10.6.8 + GTX680+ 2 x 30 Apple Cinema problems

[anthonys-studio]

Hello

Well I have my second hand Mac Pro 2010 model, a Nvidia GTX 680 graphics card and 2 x 30 inch monitors.

I am running 10.6.8, and the graphics card only supports 1 monitor. Bugger!

I want to stay with 10.6.8. due to some legacy software I am using that is not supported above 10.6.8.

Yes I can get both monitors to work under 10.8.3 ( I have tried it )

I have installed some Nvidia drivers specific to 10.6.8 but without success.

What would be the best way to add the second monitor? the easiest option would be to add a second graphics card.

Would my old XT1900 graphics card work in a Mac Pro 2010?

Which graphics card would you suggest that is

a, inexpensive
b, does no put any addition power requirements on the machine
c, I would consider drawing power from the second unused DVD drive with a suitable power cable

d, works with 10.6.8!

many thanks for any idea and recommendations

I know I am being a luddite using 10.6.8, but the legacy software pays my bills.

 

[derbothaus]

GTX680 requires 10.8 to function properly. I doubt the GTX would be optimized at all even if you get basic functionality running. 10.8 brought the host of driver support for most of the 3rd party cards we have recently been enjoying. And the 680 came out after 10.6 was done and 10.7 was wild and well into it's patches. I upgraded to 10.8 for driver support alone. Well that and some great new shell tools.

 

[ActionableMango]

Your 680 is most likely being completely wasted in 10.6.8. I doubt you are getting QE/CI acceleration, and I bet a lot of applications won't work correctly or at all.

If you must stick with 10.6.8, your options are extremely limited compared to ML. Probably the best single card to meet your requirements is a 6870. I believe it is relatively easy to flash for full functionality. Or, if you are wary of flashing, you can use ATY_INIT to get everything but boot screens. If you return the 680 and buy a 6870 you should have plenty of money left over too.

If you want to keep the 680 for some reason, like when using ML in a dual boot scenario, then I think your best bet as an add-on card would be an Apple GT120. It has boot screens, it does not require supplemental power, as an official card it works natively in 10.6.8, and it supports your two screens.

 

[anthonys-studio]

Hello Actionable Mango

I will be using mountain lion too I expect. I would love to migrate to ML full time.

The Apple GT120 sounds ideal to solve the problem short term.

Many thanks for your advice and knowledge.