ATI Radeon HD 5770 and 3 monitors : 2x mini DisplayPort to HDMI, 1x DVI-D to DVI-D

Thank you for your response!

Do I need only one of those active adapters? If so which one? Does it matter?

If going to HDMI, use the one Malcolm J. Rayfield suggests below. It is starting to become available through other outlets as well. search for Startech MDP2HDS

Thank you for your help.

I meant which plug should I replace with an active adapter? I tried the active cable for my TV and I was hoping it would enable the power to go to my other monitor that won't work ever since I hooked up my TV as the third monitor. But still the same result. My monitor which is connected using a VGA to DVI is still not being detected.

So now I have - one monitor hooked up using DVI to Mini DisplayPort. (***Working)

- one monitor (Samsung TV) hooked up using Active Mini DisplayPort to HDMI (***Working)

- one monitor hooked up using VGA to DVI. (***Not working)

I really appreciate your help!

My monitor which is connected using a VGA to DVI is still not being detected.

Does it work when it is the only display connected?

When using three displays ALL Mini DisplayPort adapters must be active.

Good day to all,

I'd like to chime in here for some advice as well...here goes, I just bought a Mac Pro 5,1 that comes with a Genuine/Non-Flashed HD 5770, as well as a Quadro 4000 For Mac. This computer will be used primarily for recording & mixing music. I'm thinking that all I really need is the HD 5770 since I don't have any graphic hungry applications for Audio that would require the use of the Quadro 4000.

I'll be running (2) DVI Monitors for now, but will add a 3rd monitor in a few months. Any Pros/Cons of using the Quadro 4000 over the HD 5770? Is this the right approach with just using the 5770 by itself, and removing the Quadro 4000?

I know I'll need a couple of "ACTIVE" adapters for the 5770 for the 2nd, and 3rd monitor.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004071ZXA/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_7?ie=UTF8&psc=1& smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER#customerReviews

Thank you for your time in reading this, and your forthcoming response.

All The Best!

The NVIDIA card allows the use of proprietary CUDA support for high-end rendering and advanced graphics. Vendors of high-end graphics software have talked big, but really dragged their feet on implementing OpenCL, the solution Apple has embraced for being graphics-card-agnostic.

There are only two aux power cables inside your Mac to power graphics cards. The 5770 takes one.The Quadro 4000 takes one.

Still working on that 5,1 upgrade 🙂 Nice setup it came with, you can probably sell the Q4k to help!

Dual 5770s are popular for FCP-X but seeing you aren't heavy on CS5/.6 one card only (you can use the $$ and that slot for better things)

Are there any audio PCIe add-ons? 2-3 cards to add USB3 and SATA III plus that XP941 or Apple 768GB blade.

Apple Samsung 768 GB PCIe SSD for MacBookPro Retina, iMac,Mac Pro Late 2013-2014 | eBay

New Review of the upcoming Samsung SM951 blade

AnandTech | Samsung SM951 (512GB) PCIe SSD Review

Thanks Hatter, I'm still working on that 5,1 upgrade. Selling the Quadro 4k is exactly what I want to do so that it can help fund another SSD in the 5,1 immediately, instead of in the near future. I just wanted some reassurance from the advisers/experts on this site that there wasn't a benefit of using the Quadro 4000 vs the 5770 since I won't be doing any advanced graphics. I just need to be able to run 2-3 monitors and do what I do.

As for the open PCIe slots, I already ordered a Inateck 4 port USB3 PCIe card, so I'll have another free slot after that. http://www.amazon.com/Optimized-Ports-Inateck-Expansion-Version/dp/B00I027GPC/re f=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1424804869&sr=1-1&keywords=inateck+usb3+4+por t

There are tons of PCIe add ons for audio, but none that has been on my radar, and most likely won't be for years to come. I have a pretty good setup that I'm VERY SATISFIED where my audio equipment is concerned.

SSD SIDEBAR: I know you push Samsung in all the posts that I've ever seen, and it's because of you I purchased the XP941 as my Boot Drive, but what are your thoughts of the cheaper Crucial BX100 1TB drive, or Crucial SSD's in general?

It will be used to replace a 1TB WD Black as a Sample Library Drive, or another 1TB WD Black as an Audio Drive (Pro Tools Projects).

As usual, thanks for your time in responding to me.

The test results of the Crucial here:

AnandTech | Samsung SM951 (512GB) PCIe SSD Review

Samsung on SSDs:

Understanding SSDs

http://ssd.userbenchmark.com/Compare/Samsung-850-Evo-250GB-vs-Crucial-BX100-250G B/2977vs3145

Crucial firmware on Macs in the past kept me away was all. And I don't mind price difference unless it is $50 or more.

On the XP941, the adapter with heat sink might for users that do a lot of heavy I/O that stresses the device and used in poor cooling airflow environments be of some value.

Looks generally like you should do well selling the 4000! ebay, Amazon etc

Thanks Hatter, the 1st link is incorrect, it's still the link for the article on the SM951. In any event, I've read reviews on the Crucial SSD's, but since we've been communicating, I figure I'd ask someone directly.

So did the firmware situation improve, or is it still the same as it relates to Mac?

Thanks

I was more interested in the Crucial part of the review being it just came out.

SSD has constantly changed and evolved more and faster pace than any storage tech I have seen so it changes, firmware, controller, but improves.

Any time there is a new model, I like to wait a few months actually. Holds for software too, "dot zero" as well as when new model of Mac has come out to wait 3-4 months, and with OS X wait a year.

Just have all your backups in place and labelled and hope you never need them, yes?

Just read where Apple's smaller 256GB blade is 2x so it is slower than XP941 256GB.

When I finally buy my next Mac it will likely be whatever comes after the 6,1 model.

And that should hold me for another nine lives, err years 🙂

Gotcha...With the sale of the Quadro 4000, I'll most likely get a 1TB Samsung in the 5,1 instead of a Crucial. I'm all for saving bucks if I don't have to go with the BEST for my Sample & Audio Drive in the 5,1. That's why I inquired about the Crucial SSD's.

As it is right now, I have the BEST "for now" in the XP941 as the Boot Drive. As for the other drives in the 5,1, after-all, I've used (2) WD Black 1TB for my Sample & Audio Drive for years without any issues. Even the slowest SSD will be faster than the 1TB WD Blacks....meh...I dunno...I'll make up my mind once the Quadro 4000 is sold, but I'll most likely get a Samsung in there.

I'm with you on the "nine lives"/"nine years" of your next Mac though. I plan on using this 5,1 for some years to come. Heck, my current 1,1 is 8 years old, and doesn't look, or show it's age at all. My 1,1 has been VERY STABLE for me, and I expect the same amount of years, and more from this 5,1.

Thanks again Hatter...All The Best!

I got your response on the other post...I apologize for doing exactly what I did, that's exactly what I was trying to avoid by posting unrelated info on a particular subject.

In any event, IT IS a Genuine 5,1 Mac Pro, however, he didn't mention that the processor was upgraded from a Quad 2.8Ghz to the Single 3.33Ghz processor. He only mentioned the 24 GB Ram upgrade, and the Quadro 4000 upgrade.

When I saw the label on the back of the 5,1 with the Serial Number with the specs, that's when I saw that it's a 2.8 Quad. The guy has a 100% Positive Feedback Rating on eBay, and swears that the computer runs flawless.

In his defense, he did provide the Serial Number when I asked for it before I even put a bid on it. However, the S/N gives several options of what it could be, but it doesn't tell you the story of the "ACTUAL" unit.

I was already considering the OWC route, but because of the 24GB, and the Quadro 4000 upgrade, I went with this one. As much as I'm not happy that he didn't mention it, I'm also still considering keeping it, and if anything starts acting up, sell it and start all over again.

Cosmetically, it's in REALLY GOOD condition (with some dust). I plan on blowing it out this weekend, cleaning it up, and taking it for a spin "as is". If I decide to sell, I'll sell it with the HD5770 with 16GB instead of 24GB. I'll sell the Quadro 4000, and keep an 8GB to add to the one I'll get from OWC.

I understand you're busy, but thanks for your time in reading, and responding to my drama as it unfolds.

All The Best!

Oh, glad you didn't run into serious issue. You had said those 100% ratings are like gold standard.

With all those upgrades it makes sense - and you still made out like a little bandit I think.

As long as the cpu temps are good and it has a solid seal you are better off with this rig.

The 5,1 uses triple channel memory, hence DDR3 so you want to have 3x8GB (I don't think 12GB makes a lot of sense)

Okay...