Level 1

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2010 Mac Pro with 5870 - 3 monitors not working

I just got a new 2010 2.4GHz 8-core Mac Pro with a 5870. The tech specs say that I can drive 3 monitors with that card, however it's only letting me drive two. I have two Mini DisplayPort-to-DVI adapters connected to two Samsung P2770HD monitors at 1920x1080 resolution and the DVI port connected to a Samsung T260 at 1920x1200. I'm using DVI-D cables on everything.

When I connect all three monitors, the two monitors connected to the Mini DisplayPorts are detected, but the monitor connected to the DVI port isn't. If I unplug one of the DisplayPort monitors, the DVI monitor is detected and works fine.

The only note on the tech specs page says:
"2. Connecting more than three displays requires installation of two ATI Radeon HD 5770 graphics cards."

Hitting "Detect Displays" on the Displays System Preferences page doesn't detect the 3rd monitor. I've tried rebooting, sleeping, disconnecting, etc - no luck.

Any suggestions? Thanks,
-Bryan

2010 Mac Pro, 8-core, 2.4 GHz, 8GB, 5870, Mac OS X (10.6.4), 3 monitors

Posted on Aug 24, 2010 9:38 PM

59 replies

Nov 18, 2010 10:53 AM in response to The hatter

Hi hatter, my posts are to help those with the issue of not being able to run three monitors on the new 2010 with the 5770 or 5870 ie adding a second video card or USB to dvi adapter yes OWC sells them.

I will be installing the 5770 in my 2008 mac pro soon and report back. The post you refer to with the guy with the issues, did not do his research before making his purchase like certain apple policies ie 14 day return etc. I know it is unsupported so its up to the individual if they want to role the dice, but bare feats have fully tested it on 2008 and 2009 MPs without issues even 2006 and 2007s. I am getting a working 5770 card from a friend who is upgrading to the 5870 we will see what happens and I will be running my older ATI as well.
Firmware updates happen, the older cards most likely had that taken care of by now, fan noise?? My mac pro 2008 is way quiet even with both cards 8800 and 2600.

Check out the link below on running the 2010 cards in older macs

http://www.barefeats.com/wst10g7.html

Nov 29, 2010 1:07 AM in response to Lance Mcvickar

Just to close off my particular query - I am typing this onto the display which is currently my Sony 46" XBR TV, while I still have 2x Dell U2711's running at 2560x1400 on the desk a few metres away, all connected to my new Mac Pro with a 5870 video card.

I bought 2x 3m MiniDP to DP cables from a reputable US based company that are running the Dells, a 5m DVI to HDMI cable from a local computer store and (for audio reasons) a 5m optical SPDIF to SPDIF cable to my HT Amp.

All is working extremely well after some hiccups, but only due to my non-Mac familiarity.

Any questions, happy to help, but it really was that easy.

Simon....

Nov 29, 2010 10:02 AM in response to SimonBPro

Well my friend has the new 2010 mac pro and has been through the same issues and has finally resolved them. To drive 3 DVI monitors with the new 5870 and 5770 you need to have two duel link mini display port to dvi adapters unless you have one dvi monitor and two newer apple monitors with mini display ports. But if your using 3 dvi monitors two of them must be connected via duel link to mini display port adapters but here is the extra info, the usb cables on the these adapters must be plugged into the mac, this powers the drivers in the duel link adapters otherwise they don't work properly. My friend first had the regular dvi to mini display port adapters and it was a no go then bought two duel link mini display adapters but still had issues until he plugged in the usb cables as well, these seem to send some power to the adapter not just pass through usb to the monitor. So you must have those plugged in even if your monitor has no usb ports.
I will be installing his 5770 in my 2008 mac pro sometime this week as he is upgrading to the 5870 and I will report back.

Nov 29, 2010 2:30 PM in response to Lance Mcvickar

Hi Lance, I don't have any USB connectors on my Mini DisplayPort to Dual Link DVI cables. I was recommended these particular cables by a mate who knows his stuff, so that's what I bought. Perhaps I was lucky, who knows, but they work for me.

I'm just trying to even up the negative vibes in here, I'm not saying people haven't genuinely had troubles - maybe there are new drivers out (my machine was a CTO build), or the cables are different. All I'm trying toshow is that the combination does work.

Anyway, I am pleased your friend got it all sorted. Once you do, it's a wonderful thing.

Nov 29, 2010 6:28 PM in response to SimonBPro

So your using two regular mini display port adapters not duel link? With two dual link cables? And are able to run three monitors? Please confirm. I think my friend would be interested. Thanks.
I will use my second video card for the 2nd and 3rd monitor both dvi and let my 30inch enjoy all the vram and gpu of the 5770 and plus I won't have to buy any more adapters or cables as I am using three monitors at the moment on my 2008 MP.

Dec 8, 2010 3:47 PM in response to Bryan Duke

For folks who just need a 3rd monitor to monitor video out of Final Cut Pro or Adobe Premiere the best solution I found is to buy a Blackmagic Design Intensity Pro card $189
http://www.amazon.com/Blackmagic-Design-Intensity-Pro-Editing/dp/B001CN9GEA/ref= sr11?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1291851923&sr=8-1

It has HDMI output and can use any HDTV as the 3rd monitor + I get accurate HDMI output. This card also captures analog video as well and costs the same as buying 2 Apple Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapters.

Dec 13, 2010 9:35 PM in response to Bryan Duke

Hey - I've got a 2009 Mac Pro with a 5870 driving 3x Dell 23" UltraSharps. I have finally found a stable way to drive all three at full horsepower in OS X. DVI and 2x dual-link DVI is the answer - *BUT* I ran the USB connection on the dual-link adapters to independent 10w USB power adapters to supply the extra juice without taxing the USB bus.

So far, runs seamless on OS X in a variety of scenarios. Downside? Windows is not at peace with this setup.Windows will run the three displays in Mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort (x2) and DVI without issue - until you need to reboot, and then the power draw makes the video card unrecognizable.

Once I get both OS's stable and booting seamlessly, I'll post the work-around.

D10S

Level 1

16 points

Mar 7, 2011 1:15 PM in response to SimonBPro

Simon,
Can you tell me what brand MiniDP to DP cables you purchased to run your 2 Dell monitors. A link to the product would help.

Jul 27, 2011 6:08 PM in response to Bryan Duke

Hey there guys,

Too bad i read this after I bought 3 DVI screens for my MacPro 2010.....

Well here is my question:

I was wondering wether I should get a GT120 (since it doesnt require power (right?)) to hook up 2 of the 3 screens, and then connect my main screen on my 5870.

Am I correct that this setup should work? or am i bound to the 2 apple dual-link DVI adapters?

kind regards,

Levi

Jul 27, 2011 6:26 PM in response to Levi de Graaf

This thread was started a long time ago, and much has been learned since then.

The Mini DisplayPort Interface drivers do not have enough power to run three DVI at once. What is required is an ACTIVE POWERED adapter. These have a set of drivers that can run the levels up to what DVI needs, and all is well when they do.

There is a power pin in the interface that can be used, or extra power can be picked up from a computer-end USB connector. Examples of ACTIVE POWERED adapters are the Apple Dual-Link Mini DisplayPort to DVI and serveral aftermarket products. One by Accell has GOLD certified status from ATI/AMD.

http://www.amazon.com/Accell-B087B-006B-DisplayPort-Single-Link-Certified/dp/B00 4071ZXA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1311815810&sr=8-1

Feb 25, 2012 6:28 PM in response to Bryan Duke

I struggled with attaching three monitors to my Mac Pro 2011 and finally found the solution. The catch is: You cannot run three monitors if you are trying to run all of them in DVI or HDMI mode (haven't tried the display port option though). If you are trying to run monitors in these modes, only two monitors will work, the third won't. Running all three in DVI/HDMI or in combination will presumably need another graphic card. I do not have another graphic card, and still managed to run three monitors: one in DVI mode and the other two in VGA mode. The monitors that I have used are: Dell 2711, and two Samsung SA350. Have connected the Dell Monitor through DVI and the two Samsung monitors are connected through Apple mini port to VGA convertors (they costed Indian Rupees 1200 or about 25 USD dollars each).

I know VGA displays may not be great for viewing, but they are reasonably okay for doing the editing in FCP. After connecting the three monitors, I use the Samsung monitors as editing monitors and the Dell as my playback monitor. I am not facing any problem now. Saved me a lot of cost as, otherwise I would have had to invest in one Blackmagic Intensity Pro card to get the third monitor running.

Feb 25, 2012 6:30 PM in response to Bryan Duke

Incidentally, two in DVI/HDMI and the third one in VGA is not working too. Two VGA out and one in DVI/HDMI mode seems to be the only option for attaching three monitors to a Mac Pro

Feb 25, 2012 6:53 PM in response to filmwallah

• A maximum of 2 legacy monitors (VGA, DVI or HDMI) can be enabled simultaneously, provided that each monitor is connected either directly or via a “passive” DisplayPort™ adapter/dongle. “Passive” adapters/dongles will NOT support more than 2 legacy monitors.

• To enable support for more than 2 monitors, “active” DisplayPort™ adapters/dongles are required (or monitors with direct DisplayPort™ connectivity must be used).

from: http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

You CAN run three monitors, but you need more power, because these "legacy" adapters have circuit drivers in them.

Apple VGA adapters are ACTIVE. powered adapters, and it appears you can get by with two VGA plus the DVI.

Feb 25, 2012 6:56 PM in response to filmwallah

Three will work if you use ACTIVE, Powered adapters as AMD recommends.

Apple recommends you use all High-powered adapters that have an extra lead for getting even more power from a USB cord.

There is more up-to-date information on similar threads that were updated more recently.

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2010 Mac Pro with 5870 - 3 monitors not working