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THE MAC GOD · Aug 29, 2007, 01:16 PM

My business is going to have me start working from home.
The business is also allowing me to take home my Quad-Core G5:
Machine Name: Power Mac G5 Quad
Machine Model: PowerMac11,2
CPU Type: PowerPC G5 (1.1)
Number Of CPUs: 4
CPU Speed: 2.5 GHz
L2 Cache (per CPU): 1 MB
Memory: 2.5 GB
Bus Speed: 1.25 GHz
Boot ROM Version: 5.2.7f1

I currently have 2x23" Cinema Displays attached. But, at home I also have 2x17" CRT monitors. Do you know/suggest a card that will allow me to run those as well (so, 4 total displays)? I assume it's feasible, but I need an expert opinion as I've not tread into 4-display territory.

I'll have to buy it, so it can't be too expensive... I don't need/want the CRTs to be running at a high res, 1024x768 will work fine.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide!

reader50 · Aug 29, 2007, 02:41 PM

Hit ebay and pick up a 6600LE or 6600, pulled from a G5. You can get the 6600LE's fairly cheaply because people buy the 6600 upgrade kit from Apple for $200 to replace it. Or instead of getting a 6600LE for $20, you could pay the $200 for the new kit.

A 2nd graphics card will fit in any slot.

Edit: Scratch ordering the $200 kit from Apple. They've stopped carrying it. If ebay doesn't have what you want, you'd need to investigate the flashing market, or buy the Radeon X1900GT for $350.

THE MAC GOD · Aug 29, 2007, 11:42 PM

ARGH... that's a lotta cash... I was going to ask if that other card you mentioned used VGA or DVI... as the 17inchers use VGA, of course. So, I'd have to buy converters or something. Hm... thanks, though, for the response... If I find another solution, I'll be sure to post.

reader50 · Aug 30, 2007, 01:06 AM

All cards for G5 have dual DVI-I outputs. They will drive any combination of DVI or VGA displays. You need DVI -> VGA adapters, your Quad will have come with one. Or hit Newegg for 2-4 cheapies if you wanted to go all VGA.

Note that the adapter that came with your Quad is a bit "fat" and doesn't leave as much room for the other monitor connection - I chose to use double Newegg adapters because they were a better fit.

THE MAC GOD · Dec 18, 2007, 10:45 AM

ok... I THINK my problem has been solved... My coworker was let go and now his machine is sitting in my room with no use... SO, I was thinking about scavenging his 6600 and putting it in my QUAD along with his 2x23" CDs...
Isn't the card in the fastest PCIe slot already? Just slapping the new 6600 into another slot will/should work right? Never been faced with this 'problem' before, so it's new ground for me. I assume if anything, you just won't be able to do graphics card intensive apps on the secondary card's displays...

Waragainstsleep · Dec 23, 2007, 12:05 PM

You can adjust the speeds of the PCIe slots. The utility is in your core services folder (System -> Library).
Its up to you whether you want to keep two displays at full whack (16x) or run all four at a deficit. I can't recall if you can run two slots at 8x. Certainly can run them at 4x. You might even manage a 16x and an 8x. The utility will soon tell you.

reader50 · Dec 23, 2007, 01:39 PM

'fraid that's incorrect, Waragainstsleep. The Intel chipset allows slot-speed adjustment, but that is for Mac Pros. The G5 dual-cores are not adjustable.

For the late-model G5s, the first slot is 16x and the 3rd slot is 8x. The other two slots are slower. So place the best graphics card in the first slot where the factory card came from. Put the next-best card in the 3rd slot.

Bwa · Dec 24, 2007, 07:35 AM

Originally Posted by THE MAC GOD

ok... I THINK my problem has been solved... My coworker was let go and now his machine is sitting in my room with no use... SO, I was thinking about scavenging his 6600 and putting it in my QUAD along with his 2x23" CDs...
Isn't the card in the fastest PCIe slot already? Just slapping the new 6600 into another slot will/should work right? Never been faced with this 'problem' before, so it's new ground for me. I assume if anything, you just won't be able to do graphics card intensive apps on the secondary card's displays...

I used to have a dual core G5 w/ two 6600 cards. I didn't even worry about which slots were fastest; just installed the 2nd card next to the original card. I was driving 4x1280x1024. Worked great, but I do mostly text work.

THE MAC GOD · 02:28 PM

Well... I noticed there are significant frame drops on video that is on the 8x slot driven screens (one 16x (default), one 8x surrounded by two 4x's). So, too bad that you can speed that sucker up! Thanks for all the great info guys. I'm running 4x 23" CDs and loving it...