HD 4870 X2 + triplehead

smee · Post by **smee** » 24 Jun 2009, 00:02

Anyone using HD 4870 X2 + triplehead and is it compatible. Thinking of changing my card and HD 4870 X2 is a possible card.

Looking to play Arma2

Thanks

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 24 Jun 2009, 12:02

It's possible, but as with all ATi cards, the maximum resolution you will be able to use is 3x1440x900. ATi seem to have no interest in dealing with this issue... which is a shame, as it means that anyone wanting wide-Triplehead at WSXGA+ resolutions needs to use nVidia.

mattsimis · Post by **mattsimis** » 24 Jun 2009, 12:43

It's possible, but as with all ATi cards, the maximum resolution you will be able to use is 3x1440x900. ATi seem to have no interest in dealing with this issue... which is a shame, as it means that anyone wanting wide-Triplehead at WSXGA+ resolutions needs to use nVidia.

The Matrox forum rep said the new ATI drivers will do 5040x1050, about 2mths ago! Its just no one here seemed to have an ATI card (or monitors) to test it.

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 24 Jun 2009, 12:53

The Matrox forum rep said the new ATI drivers will do 5040x1050, about 2mths ago! Its just no one here seemed to have an ATI card (or monitors) to test it.

Really? Awesome. When I asked ATi about it (about four weeks ago) they had no idea what I was talking about. So I assumed nothing had changed.

So. Ignore me, then.

smee · Post by **smee** » 24 Jun 2009, 18:37

well suppose going to find out just ordered ati 4890 " black edition " will keep my fingers crossed :)

mattsimis · Post by **mattsimis** » 25 Jun 2009, 16:01

Id wait till someone confirms its all ok before going ATI though!

EDIT: Screw it, I dug out a Radeon and tested it and made a guide, see:
http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=16297

Mark B · Post by **Mark B** » 26 Jun 2009, 23:29

Hi all,

I wanted to wait to make this announcement until Catalyst 9.7 was officially released, but since I forsee lots of discussion about this, I've decided to let everyone know now.

As of the 9.7 Catalyst build (releasing in July), combined with Matrox's new Powerdesk 2.05 (released yesterday), all of the outstanding ATI bugs should be officially resolved.

This includes:

- Lack of general 5040x1050 resolution for all ATI HD series cards.
- Problem with the "DVI 4" output head not allowing 4320x900 and 5040x1050 mode. (Now both heads of ATI boards will behave the same and will offer all modes properly)
- Fix to enable widemodes with multi-board crossfire configurations
- Fix to enable widemodes with X2 series ATI cards
- and a big final item: increased timing support for 5040x1050 mode with ATI cards to allow 5040x1050@59Hz in all scenarios. (This has been tested with most panels previously found not to sync with nVidia GPUs at 57Hz. Those panels now DO sync correctly at 59Hz).

To enable these fixes, users will simply need to install ATI's 9.7 Catalyst, and then install Matrox's 2.05 Powerdesk:
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/support/gxm/software/
the powerstrip method mentioned above should not be necessary. (Cataylst 9.6 also has a few of the fixes already, but not everything. So feel free to use it for trial & error in the meantime at your own discretion).

We will be counting on feedback from you guys to determine if all the fixes are functioning correctly for various scenarios. So we'll be watching your comments carefully.

We should also give thanks to ATI for this support, since I have been working with them for almost a year now to enable these features and they have been very receptive to making the necessary changes. (It just took some time) :)

Happy TripleHead gaming everyone :triplewide

-Mark

MaxDarklighter · Post by **MaxDarklighter** » 29 Jun 2009, 11:33

Ha! It's great! Really great because I just wanted to change my 8800GTX to something more powerfull. I nearly decided to buy really expensive nVidia 280, but now with new Catalist drivers I can buy cheaper 4870 or even 4870X2 with better pricehorse power parameter :D

Mark B · Post by **Mark B** » 29 Jun 2009, 21:43

Hi all,

Just a minor update to my previous post:

In addition to the 2.05 Powerdesk and 9.7 Catalyst driver, you will also need to flash your TripleHead2Go firmware to a new version that supports the 59Hz timing.

This will be available for download around the same time that 9.7 releases.

I will keep everyone posted.

Coroder · Post by **Coroder** » 30 Jun 2009, 03:34

This is excellent news!

Im running a 4870x2 and will be trying this as soon as possible.

Do you have any estimates of a release date for the 9.7 build?

MaxDarklighter · Post by **MaxDarklighter** » 30 Jun 2009, 21:07

Yeh! I am interesting in release date too :D

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 30 Jun 2009, 23:11

Hi all,

Just a minor update to my previous post:

In addition to the 2.05 Powerdesk and 9.7 Catalyst driver, you will also need to flash your TripleHead2Go firmware to a new version that supports the 59Hz timing.

This will be available for download around the same time that 9.7 releases.

I will keep everyone posted.

Wow - that's awesome. :D

New shopping list:

Dell 2408.
TripleHead2Go.

MaxDarklighter · Post by **MaxDarklighter** » 11 Jul 2009, 13:30

No new info about release date for the 9.7 build?

Post by **Gilly** » 11 Jul 2009, 15:08

probibly 1 month after the release of 9.6

PapaLes · Post by **PapaLes** » 11 Jul 2009, 17:33

There is a beta Catalyst 9.7 floating around the net now. I haven't gotten it as I am waiting for the Matrox firmware update to make good use of 9.7.
I do have a question though, Is it necessary to get the full Catalyst or is it enough to just get the 9.7 video driver to make the Matrox firmware work?

thenjwaslike · Post by **thenjwaslike** » 11 Jul 2009, 18:06

yeah its the firmware update + catalyst 9.7 that should make it work, im running catalyst 9.7 in xp64 however 5040x1050 doesnt seem to work, i am using problematic lcds, acer x193w+ but the main reason for the firmware update is the 59hz refresh update, enables use for all problem working lcds (hopefully)

PapaLes · Post by **PapaLes** » 11 Jul 2009, 18:16

I reworded my question. Hopefully it is easier to understand what I mean. Short version, Catalyst runs a few things in the background that I could do without so is it enough just to grab the 9.7 driver?

thenjwaslike · Post by **thenjwaslike** » 11 Jul 2009, 18:28

id stick with 9.6 catalyst altho all systems are different, u could try cat 9.7 beta but i doubt it would work (if it does for u, im taking the shotgun to my lcds and 4870x2)... its the firmware update for 59hz refresh that we're mainly waiting for, HURRY UP AND RELEASE THE FIRMWARE UPDATE MATROX!!! WE'RE ITCHING ATI FANS!

CY:G · Post by **CY:G** » 22 Jul 2009, 23:08

Catalyst 9.7 is out!!!!!!

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1508/ATI_Catalyst_9.7_Software_Suite_Vista/7_64-bit.html

Someone please give it a try with TripleHead2Go @ 5040 * 1050, i have been holding down my purchase.

Thanks

PapaLes · Post by **PapaLes** » 23 Jul 2009, 00:03

Catalyst 9.7 is out!!!!!!

http://www.techpowerup.com/downloads/1508/ATI_Catalyst_9.7_Software_Suite_Vista/7_64-bit.html

Someone please give it a try with TripleHead2Go @ 5040 * 1050, i have been holding down my purchase.

Thanks

ATI has that same file listed under 9.6 cat. So is it 9.7 final? Or 9.6 udated? I'm confused :(

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