Mac Pro Vidcard recommendation

[loadedmind]

Hi all. Hope you're all doing well. I've a Mac Pro Mid 2010 running 10.11.6 currently. The video card I'm using now is an ATI Radeon HD 5770 1GB. I'm running two larger-than-average monitors and would like to get better resolution.

The first monitor is a 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display, model A1083, Viewable: 29.7 inches--Resolution: 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz. The second display is a Dell 30-inch LCD TV W3007. The Dell is connected to the Mac Pro via thunderbolt to DVI adapter and the Apple Cinema is straight in via DVI. The Dell's resolution is at 1280x800 and Apple is 2560x1600. In order to run both of these at that resolution, I realize a better video card is in order, but not quite sure which one's best for my needs.

This is a work setup, so no gaming of any kind. Most of my work is system administration, so I have a few terminal windows open for interfacing with my CentOS environment here at work. The rest of the work is reviewing & creating technical documentation, office stuff (spreadsheets, powerpoint, etc.), light coding, virtualization.

I'm leaning toward just buying another of the same card, but if any of you have a preference, I'd love to hear your feedback.

 

[ActionableMango]

There is no Thunderbolt being used here, the 2010 Mac Pro is incapable of that. I suspect you mean the MiniDisplayPort on the 5770.

The 5770 is capable of those resolutions through it's MiniDisplayPort connector and the DVI connector. However, it can only do the correct resolution over the DVI port if you are using a Dual-Link DVI cable. Many DVI cables or adapters are single-link and will force 1280x800 instead of 2560x1600.

Your DVI-to-DVI setup on the Apple monitor sounds fine. However, your MiniDisplayPort-to-DVI connection is dropping down in resolution, so I suspect the adapter is only capable of single-link DVI resolution. You will need a different adapter capable of dual-link DVI (and you should get one that is an "active" adapter).

 

[h9826790]

The first monitor is a 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display, model A1083, Viewable: 29.7 inches--Resolution: 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz. The second display is a Dell 30-inch LCD TV W3007. The Dell is connected to the Mac Pro via thunderbolt to DVI adapter and the Apple Cinema is straight in via DVI. The Dell's resolution is at 1280x800 and Apple is 2560x1600. In order to run both of these at that resolution, I realize a better video card is in order, but not quite sure which one's best for my needs.

Thunderbolt???

Anyway, sorry for my poor English, I am not very sure what's your problem. Do you mean that you can't get the correct resolution on the Dell?

If yes, then I suspect you just pick the wrong adaptor. The 5770 should able to drive two 2560x1600 display easily.

 

[loadedmind]

Yes, thunderbolt. Your English is fine, btw. 8^) So, here's a picture of the back of the video card for reference:
http://imgur.com/a/OdIcq

From the picture the first DVI connection on the left goes to the Apple Cinema Display. The second is the Thunderbolt adapter which connects to a DVI going to the Dell.
[doublepost=1477577487][/doublepost]ActionableMango> It is, indeed, a Thunderbolt connector. Two, in fact. The DVI coming off of that adapter is a dual-link DVI.

 

[phairphan]

These are, in fact, mini-DisplayPort ports. The 5770 had one DL-DVI and two mDP ports. In order to get 2560x1600 going to the Dell (presuming this is the 3007WFP; I'm not familiar with the W3007), you need to be using the mDP to dual-link DVI adaptor. Unless your current Apple adaptor is also plugged into a USB port (can't tell from the photo), it's not the dual-link adaptor. Based on the behavior described, I suspect you are using the single-link adaptor. Apple sells a dual-link adaptor, but you can find other adaptors elsewhere for less.

 

[ActionableMango]

My post about DisplayPort was incorrect and I apologize. The Apple has MiniDisplayPorts (as phairphan says), not Display Ports. I've updated my post.

It is, indeed, a Thunderbolt connector. Two, in fact.

Those ports are definitely not Thunderbolt ports. Thunderbolt didn't even exist when the 5770 was released, and there is no way to add Thunderbolt to a classic Mac Pro. I understand the confusion though, as Thunderbolt and MDP look the same.

 

[phairphan]

My post about DisplayPort was incorrect and I apologize. The Apple has MiniDisplayPorts (as phairphan says), not Display Ports. I've updated my post.

My correction was aimed at the Thunderbolt identification, not the DisplayPort identification. I too use DP and mDP interchangeably.