AMD's ATI Eyefinity Technology Review @ [H]

BravO))) said:
Kyle or Brent, on the 5870's that will have 6 dp's, will you be able to use a passive adapter to dvi as I can see a lot of cables running everywhere if not.
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All cards will only have clocks for 2 legacy ports, therefore 2 with passive and 4 with active adaptors...from ATi rep on WSGF
 
1.) What monitor configurations will 2 5870x2 provide? IE. Will we be able to run six monitors?
2.) Price on the 6 DP Card, will it be the same reference design as the regular 5870?
3.) Can we run Eyefinity in individual resolutions, personally, I don't need to stretch one screen through multiple monitors, I just want to have different programs in different monitors at the same time, is it possible to run it like we run things now, or are we forced to recognize it as one large display?
4.) What monitor stands, or company do you guys know, that can hold 6 Dell 30's, or the stands AMD/ATI used for their displays? I personally have found hard to find a stand, also with all that weight, I'd imagine I can't use a glass desk. I prefer something that is stand like that has feet, because I do not want to drill my desk.

Thanks!
 
I'd think you'd almost have to mount six 30inch monitors to the wall.
 
pc1x1 said:
1.) What monitor configurations will 2 5870x2 provide? IE. Will we be able to run six monitors?
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The images of the x2 only show 2 DVI and 1 mini-DP on them, if you want to run six you'll have to use the 6 mini-DP version
3.) Can we run Eyefinity in individual resolutions, personally, I don't need to stretch one screen through multiple monitors, I just want to have different programs in different monitors at the same time, is it possible to run it like we run things now, or are we forced to recognize it as one large display?
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on the vid Kyle 'enables' EF, so I guess yes. It takes a couple of seconds but it should work. On initial boot up all 3 monitors were cloned.
 
mach1.9pants said:
The images of the x2 only show 2 DVI and 1 mini-DP on them, if you want to run six you'll have to use the 6 mini-DP version on the vid Kyle 'enables' EF, so I guess yes. It takes a couple of seconds but it should work. On initial boot up all 3 monitors were cloned.
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I meant per Video card, since I am planning on either going all GeForce or all Radeon,

With Two 5870x2, so thats a total of 4 DVI's, 2 DPs, would that give me 6 monitors? Also I need to be able to run 7, so I could get any other radeon, and power the 7th?

Also with the HDMI ports, I know they can't be used at the same time, but this is what I personally do.

When I want my 7th output on (which is my HDTV) I normally shut off the Monitors, can I plug the TV in as HDMI, into one of the Radeons, and switch from using DVI to HDMI on one of the profiles? That way I don't really need the capability to run 7 monitors at once. Its more a switching, because when I actually want to watch a TV/Movie, etc, I tend to shut off most of the monitors, and or all of them. Think this is a better option/idea? I hope so, heh as that saves a nice amount of money ;). Also can that be done on GeForce cards as well? Anyone know, ie if I go GeForce, its two x2 cards, and a physx card, most likely a 275, is there a version with HDMI, that I can switch between the output being DVI or HDMI on console? Basically, I have the capability to run 6 monitors at once, while working, then I want to watch a movie, I make a profile that disables all monitors except primary, and then where the HDTV is plugged in, that card goes from DVI as output to the HDMI as the output port, and tada I have TV!

Hopefully this makes sense, heh!

Thanks!
 
Yes that would work if you could use more than one card for one SLS. At the moment that is not supported (neither is CF but that will be) and Dave B intimated that using the outputs from multiple cards for one SLS won't be going to happen....I'll see if I can find his post. I wanted to do 3x5870s, 1 each for my 24s, I don't have a CF mobo and I'd be able to do Crysis at Ultra with that!!!...but not going to happen :(

EDIT: here is the confirmation that it is one cards output only:http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=166617#166617

Buggered if I can find the bit about 'ATi not intending to enable multi card output to one SLS in the future'. Hopefully I am wrong!

More info about the 2 clocks from Dave B: http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=166797#166797
 
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mach1.9pants said:
Yes that would work if you could use more than one card for one SLS. At the moment that is not supported (neither is CF but that will be) and Dave B intimated that using multiple cards outputs for one SLS won't be going to happen....I'll see if I can find his post. I wanted to do 3x5870s, 1 each for my 24s, I don't have a CF mobo and I'd be able to do Crysis at Ultra with that!!!...but not going to happen :(

EDIT: here is the confirmation that it is one cards output only:http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=166617#166617

Buggered if I can find the bit about not enabling multi card output to one SLS at the moment. Hopefully I am wrong!

More info about the 2 clocks from Dave B: http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=166797#166797
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Can you expand what do you mean SLS,:D,

And man Radeons are way better on outputs in general then GeForce's! Only thing I could find that GeForce that does that is this guy.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187062

Oh well, Since I am Windows 7 now, at least I can use a radeon for more displays if need be. :p

Though that sucks hehe, and kinda defeats the purpose X_X, I may just need to use a switch, but wanted to avoid that.


* Mach I see your edit now,

Thanks for the info, personally I just want to drive the monitors, I don't need to game on the 6, that appeals little to me. Having all my apps in 6 monitors appeals alot, I am a little confused, would that work or not. From my understanding it would, however I wouldn't be able to run a 3D apps on more than 3 monitors?

Personally all my games will be run in the primary 30, though It is tempting to try out gaming, ie racing or flight, on 3 monitors, I don't see the need for more than that. Albeit there are some cool configs in Flight Sim, but I am not that hardcore on that game, yet. heh

Basically, I just want to run 6 30'' at 2560x1600 each as individual screen, and have the capability to also have a HDTV plugged in that can do 1920x1080, in case I want to a watch a movie. Would Eyefinity work for me? Or am I better served going 3 Cards, with 2 DVIs each, but even then theres the I need 1 more output dillema, hehe, they need to make a card that does 24 displays in it ;).
 
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Ah gotcha, SLS is the Single Large Surface...i.e. the PC sees the 3 monitors as one big screen.

Yes just like any other card as long as you have the ports (although bear in mind that on the 5870 you can only use 2 of the 3 'legacy' DVI/HDMI ports..plus the DP for a total of 3 screens). If you were to enable EF then only the 'primary' card would work, i.e. 3x1 triple head gaming (it rules for any first person view game..sims, FPS, etc IMO). If you want to game on 6 monitors the only way to go is the 6 port mini-DP card, but with the bezel in the middle it sounds crap to me!

If you need 7 outputs you will need 3 cards or 1 '6 mini-DP' card and another. As the mini-DP card would require 4 active adaptors it is probably better to buy another card if your monitors are all 'legacy' (man it is a joke that ATi call DVI and HDMI legact, VGA yes but DVI/HDMI :rolleyes:)

Does this make sense and answer your question?
 
mach1.9pants said:
Ah gotcha, SLS is the Single Large Surface...i.e. the PC sees the 3 monitors as one big screen.

Yes just like any other card as long as you have the ports (although bear in mind that on the 5870 you can only use 2 of the 3 'legacy' DVI/HDMI ports..plus the DP for a total of 3 screens). If you were to enable EF then only the 'primary' card would work, i.e. 3x1 triple head gaming (it rules for any first person view game..sims, FPS, etc IMO). If you want to game on 6 monitors the only way to go is the 6 port mini-DP card, but with the bezel in the middle it sounds crap to me!

If you need 7 outputs you will need 3 cards or 1 '6 mini-DP' card and another. As the mini-DP card would require 4 active adaptors it is probably better to buy another card if your monitors are all 'legacy' (man it is a joke that ATi call DVI and HDMI legact, VGA yes but DVI/HDMI :rolleyes:)

Does this make sense and answer your question?
Click to expand...

Yes it does, and is basically what I am spec'ing right now. Awesome forum Widescreen, I need to join over there one day, I been widescreen for years, and remember looking there for info when I bought my first 19 wides, hehe.

Basically it looks like this:

If I go ATI

Radeon 5870x2 3 DVI 30's
Radeon 5870x2 3 DVI 30's
Radeon 5850 or any cheap Radeon Single slot 1 HDMI HDTV + anyone else that wants to join the party

*(One thing I remembered, Is I need to make the 5850, single slot, or at least cut the metal tab, so it fits into one slot. I do intend to go watercooling, so hopefully a single slot solution is in the works.

Nvidia
* GT200 Series, or maybe Fermi, though don't want to wait months, but may.

295 GTX 2 DVI 30
295 GTX 2 DVI 30
Single Slot Physics Card 2 DVI 30

I have a PCIe 1x slot open, I guess I could jam something in there for the HDTV?

I don't have to have the HDTV plugged in, I do have another computer, that in my room, that could take the HTPC duty, but I prefer to keep everything in one cube, hehe.

Also to get back on topic with Eyefinity! Sorry for going on a little tangent, but I think a comparison of both solutions still pertains to the topic ;). In case anyone is a little crazy and wants to try to do what I want to try to do. And no, I don't have dollar trees growing in the backward, I just intend to work hard, and save up, and eat very little, and not own a car, haha, riding the bus will be worth it, knowing I have those puppies in there ;).
 
I went with a 4870 (since no 4850s were in stock) and ordered two U2410s to go with my 2407.

Now I have to figure out what to do with the 30''er. Maybe it can replace my 36'' SDTV. Hmmmmmmm.

Kyle thanks for the video review. It really pushed me to consider this. (And listen to all my 311 again last night)

Cheers!
 
My Question is How do You Convert a DVI to Display Port, is there a Cable Conversion available? Just wondering how you Guys got the 3d Display working.
 
Jaguar Jim1 said:
My Question is How do You Convert a DVI to Display Port, is there a Cable Conversion available? Just wondering how you Guys got the 3d Display working.
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Kyles 3rd display used native display port.

Apparently certified active converters will be out soon.
 
DoubleParadoxx said:
Kyles 3rd display used native display port.

Apparently certified active converters will be out soon.
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There's this one that I found while reading Engadget this morning:
http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/02/atlona-ships-at-dp200-dvi-to-mini-displayport-adapter/

atlona-at-dp200_1.jpg


It's $179 USD and it's meant for displays like the Apple Cinema Display with mini-Display Port and will need a cable like this: http://estore.circuitassembly.com/p...Female-to-Displayport-Male-Adapter-Cable.html
.. to hook it all together for regular Display Port on the back of the 5800 series cards.
 
Whoa that is expensive!

We are running a list of where to get active adaptors here at WSGF
Notes:
1. the Apple mini-DP to DVI is what made Kyles rig BSOD, although it has worked for others... I wouldn't touch it personally!
2. The Dell/Accell/Sewell/Bizlink unit all appear to be just rebranded OEM unit. The Bizlink is going to be the first one certified by ATi http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=166600&highlight=#166600
3. ATi are also persuing a single link (i.e. upto 1920x1200 res) actvie adaptor which may well be cheaper, but who knows when it will be out! http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=166601&highlight=#166601
 
Man those adapters are expensive, depending on the situation, I maybe better off using just other graphics cards for the monitors, though if I want Eyefinity for 3 displays, then I need one adapter : /. AMD needs to make it, so Eyefinity works with monitors plugged in different cards!
 
pc1x1 said:
Man those adapters are expensive, depending on the situation, I maybe better off using just other graphics cards for the monitors, though if I want Eyefinity for 3 displays, then I need one adapter : /. AMD needs to make it, so Eyefinity works with monitors plugged in different cards!
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The worst thing is that at the moment guys are having problems trying to get both the 5000 and 4000 series running at the same time. Hopefully this is just a BETA issue but it is worrying.
Yeah if you can get both series running at once I would go for
1. one 5870x2 (only one adaptor required) for your 1x 3 EF set up
2. one older card to run the other 3 independent
3. one EVEN OLDER LOL card to run your TV

EDIT: if I understand correctly what you are trying to do with your crazy amount of monitors! ;)
 
mach1.9pants said:
EDIT: if I understand correctly what you are trying to do with your crazy amount of monitors! ;)
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When I first saw that Matrox multi-monitor setup with Age of Empires 3, my heart stopped.

Then, I saw the Eyefinity reviews here on [H] and on Guru3D and my jaw dropped.

I play a lot of strategy games on my PC and having a widescreen or even one large multi-monitor setup would be outstanding. I also multi-task a lot on my computer with many windows open.

So, to answer your question, for those that want to see a lot of what's going on in the game or multi-task a lot, multi-monitor setups or one large monitor would be great to have.
 
pc1x1 said:
Man those adapters are expensive, depending on the situation, I maybe better off using just other graphics cards for the monitors, though if I want Eyefinity for 3 displays, then I need one adapter : /. AMD needs to make it, so Eyefinity works with monitors plugged in different cards!
Click to expand...

Correct, only the primary graphic card will be able to run an Eyefinity display group with windows. You can run cloned desktop displays on additional cards, but they can not be apart of the Eyefinity group. Both the 3 port and 6 port graphic cards can only support a max of 2 passive adapters (DVI/HDMI displays), the rest need to be DP displays or active adapters (usb powered).


mach1.9pants said:
Whoa that is expensive!

We are running a list of where to get active adaptors here at WSGF
Notes:
1. the Apple mini-DP to DVI is what made Kyles rig BSOD, although it has worked for others... I wouldn't touch it personally!
2. The Dell/Accell/Sewell/Bizlink unit all appear to be just rebranded OEM unit. The Bizlink is going to be the first one certified by ATi http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=166600&highlight=#166600
3. ATi are also persuing a single link (i.e. upto 1920x1200 res) actvie adaptor which may well be cheaper, but who knows when it will be out! http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=166601&highlight=#166601
Click to expand...

nice list.
 
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mach1.9pants said:
The worst thing is that at the moment guys are having problems trying to get both the 5000 and 4000 series running at the same time. Hopefully this is just a BETA issue but it is worrying.
Yeah if you can get both series running at once I would go for
1. one 5870x2 (only one adaptor required) for your 1x 3 EF set up
2. one older card to run the other 3 independent
3. one EVEN OLDER LOL card to run your TV

EDIT: if I understand correctly what you are trying to do with your crazy amount of monitors! ;)
Click to expand...

-PK- said:
Correct, only the primary graphic card will be able to run an Eyefinity display group with windows. You can run cloned desktop displays on additional cards, but they can not be apart of the Eyefinity group. Both the 3 port and 6 port graphic cards can only support a max of 2 passive adapters (DVI/HDMI displays), the rest need to be DP displays or active adapters (usb powered).




nice list.
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Sounds good guys, thanks alot. :D
 
I thought it was a fantastic review.

I watched it while up here at work on a saturday and the comment about the Apple adapter being "shit" made me fall out of my chair i was laughing so hard. So thanks for that as well as the wonderful overview and demo of the technology.

Shane
 
Two things I'd like to see happen with this.

Firstly the mix and match resolutions, the peripheral monitors are just that, in your peripheral vision, you have no detailed vision there so you really only make out basic blocks of colour and movement. So it would be nice to see a 1/2 resolution on either side monitor supported for 3D games, so for example:

3x1 setup on 3x 24" 1920x1200 monitors, left monitor at 960x600, the middle monitor at 1920x1200 and the right monitor at 960x600. Now you're only using 1/4 the number of pixels on 2 of your monitors and that is the performance equivelent of running 1.5 x 1920x1200 and gives you back a bit of your performance, so in games like Crysis where this is a problem and you're having to drop settings somewhat, you can leave them higher.

It seems like such a waste to be essentially running 4+ million pixels either side of your main screen (or 8+ million in a 3x 30") in this set up only to have them in your peripheral vision, its an unecessary level of detail for something you're not looking at.

And manufacturers replicating this as hardware would also be cool, seeing the exact same size 24" and 30" monitors built specifically with 1/2 resolution (1/4th number of pixels) so the actual hardware itself is a lot cheaper, that would be cool as well, more or less useless for desktop work but specifically for gaming that would be a much affordable way to add 2 more monitors to your rig especially for us 24" or 30" owners :)
 
This is a great review, and the best example yet of the merits of doing video reviews - you just couldn't show Eyefinity off half as well using the written word and static pictures.

As a 30in monitor owner myself I'm very interested to hear the promised response from Carrell Killebrew regarding the future feasibility of portrait-Landscape-portrait (1200x1600 - 2560x1600 - 1200x1600) configurations, whether it be "good, bad, or indifferent".

Although admittedly that's not the only issue with such a configuration. Quality 20 inch 1600x1200 monitors are hard to find nowadays.
 
Kyle or Brent,
Is there an eta on that bezel technology by amd? To one that leaves a gap between the bezels in order to have straight angel across the screens?
 
BravO))) said:
Kyle or Brent,
Is there an eta on that bezel technology by amd? To one that leaves a gap between the bezels in order to have straight angel across the screens?
Click to expand...

It'll be nice to have the option, but personally I think I would disable that setting if it were available. I'd rather not be left with blind spots in the joins between the monitors.
 
fabulous review!...to be honest I was never that excited about Eyefinity but seeing it in action in that video was very impressive...I agree about the immersion value and Kyle was right in that gamers will need to adapt their gameplay before it feels really natural...out of the box I have no doubt that it will take a while to get accustomed to this and require a bit of a learning curve

the bezel issue is also valid but as Kyle stated once you are in game you probably won't notice it as much unless you are specifically looking for it...I actually like the portrait mode Eyefinity better then the landscape mode...not because you can fit in more monitors but overall it just looks better...having all 3 monitors in your direct field of view just seems better to me...not as much head turning or movement required as well

still a very niche market for this but I can see why people are excited
 
Some of the ATI engineers who worked on EyeFinity have been posting at WSGF. Looks like they are taking portrait + Landscape + portrait seriously. More information will be reveiled later on.

Sunsp*t said:
pLp display constellation:
That is on the list of constellations I'd like to see supported better. There is some support at present. Check out http://www.improbableinsights.com/2009/10/05/ati-eyefinity-and-three-displays/ and tell Loyd I sent ya.
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Edit: ^this appears to be Windows extended display mode, and he talks about how this is currently an issue with EyeFinity.

Sunsp*t said:
We had an Eyefinity (EF) future roadmap meeting today. DaveB & I referred directly to this forum as validation for several of the features under discussion. A few features are already in the works and will be delivered as soon as we can complete the work. Some other features will be released coincident with the Six. There will be additional features released on a regular schedule after the Six.

More than this I can't say at this time. There will be information forthcoming later on. I realize this is mostly a whole lot of no information, but it should be of some satisfaction to know that your voices have been heard.
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-PK- said:
Some of the ATI engineers who worked on EyeFinity have been posting at WSGF. Looks like they are taking portrait + Landscape + portrait seriously. More information will be reveiled later on.
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fantastic news.
 
-PK- said:
Some of the ATI engineers who worked on EyeFinity have been posting at WSGF. Looks like they are taking portrait + Landscape + portrait seriously. More information will be reveiled later on.

Edit: ^this appears to be Windows extended display mode, and he talks about how this is currently an issue with EyeFinity.
Click to expand...

So can we get Portrait + Landscape + Portrait mode to work in Eyefinity ?
 
I didn't read 15 pages of posts, so sorry if this is already mentioned, but now I am looking forward to someone doing this with three (at least) 60" HDTVs. Sweet... :D
 
GT-Force said:
I didn't read 15 pages of posts, so sorry if this is already mentioned, but now I am looking forward to someone doing this with three (at least) 60" HDTVs. Sweet... :D
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LoL, that's [H]ard! :)
 
Zorachus said:
So can we get Portrait + Landscape + Portrait mode to work in Eyefinity ?
Click to expand...

Their earlier posts about which 3x1 resolutions to support worry me a bit, it sounds like they're limited in the number of resolutions. So if pLp goes forward there may only be a few common resolutions supported such as 1600x1200 + 2560x1600 + 1600x1200 and it may be a long time before this is supported.

The top things they're working on are bezel management and crossfire support. Right now their engineers understand the issues, want to fix it, and put it on their list of things to do. If they were to fail at pLp it would be disappointing. There are technical limitations in the way of mixed orientations and mixed resolutions, and if their sollution has a large performance impact then it wont be released.
 
GT-Force said:
I didn't read 15 pages of posts, so sorry if this is already mentioned, but now I am looking forward to someone doing this with three (at least) 60" HDTVs. Sweet... :D
Click to expand...

Reading on the Widescreen gaming forum, there are a few people who are going with 3 projectors instead....
 
BravO))) said:
Kyle or Brent,
Is there an eta on that bezel technology by amd? To one that leaves a gap between the bezels in order to have straight angel across the screens?
Click to expand...

Confirmed:
Dave Baumann said:
As already mentioned, bezel management is already under development and is the next major feature to be added.
Click to expand...
 
The WSGF forum has the correct information, but to save everyone the hassle and make the information authoritative:

pLp is on the list of desired features, but it does have some significant technical challenges. There are other features which we feel are of more immediate interest to the user community, such as bezel management and Crossfire support for EF. No feature will be implemented, at least not within the short term, that compromises the HD immersion experience. That includes features which would impose a notable performance impact.
 
im currently runing 3 20" through DVI using two video cards (one is PCI). if i get an ATI card with Eyefinity and dont necessary want to use the Eyefinity for the time being but just want to be able to connect 3 LCDs to it. Will I be able to use a displayport to DVI adapter to connect the 3rd display @ 1680x105?

also if i do upgrade one of the LCD in the future to a 24" with displayport, will i be able to mix resolutions? 24" in the middle @ 1920x1200 and the 20s @ 1680x105?
 
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