Sapphire Vapor-X 7970 GHZ 3+1 setup help!?

[iainfixie]

Okay, so I bought a sapphire vapor-x 7970GHZ 3GB. I CANNOT run 3+1 eyefinity with this card and I need to figure out how (Used to gaming with an extended 4th screen on top). Would snapping up a $29.99 AMD card and putting it my system allow me to do this? If not, how can I complete this task!


I am currently running 3x1 eyefinity with monitors connected to DVI 1 (Dual Link DVI) DVI 2 (Single Link DVI), and then the 3rd screen hooked to my single displayport via active adapter. I only have a single displayport and eyefinity runs like a dream. However, I have 4 screens and want a 3x1+1 setup.


HOWEVER, if I can't run 4 screens on a single GPU (which is balls) can I add a cheaper AMD card to the mix and still get 3+1!?

If anyone can explain what I am doing wrong or offer some advice I'd be much appreciated.


Thanks

[Oraijon]

Bottom line is you can connect up to 2 "classic"/non-DP monitors to one card, so screen 3 and 4 will need to go on DP. Since you only have one of those, you can look into daisy chaining the last two displays or you can use a DP hub. But keep in mind since your monitors arent native DP you probably need another active DP > DVI adapter for that to work.

As far as i know there's no other way to hook up your fourth monitor other then adding that second card (be sure to hook the fourth one there and keep the screens you're going to use for gaming on your 7970).

If you have an on-board videochip (core i3/i5/i7) you can see if you can turn that one on along with your PCI-E (i think mostly you need to choose between PCI-E and onboard though) to connect that 4th non-gaming screen directly to your motherboard.

You could also see if you can exchange your 7970 for another one that does have a second DP port.

But yeah i agree none of those are ideal, but i think those are just about all the options you have. Personally i'd see if i could exchange your card for another one since that gets you the "cleanest" solution.

[iainfixie]

Bottom line is you can connect up to 2 "classic"/non-DP monitors to one card, so screen 3 and 4 will need to go on DP. Since you only have one of those, you can look into daisy chaining the last two displays or you can use a DP hub. But keep in mind since your monitors arent native DP you probably need another active DP > DVI adapter for that to work.

As far as i know there's no other way to hook up your fourth monitor other then adding that second card (be sure to hook the fourth one there and keep the screens you're going to use for gaming on your 7970).

If you have an on-board videochip (core i3/i5/i7) you can see if you can turn that one on along with your PCI-E (i think mostly you need to choose between PCI-E and onboard though) to connect that 4th non-gaming screen directly to your motherboard.

You could also see if you can exchange your 7970 for another one that does have a second DP port.

But yeah i agree none of those are ideal, but i think those are just about all the options you have. Personally i'd see if i could exchange your card for another one since that gets you the "cleanest" solution.

>As far as i know there's no other way to hook up your fourth monitor other then adding that second card (be sure to hook the fourth one there and keep the screens you're going to use for gaming on your 7970).

So, if I were to pop one of these: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications ... CatId=1558

Into PCI-E 2 or 3 on my crosshair V motherboard, I should be alright (As long as monitors 1-3 are in eyefinity on my 7970 and monitor 4 is plugged into this cheapo card?)

[Oraijon]

Yep that should work, you could consider to make that second "minor"card an Nvidia card so other then providing images to your 4th monitor it can also provide you with the option to turn on PhysX in the games that support it

I believe you need to apply a little trickery with the drivers but there are guides out there for it

Just an option to consider

[iainfixie]

Yep that should work, you could consider to make that second "minor"card an Nvidia card so other then providing images to your 4th monitor it can also provide you with the option to turn on PhysX in the games that support it

I believe you need to apply a little trickery with the drivers but there are guides out there for it

Just an option to consider

Well I do have a pair of ENGTX460's laying around that aren't doing anything but gathering dust until I can find someone to buy them..

[Oraijon]

Sounds like you have an interesting project waiting to start
Just make sure your PSU is up to the task of powering both cards

[iainfixie]

I've got a 1KW PSU, so I am fine.

I just have no idea where to start to create a hybrid setup, that allows a 4th monitor to be run off the Nvidia GPU.

Any tips?

[iainfixie]

Well,

Installed the Nvidia to PCI-E slot 3 on my Asus Crosshair V Formula motherboard. System wouldn't boot, removed card and now I have a solid red CPU LED on my board. Removed everything and retried, still dead. Looks like my system is now down for the count literally less than 2 weeks into owning my 7970 gpu. I should have just waited and snagged a cheaper AMD card. Guess I'll pay the price for my tinkering.

[ChainMale]

]-[ow the snot did you toast it? Forget to turn off main power?

I wanted to post a simple solution to yer problem but find this sad ending.

..anyway, there are USB monitors and adapters becoming more popular. I've used a 22" Samsung 226UX for some time now hangin off the USB for utilities, monitoring and cheat sheets kind of things. Not real fast on USB 2 but good enough for a movie in a window.

<wave>