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Eyefinity 4 monitors extended

E

Etherealentity

n00b
Joined
Apr 17, 2012
Messages
31
Hi guys. Signed up here hoping for some help as I venture deeper into graphics!

I'm an audio engineer. Currently working on a laptop with an external VGA. They are set to act seperately - they have seperate wallpapers (same pic) - the explorer/startbar is on just one screen. The other is pure wallpaper. I can drag windows into each screen and maximize them to it.

I am ordering a new build soon and I need 4 screens. I want to use one Graphics card. I am using the HD6770 card.

I have looked into Eyefinity but can't find much outside of gaming.

I require it to function as I am used to - not as one big screen. Yes on one big screen I could shrink the windows down etc but I like being able to snap them to individual screens. I want seperate wallpapers - not one big one.

Is this the difference between Extended and Eyefinity? Will this work as I desire?

Could somebody please describe the exact setup and connections (briefly!)? The monitors I plan to use and their connections: http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/...etail.aspx?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=dhs&sku=320-2676

Setup 2x2

This picture here is not exactly what I want: http://www.shanebaxtor.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/IMG_1974.jpg
Seems the desktop spans three screens. Would my taskbar be across all 4 (weird on 2x2!) or just the bottom two? Can I have just one screen as the desktop and the 3 others blank?

I'm happy to live with the arrangement in that photo IF windows snap to each. That's a must. Individual wallpapers isn't so important. Taskbar not too fussed.

I also need to keep the bevels i.e. no picture dissapearing behind them like I see gamers do. I want individual windows on each yes, but the top 2 screens will have a window stretched across (is that possible?) and I don't want anything behind the bevel.

Sorry for the long post! Just this is an expensive setup and I don't want to go wrong!
Thank you
Tom
 
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You just plug them in and go. You do need to make sure that your video card has the right connectors - or adapters to make them right.

If you're not going to be playing games, you might prefer something along the lines of a NVS 420
 
So I wouldn't be using Eyefinity? From what I'd been reading around it seemed there was quite a lot to it!
I haven't a clue how I'd connect
amd_radeon-hd-6670.jpg

to four monitors (they have the same three connections).

That card is 5 times the price, though! Plus this is the only option on the customization list which will support 4 monitors (NVidia GT520 is the other option and that only does 2).
 
Some of the other folks can correct me if I'm wrong I guess, but I don't believe the AMD 6xxx series actually supports 4 simultaneous monitors, only 3 active at one time since the HDMI shares resources with one of the DVI ports. As far as I know the only cards that support 4 simultaneous displays are the new Nvidia Keplers.

There were some AMD 6 and 12 port eyefinity cards I believe, but they're 100% display port, hard to find and probably still expensive.

*edit* Nevermind apparently I'm wrong. :)

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desk...d-6770/Pages/amd-radeon-hd-6770-overview.aspx

In that case, you don't even have to use the eyefinity feature to arrange the displays in a 2x2 independent screen setup. Just plug them in, go into your resolution settings and do this:

dispprop.png
 
an AMD 6k or 7k series card is what you want. as far as the task bar goes, by default in extended mode the taskbar will only be on your primary display. but there is a program called ultamon which uses a smart task bar and puts a task bar on each screen. but unlike the standard taskbar you would see in eyefinity it automatically puts the program on that specific screen in the taskbar on that screen. so say you minimize something on the top right screen, you don't have to click the program on the task bar on the bottom left screen to maximize it again.

so basically all you do is plug in the displays. go into windows display settings. in the display window you will see all 4 displays laid out in a landscape view. just move the 2 displays you want on top and boom you are done.

as far as the card you have, the one in the picture won't work.

you would need something like these cards.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125416
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150574
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121418


the only card that supports 4 displays on a single card that nvidia has is the GTX 680. the other option is you can get 2 cards and run 2 displays on the first card and 2 on the second card. you don't need to run crossfire/sli either.


@ oldie yes some of the 6k series cards support 4 displays. some also support 5 displays. the cards that have the dual DVI the hdmi port is shared with the dual link DVI port like you mentioned. but there are also the sapphire flexx cards that allow 4 displays using DP HDMI and both DVI ports.

sapphire flex card..
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102938 (didn't think newegg had anymore of these cards) <--- this is the card i would actually get etherealentity
The SAPPHIRE HD 6770 FleX delivers a true SLS (Single Large Surface) work area without the need for costly DisplayPort monitors or Active adapters. With the SAPPHIRE FleX solution, the first two monitors are connected to the two DVI outputs, as usual. A third DVI monitor can be connected to the HDMI output with the passive adapter supplied. The SAPPHIRE HD 6770 FleX can also support up to four simultaneous, independent monitors if you choose to include the use of a DisplayPort monitor or active adapter.
 
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I believe to achieve what you want you would just set up your top two monitors as one eyefinity group (makes it one giant display) and then leave the other two as extended monitors. I have a card that I am currently using with 6 u2311 monitors (asus directcu II 6950). I have them all as extended desktops. Before that I had 3 u2311 in portrait in one eyefinity group with a 2407 as extended monitor. Worked with no issues.
 
There are other 4 port cards. Or, if your new PC has 2x PCIe x16 slots you could purchase 2x NVS 300.

You can split a DVI port into 2x VGA, but I would hesitate to use a VGA signal with those monitors.

Can I suggest a reality check here: you are spending $1400 on very nice monitors, so why are you trying to skimp on the graphics card? This is clearly a business computer, so you will be able to mark it down as a business expense. I'm guessing that you've gone to Dell's website and are considering something in their Dimension range. Try looking in their Optiplex range as well.
 
Thanks guys! I'm confused now though..the 6770 specifically states it supports up to 5 monitors with Eyefinity.
Is this just a generic statement about Eyefinity, where the 'up to' does not mean how many monitors you own (like I thought) but rather the amount of ports on the card?
EDIT: Havent read the 2 posts above yet!
 
So what exactly is the difference between extended and eyefinity?

Yes from what I've heard I'd rather not split like that. Also multiple cards = more noise which is bad for me.

I wouldn't say I was trying to skimp on the graphics card. Purely that if what I wanted was achievable with a cheap eyefinity card..then why spend 5 times as much. This build is already incredibly expensive. But it seems that it isn't possible anyway :)

I plan to get it from a reputable audio company for setup, component, and (audio related) service reasons - these components are usually chosen for audio performance in terms of not causing interruptions, low noise etc. Plus the fact I don't know if Dell would offer 32GB RAM, 3930k etc.

The GFX cards available to me are listed here http://3xs.scan.co.uk/Category.asp?SystemMasterCategoryID=2 for the 3XS SA-X6 PowerDAW

Presuming I can email the company and ask for a GFX card that's not on the list..what might be a good option? It seems ALL the 6000 series above the one I had chosen have at least 4 ports of various types.
http://www.rage3d.com/reviews/video/amd_hd6790_launch_review//pics/hd6790.jpg for example. Pretty similar price. How might I connect that to four monitors with the ports I linked above. Not sure what those small ones are. Thanks again!
 
Eyefinity basically makes the OS see the monitors as one large display. Extended means they're all connected, but act independently.

In eyefinity if you maximize a window it will show up on all 4, in extended mode maximizing will only occupy the monitor it's in already.
 
Jeebus. I really wouldn't go to Scan for your system. They're fine for components when you know what you're doing but I wouldn't touch them with a bargepole for a complete high-end system. Dell or HP will easily sort you out. On the Dell side, look at their Optiplex desktops and their Precision workstations; on the HP side, look at their Z series workstations.

One thing to beware: Windows 7 Home & Home Premium have memory limits of 8 and 16 GB respectively; Windows 7 Professional and Ultimate have a limit of 192 GB. See here.
 
Gotcha.

I've read up some other threads to find out about connections..so!

Card: HD6790
amd-Radeon_HD6790_5.jpg

That there is two minidisplay ports, HDMI, and two DVI correct?

The monitors have Display Port, DVI, and VGA.

DVI1>Monitor 1 DVI
DVI2>Monitor 2 DVI
MiniDP1>http://www.lindy.co.uk/mini-displayport-to-displayport-adapter-cable/41022.html>Monitor 3 DP
MiniDP2>http://www.lindy.co.uk/mini-displayport-to-displayport-adapter-cable/41022.html>Monitor 4 DP

This would work? I've read comments elsewhere saying that most of these cards only support three monitors. Why does this card have 5 connections? The card I posted before with 3 connections supposedly doesn't drive 3 monitors.
I am reading LOTS of conflicting information about the amount of monitors that is possible.
 
Why wouldn't you touch them with a bargepole? They have an incredible reputation for their audio systems , pretty much one of the 3 or 4 names I've seen recommended.
 
Ok - change of plan. 3 monitors.
I've still been reading lots of comments to say that most of these cards only support 2!
 
Etherealentity said:
Why wouldn't you touch them with a bargepole?
Click to expand...

I've been thoroughly warned off. I've been long advised that they were a 'favourite' of Trading Standards. Their nickname was 'Scam'.

They have an incredible reputation for their audio systems,
Click to expand...

Colour my flabber well and truly ghasted.

pretty much one of the 3 or 4 names I've seen recommended.
Click to expand...

If they've turned themselves around I'll stand corrected. They still minorly bollixed my last order.
 
6970 Will definately do 4+. You just can't use the hdmi and both DVI at the same time as one of them is shared. So use both dvi's and dp>dvi adapters.
 
^ Alright well thanks for the heads up - I've never seen another bad word but I'll dig deeper! I was going with them as they worked out cheapest of the ones I found by about £200 and had most customization.
Cheers!

6970 or 6790? I posted the cheaper (6790). They look the same though.
Cool, why would I use adapters rather than just plugging into the monitors DP ports?
 
Ok I think there's quite a bit of confusion here, the 7770 which was linked to earlier can definitely drive 4 monitors, the setup will be even simpler as the Dell monitor you selected has a DP input.

Here's the connections:
GPU DVI -> DVI to DVI cable -> monitor 1 DVI
GPU HDMI -> HDMI to DVI cable -> monitor 2 DVI
GPU miniDP-> miniDP to DP cable -> monitor 3 DP
GPU miniDP -> miniDP to DP cable -> monitor 4 DP

No need for adapters, just get those startech miniDP to DP cables from Amazon.

To clear up some of your other questions:
- You want to set to Extended mode, Eyefinity is only really for gaming. Extended means your taskbar is only on your primary monitor and windows maximize to a single screen.
- You don't need to worry about stuff disappearing behind bezels in Extended mode.
 
Sweet, gotcha.

I guess my final question is how can you tell how many monitors a card can support? From things I've read (such as the 3 port card in the OP only supporting 2 monitors) you can't tell just from the ports and it doesn't seem to say anywhere on their website.

Thanks again :)
 
One post I have read that seems to clear that up but I'd like it confirmed:

"on one graphics card, the vga, dvi and hdmi ports run at the same lane and you can only use 2 monitors on that lane, however ati's 5xxx series have added a display port which runs on a different lane resulting that you can use more monitors, nvidia have added so that if you run 2 of their new 4xx series in sli you can use up to 3 monitors. but your graphics card is a built in one, so you can't run more than 2 if you have 2 ports (either vga,dvi or hdmi)"
 
Etherealentity said:
I guess my final question is how can you tell how many monitors a card can support? From things I've read (such as the 3 port card in the OP only supporting 2 monitors) you can't tell just from the ports and it doesn't seem to say anywhere on their website.
Click to expand...

For 4 monitors the card needs to have at least 2 DP (or mini DP) connectors. The other 2 don't matter, they can be a combination of DVI/HDMI.

There's actually quite a lot of setup info on AMD's website:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/amd-eyefinity-technology/how-to/Pages/set-up.aspx
 
Thanks - that page is pretty useful!

Something that may have been missed is I've found a way to change my workflow and wish for just 3 monitors.

As I understand, and is suggested by the page you linked - one Display port and two hdmi/dvi/vga ports would cover this.

So by that I could use the card in my OP.

However..
http://www.justanswer.com/computer/5rsn3-just-purchased-graphical-card-asus-hd6670-supposely.html
The big reply to that seems to state otherwise.
I also read a page yesterday where a user of that card was told by three people a flat out no when asking if he could use 3 monitors.
 
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Yeah I was referring to the 6670 but the picture I originally posted is not the 6670 (dispite being displayed in many places including the website. http://www.amd.com/uk/products/desk...6670/pages/amd-radeon-hd-6670-overview.aspx#1). Check out the youtube video. I'm mighty confused now haha.

The website states

* DisplayPort 1.2
o Max resolution: 2560x1600 per display
o Multi-Stream Transport
o 21.6 Gbps bandwidth
o High bit-rate audio
* HDMI 1.4a with Stereoscopic 3D Frame Packing Format, Deep Color, xvYCC wide gamut support, and high bit-rate audio
o Max resolution: 1920x1200
* Dual-link DVI with HDCP
o Max resolution: 2560x1600
* VGA
o Max resolution: 2048x1536

Which doesn't correspond with the ports I see in either the picture or the video. This and so many conflicting comments about what can and cannot be done on various cards is leaving me rather inconfident!

Thanks for putting up with my disorganised babble and helping out!
 
I beleive DP 1.2 allows you to get a DP hub to drive more displays.


slh28 said:
Bottom line is, to drive 3 monitors the card needs to have a DP/miniDP
Click to expand...


99.9% true.

Sapphire has a FLEX line that has DP>dvi built into the card, to give you 3 drivable DVI ports




OP: AMD's page info is only usefull for reference cards, many cards you find are 3rd party designs so all features may not be available.
 
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Ah, now that makes a lot of sense why I keep seeing different cards. The one on the SCAN setup is
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-...pu-800mhz-480-cores-dl-dvi-dport-hdmi-passive
Which lists
1 x DisplayPort
1 x Dual Link DVI-I
1 x HDMI

So that would definitely work for 3 monitors in extended mode monitor connections being
1 Digital Visual Interface connectors (DVI-D) with HDCP
1 DisplayPort(DP)
1 Video Graphics Array (VGA)

Any complications going DVI I to DVI D?
Can I get from HDMI output to VGA input?? That digital to analogue no..? Maybe I could go HDMI to one of the Display Ports if those are digital, is that possible?
 
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Why are you using the VGA input? You're setup is 3x Dell U2412M right?

Connect the DP to DP, DVI to DVI and HDMI to DVI.
 
Doh! The DVI slipped my mind haha. I guess that's a simple cable seen as both HDMI and DVI are digital.
Cool - thanks a lot. I understand it now and understand why I was reading so many conflicts with the same cards, if people can have the same card with different ports.

So save me posting more questions if I happen to change my mind on anything...
If a card on the site that is selling it, states 3 ports including a DP, I can drive 3 monitors. If I want four, I need two DP and two VGA/DVI etc. Three VGA and one DP would not work for four.
 
Do you have 2 slots for video cards? I have a setup just like you want and do it with 2 9600GT cards they are old and you could do a similar setup by getting 2 cards that push 2 monitors each. Mine will not do eyefinity though. I was told to get a 6770 or 6750 to be able to upgrade to 2 cards 6 monitors those may work for you too. My setup isn't for gaming though just trading stocks so the graphics are nothing to get excited about, but it serves me perfectly.

desk1.jpg
 
TBH if your monitors all ahve DP anyway then I would look for one of the eyefinity cards with all mini DP.. Then use nothing but DP.
 
I have a lot of slots but I want to stick with one card because I can get the setup I want for like £70 that way. Also I want least noise as possible and power consumption is a plus too.

Bastage, that could be a good idea. If I'm looking at an all DP card, is it safe to presume one with 3 ports does 3 monitors, 4 ports does 4 etc. Unlike the cards that have 3 VGA/DVI/HDMI for example and can only drive TWO.
 
Etherealentity said:
Bastage, that could be a good idea. If I'm looking at an all DP card, is it safe to presume one with 3 ports does 3 monitors, 4 ports does 4 etc. Unlike the cards that have 3 VGA/DVI/HDMI for example and can only drive TWO.
Click to expand...

Yep.. DP does not have the addressing hangup thing like DVI/HDMI does.
 
Etherealentity said:
Bastage, that could be a good idea. If I'm looking at an all DP card, is it safe to presume one with 3 ports does 3 monitors, 4 ports does 4 etc. Unlike the cards that have 3 VGA/DVI/HDMI for example and can only drive TWO.
Click to expand...

Technically you can daisy chain 3 monitors from one DP 1.2 port (never tried it personally). But yeah, what you said is correct. The all mini-DP cards are quite rare though (and hence expensive).
 
Etherealentity said:
Sweet, gotcha.

I guess my final question is how can you tell how many monitors a card can support? From things I've read (such as the 3 port card in the OP only supporting 2 monitors) you can't tell just from the ports and it doesn't seem to say anywhere on their website.

Thanks again :)
Click to expand...

nevermind you seem to have the idea from other posts.
 
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Dude, go with Scan. Our company works with Scan a lot, and I have nothing but good things to say.
 
Yep I'm sticking with Scan - system comes out the cheapest and despite searching I couldn't find anything bad except in this thread.
Thanks everyone!
 
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