Using 3 displays split between cards

[Andyk5]

Hey guys, 2 questions,
My future setup ( I am only missing the U3011) is going to be PLP setup 2x2007fp's and 1 U3011. At that point I am planning on using the display port on my 6970 2GB for the U3011 and 2 DVI ports for the 2007fp's, will that work out fine?

Second, until I get the U3011, I have a 27inch 1080p monitor in its place which has vga,HDMI and DVI ports only. Now instead of wasting money on an active displayport adapter, can I just use the 2 DVI ports on the 6970 2GB for the U3011 and one 2007fp and motherboards on board (i52500k) DVI slot for the other 2007fp? How would that work out?

 

[OutKlast]

I've done three monitors split between cards without issue in the past. Never tried the new onboard video option. It should be fine, but why not just spring the $~25 for an adapter?

I bought http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999032 for my ATI three monitor setup (none have display port native) and it works great. it also worked spanning BF3 across all three monitors... ahhhhh yeaaahhhh. I've used the adapter on a 5770 and 6950 for a three monitor setup.

 

[Andyk5]

The problem is I would need a good powered active display adapter since I would like to power all 3 monitors from one card. Those adapters are I think around $80 range and I will not be using it as soon as I get the U3011, basically a waste of money. I am trying to get away with just using the onboard for the 3rd monitor so I can use the money for the active display adapter in the U3011 fund.

Edit: I just saw that the one you linked is also active, I have read somewhere that these cheaper active adapters are no good bla bla bla, I don't know. Have you ever tried to power all 3 from one card using that adapter yet?

 

[rtangwai]

There are 2 kinds of active adapters. The single-link adapter is about $30CDN and supports resolutions up to 1920x1200. The dual-link adapter is about $100CDN and supports much higher resolutions - I use one on my Gateway XHD3000 @ 2560x1600. There is nothing wrong with single-link, I use three of them on my rig (I have 6 monitors, PLP 20"-30"-20" on the lower row, 3x20" widescreens on the upper row).

You can get away with one single-link adapter - if your 27" is greater than 1920x1200, you hook up the dual-DVI connector to the 27", the single-DVI connector to one 2007FP, and the single-link adapter to the other 2007FP.

You could use the onboard video as a secondary video card, but that always causes problems. I've tried as many as four video cards in a single computer, all different chipsets, and it was hell to make stable. Also, in Windows 7 there is a driver compression that reduces the memory footprint of video drivers *IF* all the cards use the same video driver. I haven't tried multiple video drivers in Windows 7, so YMMV.

 

[Andyk5]

Tnx for all that detailed information. Currently I have the single link DVI cable powering both the 20 and the 27 inch monitors. Am I losing anything since this is not a dual link? Do I need to use both of the DVI ports for the 30" inch Dell? I can just use the display port and one cable it right?

 

[three4seven]

Tnx for all that detailed information. Currently I have the single link DVI cable powering both the 20 and the 27 inch monitors. Am I losing anything since this is not a dual link? Do I need to use both of the DVI ports for the 30" inch Dell? I can just use the display port and one cable it right?

1. You don't lose anything using a single link adapter assuming the 27" monitor is just a plain 1080/1200p monitor @ 60/59hz. You really only need a dual link cable if you have a 120hz monitor or a monitor with resolutions greater than 1080/1200p

2. For the dell 30" - you just need one dual link DVI cable from the dual link DVI out from your card. Alternatively, if your card has a miniDP out - you can connect it using a miniDP to DP cable as well. Keep in mind 6970s only have one dual link DVI out.

3. I don't really understand your last question.

 

[OutKlast]

Have you ever tried to power all 3 from one card using that adapter yet?

Yes, I power all three from a single ATI card. The adapter is for my 27" 1920x1200 @ 60hz monitor. I have not had any issue with it.

 

[Andyk5]

1. You don't lose anything using a single link adapter assuming the 27" monitor is just a plain 1080/1200p monitor @ 60/59hz. You really only need a dual link cable if you have a 120hz monitor or a monitor with resolutions greater than 1080/1200p

2. For the dell 30" - you just need one dual link DVI cable from the dual link DVI out from your card. Alternatively, if your card has a miniDP out - you can connect it using a miniDP to DP cable as well. Keep in mind 6970s only have one dual link DVI out.

3. I don't really understand your last question.

Its ok you answered it already.
So then this means, if I decided to, hypothetically to go with 3 120hz monitors, I would need to use 2 display ports and one dual link dvi am I correct?