Upgrading to 2x HD6950 Flex 2GB - Eyefinity/CF Questions

[handalaan]

So bare with me here...

I'm currently running an nVidia setup with two GTX 460 SC's in surround and I'm wanting to move over into the Eyefinity world.

I've narrowed down the card I want to use to the Sapphire HD6950 Flex 2GB (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102929) so that I won't have the tearing issue and can use my three DVI displays, utilizing a HDMI > DVI adapter of course. Now, my understanding is that I should be able to eventually add two more displays using active mini-DP adapters for a 5x1 gaming setup, correct? This would be under the assumption of using CF to achieve maximum frame-rates.

I think I've got all the pretty well figured out. Next question is, will I be able to do a 3x2 Eyefinity setup ever? I'm not really sure how CF/Eyefinity interacts with each other. Can anyone clarify the maximum amount of displays / eyefinity displays that I would be able to achieve in this setup?

Thanks

[Davros]

Of course you can do 3x2 (aka 6 monitors)

[-Sn1PeR-]

I don't believe the 2nd cards ports will work with crossfire enabled, that is to say that I believe you will be restricted to 5 monitors with crossfire enabled.

You may want to hold off a little bit... the 7000 series is apparently going to be announced soon.

[handalaan]

So this would be with CF disabled with each card running 3 monitors each, correct? How well does that work with games that can support those resolution? I appoligize for the seemingly noob-ish questions, not much experience with ATI/Eyfinity.

[RadioActiveLobster]

Normally the HDMI port is shared with a DVI, so if both DVI ports are in use you cannot use the HDMI. You must use the Displayport for the 3rd monitor (assuming the first 2 are DVI). It seems just this specific card with it's "Sapphire FLEX" tech allows both DVI ports and the HDMI to be used (using an HDMI>DVR converter).

If you go with another 6950 you cannot do this (I see this one is out of stock), you'll have to use display port.

Assuming you get this exact model, then yes, you can do 5x1 (2 DVI, 1 HDMI, 2 Mini-DP)


As for 3x2 setup, as long as the Displayport is revision 1.2 (or higher) it should support multiple video streams so you can have multiple monitors going off of one displayport by daisy chaining the monitors through a hub


In a crossfire setup all the monitors are connected to GPU1, GPU2's video output ports are not used.

[Davros]

Sorry I should of said you need a dispalyport hub for 6 monitors

[handalaan]

I actually was the one that put these out of stock, bought the last two.

So, how much is a good hub going to run me? Its not an absolute necessity as I only have 4 displays right now, just thinking for the future.

Alternately, without CF, can I run three (or five for that matter) on each card and still do eyefinity?

[RadioActiveLobster]

I actually was the one that put these out of stock, bought the last two.

So, how much is a good hub going to run me? Its not an absolute necessity as I only have 4 displays right now, just thinking for the future.

Alternately, without CF, can I run three (or five for that matter) on each card and still do eyefinity?

The Hub I can't say (never priced one) but a quick Google has them ranging from $150-$500

You should be able to when crossfire isn't enabled, each card runs independently of each other and you can run them with regular (extended) or Eyefinity desktops. For gaming though you won't get the benefits (or headaches) of CF, obviously.

[handalaan]

The Hub I can't say (never priced one) but a quick Google has them ranging from $150-$500

You should be able to when crossfire isn't enabled, each card runs independently of each other and you can run them with regular (extended) or Eyefinity desktops. For gaming though you won't get the benefits (or headaches) of CF, obviously.

Well, I would say that's pretty much all I needed to know. Thanks to all that contributed.

[Haldi]

There is a Mini Displayport to 2x HDMI Special adapter! so you can run 4x HDMI on 2x Mini Displayport! I'm not sure but i think the maximum was by .... 16 ? Monitrrs for a HD6000 GPU.

[danzaqk]

You can do 3x2 (aka 6 monitors) ,i think so.

[handalaan]

Something like this?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/816020-REG/KanexPro_MDPHD2X_Mini_DisplayPort_to_HDMI.html

Would that work to provide me 6 outputs off of one card allowing me to have the best of both worlds, Crossfire and 6 displays?

Does anyone have experience with this particular device?

[Bushmaster]

what kind of system are you running currently.. I just did a write up in another post of possible problems when using eyefinity and intel cpus

[Bushmaster]

what kind of system are you running currently.. I just did a write up in another post of possible problems when using eyefinity and intel cpus

[handalaan]

I'm not actually having any issues, was just curious on some specifics on how/if I could do a 3x2 with my cards. The cards did come in and I'm rather happy with the results although I have yet to attempt anything other than 5 displays.