Early 2009 graphics card upgrade

[josh bear]

Hi all

Currently running a hp monitor via dvi and a led Cinema Display via mini display port from a 2.66GHz Quad-Core Intel Xeon Mac Pro with the NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 with 512MB GDDR3 memory, Mini DisplayPort, and dual-link DVI video output graphics card.

I want to replace the hp monitor with the thunderbolt Cinema Display. Can I upgrade the graphics card to one with two compatible ports and if so which card do you recommend? The Mac Pro is not used for games but is used for photo editing.

Thanks.

Josh

 

[sarthak]

Do you have a 24" LED Cinema display or a 27" one?

Thunderbolt is not compatible with the Mac Pro yet. I think you might be able to run the TB Display however, the ports probably won't work. Don't count on it though. I would get the following:

- GTX 660 Ti off the shelf card (or from MacVidCards if you need Boot Screen).
- A LED Cinema Display from Apple or locally if you want to save a couple hundred dollars.
- Connect the 27" LED displays to Active Dual Link DVI adapters ($100 ea.) which the DL-DVI port will go to the card.

If you have the 27" one, I would sell them using craigslist or something like that and pick up DELL u2711 monitors and connect those via DVI cable that comes with it. If Apple is the brand of your choice you will need the $100 Mini Display Port to Dual Link DVI adapters (which also take up 1 usb port each).

SEE THIS THREAD FOR INFO ON VIDEO CARDS:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1440150/

 

[josh bear]

Do you have a 24" LED Cinema display or a 27" one?

Thunderbolt is not compatible with the Mac Pro yet. I think you might be able to run the TB Display however, the ports probably won't work. Don't count on it though. I would get the following:

- GTX 660 Ti off the shelf card (or from MacVidCards if you need Boot Screen).
- A LED Cinema Display from Apple or locally if you want to save a couple hundred dollars.
- Connect the 27" LED displays to Active Dual Link DVI adapters ($100 ea.) which the DL-DVI port will go to the card.

If you have the 27" one, I would sell them using craigslist or something like that and pick up DELL u2711 monitors and connect those via DVI cable that comes with it. If Apple is the brand of your choice you will need the $100 Mini Display Port to Dual Link DVI adapters (which also take up 1 usb port each).

SEE THIS THREAD FOR INFO ON VIDEO CARDS:
https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1440150/

Hi

Thanks for the response. I believe I have the 27inch screen as the diagonal measurement is 27 inches. From what you are saying I could just add a new apple monitor to my existing graphics card by connecting it to the DVI out on the card via a mini display port to dvi adapter.

Is this correct?

I was thinking about the thunderbolt display as if I upgrade the mac pro in the future say after the expected refreash next year then at least i could utilise the on screen thunderbolt ports then. i accept they wont work until then.

best regards

Josh

 

[monkeybagel]

A Thunderbolt monitor will do you zero good right now. It simply will not work. You must get the standard Apple LED Cinema Display. Although you will not get the additional ports and high-speed I/O of the Thunderbolt technology, it is still a great monitor and has USB, MagSafe (if you want to connect it to a notebook) and audio/speakers, and a high mA USB charging circuit for iPhones/iPads.

 

[rabidz7]

You need a thunderbolt expansion card.

 

[josh bear]

Hi

Ok forget thunderbolt. I just want to add a second apple display. To do that can I just fit the radeon HD 5770? It has two mini display ports and dvi so I could add a second apple screen to that.

Is that right?

Thanks

Josh

 

[sarthak]

Hi

Ok forget thunderbolt. I just want to add a second apple display. To do that can I just fit the radeon HD 5770? It has two mini display ports and dvi so I could add a second apple screen to that.

Is that right?

Thanks

Josh

Sounds like a plan!

(Hint hint: Typical Rep response.)

 

[ActionableMango]

You need a thunderbolt expansion card.

If such a thing exists, many people would like to know about it.