Graphics card for Windows and OS X

[Transporteur]

Hello,

i'm going to buy a new Mac Pro octo in a few days but i'm still wondering about the graphics cards.

I definitely need two of them in purpose of running four displays. The second will be a standard GT120.

What i need now is a fully compatible card that;

a. can drive two displays (30" and 24")
b. works without trouble with windows (bootcamp and XP or 7) and OS X
c. has a good gaming performance (i guess the 4870 is pretty poor with a 30", isn't it?)

I looked at the 4790, but i heard about difficulties with two monitors.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dr.Pants]

Well, I was going to recommend the TripleHead2Go, but that device's max is two 1900x1200 monitors per DVI port, and you have a 30"...

Probably your best bet is either a 285 or 4870 with a GT120 - with either card, you would have to use the GT120 (or other earlier low-end card) as two 4870s or 285s, to the best of my knowledge, would draw more power then the PCIe bus could handle.

 

[netkas]

285 with injector is a way to go, or Mac's 285

 

[Sumimasen]

A flashed XFX 4870 works with both monitors, so long as you plug your 30" into connector 1, and the 24" into connector 2. I have 2 monitors running on mine and they work perfectly. Just make sure to buy the same model listed in the tutorial.

 

[Transporteur]

The Mac 285 is way overprized, so a stock one would be nice.

So both the 4870 and the 285 will work fine with another GT120?

The 285 is still twice the price of a 4870, is it worth it?
I'm no hardcore gamer, just about two hours per month, but games (crysis, cod) should run smooth on a 30".

 

[Dr.Pants]

Do you plan on using Windows for games? In that case, there is a difference - just look up benchmarks, and decide if the price is right. In OSX, I am not too familiar.

On the other hand, its been rumor'd up that CUDA will be of use in various applications which calculate embarassingly parallel data - CUDA only exists on the GT120 and 285; however, rumored. If you haven't head of the word, you probably don't need it

 

[Transporteur]

Windows will be used for games and 3dsmax, but latter doesn't require much gpu power for my purposes.

Under OS X my only need for gpu power is Photoshop CS4, apart from that, the cards should just drive my displays.

CUDA? To be honest with you, never heard.

What about display rotation with current GeForce cards?
The 6600 in my Quad is'n capable of rotation.
Is that possible with the 285 and GT120, or limited to ATI cards?