NVIDIA 3D Vision Surround FAQ

3D Vision Surround is NVIDIA's multi-monitor gaming ecosystem. It utilizes a multi-GPU environment to drive multiple displays. It also supports PhysX and 3D gaming.

Supported Games

There are hundreds of games which support multi-monitor gaming and Eyefinity. In general, any game that supported the Matrox TripleHead2Go or NVIDIA's new Surround initiative will work on Eyefinity. There has been one instance of a title only working for ATI Eyefinity, but it was patched to support the Matrox TripleHead2Go and NVIDIA 3DVS.

Two yeas ago (when we wrote our FAQ for the TripleHead2Go), there were over 250 titles with multi-monitor support. Since then many, many more have been added. You can see which games we know to be working (along with particular information about support) by browsing through the WSGF Wiki or the Detailed Report and Multi-Monitor Sections of the forum.

How Does It Work?

On the hardware side, NVIDIA 3DVS utilizes a multi-GPU environment to sync and drive multiple displays as a "single large surface." The NVIDIA 256 video drivers allows DirectX now sees the group as a single display in the display properties.
Possible Display Configurations

NVIDIA 3DVS support 3x1 monitor configurations in both Portrait and Landscape. It also supports a 4th display, along with the Surround SLS. This display can be used for email, watching movies or IM while playing games on the SLS in windowed mode. 3D is only support in Landscape mode (on supported monitors). 3D Portrait Mode is supported on 3D Vision Projectors.

Is PLP supported?

No. PLP (Portrait - Landscape - Portrait) configuration is not supported. Each image in a Surround configuration must be of the same size, and oriented in the same manner.

Do I have to use 3D to get Surround?

No. You can choose between 2D Surround if you do not have the 3D supported displays or do not like 3D gaming.

Do I have to use Surround to get 3D?

No. You can choose to game in 3D on a single display.

Requirements

GPU

What GPUs are supported?
3D Vision Surround is supported on the GTX200 and GTX400 series GPUs. The software based implementation of 3DVS allowed NVIDIA to support its previous generation of hardware (the GTX 200 series). NVIDIA offers a detailed explanation of GPUs and configurations on its System Requirements page.

Is SLI supported?
Yes, SLI is supported in both the GTX200 and GTX400 series.

Is SLI required?
Yes, SLI is required for 3D Vision Surround. This is accomplished by either two GTX200 or GTX400 cards, or by using the GTX295 multi-GPU card. The GTX295 solution only support 2D Surround. While ATI Eyefinity only requires one GPU for multi-monitor gaming, the SLI requirement of 3D Vision Surround helps ensure a better "baseline" performance (albeit at a greater cost).

What about 3-way and Quad-SLI?
3-way SLI is currently only supported on the GTX400 series. Quad SLI is supported using dual GTX295 cards.

Is PhysX supported?
Yes. One major feature of the 3DVS ecosystem is the support of PhysX and multi-monitor gaming.

Monitors

Do I need a 3D Displays?
No, you can use "normal" 2D displays and enjoy mutli-monitor gaming.

What 3D monitors are supported?
NVIDIA keeps a list of 120Hz Displays that support 3DVS.

Can I use different monitor sizes?
Yes and No.

For Surround (2D), you can use different monitors sizes. However, each monitor must display the same resolution - and they will default to the lowest common denominator. Two displays at 1680x1050 and one display at 1920x1200 will all display a 1680x1050 image - stretching that image across the 1920x1200 display. If you utilize different aspect rations (i.e., 2x 1920x1080 and 1x 1920x1200), the image on the "odd display" will either be letterboxed or stretched.

For 3D Vision Surround, each monitor must be of the exact same make and model.

Software

What OS is supported?
3D Vision Surround is only supported on Windows 7, in either 32-bit or 64-bit. Windows XP and Windows Vista are not supported.

What NVIDIA GeForce drivers are needed?
3D Vision Surround was launched with the GeForce/ION Release 256 driver.

How is 3DVS set up?
3D Vision Surround (including 3D and PhysX settings) are made through the NVIDIA Control Panel or the Surround Setup Wizard. NVIDIA offers a step-by-step tutorial in their FAQ.

Technical Features

Is HDCP supported?
Yes. Protected content such as Blu-Ray discs can be played on an 3DVS. 3D Blu-Ray playback is also supported through 3DTV Play.

Are "Intermediate Resolutions" supported?
"Intermediate resolutions" (i.e., displaying 3x1680x1050 on three 1920x1200 displays) were supported with the initial driver release

Is Bezel Correction/Management supported?
Bezel Correction was supported in the initial driver release. It is configured within the initial Surround Setup Wizard. A step-by-step tutorial is available in the NVIDIA FAQ. Below is the image used to set up the bezel widths.

Technical Issues

I'm not getting the Surround option
There is a known conflict with newer Realtek audio drivers and SLI. Since SLI is required, if the NVIDIA Control Panel can't detect SLI, it doesn't give you the option for 3DVS. Rollback your Realtek drivers to 2009, and then reinstall the GeForce 256 drivers.

My windows maximize across all monitors
Install the Matrox PowerDesk, and it fixes this issue.

How do I improve SLI performance?
Update to the latest drivers. Using Driver Sweeper is heavily recommended.

How do I configure games to work with 3DVS?
Many games now work properly out of the box. For help on how to get specific games to work in Eyefinity, search or browse the WSGF Wiki and Forum.