2010 Mac Pro with 5870 - 3 monitors not working

If I got a Minidisplay port to VGA and use the direct DVI port will that work? I need one port to be VGA due to the 19" monitor I have.

Hmmm, this topic has got me a little scared that my plans aren't going to work and I'd appreciate some other opinions.

I have ordered a Mac Pro 2.8GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon machine, with a 5870 graphics upgrade (based on forum recommendations). I have also just bought 2x Dell U2711's (27" Displays) to connect up. I hope to drive these screens at the full resolution of 2560x1440 and understand that I need to order two Mini-DisplayPort to Displayport cables ( http://estore.circuitassembly.com/products/Mini-Displayport-to-Displayport-Adapt er-Cable.html) and all would be sweet.

That's the first part of the query. will that work? All the talk of adapters and converters has confused this Mac newbie.

2nd part of the query, can I then connect my HD TV to the remaining DVI port on the 5870 and use it as a 3rd display at 1920x1080?

Many thanks in advance...

Simon,

This is the best Apple Tech Note on what you need regarding display adapters
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4279

I would have to re-read this thread to see what others have said, but using 27-30" using DVI is where some of the trouble is.

Unfortunate that a 5870 can't be paired with 5770, only GT120.

To start a new topic in this forum:
http://discussions.apple.com/post!default.jspa?forumID=1325

Thanks for your quick response, The hatter, I read the linked article before I posted and am, I am afraid, still confused. Here is, I think, the relevant section:

+These cards each have two Mini DisplayPort outputs and one dual-link DVI output for a total of three video ports. All three ports are available for simultaneous use, depending upon the type of connection.+

+* To connect up to two Mini DisplayPort displays and up to a 30-inch DVI display simultaneously, use the ports without any adapters.+

The Dell U2711's have a DisplayPort connector, so I assume that the cable I linked to (mini-DP to DP) is effectively the same as if they had a mini-DP port, correct?

Simon....

MY confusion is around the term 'adapter'.

I went to Dell and didn't see the back side ports, but I assume the monitor doesn't have a cable hard wired to it.

Your $12 cable looks fine.

The trouble has been with having to buy $199 adapters for monitors that have a DVI plug only, often part of the monitor that can't be changed, and that are larger than 23".

Should be effectively the same as you say, as if they had MDP port (like Apple 27").

http://www.bing.com/search?q=DellMini+display+port+Apple5780

*I really think you will be fine* with Dell's native MDP.

It really can be hard to create a decision-tree - if 2 x 30" DVI + HDMI TV, where (HP, Dell, other) along with Apple display, and throw in some unknowns.
How well the card and drivers work with three displays for the type of work? Don't know. Or how applications work, and effectively having 330MB for each display.

Some bought a GT120 but that was to support two dual-link DVI 24-30" displays. Cheaper than $199 dual-link adapters which you don't need.

The hatter, you're correct. Here's an image of the connectors available on the U2711: http://en.community.dell.com/cfs-filesystemfile.ashx/__key/CommunityServer.Blogs .Components.WeblogFiles/direct2dell/8272.U2711-Ports.JPG

Okay, we'll see how we go. I'll make sure I report back here in a few weeks. Thanks for your assistance.

Simon....

You're welcome.

When you don't have your own thread, you can't mark it answered or solved, and of course our little conversation gets buried. No points doesn't really matter, but would be nice.

Sorry, wasn't aware of the points system. Looks like I can't do anything with this one, but will be aware in future. As a soon to be new Mac Pro user, I'll be back many times, I'm sure.

I have 2-24" Dell Ultrasharps and 1=30" Apple

I've tried....

2 DisplayPort -> MiniDisplay Port adapters + Dual Link DVI -> DVI port (doesn't work)
1 Display Port -> MiniDisplay Port adapter + Dual Link DVI - > DVI port (Doesn't work [left 3rd monitor disconnected])
2 Dual-Link DVI -> MiniDisplay Port + DVI -> DVI Port (works but the OS has serious issues with sleep)

From my testing, I can speculate that the DisplayPort to MiniDisplay port adapters simply won't work for larger monitors. You'll need the extra power the Dual Link DVI adapter grabs via it's USB connection as well as the video connection.


In all fairness though, I may have a bad 2010 MacPro. I am returning it to Apple at their request due to a fan issue.

Message was edited by: NullUnit

Hi all here is a thought, my friend is going through the same issues with his new mac pro and this idea does not really apply to him seeing all his pci slots are filled with pro tools cards but it got me thinking....
I have been using 3 monitors on my mac pro 2008 with no issues all dvi with one monitor being the 30 inch cinema display, if you have the space why not add a second cheaper card for the 2nd and third monitors namely the ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB which has two dual link dvi ports, this was the stock card on my mac pro it only takes up one slot does not need extra power from the mother board and you can most likely find one for a lot cheaper than two mini display port adapters. This way you have your main monitor using all the available ram and gpu power for your main monitor and if you like you can actually have four monitors connected at once, I have done it.

My set up is below

NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB (two dual-link DVI ports) this card is double wide like the 4770

I plan to up grade this to one of the new ATI cards and keep the

ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT 256MB two dual-link DVI ports this card is single slot

Food for thought, I am not sure if this card will work with the new mac pros but I don't see why not, I will find out when get my new card in a week or so.

The 2600XT has 256MB, isn't always well liked or received, and is EOL.

The GT120 is sold $149 and has 512MB. No extra power connector needed.

I tried one connected through the DVI connector, and 2 with mini display port to VGA adaptors - that didnt appear to work either - the 3rd screen stayed black.

The tech note did not appear to say this configuration will not work.

Have I missed something?

The screens are
DVI 1980x1080
VGA 1980x1080
VGA 1680x1050

I was always under the impression that you could only drive 2 displays per card, for a total of 6 displays (3 cards).
I've never really dug into this deeply, but I thought I remember reading this somewhere.

Yes that's a good note about the nvidia gt120 over the ati 2600xt but that is the stock card that came with my and all the 2008 Mac Pros, it's not powerful but it does the job just fine. The main point here is that you can buy a second video card that is cheap and does not need extra power from the logic board and can do the job of running the third and or the second and third monitor.

Don't foget that when you run two or thee monitors off the main video card you are dividing the vram between them and dividing it's gpu power so you are getting half or a third of the vram you would if you had just one monitor hooked into the 5770 or 5870. For me I would rather have my 5870 running with all it's memory and gpu power on my main 30 inch monitor and let my other two run on the less powerful card. This of course depends on your individual needs and set up and obviously does not help those who use all the other slots for raid cards, pro tools hd or whatever.

One final note is there are USB to dvi monitor adapters that while they do not run any core graphics or have a gpu they will give you an extra monitor in extended desktop mode that is good enough for text files etc.

Take a look at the story about 57xx in 2008, seems unsupported really means you are out if something goes wrong.

Radeon 5770 Warranty comments from 2008 Mac Pro owner (officially 'unsupported' model)

As for USB video, I'd look and see what OWC has.

The fan noise of early 2600s was annoying, and a firmware update to deal with another problem only made it worse. Later models of course were built with those corrections and not the trouble.

Seems like it is impossible to upgrade Mac Pros anymore.