Running more than 2 screens on Power Mac G5

F

firepower

Registered
Hi guys,

I'm just bout to buy a power mac G5 perhaps something after 2007 as not needing a brand new one at present. I was thinking of doing 4 screen on this computer. I know standard mac has 2 screen output already and to do 4, can i just go out and buy another apple graphics card and i'll get 4 screen?? I've searched but no luck. Thanks in advance
 
Yes, that's what you need to add more screens.
New PowerMac G5s were not sold after August 2006, so are you sure that you have a PowerMac, and not a newer MacPro? That will make a big difference with the choices for adding video cards. If you want to make sure about the exact model, go to your Apple menu, then About This Mac, then click More Info...
Post the Model Identifier listed under hardware.

Any video card used in a PowerMac will have to be a Mac version, or possibly a windows version flashed with a Mac rom (that's not as reliable, however)
 
My bad, i meant mac pro g5. If i pick up a power mac G5, i can only use a part meant for power mac g5 or can i pick and choose? Also wondering if software needs to be upgraded?
 
G5 is the processor type. None are used in a Mac Pro, so the name is just Mac Pro.
The accessories that can be used in a Mac Pro, depends on the Mac Pro model, and that is the same in the PowerMac. There's at least a couple of different 'step' generations in either the PowerMac, or the Mac Pro - each of which have significant hardware differences.
The software will depend on what you get with a used system. Some may come with very up-to-date software - other used systems may be restored to whatever was original.
A PowerMac G5 can't run an OS X system newer than 10.5.8
A Mac Pro can be upgraded to the current 10.6 version, if you need to do that.
The PowerMac G5 is significantly different than a Mac Pro. Adding video cards is not too difficult in either one, but you have to know what you need. For instance, you probably won't find any new cards that will still work in a PowerMac G5, and your best choice will be getting original Apple vid cards on eBay. Just search for cards that would be used in a G5. There's a little more flexibility with the video cards for the Mac Pro. There's a few cheap but good vid cards that you can purchase that can be used in either PC or Mac, even if not listing Mac compatibility.
So, it all depends on what you decide to get.
 
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