3 x 120Hz Eyefinity Build Log - BenQ XL2410T

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

Hello, over the rest of the month I will be putting together my custom 120Hz Eyefinity Group.

To Start; you can see where I started from by modifying my first XL2410T for a thin Bezel.

http://widescreengamingforum.com/node/11941?page=5

Here are some pictures of my current setup. I have a triple monitor stand on the way. Currently working to acquire 2 more XL2410T monitors and a XFX 6990 for trifire with my current XFX 6970.

Attached files

[rebelstar]

Nice build. Congrats with the stripped monitor!
What does 120Hz do? Is this benq suitable for HD3D?

I have the same OC'ed Q9550 and two 6970's, do you think 9550 is enough for such powerful cards? In the BF3 and some other games I can't reach 99% usage for both cards, it jumps from 40-90% with fps, causing way too far from smooth gameplay, and I should increase game settings to find golden mean between 99% usage and playable fps around 50 or more, after both cards hit 99% usage gameplay is more smoother.
I'm not sure what to do, is it just cpu bottleneck?

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

In your scenario, yeah, sounds like your settings are bottlenecked by the CPU. I try to get the maximum GPU usage possible without causing input lag and get the highest FPS to take advantage of the 120Hz monitor. Generally speaking, if the game has been coded right to take advantage of powerful hardware, you should not really bottle neck your CPU. Some games are poorly coded IE Black Ops. That game will bottleneck my CPU if I don't have every piece of eye candy on max and force 16X MSAA, uncap my FPS and Max everything else, leaving VSYNC and Shadows off. I get no less than 100FPS in that game, No more than 80% CPU usage and more than 90% GPU usage. Everything takes some tweaking to get running just right for your rig; for me its especially a long and enduring process since I am so used to gaming @ 120Hz. I can not stand playing games with average FPS below 90.

Its pretty hard to bottleneck the Q9550; it is still one beast of a processor, and holds its own pretty well against the i7s. I see no point in upgrading over a measly 2 - 3% improvement in CPU heavy games. Until games start recommending more than 4 cores; I'm not upgrading.

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

Here are some pics of my current rig before I update it.

Attached files

[suiken_2mieu]

That USB HUB with the switches, can you give me a link to it?

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

That USB HUB with the switches, can you give me a link to it?

Sure.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=103&cp_id=10307&cs_id=1030702&p_id=6442&seq=1&format=2

[Eriol]

Do those Monoprice Adapters support 1920x1080@120 Hz? I noticed at least the Accell Dual Link DVI-DP adapters apparently don't. Count me interested to see how it turns out. :)

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

Do those Monoprice Adapters support 1920x1080@120 Hz? I noticed at least the Accell Dual Link DVI-DP adapters apparently don't. Count me interested to see how it turns out. :)

Yes they do; I just run them through a USB switch so I can control my monitors individually incase they have any link failures.

The only adapter I have ever found to advertise that it supports 1920x1080@120Hz is one sponsored by Nvidia for being 3d Vision Compatible. You can find that here:

http://store.nvidia.com/store/nvidia/en_US/pd/productID.227587600?resid=TpC3TwoBAlgAADCNX5oAAAAS&rests=1318106959190

However, plenty of users have had 120Hz and 3d Vision working with the Apple adapter. The monoprice adapter is exactly the same as the Apple one; minus one feature (USB passthrough).

Attached is also a screenshot showing 120Hz on the BenQ XL2410T using Displayport.

Attached files

[suiken_2mieu]

Would you say the monoprice ones are more reliable? I'm using the apple ones and still have issues with them ALOT. Bugged out images, blinking, changing to a non-pnp monitor randomly, having to turn my monitors on in a specific order at a specific time and more. They are annoying, and I want to get more monitors, so I'm looking at replacing all my adapters with this model.

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

Would you say the monoprice ones are more reliable? I'm using the apple ones and still have issues with them ALOT. Bugged out images, blinking, changing to a non-pnp monitor randomly, having to turn my monitors on in a specific order at a specific time and more. They are annoying, and I want to get more monitors, so I'm looking at replacing all my adapters with this model.

I wouldnt know for sure, have not had enough time to test them. I would highly suggest getting a switchable USB hub like the one I am using; just incase you need to reset the adapter if there is a link failure.

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

Still no link failures for my configuration. Note; I am powering my adapters through a switchable USB hub which gets it power from a USB 3.0 Expansion Card with dedicated 12v Power.

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

Just ordered two more XL2410Ts. BenQ USA is having a promotional offer for a short time. They have the best price for these monitors new at this time.

http://shop.benq.us/ProductDetail.aspx?id=56

Use promo code BQ75. $323.99 before tax. Their also doing free ground shipping.

This is extrodinarily lucky for me. Will post pictures as soon as I recieve them.

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

I have experienced a few link failures, but they have only been from either my computer starting up, or from waking from sleep mode. Doesn't bother me that much, the USB switch makes getting it working a snap.

Anyways, the Monitors and the Stand are on their way. Hope to post some pics soon.

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

Got it all set up. I had to make my own custom EDID for stability. Catalyst kept trying to revert my refresh rate. Also using powerstrip to enforce windows does not try to revert back.

[suiken_2mieu]

That's good it's coming along nicely.

ATM, the way I have my adapters is they are powered when my monitors are powered. So I may just pickup the switch.

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

Here is a screenshot of the settings. I lowered my refresh rate down to 110 Hz to stay in compliance with the Monoprice Adapter Limitations. Havn't had any problems with this setup. With the mixed display outputs, to have eyefinity stable, you must have the adapted display (monoprice adapter) selected as primary.

Attached files

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

Updated a few more things, noticed most games do not have 110Hz as a selection; so I reduced the monitors to 100Hz as to reduce any problems.

Here are some more shots currently. Also, my stand has just left New York. Hopefully I'll get it in a weeks time.

Attached files

[Abaddon2501]

Very slick setup, Thanks for taking the time to post it on here.
Keep the updates coming!

-Abaddon2501

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

Been doing some testing @ 120Hz. Adapters get quite a bit warmer when running 120Hz. Although Monoprice Doesn't rate them to have the bandwidth necessary for it; it does seem so long as you can keep them cool they work fine. Just got off a 5 hour Zombie session in BOPS. I might open one up to see if I might be able to cool them down a bit more.

[S1L3N7D3A7H]

Here is an image of the cover removed. I had to use a dremel to remove the casing, there was a strong adhesive at the base holding the casing in place.


Other two came off relatively easy; just apply a bit of thumb pressure and it was off. Too bad I had to destroy the case for the other one.

Get some heatsinks next I guess cause these chips get very hot to the touch when running 120Hz. Wish I had a thermal laser or something to show the difference, but it does indeed feel quite a bit hotter.

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