Recommendations for graphics card for 2008 Pro to run 3 monitors

[omvs]

How would you get 3840x2160x60Hz over HDMI 1.4 with only 1/4 the color?

My math shows you need ~12Gbit/sec to achieve that in 24bit color, and thats with zero overhead. With CVT-RB overhead, I calculate 12.8Gbit/sec, and HDMI 1.4 only achieves 8.16Gbit datarate. Even in a 16bit color mode you'd still fall short and have to go over the spec'ed bandwidth.... ( using bandwidths from here w/0 8b10b overhead removed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Version_comparison)

I think more likely you'd get the 40Hz refresh using HDMI 1.4 & 24bit color.



The apple adapter might be passive, not active so it could very well support the bandwidth. However, then you might run into OSX driver limitations on what it'll allow the card to output -- there was a lot of trouble getting 30Hz 4k in 10.8 out HDMI ports on the mac mini / rMBP -- even though they were HDMI 1.4 capable and worked under windows, the driver was only allow HDMI 1.2 datarates. The accell active adapter worked around it by making the card think it was a displayport connection rather than HDMI.

I'd be worried about anything other than displayport (or using 2 HDMI connections ,which has other problems even if the display supports it). I haven't read anyone achieving that yet, especially on OSX.

In short, I'd try before you buy - if a local store has the display and you can drag your mac pro w/ one of those adapters over, I'd highly recommend it.

Good luck!

 

[giviz]

How would you get 3840x2160x60Hz over HDMI 1.4 with only 1/4 the color?

My math shows you need ~12Gbit/sec to achieve that in 24bit color, and thats with zero overhead. With CVT-RB overhead, I calculate 12.8Gbit/sec, and HDMI 1.4 only achieves 8.16Gbit datarate. Even in a 16bit color mode you'd still fall short and have to go over the spec'ed bandwidth.... ( using bandwidths from here w/0 8b10b overhead removed: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDMI#Version_comparison)

I think more likely you'd get the 40Hz refresh using HDMI 1.4 & 24bit color.



The apple adapter might be passive, not active so it could very well support the bandwidth. However, then you might run into OSX driver limitations on what it'll allow the card to output -- there was a lot of trouble getting 30Hz 4k in 10.8 out HDMI ports on the mac mini / rMBP -- even though they were HDMI 1.4 capable and worked under windows, the driver was only allow HDMI 1.2 datarates. The accell active adapter worked around it by making the card think it was a displayport connection rather than HDMI.

I'd be worried about anything other than displayport (or using 2 HDMI connections ,which has other problems even if the display supports it). I haven't read anyone achieving that yet, especially on OSX.

In short, I'd try before you buy - if a local store has the display and you can drag your mac pro w/ one of those adapters over, I'd highly recommend it.

Good luck!

For the explanation on the trick, look here : http://www.tomshardware.com/news/transcend-ssd-external-drive-portable,27115.html

I doesn't understand everything, I was just saying I read something like that. I'm sure you will have a better understanding than me on this stuff.

I've just saw the 40" Monitor on a shop next to my home, that's big but hard to tell without testing it in real situation.

50" are definitely to big for me.

The vendor is ok if I bring my MacBook Air and make some tests with a classic DP > HDMI and see how it runs on 30Hz.

I will go for this, and return to the Apple specialized store that was closed earlier to ask for the adaptor we see.

 

[giviz]

Well, the test with the 40" and my MacBook Air was a failure.

First, only HDMI worked, we have to restart the TV to get HDMI 2/3 to work.
We cannot get HDMI 4 to worked, the vendor was not aware of witch HDMI port is 2.0 on this TV.

When that worked, we can only get 1080p from my MB Air with a classic mini DP > HDMI.

The Apple reseller doesn't have the answer about the adaptor, he believe it's a 1.4 as he is not aware of any 2.0 on the market.

Also, I've made some mesures and my actual setup with 1x24" on portrait and 1x24" on paysage is the exact same size on the desk than the 40" TV, so the 40" seems the way to go.

 

[omvs]

Bummer.

Which year is your air? I read about problem doing 4k @ 30Hz on some older macbook airs -- I think related to the intel integrated video.

If you have a friend with a 2013 retina macbook pro (esp with the gt 750 video) that would be a better test.

 

[giviz]

Bummer.

Which year is your air? I read about problem doing 4k @ 30Hz on some older macbook airs -- I think related to the intel integrated video.

If you have a friend with a 2013 retina macbook pro (esp with the gt 750 video) that would be a better test.

It's a C02KW6AFF5N8, a mi-2013 MB Air, I believe it's the last one.

I'm afraid I to not know anyone in my city with a MB Pro

The last possibility I got, is to go there with my Mac Pro when I will have the new graphic card, but it's really not an easy machine to move around ;(

 

[giviz]

Hi,

I've receive the GTX 680 from the ebay vendor this morning and used it all day long.

Works perfectly well with my current 2x24" DELL setup.

I'm really happy with it :
- Very quiet
- Boot screen is ok
- Functional with FailVault2
- Really faster with things like Expose when I compare to my old Nvidia 8800

Next step is the 40" monitor, I've identify some people on others forums that buy that one to use at a 4K monitor, I'll try to get in touch with them.

 

[giviz]

Finally I bought the 40" today and I just finish to install it.

I'm using the HDMI4 port and I can display 3840x2160 at 30Hz or 4096x2160 at 24Hz

Now I have to buy some longer cables to finish the setup, and wait for an adaptor to get the 60Hz.

I've upload to pictures to show the result

Again, thank for your help with this setup !

 

[giviz]

Hi guys !

So, I've been using this setup for a while now, still stuck in 4K 24Hz.
That's not the end of the world, but now that HDMI 2.0 cable are on the market, I've bought one to try to get 60Hz.

Of course... that's not working

Preferences of the monitor only let me use "low resolution" 4K, the frequency is not displayed anymore but I can see on the TV menu that I'm still in 24Hz.
So, HDMI 2.0 (4K 60Hz compatible) has not changed anything.

Is one of you aware of a way to get 4K 60Hz with the Geforce 860, 6 months later the last post on this thread ?

Any help is welcome

Thanks !

 

[MacVidCards]

The card itself doesn't have HDMI 2. (Assuming you meant "680" and not "860")

Only the newer Maxwell cards have it, and last I checked OSX didn't support it anyway.

A DP to HDMI 2.0 may work, or use a 4K SST display with DP input.

 

[giviz]

Thank you for answering so fast

Yes, sorry for the misspell, it's a 680.

So I need to add an adaptor like http://www.club-3d.com/index.php/pr...layport-12-to-hdmi-20-uhd-active-adapter.html

This is the only one that seems to convert a DP to HDMI 2 in 60Hz.
For now it's sold out everywhere.

I will try to buy one of these when they are available and will came back here to notify if that's working or not.

Thank you !

 

[giviz]

Hi guys,

Finally I got the adaptor delivered today !

I've plugged it to the DP using a HDMI 2.0 cable, one reboot was needed after that because the screen was completely bugging.

I'm still in 24Hz has the select item in the configuration center for adapting the resolution is disabled.
I've tried to use both NVIDIA Web Driver and OS X Default Graphics Driver and I've the same issue with both.

I also tried to force the resolution using cscreen in cmd line, but the change does not take effect (even with the -f force flag).

I'm running out of idea on how to force ce resolution to 3840x2160 60Hz on that monitor.

If you have an idea on how to solve this issue, that would be wonderful !

Thanks a lot

 

[nigelbb]

I don't know what 40" screen you bought but I have recently purchased a Philips BDM4065UC 60" 4K screen & it's fantastic. I agree with those who think that 40" is the right size for a 4K monitor. I have used a 30" 2560x1600 screen for the last 8 years so a 40" 4K screen feels like a very logical upgrade. The screen has DP 1.2 but doesn't have HDMI 2.0 but has many other useful features e.g. PIP & USB 3.0 hub. The monitor is also fantastically good value for money.

 

[giviz]

I don't know what 40" screen you bought but I have recently purchased a Philips BDM4065UC 60" 4K screen & it's fantastic. I agree with those who think that 40" is the right size for a 4K monitor. I have used a 30" 2560x1600 screen for the last 8 years so a 40" 4K screen feels like a very logical upgrade. The screen has DP 1.2 but doesn't have HDMI 2.0 but has many other useful features e.g. PIP & USB 3.0 hub. The monitor is also fantastically good value for money.

I have a Samsung UE40HU6900S and I agree that it's just the perfect size (at least for my utilisation, mostly coding) !
I've posted some pictures in this thread https://forums.macrumors.com/thread...o-run-3-monitors.1709373/page-3#post-19342032

With DP 1.2 you should be able to get 60Hz right ?
Mine is HDMI 2.0 and with my current graphic card and this adaptor, I should be able to get 60 HZ but I cannot get anything better than 24Hz (with and without the adaptor).

It's not a dead end (at least for coding), but 60Hz would be way more confortable... !

 

[nigelbb]

With DP 1.2 you should be able to get 60Hz right ?
Mine is HDMI 2.0 and with my current graphic card and this adaptor, I should be able to get 60 HZ but I cannot get anything better than 24Hz (with and without the adaptor).

It's not a dead end (at least for coding), but 60Hz would be way more confortable... !

Yes, it does do 4K@60Hz with DP 1.2 but my GTX680 flashed for Apple boot screen hangs on booting with just the DP 1.2 screen. It's HDMI 1.4 with 4K@30Hz. For booting I either need to have another monitor attached to DVI or HDMI or connect the Philips by HDMI then swap to DP after booting. It's no big hassle as I rarely boot. TBH I don't notice much if any difference between 30Hz & 60Hz but don't play games or anything graphically intensive.