2 Apple Cinema Displays (Mini DisplayPort) with GTX 670?

[dsc106]

I need help finding an HDMI Male to Displayport or MDP Female... I think??

This has been VERY hard to find, and I am not sure if there is a technical limitation? The back of my graphics card will take 1 displayport input, and 1 HDMI input, along with DVI.

I have 2 Apple Cinema Displays and both only have MiniDisplayport (MDP) cables to plug into the graphics. So I have used a MDP to Displayport adapter for one (using up the displayport slot) and now I am trying to get the MDP into the HDMI port on the Graphics.

I can do this via either a straight up MiniDisplay Port to HDMI cable, but can't seem to find one.
Displayport seems more common, so I was thinking of going MDP > DP > HDMI, but can't seem to find a:

MDP or DP FEMALE to HDMI MALE adapter. I found *ONE* but it's ONLY at this site, which makes me wonder if it even works or if it's sketch:

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/479221442/Display_port_Female_to_HDMI_Male.html

Anyone know why this is so hard to find?

you can see the back inputs of my GPU card here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...20GTX670%20ftw

 

[p_monks33]

Whats the resolution on your monitors? You could get a DVI>DP adapter and a cable that is DP to MDP. If the monitor is more than 1920x1200 you will probably need an active adapter which will cost you about 100 dollars. The other monitor should hook directly to the Displayport on the card with a cheap passive adaptor.

 

[dagamer34]

You can't find one because a cable with an HDMI connector is required to have them on both ends, not just one. They took them all down from Monoprice where you'd expect to find one. Adapters are allowed, cables are not.

Here are a few stories about it:
1) http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2388289,00.asp
2) http://www.bit-tech.net/news/hardware/2011/07/12/hdmi-to-mini-displayport-cables-illegal/1

 

[ViRGE]

What you propose can be done, but it's not nearly as simple as you think it's going to be.

Your monitor only accepts DisplayPort, which means you need some form of active conversion. Furthermore DP (and specifically, monitors over 1920x1200) exceeds the bandwidth of HDMI. So what you need is to press that dual-link DVI port into service with a DL-DVI to DisplayPort converter.

http://www.amazon.com/ATLONA-AT-DP40.../ref=pd_cp_e_0

These adapters are $80+ and have a history of flakiness. If you have the money it's worth a shot, just keep in mind that it may not work too well.

 

[dsc106]

Dang. Well, I have the 24" Apple Cinema Display which is 1920x1200... so does that mean I could use a DVI to Display Port (female), and then just plug that into the MDP-DP adapter? So my primary monitor would run:

MDP > DP > GTX 670

and 2nd monitor

MDP > DP > DVI > GTX 670

So would this work with a passive DVI to DisplayPort adatper since the resolution is 1920x1200? I am having a hard time finding a FEMALE DisplayPort to MALE DVI adapter cable. I would be needing to plug it into this cable:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812200691

(so you see, male DP end needs a female DP to Male DVI to get it into GTX 670)

 

[dsc106]

So what you need is to press that dual-link DVI port into service with a DL-DVI to DisplayPort converter.

http://www.amazon.com/ATLONA-AT-DP40.../ref=pd_cp_e_0

These adapters are $80+ and have a history of flakiness. If you have the money it's worth a shot, just keep in mind that it may not work too well.

Hoping this isn't the only option for DVI to DisplayPort?

Otherwise I guess I will sell one of my Cinema Displays and replace it with a Dell IPS or something, and just keep one :/

 

[ChippyUK]

I guess either the monitor or the gfx could get swapped, there are graphics card with 2x mini-display adapters out there such as:

MSI HD 7970 3GB GDDR5 DVI HDMI Dual Mini DisplayPort
KFA² GeForce GTX 680 LTD OC V2 (That card has 3 mini ports!)

Unable to find any 670 that hard more then one mini/displayport though. I believe just the Quadro series has dual display ports.

 

[dsc106]

Nice find on the KFA - hadn't even heard of this brand! Are they any good? Unfortunately though, I looked at that model and it's 3 mini *HDMI* ports, and the HDMI spec isn't compatible with DisplayPort. So close :/ Possibly another card with 2 DisplayPorts or MDP ports??

I can't do a 7970 because it isn't compatible with Hackintosh, but 6xxx series is as of very recent.

 

[ViRGE]

So would this work with a passive DVI to DisplayPort adatper since the resolution is 1920x1200? I am having a hard time finding a FEMALE DisplayPort to MALE DVI adapter cable. I would be needing to plug it into this cable:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812200691

(so you see, male DP end needs a female DP to Male DVI to get it into GTX 670)

That's a DP to DVI adapter; unfortunately the order matters. It's for converting DisplayPort to DVI and not the other way around. The device I previously linked to is still the only way you'd be able to use that second DP monitor.

So as ChippyUK noted, if you don't want to use the adapter then you either need to replace the video card or the monitor. And for a Hackintosh you probably don't want to replace the video card since it's pretty picky about non-reference video cards (since the outputs don't line up with what the driver expects).

 

[dsc106]

If anyone else runs across this, I ended up ordering the top rated DVI to MDP rated refurbished off ebay. $50, free shipping, still under full 3 year manufacturer warranty:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AT-DP400-DU...ltDomain_0&hash=item2ebf56094f#ht_3192wt_1288

Seems like it will be the easiest way to go!

 

[ViRGE]

If anyone else runs across this, I ended up ordering the top rated DVI to MDP rated refurbished off ebay. $50, free shipping, still under full 3 year manufacturer warranty:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/AT-DP400-DU...ltDomain_0&hash=item2ebf56094f#ht_3192wt_1288

Seems like it will be the easiest way to go!

Refurb? You're a braver man than I.

But good luck, I hope it works out for you.

 

[dsc106]

Refurb? You're a braver man than I.

But good luck, I hope it works out for you.

Refurb just means returned, usually within first couple weeks. It still carries a full 3yr manufacturer warranty, so it's really no risk. Did you know when you get replacement phones on warranty (i.e. iPhone, Droid, computers, etc.) they are generally always refurb.