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Driving 2x 2560x1440 in 2008 MP.

C

CIA

macrumors 6502a
Original poster
Jun 17, 2003
674
505
Can the Apple branded 5870 drive two 2560x1440 monitors with just MDP to DVI adaptors from Apple or do I need the fancy dual link DVI adaptor. Just 2 monitors total.

2nd less important question: Can the 8800GT that shipped with the 2008 MacPro drive a 2560x1440 monitor? (just one)

Thanks in advance.
 
Radeon 5870 needs an active converter to use an MDP port, don't forget it has one dual-link DVI port.

8800GT can drive two.

I assume you are looking at the cheaper monitors that don't have DisplayPort?
 
Currently my 5870 is driving a 2560x1440 display (DVI-MiniDP adaptor) and up until about 20 minutes ago a older 1920x1200 Dell monitor via straight DVI (no adaptor.) I need to order a new monitor. The current 2560x1440 that I am running is one of those no name $300 monitors from South Korea. It's been on for over a year now and looks great. They are a great deal and I'd like to pick up a second one.

******A moment of silence for my Dell 2405, that had been running (sleep, and no sleep) 24/7 for almost 8 years now. It's backlight finally died this eve.******


/edit Sorry, I was incorrect there. I was driving the 2560x1440 via DVI and the 1920x1200 via DP adaptor. So I what adaptor do I need to run a second 2560x1440 off the card? It's not the $99 dual link one is it?
If so I'll just drive the second 2560x1440 off the old 8800GT I have installed. One monitor on each card.
 
Last edited:
CIA said:
Currently my 5870 is driving a 2560x1440 display (DVI-MiniDP adaptor) and up until about 20 minutes ago a older 1920x1200 Dell monitor via straight DVI (no adaptor.) I need to order a new monitor. The current 2560x1440 that I am running is one of those no name $300 monitors from South Korea. It's been on for over a year now and looks great. They are a great deal and I'd like to pick up a second one.

******A moment of silence for my Dell 2405, that had been running (sleep, and no sleep) 24/7 for almost 8 years now. It's backlight finally died this eve.******


/edit Sorry, I was incorrect there. I was driving the 2560x1440 via DVI and the 1920x1200 via DP adaptor. So I what adaptor do I need to run a second 2560x1440 off the card? It's not the $99 dual link one is it?
If so I'll just drive the second 2560x1440 off the old 8800GT I have installed. One monitor on each card.
Click to expand...

I have been looking at buying one of those Korean monitors off eBay. Does yours have any dead pixels and if not did you buy a "pixel perfect" one? And what brand is it? I'm a little worried about buying one and it will have dead pixels or something then i'll have to pay to return it. Thanks
 
bjar said:
I have been looking at buying one of those Korean monitors off eBay. Does yours have any dead pixels and if not did you buy a "pixel perfect" one? And what brand is it? I'm a little worried about buying one and it will have dead pixels or something then i'll have to pay to return it. Thanks
Click to expand...

Ya, it's a "Shimian" model that I got off eBay last summer. It was about $325 or so shipping included. I think I got lucky with it, I checked that thing with a fine tooth comb and as far as I can tell it's pixel perfect. (RGB test, black, white, not a single dead or stuck pixel that I can see.) I've heard of people getting monitors of lesser quality but I mean at that price what do you expect? It's completely basic also. It has brightness controls, and a DVI port. That's it. No on screen menu or anything. It does exactly what I need it to do tho so I'm happy. If it lasts till the end of July (one year since I got it) I will consider it a success.
I just ordered a 30" off MonoPrice to replace my dead 24". 2560x1600 res. Just over $800.
 
You will need two Dual Link DVI to Mini Display port adapters not just a normal active display port adapter. Apple have one.
 
Bwa said:
No, you just need one. Yes, the $99 adapter.
Click to expand...

Thanks, and thats a bummer. I still have the original 8800GT in the machine (powered by molex to 6pin adaptor coming off the optical bay) so I'll just drive the monitor off that.
 
Follow up question for this. I just saw that the new monitor I got has regular display port connections in addition to DVI. Will I still need the expensive Apple adaptor if I hook up the monitor using a miniDP to regular DP adaptor?

Meaning I can maybe drive one 27" 2560x1440 with DVI and the 30" 2560x1600 monitor using this?
 
CIA said:
Follow up question for this. I just saw that the new monitor I got has regular display port connections in addition to DVI. Will I still need the expensive Apple adaptor if I hook up the monitor using a miniDP to regular DP adaptor?

Meaning I can maybe drive one 27" 2560x1440 with DVI and the 30" 2560x1600 monitor using this?
Click to expand...

No if it has full size display port all you need is a display port to mini display port adapter.
 
applegeek897 said:
No if it has full size display port all you need is a display port to mini display port adapter.
Click to expand...

OK, so a mini displayport to full size displayport cable will drive a 2560x1600 monitor with display port input straight up?
(and I can drive a 2nd 2560x1440 monitor using the dual link DVI port/cable on the 5870 at the same time?)
 
CIA said:
OK, so a mini displayport to full size displayport cable will drive a 2560x1600 monitor with display port input straight up?
(and I can drive a 2nd 2560x1440 monitor using the dual link DVI port/cable on the 5870 at the same time?)
Click to expand...

Yes. MiniDP to DP is just a physical conversion.
 
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