Sapphire HD 7950 Mac Edition 3840 x 2160 at 60 Hz

[BlueBubba]

Hello,

I'm looking to buy a new monitor for my cMP. The maximum resolution the HD 7950 Mac Edition graphics card supports according to the Sapphire website is 3840 x 2160 via a mini DisplayPort, but it doesn't mention at how many Hz, does anybody know? From reading the forums I understand 60Hz to be the magic number for lag free use, is this correct? If so, is anybody using this graphics card with a 3840 x 2160 monitor at 60Hz without issue? What make and model do you recommend?

Thanks

Edit: Not bothered about gaming performance, I don't game. I mostly do graphics work but not interested in high end, all monitors seem to have good panels these days anyway. My main concern is that it is compatible with the graphics card.

 

[Arron Rouse]

I'm looking to buy a new monitor for my cMP. The maximum resolution the HD 7950 Mac Edition graphics card supports according to the Sapphire website is 3840 x 2160 via a mini DisplayPort, but it doesn't mention at how many Hz, does anybody know? From reading the forums I understand 60Hz to be the magic number for lag free use, is this correct? If so, is anybody using this graphics card with a 3840 x 2160 monitor at 60Hz without issue? What make and model do you recommend?

Thanks

Edit: Not bothered about gaming performance, I don't game. I mostly do graphics work but not interested in high end, all monitors seem to have good panels these days anyway. My main concern is that it is compatible with the graphics card.

I've got the same graphics card and use it with a Dell P2715Q monitor. It gives 4k at 60Hz but not without issue. There are two main problems.

First, the cMP won't boot if the 4k monitor is the only monitor plugged in and switched on. According to one of the posters here, it's because the VBIOS in the Sapphire is old. However, if you wait for the chime then switch the monitor on, it works fine.

Second, older versions of the driver had a flicker every now and then. Just a few frames but enough to notice. Haven't noticed it happen since upgrading to El Cap but I might just be too used to it.

Both of these problems are/were insignificant next to the advantages of running a Dell P2715Q. It's a lovely monitor with good colour accuracy. Well worth a punt for graphics work.

 

[scott.n]

I concur with the previous comment. Good card and will do 60 Hz. Also second the recommendation of the Dell P2715Q.

Also, the 7950 is self-flashable (and in any case works fine unflashed, too, though without bootscreens). No need to pay more for the Mac Edition.

 

[BlueBubba]

I've got the same graphics card and use it with a Dell P2715Q monitor. It gives 4k at 60Hz but not without issue. There are two main problems.

First, the cMP won't boot if the 4k monitor is the only monitor plugged in and switched on. According to one of the posters here, it's because the VBIOS in the Sapphire is old. However, if you wait for the chime then switch the monitor on, it works fine.

Second, older versions of the driver had a flicker every now and then. Just a few frames but enough to notice. Haven't noticed it happen since upgrading to El Cap but I might just be too used to it.

Both of these problems are/were insignificant next to the advantages of running a Dell P2715Q. It's a lovely monitor with good colour accuracy. Well worth a punt for graphics work.

Thank you for the info, very helpful.
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I concur with the previous comment. Good card and will do 60 Hz. Also second the recommendation of the Dell P2715Q.

Also, the 7950 is self-flashable (and in any case works fine unflashed, too, though without bootscreens). No need to pay more for the Mac Edition.

Thanks for the response. I've had the card for a few years, didn't mind paying a bit more for OOB compatibility.

 

[scott.n]

Thanks for the response. I've had the card for a few years, didn't mind paying a bit more for OOB compatibility

Ah, I misread your first post as saying you were looking to buy the card. Sorry about that.

 

[BlueBubba]

I've got the same graphics card and use it with a Dell P2715Q monitor. It gives 4k at 60Hz but not without issue. There are two main problems.

First, the cMP won't boot if the 4k monitor is the only monitor plugged in and switched on. According to one of the posters here, it's because the VBIOS in the Sapphire is old. However, if you wait for the chime then switch the monitor on, it works fine.

Second, older versions of the driver had a flicker every now and then. Just a few frames but enough to notice. Haven't noticed it happen since upgrading to El Cap but I might just be too used to it.

Both of these problems are/were insignificant next to the advantages of running a Dell P2715Q. It's a lovely monitor with good colour accuracy. Well worth a punt for graphics work.

I'm going to buy the Dell P2715Q and wanted to ask about which ports you are using to achieve 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz.
I presume it has to be the miniDisplayPort on the graphics card, but do I use the miniDisplayPort or the DisplayPort on the monitor. The monitor comes with a miniDisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter (not sure which is male or female). Will I need to buy another cable? If so which one?

Thanks

 

[scott.n]

I'm going to buy the Dell P2715Q and wanted to ask about which ports you are using to achieve 3840 x 2160 @ 60Hz.
I presume it has to be the miniDisplayPort on the graphics card, but do I use the miniDisplayPort or the DisplayPort on the monitor. The monitor comes with a miniDisplayPort to DisplayPort adapter (not sure which is male or female). Will I need to buy another cable? If so which one?

Thanks

As I recall there were issues with the included mDP-DP cable in the first batch of P2715Q (shipped over a year ago now), but I expect those problems have been sorted out. That should be all you need.

EDIT: There's a long thread on these displays in the Accessories forum. Just glancing through the recent pages, it seems that cabling might still be an issue. Personally, I'm using this mDP-mDP cable with my 7950 and get full resolution at 60 Hz.

 

[BlueBubba]

As I recall there were issues with the included mDP-DP cable in the first batch of P2715Q (shipped over a year ago now), but I expect those problems have been sorted out. That should be all you need.

EDIT: There's a long thread on these displays in the Accessories forum. Just glancing through the recent pages, it seems that cabling might still be an issue. Personally, I'm using this mDP-mDP cable with my 7950 and get full resolution at 60 Hz.

Thanks Scott that's great.

 

[VAGDesign]

I am using the cable that came with Dell P2715Q since last June when I bought it. Works fine with my XFX 7950 (mDP in GPU to DP in Monitor).
Probably was the first revision(s) of the monitor that had problems... (early units or first 1-2 revisions)

 

[netkas]

7950 will give you 4k @ 60hz, but won't give you bootscreen on that screen, you will see anything only after desktop is booted.

 

[VAGDesign]

7950 will give you 4k @ 60hz, but won't give you bootscreen on that screen, you will see anything only after desktop is booted.

Yes, that's correct. I've memorized the places I have to choose in case I change OS and in the worst scenario I plug an older monitor via DVI and do all the pre-boot actions required. All 4K@60Hz users are in the same boat I think...

 

[netkas]

Except users of flashed maxwell cards, there you have 4k bootscreen.

But I think 7950 is able togive low-res (800x600) boot screen on hdmi connected 4k display (most 4k displays has hdmi anyway) in case bootscreen is needed