PLP and Gaming

I

I'm your huckleberry

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Aug 22, 2012
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I realize PLP is not supported by eyefinity or surround. Even so, I know of several people who have said they have simply used windowed mode spanned across the 3 displays with decent results. I'm not sure how much of a performance hit this takes, but I want to know if there is anything unusual to set this up on 3 displays (u3011 + 2 x 2007fp). Is it simply stretching the window manually across the 3 displays? Do you have to set the resolution of 4960x1600 prior to this (such as in a config file) or will the stretching of the window accomplish this itself. Also, is there anyway to set this resolution larger to compensate for bezel correction in windowed mode or is that just a drawback of the setup currently? Is this able to be done in many games or only a select few? Thanks.
 
You can't do bezel compensation with AMD cards without Eyefinity (don't know about nVidia). Windowed mode for any application means that it is whatever the window resolution is. Certain things like antialiasing won't work in windowed mode, and more importantly you cannot use Crossfire or SLI (you don't have to turn it off, it just doesn't take advantage of any GPUs other than the primary one). The hit for that depends on the game - I use windowed mode for SWTOR because they haven't fixed their Crossfire issues yet and the FPS is acceptable even on my 5x1 Eyefinity 1920x1200 portrait. I haven't tried it yet on my PLP, mostly because it is smaller than my 5x1. A more demanding game (Dragon Age II for example) would take a much greater hit depending on the eyecandy level. Note that not all games support windowed mode, although most modern ones do.
 
Thanks rtangwai. Couple more questions. Is this hit associated with the 3 monitors as opposed to simply going from fullscreen to windowed mode? I took a hit going to windowed mode in bf3, but the hit was almost gone after I switched to classic from aero removing all those effects. But there is more to 3 screen scenario where this would take an even larger hit? AA isn't a huge concern as I wouldn't be able to run it really at that res anyways. I also remember hearing that sli is supposedly compatible in some games with windowed mode but crossfire is not. Either way, probably only looking to do the single most power gpu setup instead.
 
PLP bf3 is unplayable even at the lowest settings. I couldn't break 30 fps of a single overclocked 6970. Your results may vary.
 
I use softth and it has bezel compensation,
plp6.jpg


The developer might be releasing the code to enable DX11 support soon but I've been playing so many games on it and it's an absolutely incredible experience.
 
Is softth something that is fairly easy to implement or a struggle to setup every game? Any threads that you could point me to with info on its use? DX11 compatibility would be an awesome addition. Would definitely love to check it out at some point.

As for bf3 being unplayable, a 7970 overclocked should hopefully be quite a bit faster. What type of settings were you using? I know another user posted in a thread and gave a screenshot of his windowed bf3 on his PLP setup and didn't mention it being unplayable.

Preciate the replies and awesome setup Bratman!
 
Lowest of low settings. SofTH is only dx9 I believe. I haven't used it though.
 
No it's easy there is a softth config tool http://www.mechatronics4you.com/wp-content/plugins/download-monitor/download.php?id=13

Set primary head Border left as 210 and Head 1 as 210 for bezel compensation, this is a good starting point and may be perfect for you. The tool does the rest of the job so just click save. Drop the two files into the games .exe directory and you are ready to go.

Some games require resolution to be changed like Saints Row 3 you gotta change the resolution in display.exe from 2560x1600 to 5380x1600, but it's very easy to do. It seems trouble but it's so easy once you do it to one game. A lot of games just work out the box like Dishonored has the tripleres in the graphics ooptions without any tweaks.

If you have two LCDs already give it a try, just centre the primary on one of the LCDs in the config tool. I did this with 2 2209WA monitors and played counter strike go dual screen but with the aiming reticle centred on one screen.
 
Thanks. I just got my 2 2007fps in and setup. Loving the amount of real estate so far. I did a quick test using bf3 in windowed mode across all 3 monitors and I was actually pulling a decent 30-50 fps using medium settings, no AA, and ultra textures. Looked pretty damn good. Obviously bezel correction is lacking, but still awesome to test out. Definitely looking forward to trying out some dx9 softth next.

Additionally, is there anything special that needs to be done in windows 7 to set these monitors up? Looking at the screen resolution option, my center is obviously set as main. Numbering wise though, my left monitor is 2, center is 3, and right is 1. Does this matter? As far as spanning a wallpaper, I had been looking at this thread:

http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1588680

I used the same format for setting up a wallpaper file using this template

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5100/5475105615_59b16b1607_o.jpg

However, I was unsure of how to actually apply it to span all 3 monitors? I ended up downloading some program called DisplayFusion which is getting the job done for now. However, does windows have built in capability for this?

As far as the setup, I only have a single 7970 with all 3 monitors plugged into it.

Also, any recommendations on a triple stand for the u3011 + 2 2007fps? Nothing too expensive.

Desk recommendations would be appreciated as well. Need something that can accommodate my m-audio bx5as on either side of the 2007fps. Also, recently bought a driving force gt wheel for some PLP racing so compatibility with that would be a plus.

Lastly, when simply dragging a window across the desktop, I am noticing some lag. Is this to be expected or is this a setting as well? Currently using the windows classic theme so no special effects are really being used.

Thanks!
 
Using a 7970 at 1100 core, 1425 mem, I was pulling 45 fps average in 32 man bf3 multi with the following settings:

2wmge91.jpg


As for the softth vs windowed mode comparison, obviously can't do it with bf3 since it is dx11. However, given softth bezel correction, I think that would definitely be the way to go. I will see if I can get a comparison though. Gonna load up some hl2 in a bit.
 
Check your task manager displayfusion 4.3 is giving me 100% cpu spikes on core 1 which causes lag when dragging windows around the desktop, didn't happen is 4.1.

You will want a desk larger than 3feet long and 75cm depth, try here http://www.worktop-express.co.uk/
 
I am looking to go this route soon, 20" + 30" + 20", so one VideoCard can handle all three displays, just for windows desktop use ? Does Windows 7 figure it automatically ? Does Windows 8 allow this ?

And for SoftTH, I read about it years ago, but thought it used two different video cards, not SLI or Crossfire, but back then said the highest end AGP card for the main display, and a cheap PCI slot video card to handle the side monitors. But since things have changed today, do you still need two different video cards, one PCIeXpress card, and one old PCI card ? But most motherboards don't even have that option anymore.

Last question, which single card would you recommend ? 7970 GHZ or GTX-680 4GB ?
 
7970 is working fine for me. 680 4gb is going to require a price premium over the 7970. Cheapest on newegg is $520 while a 7970 can be had for only $400. I am only using a single card so I think that requirement was when a single card couldn't handle 3 monitors.
 
I run BF3 at 4960x1600 in windowed mode using a reference evga 680 and the BF3 Borderless app. With medium settings, no AA or AO (post AA at med) I get 40-60fps. However, it does feel a bit stuttery, not as smooth as the same FPS on a single screen it seems. I have been considering picking up another 680 to see how it plays but unsure whether sli will work in windowed mode.
 
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ulnevrgtit said:
I run BF3 at 4960x1600 in windowed mode using a reference evga 680 and the BF3 Borderless app. With medium settings, no AA or AO (post AA at med) I get 40-60fps. However, it does feel a bit stuttery, not as smooth as the same FPS on a single screen it seems. I have been considering picking up another 680 to see how it plays but unsure whether sli will work in windowed mode.
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I am debating going PLP, my system in Sig could handle it hopefully ? I have the Dell U3011, just need the two Dell 2007 FP's. But worried how game play will be ? I mainly play BF3...PS2...WoW...Torchlight 2.

Do I just run all games in window mode ? And in-game should show a resolution of 4960 x 1600 to choose from ?
 
ulnervrgtit - it wont. the second card would be sitting idle playing in windowed mode.
 
Zorachus said:
I am debating going PLP, my system in Sig could handle it hopefully ? I have the Dell U3011, just need the two Dell 2007 FP's. But worried how game play will be ? I mainly play BF3...PS2...WoW...Torchlight 2.

Do I just run all games in window mode ? And in-game should show a resolution of 4960 x 1600 to choose from ?
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you don't change any settings in game. i have yet to see a game that actually has a 4960x1600 resolution option. what you do is merely drag the window size bigger like you would what any normal program. stretch it out to fit all three screens.

i've done it a couple times on bf3 to test and its fun when flying around but will completely cripple you if you try to do any competitive or serious gaming.
 
So can I still play BF3 on my main 30" only, and have the two 20" off, or doing Windows sh!t ?

And for older Dx9 games I still play; WoW, Half Life 2 based, am I better off using Soft TH then ?

Isn't Planetside 2 a DirectX9 based game ? Does Soft TH allow PS2 to work ?
 
Yes. The two side monitors will just show your desktop while the center is in full screen mode. I personally keep my monitoring programs (MSI Afterburner + Coretemp + Windows 8 Resources Monitor) on one monitor while I have my media and communications programs on the other.
 
Thanks for the advice. Not sure I really wanna go PLP now, gaming is just not there for it. For productivity it would be cool, but the single 30" does a good job too. I wanted the two side monitors for gaming, and always thought PLP the best setup for games, because it's not so stretched out like Landscape x 3.

Just amazes me all these years later with multiple display gaming support from AMD, and now nVidia, that they still can't create a driver to allow PLP to work. I know the % of PLP gamers is super small, maybe 0.05% of Gamers even have this setup, if that. But AMD has had Eyefinity now since 2009, in those three years, they couldn't find a little bit of down time for their programmers to at least look into PLP support ?

How can one guy, do it part time for free = Soft TH and make Dx9 games work in PLP, but a massive company like nVidia can't put a small team on it, as a special project after hours ? I know nVidia doesn't wanna spend money on something that only 0.005% of their customers use, but they have seen the need for it for years now, would think they would have eventually got around to some beta form to allow PLP gaming ? Oh well, ...
 
fenixv said:
you don't change any settings in game. i have yet to see a game that actually has a 4960x1600 resolution option. what you do is merely drag the window size bigger like you would what any normal program. stretch it out to fit all three screens.

i've done it a couple times on bf3 to test and its fun when flying around but will completely cripple you if you try to do any competitive or serious gaming.
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You can actually change the resolution through config file to 4960x1600 (works on quite many games when you want to play in windowed mode) and the game understands it but you WILL get horrible performance even with heavily overclocked 7970.. I actually had to use lowest settings to make it somewhat playable.

Stretching 2560x1600 across three screens doesn't have huge performance penalty but everything just looks stretched :(

I truly wish Kegetys releases the source code for SoftTH so we "might" get dx11 support for it and maybe better performance also. Atm he is too busy with other things so he doesn't have time to develop it anymore :(
 
I am loving the setup. Haven't had much time to game with it, but gaming in bf3 windowed across all 3 is not bad at all. Also done a little softth in dragon age origins and hl2 with the cinematic mod. Both are amazing. Can't wait to test out my new wheel with some racing games across all 3.
 
I'm your huckleberry said:
I am loving the setup. Haven't had much time to game with it, but gaming in bf3 windowed across all 3 is not bad at all. Also done a little softth in dragon age origins and hl2 with the cinematic mod. Both are amazing. Can't wait to test out my new wheel with some racing games across all 3.
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So how does BF3 play on PLP ? Are you just getting a stretched out 2560x1600 view ? Or is it 4960x1600 in-game ? If it is just a stretched out 2560, do you need to adjust your FOV in-game ?

How hard is Soft TH to setup old games for ? I would imagine games like WoW take advantage of Soft TH ? And Half Life 2 mods like Black Mesa should work too ?
 
mutantmagnet said:
That was the datapath I mentioned earlier in this thread. The company was going to offer a special edition for WSGF which would've had certain features removed to lower the price but the demand wasn't there.
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OK thanks. Is that Datapath device evem useful for PLP as is ? Or not at all ?

I am so tempted to go PLP. But afraid I won't like it, due to zero Dx11 support, playing games stretched out in window mode doesnt fun either. And both AMD and nVidia sound like they will never get around to supporting it, what a shame.
 
Zorachus said:
OK thanks. Is that Datapath device evem useful for PLP as is ? Or not at all ?

I am so tempted to go PLP. But afraid I won't like it, due to zero Dx11 support, playing games stretched out in window mode doesnt fun either. And both AMD and nVidia sound like they will never get around to supporting it, what a shame.
Click to expand...

Well here's my suggestion. If you're going to use the other two monitors for work as well, it's a good investment. If not, don't hold your breath. Out of the two companies, it would be AMD to be the first to support it, and right now, it's far from being a priority. I personally would just buy two more 30" monitors and be happy.
 
suiken_2mieu said:
Well here's my suggestion. If you're going to use the other two monitors for work as well, it's a good investment. If not, don't hold your breath. Out of the two companies, it would be AMD to be the first to support it, and right now, it's far from being a priority. I personally would just buy two more 30" monitors and be happy.
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LOL 3 X 30" :). That's insanity. First the cost of two more 30", then how many more GTX-680's would I need ? All that costing an additional $2,500 minimum, after what I already have. Even if I had the extra cash now for that, not sure I wanna run 3 x 30" just so demanding on games. What's performance like in BF3 or PS2 @ 7680 x 1600 ?
 
PLP & gaming :confused:

Just really sucks that both AMD and nVidia will never create drivers to support PLP gaming. I know the % of PLP gamers is very very low, but still. If the Eyefinity or NV-Surround driver team can work on triple screen gaming drivers, can't they ask to put a couple hours in and try to support PLP gaming with a beta driver or something ? LOL, then I woke up :p

And Soft TH is a Dx9 only support right ? The guy, might hand over code to have others look into making it work with Dx11 ?

So how do you play newer game engines like Battlefield 3 with a PLP setup, without stretching the image, but actually gaming at 4960 x 1600 ? Is that even possible ? And how so ?

Thank you
 
Kegetys released the Source Code for SoftTH two days ago, now we shall see what spawns from this move.

Still, its nice that he gave the code for everyone to improve upon
 
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Zorachus said:
LOL 3 X 30" :). That's insanity. First the cost of two more 30", then how many more GTX-680's would I need ? All that costing an additional $2,500 minimum, after what I already have. Even if I had the extra cash now for that, not sure I wanna run 3 x 30" just so demanding on games. What's performance like in BF3 or PS2 @ 7680 x 1600 ?
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3x30" isn't that insane, I run that now on my quadfire HD6950. It's a darn sight more useful than 5x1 24" portrait which the 3x30" replaced, those bezels started to drive me nuts expecially when I wasn't playing games. With the price of 27" 1440p monitors these days (3 of those are about the price of a single 30") and the fact that 20" 4:3 monitors are no longer in production there isn't much incentive for AMD or nVidia to support PLP.
 
What? 2007FP out of production?

That 27" 2560x1440 is so cheap is puzzling to me. It can't be that expensive to add the next 160 pixels?

Even if you take the failure rate when producing as a square of the real estate it doesn't add up to two or threefold. More like 40%
 
All the current 2007FP's are S-PVA, I don't think anyone is building IPS 20" 4:3. The 27" are so cheap because Apple keeps ordering them and they have a very rigorous standard - all those 27" monitor we see out there are Apple rejects and thus cut-price. It should be noted that Apple does not currently offer a 30" monitor.
 
Since when is that? Because I thought that they dropped the PVA one because almost all the 2010 reports were of IPS 2007FP's.

Do you have any source?
 
Friend of mine who saw my PLP over the summer bought 2x2007FP's direct from Dell - *BOTH* were PVA according to the serial number. Having said that, I just realized I never asked him did he buy new or from Dell's refurbished outlet which may account for how he got PVA instead of IPS.

To get PLP to broaden it's appeal would be the perfect 4:3 monitor for a 27" 1440p, which is a 17" 1440x1080 (which as far as I know doesn't exist - the resolution existed for a few laptop screens but none of them were 17"). If such a monitor was made for $150 each, then a PLP for less than $800 new would be achievable and would be low enough (compared to 3x27" or PLP 20-30-20) that people would actually buy it. A neat bonus is that it would be also a near-perfect match for a 20" or 21" 1920x1080 monitor if it was left in landscape instead of rotated to portrait. For a 24" 1920x1080 (pretty cheap these days) a similar 1440x1080 monitor would need to be 19.5", a 27" 1920x1080 a side monitor would need to be 1440x1080 at 22". That is going to be a huge problem with PLP, if your monitors are cheap enough (TN) and small enough (24" or less) it makes more sense financially to go pure landscape than PLP *AND* the number of possibilities for wing monitor size (even while fixing the resolution at 1440x1080) makes the market too small to support 27" PLP, yet the sheer cost of the 30" in a 20-30-20 means that a lot of people eyeing that end up going pure 3x27" landscape instead. With so many financial and technical incentives *NOT* to go PLP over pure landscape/portrait, few people will buy a new PLP rig (used is another story, but that's not the pot of gold video chipset manufacturers/LCD makers are looking for).

What is truly needed to make PLP supported by the video chipset manufacturers is a killer app or game that requires Eyefinity/nVSurround and yet is optimize for a PLP (or at least a side portrait monitor) setup. Unfortunately that's a chicken-and-egg problem, no programmer is going to create such a thing if the GPU makers don't support it and at the same time no GPU maker will implement such a trick without that killer app/game existing in the first place.

I'm no programmer (UNIX shell scripts and Windows CMD files don't count) so I can't judge this, but for game support would it be possible to extend the "full-screen windowed" mode of games like Star Wars The Old Republic across multiple monitors? Is it a limitation of DirectX/OpenGL to do this on the primary screen, or is it the programmers don't want the hassle of people calling them irate that it won't span and not realizing that their secondary monitors are plugged into another video card like the onboard GPU (common these days with the Core-i series)? Maybe we are bugging the wrong people to support PLP, maybe we need to petition the DirectX and OpenGL teams to open up their specifications for this. That would make it easier for the GPU makers to implement PLP because instead of getting around DirectX/OpenGL they work with it hand-in-glove for PLP. A huge bonus for the Eyefinity/nVSurround programmers is that they can have their cake and eat it too since they can treat the monitors as separate surfaces or a SLS on the fly rather than be a fixed choice that requires a lot of effort to turn on and off (although in Eyefinity's case HydraGrid reduces the pain somewhat of the annoyances of SLS in Windows desktop).
 
rtangwai thanks.

So how do you like your PLP setup ? How do you game across the three monitors in newer games like Battlefield 3 or Planetside 2 ?
 
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