3 Apple LED Displays

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Level 1

8 points

3 Apple LED Displays

Hi, I have 3 Apple Cinema Displays, 27" with mini display port connectors, not Thunderbolt. I have a Mid 2012 Mac Pro with a Radeon HD5770 graphics card and no bays left to install another card. I have 2 monitors connected to the cards mdp which leaves the Dual Link port free on this card. How can I connect the 3rd motor or is it not possible? I cannot find a Male Dual link to female mdp adapter as I think this is what I would need to run all 3 monitors off of this card. Any help would be appreciated.

Mac Pro, macOS High Sierra (10.13.4), Radeon HD 5770 1024MB

Posted on May 28, 2018 9:29 PM

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Answer 1

May 28, 2018 11:16 PM in response to the-abyss

http://www.gefen.com/product/dual-link-dvi-mini-dp-converter-GTV-DVIDL-2-MDP

https://www.amazon.com/ATLONA-AT-DP400-Dual-DisplayPort-Converter/dp/B003CWEXWO

https://www.amazon.com/Kanex-C247DL-27-Inches-Display-2560x1440/dp/B005MXIK70

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Answer 2

Jun 1, 2018 9:24 PM in response to the-abyss

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/offer-listing/B005MXIK70

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B003CWEXWO

https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00CFX4J48

They are available, but not cheap. The Kanex unit has a passthrough USB port, so does not need an extra port for power. You could power the others with a phone charger if you are short of USB ports. The adapter get power via USB, so won't work with non-powered USB hubs. (The display USB will work via a hub.)

The card should work with three displays.

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Answer 3

the-abyss Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 1, 2018 10:18 PM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

So just to be sure, if I get the Gefen product I would need to get a dual link dvi to dual link dvi cable to connect the Gefen box to the card and a usb to usb (or phone charger) to power the box, then I would just plug in my 27" mdp Apple monitor connector into the Gefen box. Correct?

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Answer 4

Jun 3, 2018 8:12 AM in response to the-abyss

There are some flashed NVIDIA cards the would do most of what you want Unless you are using Final Cut Pro or Houdini.

http://MacVidcard.com/

lists:

Nvidia GTX 960, 970, 980, 980 Ti, Titan X	DVI, HDMI, Triple DisplayPort
Nvidia GTX 970	DVI, HDMI, Triple Mini DisplayPort

You could use a software-based solution with stunt box for one display, like this one, but the display is not accelerated, so full motion video or using a mouse on this display can lag a bit:

NewerTech USB 3.0/3.1 to 4K DisplayPort Video... at MacSales.com

.

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Answer 5

the-abyss Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 6, 2018 9:08 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Yep, that's my problem I am using FC Pro and LR and PS all open at the same time (hence my need for 3 displays) with You Tube tutorials playing also. I guess I will haul out an SSD and make room for a second Apple graphics card, I was trying to avoid that but it seems my options are limited without Thunderbolt displays. Thanks for the help, unless anyone else chimes in with a better solution. Appreciate it.

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Answer 6

the-abyss Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 1, 2018 8:25 PM in response to Malcolm J. Rayfield

Thanks for the links, I was not able to buy any, they seem to be unavailable or have questionable results. Will this card run the 3 Apple monitors if I do get this device when I find one?

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Answer 7

Jun 1, 2018 10:39 PM in response to the-abyss

Gefen says they include both cables. You need to plug the display's USB cable into the computer (it's OK to use a hub) for audio, camera, and brightness control.

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Answer 8

Jun 2, 2018 6:43 AM in response to the-abyss

It is cheaper (and better in the long run) to but a graphics card with three displayPort or mini DisplayPort outputs.

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Answer 9

the-abyss Author

Level 1

8 points

Jun 2, 2018 9:33 PM in response to Grant Bennet-Alder

Do you have a card suggestion that is Apple approved so I can swap it out? I heard a lot of non Apple cards you lose the start up sounds and graphics.

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3 Apple LED Displays

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