New 27" Display, but 2009 MacPro with DVI

[CrockAlley]

My new display has a Mini DisplayPort, but my computer has a DVI connection. I didn't read the tech specs closely and now I have a display that can't connect to my computer. I've read about the Atlona dual link converter, but I've heard that will only work if my graphics card (ATI Radeon HD 2600) supports the resolutions that are available with the display. (I made a mistake in the subject line - my mac pro is early-2008.)

What resolutions does the 27" have, such that I may check that against my current graphic card?

I'm also thinking about just buying a new graphics card. What graphics card will both work with my computer and with the 27" display?

(The page for the ATI Radeon HD 5770 at the Apple Store says mid-2010, but my Mac is early-2008. Additionally, my System Profiler says I have PCIe, whereas the previously-mentioned card need PCI Express 2.0. Are these incompatible?)

I'm a but stupid about these things, so thanks for any help.

 

[Ashok0]

My new display has a Mini DisplayPort, but my computer has a DVI connection. I didn't read the tech specs closely and now I have a display that can't connect to my computer. I've read about the Atlona dual link converter, but I've heard that will only work if my graphics card (ATI Radeon HD 2600) supports the resolutions that are available with the display. (I made a mistake in the subject line - my mac pro is early-2008.)

What resolutions does the 27" have, such that I may check that against my current graphic card?

I'm also thinking about just buying a new graphics card. What graphics card will both work with my computer and with the 27" display?

(The page for the ATI Radeon HD 5770 at the Apple Store says mid-2010, but my Mac is early-2008. Additionally, my System Profiler says I have PCIe, whereas the previously-mentioned card need PCI Express 2.0. Are these incompatible?)

I'm a but stupid about these things, so thanks for any help.

The ATI Radeon HD 5770 doesn't work with the ACD27". I know it has DisplayPort, but there is a bug with various ATi 5xxx cards which makes them incompatible. It is an ATi issue and there is NO fix.

That being said, all ATI 5xxx EYEFINITY 6 cards with DisplayPort work. All AMD Radeon 6xxx cards with DisplayPort work. And all nVidia GeForce cards with DisplayPort work. You can get a nice GeForce card w/ DP for $150. And any modern video card will support 2560x1440. Any DisplayPort video card on newegg will work for you as long as it isn't an ATi Radeon 5xxx card. You could also buy an Atlona DP400 but its $150, the same as a new video card (ripoff).

 

[peskaa]

The ATI Radeon HD 5770 doesn't work with the ACD27". I know it has DisplayPort, but there is a bug with various ATi 5xxx cards which makes them incompatible. It is an ATi issue and there is NO fix.

That being said, all ATI 5xxx EYEFINITY 6 cards with DisplayPort work. All AMD Radeon 6xxx cards with DisplayPort work. And all nVidia GeForce cards with DisplayPort work. You can get a nice GeForce card w/ DP for $150. And any modern video card will support 2560x1440. Any DisplayPort video card on newegg will work for you as long as it isn't an ATi Radeon 5xxx card. You could also buy an Atlona DP400 but its $150, the same as a new video card (ripoff).

This is simply not accurate I'm afraid.
The 27" ACD works absolutely fine with the Apple OEM 5770 upgrade card with MDP, also with the 5870. After all, why would Apple sell these graphic cards if they didn't work with their only display? Further, my 5870 and 27" ACD get along like a house on fire. Note that you have to buy the Apple cards, not just a standard PC card like you seem to be implying.


As for the OP?
I'd definitely recommend a new GPU. You have several options, which all work fine despite Apple not officially supporting some of them:

1) NVIDIA GT120 - slowest card, but also the cheapest.
2) ATi 4870 (Apple OEM) - decent card, overpriced now though
3) ATi 5770 (Apple OEM) - same performance as the 4870, but more VRAM
4) ATi 5870 (Apple OEM) - best card currently available for Mac Pros

Your 2008 Mac Pro has PCIe 2.0, so no problems there. New card goes in the bottom slot, and you can keep your 2600XT installed as well.

 

[Ashok0]

This is simply not accurate I'm afraid.
The 27" ACD works absolutely fine with the Apple OEM 5770 upgrade card with MDP, also with the 5870. After all, why would Apple sell these graphic cards if they didn't work with their only display? Further, my 5870 and 27" ACD get along like a house on fire. Note that you have to buy the Apple cards, not just a standard PC card like you seem to be implying

The first generation of ATI 5-series cards for PC didn't actually didn't follow the DisplayPort port specifications properly, and do have compatability issues with Apple products. That being said, your absolutely right peskaa, the issues were fixed with Apple OEM cards (but ppl who want to throw in any PC card just beware the 5- series cards are hit and miss on compatibility).