Connecting two Cinema HD 30 inch to an Mac Pro 5,1

[Yzord]

I have a Mac Pro 5,1 with the standard ATI Radeon HD 5770 1024 MB in it which has a 30 inch Cinema HD connected through DVI.

I want to buy a second 30 inch Cinema HD monitor, but i only have 2 mini display ports available on the card. How can i connect the second one?

 

[DeltaMac]

You will need an adapter from the mini DisplayPort to dual-link DVI. That kind of adapter is an active (powered) adapter, so is more expensive. Apple sells one for about $100.
Monoprice.com has this one for about $71 - http://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=6904

 

[Fl0r!an]

You might be lucky with a cheap non-powered active DP->DL DVI Adapter. Those are not 100% conform to DVI specification, so they're not guaranteed to work.
Otherwise you might also buy a (faster) GPU with 2 DVI connectors for the same money...

Btw, I wouldn't invest in that old Cinema Display unless it's really cheap. It's a little outdated...

 

[James.K.Polk]

You might be lucky with a cheap non-powered active DP->DL DVI Adapter. Those are not 100% conform to DVI specification, so they're not guaranteed to work.
Otherwise you might also buy a (faster) GPU with 2 DVI connectors for the same money...

Btw, I wouldn't invest in that old Cinema Display unless it's really cheap. It's a little outdated...

Sorry to bump an old thread... is $150 "really cheap" for the 30" Display? I'd have to add the $60 for the Dual Link Adaptor as well, I suppose.

 

[JesterJJZ]

Sorry to bump an old thread... is $150 "really cheap" for the 30" Display? I'd have to add the $60 for the Dual Link Adaptor as well, I suppose.

If the display is in good shape, $150 is a steal. I got mine used a couple years ago for $700.

 

[James.K.Polk]

If the display is in good shape, $150 is a steal. I got mine used a couple years ago for $700.

Awesome! I'll definitely get it; I've been looking for a second display.

As for adaptors... Is there anything other than Apple to go Dual Link DVI to Display Port? I found: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=330-6841

Would that work?

 

[lowendlinux]

Awesome! I'll definitely get it; I've been looking for a second display.

As for adaptors... Is there anything other than Apple to go Dual Link DVI to Display Port? I found: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=330-6841

Would that work?

Yes it will I have one..

But the Apple converter which I also have is mini display port to dual link DVI

 

[DeltaMac]

Monoprice has a miniDP to Dual-link DVI adapter.
So does Kanex.
Maybe a couple of others.
Whatever you get, you need to make sure it is a "powered" adapter, as you can find a couple of cheap products that advertise as a "dual-link DVI" adapter, but are simple wired (passive) adapters, and may work in certain situations, with a limited number of displays. The powered (active) adapters are best for this use.

 

[nigelbb]

The Apple Display Port to Dual Link DVI adapter can be a bit iffy with any screen other than an Apple Cinema Display & these are the only screens that the adapter is warranted to work with. In the OP's case they are ACDs so no problem but he might want to consider doing as I did & get a powered dual link DVI adapter from another manufacturer so that if the ACDs are ever replaced then the adapters will still be useful.

 

[James.K.Polk]

Monoprice has a miniDP to Dual-link DVI adapter.
So does Kanex.
Maybe a couple of others.
Whatever you get, you need to make sure it is a "powered" adapter, as you can find a couple of cheap products that advertise as a "dual-link DVI" adapter, but are simple wired (passive) adapters, and may work in certain situations, with a limited number of displays. The powered (active) adapters are best for this use.

Gotcha - thanks! Maybe I'll splurge on the Apple (or a used Apple adaptor, anyway!)