ForensicPhoto

Q: Radeon Sapphire Problem

I'm running latest version El Capitan OS 10.11.6 with a Radeon Sapphire  7950 GPU. 

  Model Identifier:                               MacPro5,1

  Processor Name:                             Quad-Core Intel Xeon

  Processor Speed:                           2.4 GHz

  Number of Processors:                   2

  Total Number of Cores:                    8

  L2 Cache (per Core):                       256 KB

  L3 Cache (per Processor):              12 MB

  Memory:                                           48 GB

 

I have used a 27" Apple thunderbolt monitor for over a year with the Sapphire GPU and everything was really great.  However, I wanted two displays.  So, I just bought a second Apple thunderbolt monitor and the second monitor won't light-up with the above system.  If I try the new monitor by itself it won't work with the Sapphire card.  However, the new display will work when it is connected to my Mac Pro laptop running El Capitan. I have done a system disk repair, PRAM clearing and a re-install of the system.  I have tried the switch change on the card to no avail.  I have contacted Radeon and am hoping they will have a firmware fix.

 

Any ideas are welcome.  Thanks!

Mac Pro (Mid 2010), OS X El Capitan (10.11.6)

Posted on Jul 23, 2016 12:48 PM

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Q: Radeon Sapphire Problem

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  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Jul 23, 2016 12:54 PM in response to ForensicPhoto
    Level 10 (187,938 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 23, 2016 12:54 PM in response to ForensicPhoto

    I am confused over what monitor(s) you have.

    You say Thunderbolt but the only Mac Pro that supports a Thunderbolt monitor is the late 2013 Mac Pro.

    Thunderbolt can't be backfit on the silver tower Mac Pros.

     

    Note that the Thunderbolt plug will plug into a mini displayport since mini displayport video signal is a subset of Thunderbolt

  • by ForensicPhoto,

    ForensicPhoto ForensicPhoto Jul 23, 2016 12:56 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 23, 2016 12:56 PM in response to lllaass

    The Radeon Sapphire card has 2 thunderbolt ports.  That card has driven the other monitor, but won't drive the new one.

  • by lllaass,

    lllaass lllaass Jul 23, 2016 1:01 PM in response to ForensicPhoto
    Level 10 (187,938 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 23, 2016 1:01 PM in response to ForensicPhoto

    No it does not. It has two mini display ports. They look identical to Thunderbolt ports but do not output any Thunderbolt-only signal.

  • by lllaass,Solvedanswer

    lllaass lllaass Jul 23, 2016 1:31 PM in response to lllaass
    Level 10 (187,938 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 23, 2016 1:31 PM in response to lllaass

    Apple introduced the 27-inch Cinema display in 2010 and that was discontinued in 2013. That display has a mini displayport input

     

    Apple also introduced their 27-inch Cinema display with Thunderbolt input in in 21011 and discontinu3d it last month.

     

    Could it be that your old monitor ins the 2-10 model with mini displayport input and then newer one is the one with the Thunderbolt input?

    They both look similar.

  • by racerhomie,Helpful

    racerhomie racerhomie Jul 25, 2016 7:46 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (61 points)
    Wireless
    Jul 25, 2016 7:46 AM in response to lllaass

    The only difference the Thunderbolt one has a lightning Symbol on it .The 2010 one with only mini Displayport does not

  • by ForensicPhoto,

    ForensicPhoto ForensicPhoto Jul 25, 2016 7:57 AM in response to lllaass
    Level 1 (8 points)
    Desktops
    Jul 25, 2016 7:57 AM in response to lllaass

    Thank you very much for all of your replies.  I was not aware of the difference in monitors (based on model year) and was assuming the Sapphire ports were Thunderbolt, due to look.  I must read manuals closer.  Have made a return of the Apple Thunderbolt and ordered an LG27MB85R-B monitor.  It has the mini display port as well as others.  Can't thank you enough.

     

    Dick