MP 1,1-5,1 Mac Pro 5.1 and an Ultrawide 5120x1440 Monitor.

[LordGrep]

Hey chaps,

Ok so knowing you lot are smarter than Kurt Kobain's garage wall I thought you might be able to save my very fa lawn wallet another savaging.

I have an old but very loved Mac Pro 5.1 that's been upgraded no end, and I have just been bought a very nice monitor by my mother because she felt sorry for me after some recent health issues. I am disabled, and well.. I live on not much mony at all.

Sorry enough of the back story.

I have set this up, but I can't for the life of me get it to put out the resolution I need. It's got the standard ATi Radeon 5870 installed. I am pretty sure the 5120x1440 at 70hz is a bit outside it's range of comfort, but that is what I need.

I tried to use SwitchResX but that just comes up with an error.

I have seen a lot of posts with people having difficulty getting ultra-wide monitors to work, but they seem to mostly be those with Laptops trying to run them as a second monitor.

My question is thus:

What if anything can I do to get this working? I know I need specific graphics cards to work with my little piece of mac history, does anyone know for sure which card would actually drive the monitor. I just can't afford to just buy things, and then find they aren't going to do the job.

Thank you so very much for your time.

Grep.

 

[tsialex]

Hey chaps,

Ok so knowing you lot are smarter than Kurt Kobain's garage wall I thought you might be able to save my very fa lawn wallet another savaging.

I have an old but very loved Mac Pro 5.1 that's been upgraded no end, and I have just been bought a very nice monitor by my mother because she felt sorry for me after some recent health issues. I am disabled, and well.. I live on not much mony at all.

Sorry enough of the back story.

I have set this up, but I can't for the life of me get it to put out the resolution I need. It's got the standard ATi Radeon 5870 installed. I am pretty sure the 5120x1440 at 70hz is a bit outside it's range of comfort, but that is what I need.

I tried to use SwitchResX but that just comes up with an error.

I have seen a lot of posts with people having difficulty getting ultra-wide monitors to work, but they seem to mostly be those with Laptops trying to run them as a second monitor.

My question is thus:

What if anything can I do to get this working? I know I need specific graphics cards to work with my little piece of mac history, does anyone know for sure which card would actually drive the monitor. I just can't afford to just buy things, and then find they aren't going to do the job.

Thank you so very much for your time.

Grep.

Look at the Apple recommend list of Mojave compatible GPUs, except the older ones*, all have hardware capabilities within the required specs for your monitor. * The older ones are GTX 680/K5000/R9 280/HD 7950.

This is the support article:

Install macOS 10.14 Mojave on Mac Pro (Mid 2010) and Mac Pro (Mid 2012) - Apple Support

Learn how to prepare your Mac Pro (Mid 2010) or Mac Pro (Mid 2012) for macOS Mojave.

support.apple.com

The most common choice from the Apple list is the Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8GB followed by MSI Gaming Radeon RX 560 128-bit 4GB, both will work with the resolution of the display.

I tested a similar display with my RX 580, other users here have displays with this resolution working too.

 

[LordGrep]

Thanks tsialex I just placed an order for a Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8GB Wasn't as cheap as I hoped but it was cheaper than I feared. I'll let you know what gives. God I hope this works. I just love my tricked out old mac. I'd love to get another 10 years out of her.

 

[tsialex]

Thanks tsialex I just placed an order for a Sapphire Pulse Radeon RX 580 8GB Wasn't as cheap as I hoped but it was cheaper than I feared. I'll let you know what gives. God I hope this works. I just love my tricked out old mac. I'd love to get another 10 years out of her.

While you wait, check if you already have BootROM MP51.0089.B00, if not upgrade to it using the High Sierra full installer, then you will need to upgrade to 144.0.0.0.0 with the RX 580 installed and Mojave full installer.

Read here to know what to do:

MP5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (BootROM upgrade instructions thread)

Please fully read this first post, you will probably find that you have one or more problems described into the various notes below. Mojave will only install if you have upgraded your BootROM to the current release and your Mac Pro have a Metal capable GPU*. If you are trying to install Mojave...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[h9826790]

You can connect TWO display port cables from your 5870 to the monitor.

Then, on the monitor side, turn on split screen (side by side).

This will allow you to use all 5120x1440 pixels until you have a graphic card that can do it with a single cable.

On the macOS side, this is a 2x monitors side by side setup. So, the menu bar may looks a bit strange. But it won't affect daily usage.

Of course, the "full screen mode" now will become "half screen mode" as well. But it rarely needs full screen mode with a 32:9 setup.

Make a good 32:9 wallpaper that across "both" screens will make it looks better as well.

Last but not least, put the dock on either left or right. This works so much better on ultra wide screen.

 

[LordGrep]

While you wait, check if you already have BootROM MP51.0089.B00, if not upgrade to it using the High Sierra full installer, then you will need to upgrade to 144.0.0.0.0 with the RX 580 installed and Mojave full installer.

Read here to know what to do:

MP5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (BootROM upgrade instructions thread)

Please fully read this first post, you will probably find that you have one or more problems described into the various notes below. Mojave will only install if you have upgraded your BootROM to the current release and your Mac Pro have a Metal capable GPU*. If you are trying to install Mojave...

forums.macrumors.com

Ok, so the card arrived!! Yuppie, and we nearly got there.. I mean it's working just not at the 5120x1440 definition we are looking for.

I did all the firmware updates a while ago when I fitted this puppy out with a fancy, fast SSD.

I have had a fiddle with SwitchResX but I can't seem to fumble it to work.

I think it is actually putting out something in the same aspect ratio as I have the screen set to 1:1. I have it connected via the DP cable as (and I am pulling this out of muh bum)I am guessing the monitor might give the pooter a hint at what it's after resolution wise.

I am going to have a look at some other 'dial your own resolution' apps just to make sure I am not being bamboozled by something silly.

I can't actually find anywhere any more information about the display requirements further than 5120x1440 and 70hz.

Is it the full 70hz or the 69.9??? hz recommended. I am pretty sure one has to dial all the settings in right to make it happy.

Has anyone got any more tips that might stop me stumbling about in the dark for the rest of the day?

All your help so very gratefully received.

 

[h9826790]

Ok, so the card arrived!! Yuppie, and we nearly got there.. I mean it's working just not at the 5120x1440 definition we are looking for.

I did all the firmware updates a while ago when I fitted this puppy out with a fancy, fast SSD.

I have had a fiddle with SwitchResX but I can't seem to fumble it to work.

I think it is actually putting out something in the same aspect ratio as I have the screen set to 1:1. I have it connected via the DP cable as (and I am pulling this out of muh bum)I am guessing the monitor might give the pooter a hint at what it's after resolution wise.

I am going to have a look at some other 'dial your own resolution' apps just to make sure I am not being bamboozled by something silly.

I can't actually find anywhere any more information about the display requirements further than 5120x1440 and 70hz.

Is it the full 70hz or the 69.9??? hz recommended. I am pretty sure one has to dial all the settings in right to make it happy.

Has anyone got any more tips that might stop me stumbling about in the dark for the rest of the day?

All your help so very gratefully received.

So, which resolution you are running at this moment?

Do you have this option?

 

[LordGrep]

Chaps, no the setting wasn't there, but I did manage to finally kick SwitxhResX enough that it finally gave in and gave me the res that I needed... Thank you all so much for your help.

 

[smartJO]

Hi tsialex,

Thanks for your reply here. I have learned a lot of information from your posting online, especially many discussions about mac pro 5,1.

I do have the same question about whether “mac pro 5,1 with running Catalina + RX580” can get right 5120x1440 resolution or not since I would like to buy one of the 49” monitors between LG, Samsung or Philip. Before I push the click button, I really hope I can get your final confirmation. Thanks for your precious time and help.

Have a great day!

While you wait, check if you already have BootROM MP51.0089.B00, if not upgrade to it using the High Sierra full installer, then you will need to upgrade to 144.0.0.0.0 with the RX 580 installed and Mojave full installer.

Read here to know what to do:

MP5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (BootROM upgrade instructions thread)

Please fully read this first post, you will probably find that you have one or more problems described into the various notes below. Mojave will only install if you have upgraded your BootROM to the current release and your Mac Pro have a Metal capable GPU*. If you are trying to install Mojave...

forums.macrumors.com

While you wait, check if you already have BootROM MP51.0089.B00, if not upgrade to it using the High Sierra full installer, then you will need to upgrade to 144.0.0.0.0 with the RX 580 installed and Mojave full installer.

Read here to know what to do:

MP5,1: What you have to do to upgrade to Mojave (BootROM upgrade instructions thread)

Please fully read this first post, you will probably find that you have one or more problems described into the various notes below. Mojave will only install if you have upgraded your BootROM to the current release and your Mac Pro have a Metal capable GPU*. If you are trying to install Mojave...

forums.macrumors.com

 

[tsialex]

Hi tsialex,

Thanks for your reply here. I have learned a lot of information from your posting online, especially many discussions about mac pro 5,1.

I do have the same question about whether “mac pro 5,1 with running Catalina + RX580” can get right 5120x1440 resolution or not since I would like to buy one of the 49” monitors between LG, Samsung or Philip. Before I push the click button, I really hope I can get your final confirmation. Thanks for your precious time and help.

Have a great day!

This resolution is not a problem with a RX 580, but compatibility of the display is a total different thing. Before buying use the search and see if anyone confirmed it working.

 

[smartJO]

Chaps, no the setting wasn't there, but I did manage to finally kick SwitxhResX enough that it finally gave in and gave me the res that I needed... Thank you all so much for your help.

Hi LordGrep,

Would you mind sharing which video card and which MacOS version you are using now? Also, it seems that you are approaching to use a UltraWide monitor. Could you share which monitor brand and model name with me? I would like to make sure I can buy one without a compatible issue.

By the way, I am considering two options now. One is LG 49WL95C-W, and the other is Samsung LC49RG90SSNXZA. It will be nice if you guys can give me a good recommendation. I really appreciate your help.

 

[Socket]

Chaps, no the setting wasn't there, but I did manage to finally kick SwitxhResX enough that it finally gave in and gave me the res that I needed... Thank you all so much for your help.

Hi, i'm looking the same question: i have a RX580 on mac pro 5,1 and i'm looking for a DELL U4919DW (what is your monitor?)

Can you (or someone else) confirm that I could see full resolution 5120 x 1440 @60 with cMP5,1 and RX580? Thank you!

 

[CyrilM]

Hi, I see this forum is at a standstill although ultrawide screens keep selling.
@LordGrep @smartJO @Socket
Have you purchased your 49" monitor and can you say more about your experience?
Thanks.

 

[Socket]

Hi, I see this forum is at a standstill although ultrawide screens keep selling.
@LordGrep @smartJO @Socket
Have you purchased your 49" monitor and can you say more about your experience?
Thanks.

Yes, i am very satisfied of it! I made also a video about:

 

[CyrilM]

Grazie Mille my italian neighbor! It’s convincing and helpful. I agree with you about insufficient height. Anyway that’s my next monitor for sure ?

 

[Socket]

Grazie Mille my italian neighbor! It’s convincing and helpful. I agree with you about insufficient height. Anyway that’s my next monitor for sure ?

Nous sommes vraiment voisins parce que j'habite à 5 km de la frontière, près de Briançon / Montgenevre, tu connais?

We are really neighbors, cause I live at 5 km to France, near Briançon / Montgenevre. Nice to meet you!

 

[CyrilM]

Salut Socket,
Oui je connais bien Briançon/Serre Chevalier ⛷️ ? Côté italien, pas encore.

Today I received my LG 49WL95C monitor, beautiful!
About 5K resolution, do you have a tip?

 

[takovej]

Anybody knows if nVidia K5000 can drive ultrawide (5120x1440) displays please?