2560 X 1440 Mini Display Port Monitor.

Mackey18

Mackey18

Mackey18

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25 Aug 2011
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Hi guys, I have a spec thread somewhere on here and I'm literally incredibly close to buying but I want to clear up a couple of things first.

I'm using my iMac 27" (late 2009) as a display. The input is a Mini DP and the res is 2560x1440. I want to know how this will limit my card choices. Reaper on my spec thread said I could use any adapter i.e. HDMI to MDP since HDMI can support that resolution. However, I just found this: http://www.cultofmac.com/video-27-inch-imac-in-action-as-external-monitor/20355
The bit I'm looking at is the second line down where it says "but will only work with devices that output DisplayPort video, like newer MacBooks."

I'm guessing this means if I used my iMac as a display my card has to have a DP output yea?

There was a thread on the Apple forums where people have been doing exactly what I intend to and I noticed no mention of other outputs from GPUs other than DP or MDP.

Anyway, if you could help me clean this up I'd be really grateful.

Regards,
Mike.
 
I'm fairly sure that you can't just use a normal HDMI to MDP cable sadly, or at least only certain specific ones work which is hit and miss.

But yes, you'll probably end up being limited to the ATI cards with display ports.
 
According to this:

The first generation of ATI 5-series cards didn't follow the DisplayPort port specifications properly so it will not work either. HD5970, HD5870 Eyefinity, HD6850, HD6870, HD6950 and HD6970 are the only ATI 5-series & 6-series cards that will work. Sapphire also make an HD4890 Vapor that had DisplayPort that should work as well.
Click to expand...

Therefore, if you are planning to play games on the monitor then I would suggest going for a HD 6950 or 6970 card. If you don't plan to do much gaming, then a HD 6850 would be a great card to go for.

Then just purchase a male-male mini Displayport cable to connect your new PC up to the imac screen.
 
if you really want an nvidia card you could play it safe and use apples official HDMI to mini displayport adapter (£13 or so). if that doesnt work then nothing will nvidia wise
 
Can't say for sure, but it is possible that a display port to mini display port cable will work, but sadly, knowing how fickle the iMacs are for the input there is always a chance it won't work.

I use a mini display port to full size display port from my mac mini to a Dell monitor, it's not the same I understand but it' about the closest experience I have to relate to.
 
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omg, i totally didnt notice that card had a displayport. yes, it should work fine as long as apple havent done anything stupid to make their products incompatable with the rest of the world as they usually do
 
Cheers Reaper!

I'm going to have to create a new build based around this card. How do I make the "Your Basket" jobbies that I see all over the forum?

Mike
 
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