best of luck. I bought a Mac Pro 8 core 2.88 with The Radeon 5770 about 2 weeks ago. I have been through the ringer trying to get my two Samsung monitors to work with this computer. I've been using Macs since 98 when I first bought my G3 300mhz. There is seriously something wrong with Apple these days. Here's what I've gone through thus far. 1) Bought 2 apple and 2 3rd party Mini Display to DVI adapters. $100. 2) Dragged my Mac Pro and Both monitors to a "Genius" appointment. 3) Replaced the Radeon card. 4) Tried a DVI to dual DVI (Which only mirrors) $50. In between each one of these steps mind you I've been on the phone with Mumbai and the US and back to Mumbai for hrs. of my life which I will never get back. After repeating my story more than a dozen times to a dozen different people and going into the Apple store twice, I've finally got Apple to agree to replace my computer. I will be Dragging my computer again to a not so close Apple store after having to make another "genius" Appointment to exchange my computer. I have a distinct feeling that Apple is trying to faze out all third party monitors and the new computer I will be receiving will do the exact same thing. Sigh..... Apple, you got me. Have faith in knowing I will be buying 2 of your finest, way more expensive and not necessarily better, 23" monitors.
Love,
Mike

I too got all excited at the thought of just "plugging in" a couple monitors along with my Cintiq
and showing off my new kick *** system. (I really should read more before I buy) My first reaction when the third monitor did not activate was to call apple support, where I was told about the DVI Dual thingamajiggy (forgive the technical jargon) I have the 5770 that came with the machine as well as both the mini display to vga & dvi adaptors (why am I so quick to toss out the receipts) I am thankful to forums such as this to find out (maybe a little late on my part) what needs to be done to correct this. So far I have read:
do NOT buy 2 third party dual display adaptors to save a buck.
do NOT add a second 5770 to offset the cost of two correct adapters.

I think I may just add apple dual display adapters to my christmas list and see how it goes from there