Dual 580X MPX in a 2019 Pro

Hi all,


just got a second hand 2019 Mac Pro 7,1 recently and thinking to add another graphics MPX module to have more VRAM and more HDMIs for my multi monitor setup, but the online instructions are very unclear:


I have a Radeon Pro 580X installed already and wanting to install another one as it would be very affordable option to do right now (please don’t suggest other GPUs, my budget is very limited!).

my question is:


Can I use TWO Radeon Pro 580X MPX modules in 2019 Mac Pro?


The online manual says only one module should be used in this machine and it’s very confusing as they allow two W5500Xs, what’s basically very similar half height module.


I wonder if someone tried this configuration and if it’s okay to have system setup like this?

Posted on Feb 16, 2025 7:33 AM

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Feb 17, 2025 6:01 AM in response to hereticleigh

How many monitors do you have? How many spare thunderbolt ports do you have? Is using USB-C to HDMI cables an option?


I think (not tested) that a second 580X will increase the number of supported displays from 6 (2 HDMI + 4 Thunderbolt connected) to 8 (4 HDMI + same 4 Thunderbolt connected). You would probably do just as well or better adding a generic 3rd party PC RX 580 card or similar as your second GPU.


VRAM is not shared between 580 modules. It may help running multiple applications simultaneously (with different apps using different cards) but it would not help with a single VRAM intensive application unless that application supports multiple GPUs.

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Feb 17, 2025 2:06 PM in response to padams35

3 displays in total, ideally would want my main display plugged into one card and two others to another one, I know one card can handle all displays, I just don't like the idea having all three displays using tiny 8GB VRAM. And no, I don't have budget for high end graphics and not into gaming cards, like anything RX. I prefer stability than high end performance : )

The question stays the same - would two MPX 580X modules work? Or that would prevent system from booting? Or something else would happen? Why Apple says only one 580X or only one W6600X (also very odd)

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Feb 25, 2025 8:47 AM in response to hereticleigh

Rendering complex shaded models to a display buffer MIGHT benefit from additional GPU power. Nothing requires more VRAM than you already have -- it is there in that large size to be sure you do not run out, and with 8GB already, there are vanishingly few workflows that could use it all up.


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Once an image is rendered into the display buffer, the amount of display RAM required to hold it is just the [embarrasingly small] amount of RAM for one display worth of data. (a 4K display takes on the order of 4K wide by 2K tall or about 8KK or around 8 MegaBytes of display RAM. Pitifully small. You have 8,000 times more than that on one card.


Your assumptions about how much 'power' it take to REFRESH a display (once its picture is complete in the display buffer) are WAY off base. Because the data rate is too fast for the processor to handle every Byte, this data is handled like high speed transfers to a Disk Drive. There is one Hardware Automation on the display card for EACH display that can be supported (so SIX in your case).


The processor must set the display buffer address, and the number of Bytes, and tell that Automation to GO. When the transfer of one screenful is complete, the processor get a notification, and sets it up again for the next re-draw, about 1/60-th second later. The GPU is not involved in any way.


The load on the CPU and GPU is completely NEGLIGIBLE -- so small you can't even measure it easily.


There is NO BENEFIT to having a second card installed "to drive more displays". You already have more than enough hardware to do the job you need, without slowing down in any perceptible (or even measurable) way.


You already have what you need. A second card will not be helpful in any way.

it is very complex to get a second card to work together with the first card, and you don't need it.

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Dual 580X MPX in a 2019 Pro

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