Is there a way to use a Thunderbolt display with an older MacPro whose Cinema Display crumped?

Question

Level 1

57 points

Is there a way to use a Thunderbolt display with an older MacPro whose Cinema Display crumped?

I have an early 3-GHz quad-core MacPro from late 2006 that I had put a Radeon 5770 video card into in order to use a 27" Cinema Display, which has now failed. This display is no longer in production or available new. Is there a compatible video card that will provide a Thunderbolt port so I can use a new Thunderbolt display? If not, is there an adapter for the ATI card's Mini Display Port to Thunderbolt? Or do I have to go to eBay to find a Cinema Display in order to resume using this great computer?

Thanks,

Howard

Posted on Oct 6, 2015 9:00 PM

Reply

Answer 1

Best reply

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Oct 7, 2015 1:09 AM in response to hlritter

No. A Thunderbolt monitor requires a computer with a Thunderbolt port and there is no way of backfitting Thunderbolt to a computer that does not have Thunderbolt.

Reply

Answer 2

hlritter Author

Level 1

57 points

Oct 7, 2015 5:39 AM in response to lllaass

Not what I wanted to hear, obviously, but thank you. Disappointing to know there's no one making a suitable video card, but I guess with the new MacPro architecture, those are a thing of the past.

Reply

Answer 3

lllaass

Level 10

210,411 points

Oct 7, 2015 5:50 AM in response to hlritter

It is not the video card, it is the Thunderbolt circuits. Thunderbolt is controlled by Intel and they have not made any add-on cards that add Thunderbolt. Now Thunderbolt has to be built into the logic board.

Reply

Answer 4

hlritter Author

Level 1

57 points

Oct 7, 2015 6:02 AM in response to lllaass

I see. Thanks for the explanation.

Reply

Answer 5

Mudge

Level 2

488 points

Oct 7, 2015 6:42 AM in response to hlritter

hlritter wrote:

Or do I have to go to eBay to find a Cinema Display in order to resume using this great computer?

You're not limited to Apple displays. Standard monitors from any manufacturer with DVI or Display Port / Mini Display Port inputs will work, too.

Reply