1x ATI 5770 vs 2x GT 120 for 2009 Mac Pro

[bentfp]

Looking to update my 2009 Mac Pro (4,1) to run 3 displays (1x DVI and 2x VGA).

I just have the stock NVIDIA Geforce GT 120 (512MB) at the mo which has 2 outputs.

Wondering whether its better or more efficient to get an extra GT 120 or replace the current card with an Apple 5770 (1GB) which can handle 3 displays?

Don't have much budget so other option was to get a PC 5770 and flash it as a second card, but don't have any experience of that and need the setup to be stable so paying the Apple Tax wouldn't be the end of the world!

Also would running all 3 displays on one card cause more heat/noise/performance issues than sharing them across 2?

Anyone with experience or thoughts able to share their views would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Ben

 

[Whaditis]

If you just need to run 3 or especially 4 monitors and do not need anything graphic intensive or hardcore 3D gaming then the 2 GT120's should be suffice as adding one should be cheaper and considerably more quiet as well as the GT120 not needing to plug in an extra power cord.

I currently use 2xGT120 in my 2009 Mac Pro running 3 monitors and am very happy with this setup. Also I appreciate how quiet they are.

 

[ActionableMango]

You could buy a genuine Apple 5770 and sell your old Apple GT120 on Ebay.

End result would cost you about the same as buying a second GT120 and running both of them. I might even cost you less. With the 5770 you'll still have a real Apple product, plus support for all your displays, a much faster card, and only use one slot.

 

[netkas]

you can buy 6870 , flash it and get best option

you will need two active mdp->vga adapters

 

[bentfp]

Thanks for the replies guys - excellent responses!

Whaditis - the quietness is a main reason for the questioning as the Mac is used in an audio environment so need the setup to be as quiet as possible, hence not knowing whether 2 'lesser' cards would be more efficient than 1 'better' card?

I don't do anything that involves heavy graphics so it's purely to run more displays at once in a cost-effective manner.


ActionableMango - that was actually what I was going to do before I thought about whether it would be more hard work for 1 card and therefore produce more heat and fan noise?

Do you guys know if this is a problem or is running 3 displays (1x 23" ACD and 2x 20" Dells) on one card not going to tax it at all?

Thanks again

 

[ActionableMango]

ActionableMango - that was actually what I was going to do before I thought about whether it would be more hard work for 1 card and therefore produce more heat and fan noise?

Running multiple monitors is a trivial task for any recent video card unless you are doing 3D rendering or something.

 

[toxic]

just buy a second GT120.