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

I have ATI Radeon HD 5770 and I'm trying to connect 3 monitors : Two of them are connected using mini DisplayPort to HDMI and one DVI-D to DVI-D. I can only get two of them work at the same time. What do I need to make it work?


The DVI-D to DVI-D connected monitor supports the resolution of 2560x1440.


I really need some help with this as the new monitor has just arrived and I cannot use it.

Mac Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)

Posted on Nov 30, 2012 1:28 AM

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Posted on Jan 17, 2013 12:14 PM

almost. That link shows me a (full-sized) DisplayPort version.


I think you want this one:


http://www.amazon.com/Accell-B087B-006B-DisplayPort-Single-Link-Certified/dp/B00 4071ZXA/ref=pd_sim_e_1


I am trying to beat casual readers over the head with the ACTIVE = Powered concept. The Ads will prominently say "ACTIVE" if they are, and not otherwise.

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Jan 17, 2013 12:14 PM in response to AnimateJake

almost. That link shows me a (full-sized) DisplayPort version.


I think you want this one:


http://www.amazon.com/Accell-B087B-006B-DisplayPort-Single-Link-Certified/dp/B00 4071ZXA/ref=pd_sim_e_1


I am trying to beat casual readers over the head with the ACTIVE = Powered concept. The Ads will prominently say "ACTIVE" if they are, and not otherwise.

Feb 15, 2017 11:20 PM in response to sebastiansulinski

I wanted to share my success in case it helps someone else. This thread was very helpful in getting me as far as I did (thanks to Grant Bennet-Alder) but my set up was not represented. I just today set up my stock Mac Pro (mid-2012) with Radeon 5770 using three LG 25UM56-p 25" ultrawide monitors (2560 x 1080) (link to NewEgg) (that have HDMI ports only). I wanted to avoid the mini DisplayPort (mDP)–to–DVI-D adapters so I looked for a straight mDP-to-HDMI solution.


1 x DVI-D

From the computer, the DVI-D port uses a DVI-D cable connected to a DVI-D–to–HDMI adapter. I don't remember where they were sourced but a least one came with another of my Apple computers.


2 x mDP

Each of the two mini DisplayPorts have Cable Matters Active mDP-to-HDMI adapters (link to Amazon) connected to HDMI cables. For any monitors over 1920 x 1080, they not only need to have active adapters in all three connections, but [I think] the mDP adapters must also be capable of higher res (these adapters are 4K capable).

But wait ... There's More!

The video card does not have firmware that works with higher res monitors so to get the image to be legible you need SwitchResX. Not the easiest software to figure out (I still don't know what finally worked setting up one, then moving to two, and now three monitors, but every time was a bit of trial and error). My settings in SwitchResX have the two mDP port monitors set to 60Hz but the DVI-D connected monitor is set to 53Hz (it might actually be 52.52Hz). If I try to make it 60Hz, too, the image is horrible.

And everything seems just fine when I boot from my Windows 7 HD on this Mac.

I hope someone finds this useful.

Nov 30, 2012 10:17 AM in response to LordZedd

The 5770 and 5870 support up to three simultaneous displays each. You do not need an additional graphics card, although that is one possible, but very expensive, solution.


The 5770 and 5870 have a shortage of power to run converters to what ATI calls "Legacy" connection methods. In order to connect three displays, all converters must be ACTIVE POWERED adapters.


DVI for a display wider than 1920 wide requires a Dual-Link cable (or the cable attached to the display with no adapter). Dual-Link does not mean two displays -- it means that the cable has two sets of data lines to carry the large amount of data needed by such a wide display.


This page from AMD/ATI web site lists many Adapters/Converters ATI/AMD approves for use with its display cards. Read very carefully. ACTIVE POWERED Adapters/Converters for Mini DisplayPort are listed in one section.


Apple's recommended "Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI adapter with USB cord for additional power" costs US$100. Other approved solutions are available from Amazon at prices cheaper than Apple's. Amazon's search is an approximate search, and will give you chaff as well as the good stuff. Read carefully -- it must say ACTIVE and MINI DisplayPort.


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

Nov 30, 2012 10:30 AM in response to LordZedd

LordZedd, you are correct that HDMI and DVI Video signals can be produced from each other using a simple adapter that simply cross connects wires, and therefore does not need any power.


To get from Mini DisplayPort to Single-Link DVI to run a Monitor, an ACTIVE POWERED Converter must be used if you wish to have three displays on that card.


If you prefer HDMI (without sound) you can add a simple adapter to the DVI output to cross-connect the wires to produce HDMI Video from the DVI Video.


This explains the dilemma:



Connectivity Requirements: AMD Eyefinity technology is supported by graphics cards in the ATI Radeon™ HD 5400 series and higher. These cards can support up to six monitors (depending on the model), subject to the following restrictions:

• 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).

• Approved “active” adapters have no general connectivity restrictions with AMD Eyefinity technology.


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


.

Nov 30, 2012 2:22 PM in response to LordZedd

No, dear.


1st display: Connect the Wide DVI display to the DVI port using its own cable, or use a Dual Link cable. Plugs right in and works.


2nd display: use an ACTIVE POWERED adapter from the provided Mini DisplayPort to DVI. Connect the display with a DVI to HDMI cable.


3rd display: use an ACTIVE POWERED adapter from the provided Mini DisplayPort to DVI. Connect the display with a DVI to HDMI cable.



Adapts: Mini DisplayPort™ To: DVI-D Single Link Active
AMD Status Manufacturer Part Number Max. Resolution Purchase
Gold Accell B087B-006B 1920x1200 Buy Now
Gold Astron 3411020-090-H 1920x1200
Gold Bizlink KS30015-131 1920x1200 Coming Soon
Gold Startech MDP2DVIS 1920x1200 Buy Now
Gold Wieson G9858C219-006-H 1920x1200 Buy Now


Dec 10, 2012 10:28 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks Grant, LordZedd.


Could you please clarify (and please excuse my lack of knowledge) - when you refer to the ACTIVE Powered do you mean that the adapter needs and extra USB cable to provide extra power - or does it include Active Single Link Adapter like for instance this one: http://accellcables.com/products/DisplayPort/DP/mdp_dvi_sl_active.htm ?


I already bought an extra, second hand graphics card Nvidia GeForce GT 120 and the third monitor works now, but what I've realised is that the performance on both cards has now degraded - some animations on the websites are now jerky and even creating new system folders and typing the name - it shows letters with the slight delay. Also - there is a buzzing in the speakers every few seconds - I'm wondering whether there is some problem with the power now that two cards are running simultanously?


I've read some reviews that using two apple adapters with Radeon 5770 was causing some problems as well - apparently they are pretty noisy etc.


Any suggestions or clarification on the above would be appreciated.

Dec 10, 2012 1:32 PM in response to sebastiansulinski

The requirement is that it picks up power from somewhere. There IS a lead on the Mini DisplayPort interface that can be used, and that is what the Accell ACTIVE adapters do. Those adapters are for sale in the US on Amazon.


The Apple adapter goes completely to the extreme and instead uses a different source (a nearby USB port) to pick up the power. This may make is a bit more reliable.


An adapter that is ACTIVE will have be sure to use that word in its description, to justify its higher cost to buyers.

Jan 17, 2013 11:34 AM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Thanks for all the helpful info Grant! I'm in the same situation, now before I click 'purchase.' You're saying that an adapter such as this


http://www.amazon.com/Accell-B087B-006B-DisplayPort-Single-Link-Certified/dp/B00 4071ZXA/ref=sr_1_2?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1358451181&sr=1-2&keywords=DVI+HDMI +ACTIVE+POWERED+adapter+MINI+DISPLAYPORT


that says ACTIVE but NOT powered in the title-will work for this? All the non-usb powered adapters are a third of the price, just want to make sure I'm buying the piece that will work.

Jan 17, 2013 12:48 PM in response to AnimateJake

These AMD-specified ACTIVE Single-Link DVI adapter/converters (like those Accell ones) are about US$30 because they have driver electronics in them.


Simpler, cheaper adapters just have two connectors and some cross-wiring, no circuitry. But when you need to drive three displays, the graphics card runs low on power, the signal levels get too low, and your displays drop out. That's why you need ACTIVE.

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

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