MP 7,1 Best way to add more Thunderbolt 3 ports?

[Jupeman]

What kind of 5K display do you have attached to a single TB2 Port on your trashcan??

I didn't and it was one of the reasons I made the move to 7,1. I've been contemplating going eGPU, finding one of the monitors that allowed dual TB2 for 5k, just haven't pulled the trigger. One of my primary reasons to make the 7,1 jump was to just update to "newer" (TB3 vs TB2, new GPU flexibility, etc). The Trashcan Mac is still a pretty good performer, otherwise, even 6 years on.

What? Did you receive your Mac Pro 7,1 already? Photos, or it did not happen!

You cannot order the new Mac Pro without a graphics card. All MPX modules, including the Radeon Pro 580X come with four Thunderbolt 3 ports. Why do you not use those?

Okay, obligatory pic. Note that the 580X just comes with two HDMI, not extra TB3 ports. It sucks that the base GPU is neutered like this. At least 4 TB3 ports on the back would be nice. I've had the machine since Friday...

 

[sqparnell]

Is there any difference at all running two 3840x2160 monitors off of HDMI vs a TB3 to Displayport cable? Or would performance be identical? Would be nice to leave those TB3 ports open...
This is the monitor - https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-4k-monitor-u2718q/apd/210-amlm

 

[chfilm]

Is there any difference at all running two 3840x2160 monitors off of HDMI vs a TB3 to Displayport cable? Or would performance be identical? Would be nice to leave those TB3 ports open...
This is the monitor - https://www.dell.com/en-us/work/shop/dell-ultrasharp-27-4k-monitor-u2718q/apd/210-amlm

There shouldn’t be a difference afaik..

 

[sqparnell]

There shouldn’t be a difference afaik..

I actually just chatted with Dell and they said: "It's the refresh rate. DisplayPort run on 60Hz, HDMI on 30Hz." -- so looks like I would need to use half of the TB3s just to run my monitors...

 

[thisisnotmyname]

I actually just chatted with Dell and they said: "It's the refresh rate. DisplayPort run on 60Hz, HDMI on 30Hz." -- so looks like I would need to use half of the TB3s just to run my monitors...

Running one of the HDMI connectors also steals a DisplayPort stream from the TB3 adjacent to it. If you're not also running a display off of that no big deal but if you are you won't get full DP bandwidth on that bus. Using the ports for data/USB would still be a full option though.

 

[chfilm]

I actually just chatted with Dell and they said: "It's the refresh rate. DisplayPort run on 60Hz, HDMI on 30Hz." -- so looks like I would need to use half of the TB3s just to run my monitors...

Urggghhhh that sucks!!

 

[deconstruct60]

I actually just chatted with Dell and they said: "It's the refresh rate. DisplayPort run on 60Hz, HDMI on 30Hz." -- so looks like I would need to use half of the TB3s just to run my monitors...

You don't necessarily have to. There is a bigger spend than just a simple adapter. If you are placing the Mac Pro under/beside your desk and want some "easy to get to ports" then you could simply get a TB dock (one with a full sized or mini DP port that probably matches the cable that Dell puts in that 27" monitor box. Hmm, looks like there is mini-2-Full cable in that particular box. )

For example Caldigit TB3 Plus ( full size display port (so would need a different cable), front facing USB A and C connectors and SD card reader on your desk. And space for stuff on the back). That is way less than another MPX GPU card option ( $250-280 ) , but more expensive than a simple adapter. However, if low on ports for all your "stuff" this is more ports. (versus throwing a PCI-e card slot at more USB-C/USB-A ports ). [ Caldigit has a mini dock but comes with a TB upstream connector that is short and no two TB ports to daisy chain. ]

OWC Thunderbolt 3 dock. has mini-DP that matches the cable.