3rd Monitor Help Early 2008 Mac Pro

[iriejedi]

Good morning -

I have an early 2008 Mac Pro with a new Radeon 5870 card (best upgrade ever) - I thought it might support a third monitor - but seems to only do too at a time - no biggie just being optimistic.

So I would like a smaller card to fit in the extra slots, there was a GX285 I think, but Apple Store only sells the big boy cards now and their chat offered no help for a secret menu of older things.

Where can I buy a second video card that I know will work?

Thanks
George

 

[dmax35]

You can pick up new NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 cards on eBay fairly cheap. Has 1 mini display port.

Good morning -

I have an early 2008 Mac Pro with a new Radeon 5870 card (best upgrade ever) - I thought it might support a third monitor - but seems to only do too at a time - no biggie just being optimistic.

So I would like a smaller card to fit in the extra slots, there was a GX285 I think, but Apple Store only sells the big boy cards now and their chat offered no help for a secret menu of older things.

Where can I buy a second video card that I know will work?

Thanks
George

 

[GoCubsGo]

I was also recommended the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120. eBay has them for < $125 in the US.

 

[paulrbeers]

Good morning -

I have an early 2008 Mac Pro with a new Radeon 5870 card (best upgrade ever) - I thought it might support a third monitor - but seems to only do too at a time - no biggie just being optimistic.

So I would like a smaller card to fit in the extra slots, there was a GX285 I think, but Apple Store only sells the big boy cards now and their chat offered no help for a secret menu of older things.

Where can I buy a second video card that I know will work?

Thanks
George

If you are going to leave your Radeon 5870, then you can also pick up any Nvidia card 9000 series or newer (as long as running Lion or Mt Lion). You won't get boot screens on the Nvidia card (you will still get it on the Radeon), but it will drive your third monitor when you reach the OSX screens. This would be even cheaper than a GT120 and even a Nvidia GT 430 would be faster than a GT120.....

 

[ashman70]

I have a 2008 MP with a 5770 and I am driving three 23" LED monitors with it. If the 5870 has two DVI and one MDP or one DVI and two MDP you should be able to drive three monitors with it also. You simply need active MDP adapters, of which I have two (one monitor is connected via DVI), they cost from between $19.99 and $40 depending on where you are located and who sells them.


http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-...l&keywords=active+mini+display+port+adapaters

 

[Boomhowler]

you could probably use a cheap pc geforce 520, which does not demand more extra power cords or does not even need a fan. As said, you will not get boot screen on that card but your 5870 will get it so it shouldn't be a problem.

BUT, I haven't tried it myself so I'm not 100% sure it'll work