iMac as monitor for PC with GTX 580

kirkster

kirkster

kirkster

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Hi, using the display port of my graphics card I think I can drive the iMac.

if I get a powerful graphics card for the PC will this be hindered by the imac? In other words, if i use the displayport does this bypass the graphics capability of the iMac and let me use the GTX580 on the PC to its full advantage?

I need PC for emulation purposes but I like Mac's as well so want a 27 inch monitor. I was going to get a Mac mini but and a Dell 27 inch monitor but why not get an iMac instead?

Mac mini + u2711 display is as much as the iMac if not more....

KS
 
You won't be able to do that on the current iMacs with Thunderbolt, you can only go from Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt.

Going from the PC displayport to iMac Thunderbolt port will not work sadly.
 
VaderDSL said:
You won't be able to do that on the current iMacs with Thunderbolt, you can only go from Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt.

Going from the PC displayport to iMac Thunderbolt port will not work sadly.
Click to expand...

Thanks. But I want to go displayport of PC card to *displayport* of the imac, not the Thunderbolt port... ???

I am reading a lot of stuff on Macrumors that suggest this is a area fraught with problems and incompatibilities. There is no defiitive sourec that says what graphics cards will work.

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=1363997

Some graphics cards will not pick up the iMac monitor properly....

Would love the iMac but need to do more research into this.

KS
 
The iMac only has Thunderbolt ports (which double as mini display port outputs), you can't use it as an input from anything but a Thunderbolt output sadly.

Thunderbolt digital video output

The iMac (Mid 2011) has Thunderbolt ports that support:

- Mini DisplayPort output using a Mini DisplayPort to Mini DisplayPort cable (optional)
- DVI output using a Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter (optional)
- VGA output using a Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapter (optional)
- Dual-Link DVI output using Mini DisplayPort to Dual-Link DVI Adapter. - Supports 30-inch Apple Cinema HD Display (optional)
- HDMI audio and video output using a third-party Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter
- The Thunderbolt port does not accept input for Target Display Mode via a Mini DisplayPort cable.
Click to expand...

from here
 
Your best bet here, if you really want to go the iMac route, is to pick up a 2010 model, which will allow you to do what you have described. You then put the iMac into target display mode, so it literally is just functioning as a display. You're loosing a bit of power, mostly in the graphics department but I presume that this won't be an issue as you've got your PC for that anyway.
 
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