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Eyefinity and multiple monitors

J

joepacelli

n00b
Joined
Apr 3, 2008
Messages
49
I'm looking to get multiple monitors for gaming on my PC. My current system is the following;

Q6600 Quad Core
4Gb ram
8800 GT video card
Vizio 26" LCD
Windows 7 64Bit

I had 2 identical video cards but my sons video card went in his PC so I gave him one of mine.

I plan to purchase another 4Gb of ram bringing it to 8Gb ram
I plan to upgrade to video card to either a Radeon 5870 or 5970

The games I play are;
Crysis
FarCry 2
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
Dragon Age: Origins
Rogue Warrior
Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising
and my oldest son is playing WOW

I would like to go with the 3 monitors and do eyefinity. I want to use 24" monitors at a minimum. I found a stand that holds 3 monitors up to 24"
http://www.ergotechgroup.com/products/heavy-duty-17-30-36/triple-lcd-desk-stand-62/
Does anyone have this and is it any good?
Also, what would be 3 identical good monitors to purchase for this?

I can buy the whole package;
http://www.digitaltigers.com/zenview-trioelite.asp
But I figured if I could purchase the stand and monitors seperately I will save quite a bit.

Thanks for any feedback
 
for a gaming setup, I would HIGHLY suggest going with 3 120hz displays, especially since it looks like you play a lot of FPS titles. The difference between a 120 and a 60hz display is pretty significant in a fast paced game.
 
What is your budget? I would go with 3 dell u2410s. I would stick with IPS panel monitors. The whole package you linked looks like HP LP2475w monitors. You can get either the u2410 or the lp2475w for around 550 or less shipped each plus the stand.
 
My budget is $3000. This includes memory, video card, and anything else I plan to upgrade. I was also thinking about getting the WD World Edition 1Gb NAS drive.

Which is why instead of the $2400 setup I figured I could go cheaper getting the stand and monitors seperate
 
for $3000 you could probably get 3x30" if you wait long enough for refurb/remanf 3007's or similar

otherwise, 3x24" (or larger 1200p panel) is entirely reasonable, I would probably suggest the 5970 to ensure it can actually handle that resolution, however don't expect as long of a "dominance" from the card (higher resolution means more pixels means more math, more math means more time to finish it)

the suggested Dell monitors are all nice options
I also like the Samsung 2343 as a budget contender (this is my third LCD, and probably my favorite LCD yet (yes I've used RGB backlit monitors, yes I've used S-PVA and IPS, etc))
could also take a look at "big" 25-27" 1200p panels, like the 2709/2707, Hanns-G 28", Samsung's 25.5", HP's 25", etc (it'd be cooler for gaming, imho worse for text)


I see no justification for 120hz, but don't want to get into that argument, basically get a good monitor, and realize theres no single linear deciding factor
 
Yeah, But it looks like it won't be available until Q3 2010. I was looking to pick something up within the next month.

Looks really nice though since the bezel is very small. That's one of the hardest things in looking for monitor's. You can't really tell the bezel from pictures on NewEgg
 
The Samsung deal would not be bad if the monitors where 24" x3 for the $1899. But at 22" that seems highs. I could build the 24" for cheaper with that stand. I also looked into 3 27" monitors, the problem with those is no stand to support. I would need to put all three monitors on the desk supported by their own bases. So make them all the same level and tilt, while not a trivial thing would still be a pain over a single base unit.

I will probably go to local Best Buy, CompUSA to look at monitors there and see if I find any nice 24" ones with small bezel. And then go to Newegg.com and purchase them.
 
joepacelli said:
The Samsung deal would not be bad if the monitors where 24" x3 for the $1899. But at 22" that seems highs. I could build the 24" for cheaper with that stand. I also looked into 3 27" monitors, the problem with those is no stand to support. I would need to put all three monitors on the desk supported by their own bases. So make them all the same level and tilt, while not a trivial thing would still be a pain over a single base unit.

I will probably go to local Best Buy, CompUSA to look at monitors there and see if I find any nice 24" ones with small bezel. And then go to Newegg.com and purchase them.
Click to expand...

I believe Zorachus found an Ergotron arm that was able to (barely) accommodate 3 27" monitors. He had pics of it in another thread...
 
I found that thread.
http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1487008&highlight=ergotron

And my wife asked me yesterday what size is my current screen. I told her it was a Vizio VMM26 26" monitor http://www.vizio.com/vmm26f20i.html
She said she does does not want me to get 24" monitors then, to actually go 27". I asked if she realized 27" monitors cost more and she said she's okay with it.

So I priced out the stand:
Chief KTA325B or KTA325S Triple Horizontal 54 inch Array Pole Clamp for 3 x 25" LCD Widescreens
Color - KTA325B - Black (+$0.00)
Poles - KTA1014B - Black 14 inch Pole for Array Products (+$30.00)
Base Style - KTA1002B - Black Free Stand Base for Multi-Monitors (+$46.00)
$293.95 including shipping

And 3 Dell 2709W monitors;
$747.99 Buy.com x 3 = $2243.97

So about $2500-$2600 hundred. Which is not too bad.
 
5 sisters, all married. sorry.

I was being considerate and going the 3 24" route, but she likes the 26" and does not want a smaller screen and told me go the 27" route

I do work from home a lot for work since I'm a software engineer so I do have multiple windows open and 3 screens will help out, SQL Server 2008 on one, Visual Studio 2008 on aanother, and miscellanous apps on the 3rd monitor. I'm looking forward to getting this.
 
You will need to get an active DP->DVI converter if you go with 2709's instead of 2711's.
 
According to Dell's tech Spec on the 2709
CONNECTIVITY
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) with High Definition Content Protection (HDCP)
DisplayPort
Video Graphics Array (VGA), Composite Video, Component Video

It says it has a DP
 
joepacelli said:
According to Dell's tech Spec on the 2709
CONNECTIVITY
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
Digital Visual Interface (DVI) with High Definition Content Protection (HDCP)
DisplayPort
Video Graphics Array (VGA), Composite Video, Component Video

It says it has a DP
Click to expand...

All true; but if you are sensitive to imput lag the 2709W is an S-PVA panal with about 3 frames of lag according to 10e (who knows how test properly). I have a 2709W and personally I think that input lag is more about test results then the real world experience, but there are plenty of people arround here that will say otherwise. If you are not sensitive to input lag the 2709W would be good for a 3x setup, because it has no white glow or bad antiglare coating which is a problem with most S-IPS panals. NEC and Planar make good 26 inch S-IPS panals that you should consider as well.

If I were you I would buy 1 LCD first from a place that has a good return policy (Dell, Amazon, Costco...) and test in all positions you plant use, then either return it or buy 2 more.

Pardon for me saying this, but your processor looks a little weak for a lot of resolution. hopefully the graphics card will make up for that.

Keep doing what you are doing here, dig for info, because this is a big purchase.

Best of luck with it

Dave
 
Last edited:
just a thought before you pull the trigger
Dell is supposed to be out with a new 27" 2560x1440 model relatively soon, same size as the 2709, more pixels

might be worth waiting a bit

as far as the CPU being weak, it works the other way, higher resolution -> almost fully GPU bound (I can provide some links if you'd like)
 
Yeah, I fugred I would keep the Q6600 because not really a big bang for the buck getting the new CPU, But I will get a new Graphics card, the Radeon 5870, possibly 2 of them. I need to check because my motherboard is a ASUS P5N-D, it does SLI I know, but not sure about crossfire if I get 2 5870's. Or maybe I'll just get a single 5970.

The GPU is still undecide also. I still have about 3 weeks before I have the money for the upgrade, so time to research till then
 
So I know I've been looking at the Dell 2709W monitors, and using 3 of these.

Any other monitor recommendations?
How is the NEC MultiSync EA261WM-BK - LCD display - TFT - 26"?
or the ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD?

I know both these would require a DP-DVI convertor.

My current Vizio VMM26 is a 25.5" monitor so getting 3 25.5" would definitely seem bigger to my wife. She wouldn't notice the difference between it and a 27" seeing she only has my current monitor as a reference.

And I could save some money and possible get a new motherboard and CPU also
 
joepacelli said:
I'm looking forward to getting this.
Click to expand...

I bet. The only things stopping me from buying a 3rd 30" are 1) desk space and 2) fear of needing two 5970s to make games playable. It's hard to look at all of these Eyefinity setups and not want to join the club...

I'd prefer the 2709W, but if going with cheaper panels would let you get a mobo/CPU upgrade then that's probably the route I'd take. Between the two you posted, the NEC will have better image quality but it costs significantly more than the Asus so you'll have to decide whether you want better IQ at the expense of upgrading other parts of your rig...would you need to upgrade your RAM to DDR3 also or do you already have a DDR3 board?
 
Would need to upgrade ram also.
Going the Asus route I priced the following at NewEgg;
ASUS P6X58D Premium LGA 1366 Intel X58 SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail
2 x ASUS EAH5870/2DIS/1GD5/A Radeon HD 5870 (Cypress XT) 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported ... - Retail
Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor Model BX80601950 - Retail
2 x OCZ Gold 6GB (3 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 2000 (PC3 16000) Low Voltage Desktop Memory Model OCZ3G2000LV6GK - Retail
3 x ASUS VW266H Black 25.5" 2ms(GTG) HDMI Widescreen LCD Monitor - Retail

Total: $2,950

If I do NEC instead
Total: $3,860
 
That's a good start. I would recommend three things:

1 - I love Asus motherboards but some haven't had the best experience when RMAing their video cards. I'd definitely choose Asus over Diamond and HIS, and probably Sapphire and Powercolor as well. But at least give XFX a strong consideration. Double lifetime warranty and relatively hassle-free RMAs if the need arises. None are as good as BFG or eVGA but if you're going with ATi those two companies aren't an option. In my opinion XFX is the best option for an ATi card.

2 - The i7 950 is a huge waste of money IMO. It's basically a 3 GHz i7 920. Just get the 920 for $290 and take 3 minutes to overclock it to 950 speeds or higher. It'll laugh at 3 GHz but you could get away with that on the stock cooler easily. There is a reason why 95% of i7 owners choose the 920, and in many cases it's not because they can't afford more...they just know that unless you're going for an extreme overclock (I'm talking 4.3 GHz+) there is no point in getting the higher end CPUs.

3 - I would swap the OCZ memory for G.skill.
 
Thanks for all the advice. I will revise my wish list on Newegg.

What about the monitor choice? Changing the CPU drops the price down about $250 dollars so the ASUS system is $2,700, and the NEC system is $3,600
 
The monitor choice is up to you. If money isn't an object, I would go with the NEC for the better image quality but if that's not a primary concern you could get larger monitors for less money. Did you see these 27" models?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010190020 1309821329&name=27"

If the stand would accommodate it you could even go with the Hanns-G 28" for $329/ea. but that's probably a smidge too large for that Ergotron arm (if that's what you're planning on getting).
 
crowat said:
Can you get 3x 1080p projectors? Would that even work for eyefinity?
Click to expand...

Yes its possible. However, setting them up would take considerably more effort than monitors I'd say. That and 1080p projectors dont come cheap.
 
crowat said:
Can you get 3x 1080p projectors? Would that even work for eyefinity?
Click to expand...

yes, I think it goes over the OP's budget though (a 1080p projector is around $1000-$1500)

why wouldn't it work for multi-monitor? been done for years and years
you'd still probably need a DP adapter for one of them


jubbie said:
Yes its possible. However, setting them up would take considerably more effort than monitors I'd say. That and 1080p projectors dont come cheap.
Click to expand...

eh? it isn't *that* bad to set-up two or three of the same projector if you have mounts and screens, about as much work as doing a triple monitor setup nicely with a single arm and all that

price is probably about double, but consider you're talking about 3x1080p up to ~130" ea and the potential to run all of that at 120hz, its worth the extra time if the goal is sheer awesome
 
Do not have room for projectors. You would need to sit a distance away from them.

But would love to see someone have setup like that. And have surround sound. Would make for one hell of a gaming experience.
 
So I noticed the Dell 2709W are on sale for $799. Only question I have about that is I can still get it cheaper from Buy.com, only $755.99 each, small shipping and no tax. So a savings of about $300.
Buy.com:
Items: $2,267.97
Shipping & Handling: $23.04
Tax: $0.00
Order Total: $2,291.01


Dell:
Sub Total Sub Total $2,397.00
Shipping & Handling 1 $57.00
Shipping Discount Shipping Discount -$57.00
Tax 2 $185.77
Total Total 3 $2,582.77


What if I have a problem with it? Is it covered under Dell's warranty or do I return it to Buy.com.
Anyone know if BUY.com has a good return/exchange policy?
 
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