2006 Mac Pro and Apple LED Cinema Display 27"

Question

2006 Mac Pro and Apple LED Cinema Display 27"

I've just purchased an LED Cinema Display 27" and would like to use it at full resolution in a 2006 Mac Pro as well as my MacBook Pro. I tried a Dvi To Mini Displayport Adapter Atlona Dual Link and it was a failure. The results looked like a failing video card. My next strategy is to use a different video card. I'm currently using an ATI X1900 with an Arctic Cooler which eliminated the noise and heat issues but it doesn't have a mini display port of course.

Is there a replacement card for my machine which will drive the LED monitor at full resolution, the 4870 maybe?

Thanks

MacBook Pro 13 (2009), MacPro (2006), iPad WiFi, iPad 3G, Mac OS X (10.6)

Posted on Oct 16, 2010 9:51 AM

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Answer 1

Oct 16, 2010 9:55 AM in response to Welles Goodrich

I just replaced my ATI 3870 in my 2006 MP with the ATI 5770 that has two mini ports. WOW! Quiet and it just works.

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Answer 2

Oct 16, 2010 10:58 AM in response to Michaelworks

Hi Michaelworks,

Well that's positive but did you try out the resolution of the mini display port or use the DVI? It seems to me that I've read that the 5770 only provides a maximum of 1920 x 1280 through the mini display in the Rev. 1 Mac Pros although the dual link DVI does drive a 27 or 30" monitor.

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Answer 3

ywh

Level 1

14 points

Oct 19, 2010 6:41 PM in response to Welles Goodrich

Hi Welles Goodrich,

I just upgraded last week and currently have the 2 MDP ports connected to:

1) A 23" Viewsonic (1680 by 1050), MDP-DVI adaptor
2) A 27" Dell (2560 by 1440) via a MDP-DualLink DVI adaptor

Both are working fine and the Dell 27" working at the resolution shows that the HD5770 is ok with outputting full res via the MDP. Im using Mac 1.1 too.

Will be getting another Dell 27" and connecting it via the dual-dvi port.

Cheers

Weehan

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Answer 4

Oct 19, 2010 6:56 PM in response to ywh

Hi Weehan,

First, thanks for your input.

When you say you recently upgraded, does that mean to an ATI 5770? If so, what ports are built into that card? Am I correct in thinking your experience indicates that one of the MD ports on a 5770 can drive a 27" ACD at full resolution?

I've almost talked myself into getting a new Mac Pro as my 2006 model is pretty slow for 3D work compared to the current models. My main 3D apps have gotten far more resource demanding in the last four years.

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Answer 5

ywh

Level 1

14 points

Oct 20, 2010 9:27 PM in response to Welles Goodrich

Hi Welles Goodrich,

There are 2 MiniDisplay ports and 1 Dual-dvi port on the card. Yes, its the current HD5770. As mentioned, Im using both the displayports now and they work a charm. Will be getting my 2nd 27" Dell delivered soon and will plug that into the dual-dvi port and see whether i can get 2 27" at full res.

Cheers

Weehan

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Answer 6

Oct 20, 2010 9:49 PM in response to ywh

Thank you twice, Weehan!

I've ordered a 5770 from Apple which is scheduled to arrive tomorrow. I'll report back in this thread with my experience. I also plant swap out the ATI fan For an Accelero L2 Pro VGA cooler.

Cheers!
Welles

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Answer 7

Jibers

Level 1

9 points

Oct 21, 2010 6:27 AM in response to Welles Goodrich

I have a 2008 MacPro 3,1 & ordered the 27" Cinema display with ATI HD 5770 which arrived today. The card will only physically fit in slot 2, ,and I've taken out the older Nvidia card.
Unfortunately it does work.
I know the monitor is ok as it works with my macbook Pro.
Any help would be good right now!!
Should i leave the old acrd in? Would that make any difference?

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Answer 8

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Oct 21, 2010 7:37 AM in response to Jibers

Your double post means that it was answered:

The product page for 5770 (and for once you don't need to take with pinch of salt) the drivers for the 5770 are only minimal in 10.6.4, the 2010 Mac Pro have later build, so really is "10.6.4 or later."

That is true whenever Apple comes out with new graphics card, there is no way to install drivers for prior versions of OS X unlike Windows where and you can.

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Answer 9

Oct 21, 2010 7:46 AM in response to The hatter

Hi T. hatter,

Are you referring to my question? If so it may be answered. I'll post it solved when I actually get a 5770 installed and find it works, later today. Until then I still have some nagging doubts partly because of info posted by tech support at OWC whom I've found to be pretty accurate in the past.

http://tinyurl.com/2avkwvo

Cheers!
Welles

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Answer 10

The hatter

Level 9

61,031 points

Oct 21, 2010 7:57 AM in response to Welles Goodrich

I was referring to Jibers (who now says he is running 10.6.4)

As for OWC, sorry but they have fed the flames in the past and on this and I tend to side with Rob @ Barefeats. Same that popped up 2009 over 4870 and issues over the 2600XT in 2008. And of course two 8800GT models and the length of time for half baked driver performance.

You can take any other ATI or Nvidia, pop it into a Windows OS system, and have your choice of drivers and support, with minimal issue (there are always some drivers and new hardware but not like this).

IF it only works with DVI, find that odd. But some monitors may need $200 adapter to use the MDP which is just adds insult to injury.

Other than bandwidth limitation of 2006, the rest is standard "take with grain of salt and two aspirin."

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Answer 11

Oct 21, 2010 4:16 PM in response to The hatter

Thanks to all you folks who replied to my inquiry. I just received my 5770. To my delight I can report that it drives both my new ACD 27" LED via the display port and my Dell 30" via DVI at the same time and full resolution. I'm a happy camper. OWC was wrong as The hatter suggested.

Cheers,
Welles

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Answer 12

ywh

Level 1

14 points

Oct 21, 2010 5:52 PM in response to Welles Goodrich

Thanks alot Welles Goodrich! That is the perfect answer for many who want to run dual high res monitors on the Mac Pro 1.1. :)!

Cheers

Weehan

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Answer 13

Nov 15, 2010 6:31 AM in response to ywh

Hi, I'm from italy. Sorry, but also I have purchased a Led cinema display 27" but I have a Mac Pro 1.1 2006 with an ATI X1900 without minidisplay port! I would like buy an ATI 5770 upgrade from Apple. Someone says however that this upgrade dont works, Someone says that works but only via DVI port, my Apple support says that this kit is NOT compatible with my computer... Can you help me?
Dear welles goodrich can you confirm me that Ati 5770 upgrade kit is ok with mac pro 1.1 2006 and led cinema display 27"? Sorry,
stefano

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Answer 14

mlee15

Level 1

8 points

Nov 17, 2010 6:09 AM in response to stefano giannetti

I just did the upgrade yesterday to the ATI 5770 on my 2006 MacPro 1.1. I don't have the new led cinema display, but I'm using the old one via the minidisplay adapter and the dvi port to a dell monitor. Works perfectly.

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Answer 15

occammd

Level 1

0 points

Nov 22, 2010 5:58 PM in response to mlee15

Just got my 5770 installed on a MP 1,1. Works great on 30" cinema display dual link DVI.

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