Computer change.

[zeitz]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Paul, are you getting Lighting and Thunderbolt connectors mixed up?  The only Apple devices I know of with Lightning connectors are iPhones.  But I may have missed something.

Thunderbolt 3 is a subset of the USB-C specification.  The USB-C spec allows protocols other than the USB-C protocols.  To date Thunderbolt 3 is the only custom protocol that has been implemented on USB-C.  Thus the Thunderbolt 3 connectors are physically the same as USB-C, but the message traffic is different.  Macs with Thunderbolt 3 can work with both Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C devices.

Mike, you need to check what modes your Eizo monitor has available by going into set-up on the monitor.  My Eizo CX271 supports HDMI, but only at lower resolution.  So I have to use Display Port or DVI.  And Jaap is correct that the graphics card determines what video connectors are available to you, not the computer by itself.  On a Thunderbolt 3 Mac you use a TB3 to whatever dongle to make the connection.  For instance you would use a TB3 to HDMI dongle if you stay with HDMI on your Eizo.  Thunderbolt 3 has all the protocols for the usual monitor connections.

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 680 is a very good graphics card.

I am now running Catalina 10.15.2 with no issues.  A lock-up issue I had with Photoshop CC on High Sierra and Mojave seems to be cured with Catalina.  Sidecar in Catalina appeals to me.  Soon I will buy an iPad, and I try Sidecar and Photoshop on the iPad when away from my desk.

I also could not get by without Thunderbolt.  I use a Lexar card reader hub that is Thunderbolt 2 and can read up to four cards simultaneously.  And I use a Drobo 5D3 RAID that is Thunderbolt 3, but that is obviously limited by the storage drive speed.

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[kinross]

I have found a dealer who refurbishes all macs. They offer 1 year warranty or extended if desired. I am interested in a Pro 5.1 Mac. The graphics cards mentioned are AMD Radeon RX 560 or NVIDIA GTX. Would either of these be ok for my Eizo monitor. OS is High Sierra, same as I am running now. They install RAM to your own requirements. I have 16 gbs on my IMac which I find ok for my S files. Could take the opportunity to increase. Any thoughts re graphics card.

thanks.     Mike.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[zeitz]

The Radeon RX 560 has Display Port 1.4, no DVI, and HDMI for 4K at 60 Hz.

The NVIDIA GTX designates a series of graphics cards; it is not a specific graphics card.  Current models include GTX 1050, GTX 1060, GTX 1070, and GTX 1080, as well as others.  These models all seem to support Display Port 1.4, Dual Link DVI, and HDMI 2.0b. 

I think you will find any of these cards to be adequate as long as you aren't doing videos.

One other comment though; macOS prefers AMD graphics with Open CL architecture because Apple co-developed Open CL with AMD (if I understand this right).  Apple doesn't like to support NVIDIA with CUDA architecture.  For instance Sonnet is a little contradictory about whether the eGFX 650 breakaway box supports NVIDIA cards running on a Mac.  But no one else in this discussion seems to have a problem with NVIDIA cards.

It would help to know what model Eizo monitor you are using.  I don't think HDMI is your best connection option based on my experience with an Eizo CX271 because it doesn't support the highest screen resolution.  I always use Display Port.

[kinross]

Thank you for your input zeitz, in fact thank all of you who gave commented.

My monitor is CX241. I have it on hdmi port. This is a steep learning curve for me and your help is appreciated. I am in my eighties and came up in a world of valves and mechanics. So I struggle a bit but always get there. I will ring the company I am hoping to deal with on Monday and try to explain my requirements and see what they suggest.

Thanks   Mike.

 

 

 

 

 

[Jeff S]

I put in four 16GB modules, totaling 64GB, 1333 Mhz when I last upgraded my machine from FW4.1 to 5.1, with SSD and the GTX 680 card. Didn’t want to have to do this again soon, and wanted a fast machine given the trend of bigger files. Graphics cards can be tricky with older Mac Pros, but this worked for me, with the help of a savvy friend who regularly deals with computers.

Jeff

[LocalHero1953]

On 1/17/2020 at 1:55 PM, zeitz said:

Paul, are you getting Lighting and Thunderbolt connectors mixed up?  The only Apple devices I know of with Lightning connectors are iPhones.  But I may have missed something.

 

Yes, I was, sorry! I was prompted by irritation with the weak USB-C connector on my Huawei. The Lighning is stronger, but you're right, it is Thunderbolt that is relevant here.

Edited January 18, 2020 by LocalHero1953

[zeitz]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

Mike, the CX241 is a great monitor.  It should serve you well.  I checked the manual for the CX241, and the monitor supports full resolution with any of the three DVI, Display Port, and HDMI feeds.   I looked at the graphics cards you mentioned.  The NVIDIA card has a remarkable set of connectors on the back; you can use any cable you already have.  Radeon RX 560 is actually a set of chips made by AMD that card manufacturers use to make actual cards.  So it depends on the manufacturer as to what connectors are provided.  I looked at a Gigabyte RX560, and it also has all three connectors, but not a mini-Display Port connector which won't impart your use of the CX241.  Cards do vary in regards to connectors.  For instance my Radeon WX8200 which is made completely by AMD has four mini-Display Port connectors to drive up to four monitors simultaneously via Display Port.

[kinross]

Thanks zeitz for your efforts looking up cards. I feel more confident now about ringing the company I am hoping to buy from and explaining my requirements. They are a reputable firm and will not try to sell me something unsuitable. I like my monitor although I suspect I am not getting the best out of it as I find the manual rather complicated. I do keep it calibrated. Using image print black and a sure colour P800 I am happy with the results.

Mike.

 

 

 

[Jeff S]

If you’re not wasting paper matching print to screen as much as possible, and if you’re happy with those prints, that’s all that matters.  The tools are just a means to an end.

Jeff

[kinross]

You are right Jeff. Since using image print I find that the first print is ok most times.I went for it partly due to your recommendation and another forum memember, BrianP. Do not regret it.

LR print module is of course excellent but I always struggled to get a print spot on first time, also as I was advised on this forum the ink use is much more economical on the bigger P800 than it would be on the P600.

Let's hope my computer change goes ok.

Thanks.  Mike.

 

[Jeff S]

2 hours ago, kinross said:

...also as I was advised on this forum the ink use is much more economical on the bigger P800 than it would be on the P600.

 

Indeed.  The machines are about the same size, but the P600 uses 25.9ml cartridges (retail roughly $32) vs 80ml for the P800 (retail roughly $58).  So you get over 3x the ink at only 1.8x the cost.  Plus you likely dispose less unused ink, which remains in the cartridge, even when it shows ‘empty’. And of course you can print to 17”vs 13” (along with a more robust roll paper accessory on the P800). With frequent discounts and rebates on printers, it seems a no-brainer to me.

Jeff

[kinross]

I have taken delivery of a refurbished Mac Pro 4.1. I am not sure how to connect it to my monitor. It seems I can either go DVI on monitor and HDMI plug at computer end or HDMI both ends. A bit out of my depth. Any thoughts.

thanks. Mike.

 

 

[zeitz]

The Eizo CX241 has three inputs - DVI, HDMI and Display Port (Full size, not mini).  One can use any one of the three.  The input you use needs to be selected using the signal button on the bottom of the bezel of the monitor.  You don't say what graphics card you ended up with.  Could you give the model or at least snap a picture of the output end of the graphics card?  I suspect you have a choice of outputs on the graphics card.

[kinross]

Hi zeitz. The graphics card is AMD Radeon RX590. I have had the cx241 for a couple of years now and have unfortunatley mislaid the various alternative leads that came with it. I am connected to the IMac from the display port to a port on the I Mac which is quite small and marked with a lightning sign. There does not appear to be an equivalent port on Mac Pro. Hope this helps. 

Thanks.

Mike

 

[zeitz]

The fact that the connector on your old iMac is quite small and marked with a lightning sign means it is Thunderbolt 2.  (Thunderbolt 3 is slightly larger and is a USB-C connector.)  Thunderbolt 2 and miniDisplayPort are the same physical connector. MacOS decides what signal goes over the code; that is, mac OS knows if it is connected to a monitor.  Apple also makes adapters (dongles) to connect other monitor cables to Thunderbolt 2.

As I mentioned above, AMD does not make Radeon RX590 graphics cards.  AMD only makes the set for chips that other manufacturers buy to make the graphics card.  Without knowing the manufacturer of your graphics card, I can't look up its manual to tell what connectors it has.  If you could snap a photo of the graphics card outlet with you phone and post the photo, we could see what connectors it has.

I am guessing that the graphics card has either DisplayPort or miniDisplayPort connectors.  It may have an HDMI connector.  It perhaps may also have a DVI connector.  If the graphics card has miniDisplayPort, the little connector with the lightning bolt will fit into the graphics card.  If the graphics card has HDMI, your HDMI connector will fit into the graphics card.  You can look on line, such as Wikipedia, to see what DP, miniDP, HDMI and DVI connectors look like.

With that knowledge you can go back to the place you got the computer and have them sell you the right cable.

[kinross]

Hi zeitz. I am not to sure how to post a photo from my phone on to forum but I have examined graphic card and I have one  DVI port.  Two HDMI ports. Two DP ports, do not know what they are.

I can buy a cable with HDMI plug on both ends and that should at least get me started. Does this seem ok.

Cheers. Mike.

 

  

[kinross]

Hi  Zeitz. Just realised DP are display ports as you explained.

I am too old for all of this!.

cheers.  Mike.

 

 

[zeitz]

Yes, you want a DP (Display Port) cable.  Remember to set the monitor signal to Display Port.  You don't need to set anything on the computer or on macOS.  And you are never too old.

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Interesting Leica gear

[zeitz]

For completeness:

HDMI = High Definition Multimedia Interface

DVI = Digital Visual Interface

You can see why people use the abbreviations.

 

[kinross]

Hi Zeist. Will buy a DP cable. May be able to get one locally on Monday.

Thanks for help and encouragement. I usually find with this type of thing I learn a lot and wonder what all the fuss was about when all is working.

Two things you may be able to advise me. . To keep my IMac a complete unit for maybe moving on I have purchased the same type of keyboard and mouse for the Pro. I have not powered the Pro up yet. When I do how will the two computers know which keyboard is which.   Also I have no SD card port on Pro so will presumable need a seperate one. I would like one on a lead as my Pro will be under the desk and I do not want to have to get under desk to plug card in. Any ideas on a good reader to buy.

Once again, thanks.    Mike.