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Multiple Video Cards in Mac Pro
Posted by: Billybob
Date: August 31, 2011 09:43PM
This is probably an easy question for you MacGurus.

I have a 2009 quad-core Mac Pro with a NVideo GT 120 running a 30" and a 24" monitor. I have a colleague who has a computer--probably a Dell-- running 3 monitors. Yes, I have multi-monitor envy. Plus, I have a spare 24" monitor available, and I have the desk space, so why not?

My question is what is the best way to accomplish this task. Should I go the cheap route and just purchase another GT 120, or should I purchase a higher end card such as the ATI Radeon 5770? I'm okay with the current speed, and I don't do any heavy lifting graphics wise, but I don't want to experience a slowdown either.

If I don't get another GT120, will there be system conflicts running different cards from two different manufacturers? If there is a benefit to moving to a better card--it would need to be noticeable in general business applications or allow the computer to run cooler and quieter--would it make sense to get two new cards and dump the GT120?

My total budget for this task is about $500, and I do plan to add an SSD startup disk sometime in the future (that's my next question).

Thanks!
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Re: Multiple Video Cards in Mac Pro
Posted by: TheTominator
Date: August 31, 2011 09:47PM
I went the cheap route and got a second GT120 for my 2009 Mac Pro.

There is no slowdown. I'm very happy with the performance running 3 monitors (two on one card).



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/31/2011 09:47PM by TheTominator.
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Re: Multiple Video Cards in Mac Pro
Posted by: C(-)ris
Date: August 31, 2011 10:03PM
I'd spend the $250 on the 5770. Will be a much better card and isn't that much more.



C(-)ris
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Re: Multiple Video Cards in Mac Pro
Posted by: mattkime
Date: August 31, 2011 10:36PM
what do you use your machine for? I do very little 3d work so the faster card would be wasted on me.



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Re: Multiple Video Cards in Mac Pro
Posted by: Mr645
Date: September 01, 2011 07:06AM
What about these products that also let you add another monitor

[eshop.macsales.com]
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Re: Multiple Video Cards in Mac Pro
Posted by: DRR
Date: September 01, 2011 08:57AM
Quote
Mr645
What about these products that also let you add another monitor

[eshop.macsales.com]

Those definitely have their niche but if you have the extra slots (that's why you bought a Mac Pro, right, because of the expandability?) and the means (cost-wise) I'd avoid a USB solution.

It works fine, and if you're driving a display to have some finder windows or email open, it's viable. But if you plan on using the display to extend your workspace I'd go with a dedicated video card. Any dedicated video card.
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Re: Multiple Video Cards in Mac Pro
Posted by: mikebw
Date: September 01, 2011 09:02AM
If a second GT120 would be enough performance for you then that is probably the "best" option for you, fairly cheap as well.

The next step up I would suggest is getting the Radeon 5870 since it can run 3 monitors* and just ditch the GT120 entirely. Running both cards does work, but applications that use OpenGL will not see the ATI card even though it is faster. This is the same setup I am currently using, and I have not been able to find any way to force the system to use the Radeon 5870 for OpenGL processing, which is highly disappointing. Of course the solution is to remove the GT120.

The Radeon 5870 for Mac has 1 DVI and 2 miniDisplayPort outputs:


*The big caveat in running 3 monitors on the Radeon 5870 is that all 3 cannot be DVI monitors. Even if you use 2 Apple MiniDisplayPort to DVI adapters it will NOT work. The reason is that the video card can only generate 2 timing signals for the DVI signal to sync with. Your options would be to use two of the the Apple Dual-Link MiniDisplayPort to DVI adapters which are $99 each, or if your monitors have a DisplayPort input just use a MiniDisplayPort to DisplayPort cable. I am waiting on 2 of these cables so I can hook up all 3 of my monitors to the 5870. (I have 2 Dell 2408WFP's and a Wacom Cintiq 21UX).
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Re: Multiple Video Cards in Mac Pro
Posted by: Billybob
Date: September 01, 2011 10:57AM
Great advice all. Thanks!

I think that I will just get another GT 120. I don't do anything fancy on this machine (all my PS and LR stuff I do at home--I am strictly an amateur). The 5870 seems like more trouble than it's worth. I think that once I got it working, I probably wouldn't notice the improvement over a second 120.

I don't trust the software solutions. As someone said, I can afford it, so why waste time trying to optimize a software solution that gives me at best 60% of the performance of a dedicated card.

So, what SSD card should I get?wink smiley
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Re: Multiple Video Cards in Mac Pro
Posted by: mikebw
Date: September 01, 2011 03:29PM
For future reference, here is a chart from Apple Support detailing which video cards work in which machines- [support.apple.com]

I can add that the 4870 does work in the mid-2010 MacPro, although this may be a dubious decision to make.
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Re: Multiple Video Cards in Mac Pro
Posted by: JoeH
Date: September 01, 2011 04:35PM
The other issue is power. Officially the Mac Pro's are limited to one high power usage card such as the 5870. Additional video cards need to be the low end card such as the GT120.
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