Eyefinity vs Triplehead2go satisfaction / future

Post by **AussieTimmeh** » 17 Nov 2009, 11:23

Ok, so I have used both the Matrox Triplehead2go and the Radeon Eyefinity setup both for a little while now. I am wondering what people who have used both think?

My two setups were the TH2G Digital with a GTX275 and the Radeon 5850 with the Apple DP->Mini DP->DVI adapter.

Triplehead2go +
* Very stable. Worked every time for me
* Bezel management - it's everything in flight sims

Triplehead2go -
* Some people have major issues getting it to work at 5040x1050
* Expensive, requires the splitter and a heavy duty card, double cost of Eyefinity
* Future proofing looks dim, as 16:10 monitors give way to 16:9
* Requires 57Hz monitors

Eyefinity +
* Cheaper than Triplehead2go for more performance
* Can use on a larger range of monitors
* Works ok most of the time

Eyefinity -
* Unstable. Sometimes my PC starts with different monitor configurations for no reason, DP monitor blinks at times, was a nightmare to get working right. Can't demo to customers as it's embarassing when it starts up all screwed up, no faith in the system yet. Ok for home when you can keep the shame to yourself
* ATI drivers don't seem as good as Nvidias to me. Lack of PhysX, more problems in games that the Nvidia + TH2G setup didn't have
* Requires ridiculously expensive DP to DVI adapters
* No bezel management

For a few flight simulators I am building for some older friends, I am almost certainly going to go with the TH2G. These poor guys wouldn't know what to do if the PC started up with monitors all over the place. Also bezel management right here, right now, is worth alot. Unsure how long it will take to appear on the Eyefinity. The downside is in a few years time, buying 16:10 monitors will be almost impossible, it seems. 16:9 'Full HD' seems to be taking over. Unless the TH2G can adapt to these monitors, it'll be an expensive brick.

I don't know why so many people have so much trouble getting the TH2G to work at 5040 with all the latest drivers. I definitely don't think anyone is doing anything wrong, it's a mystery to me and concerns me buying more that they may not work for me like my first one did, although I'll configure them on this PC and move them to other machines, like the first one did successfully.

Eyefinity has the advantage of becoming more stable, user friendly, and options like bezel management should appear (or bezel-less monitors will become the norm).

I think I'll keep the 5850 in my PC as I can handle the instability and lack of bezel management for now, but I am not sure I could recommend it to anyone who wasn't computer savvy at the moment...

Of course, my opinions are based on my experiences and if there's one thing that this forum shows, it's how that varies greatly from person to person!

How has everyone else found them?

Sideeffect · Post by **Sideeffect** » 17 Nov 2009, 14:15

Nice but you used lack of Physx as an argument against eyefinity?

I dont see what that has to do with anything. If you really want Physx you can get a Nvidia card and use it as a PPU while the ATI card drives the eyefinity.

flopper · Post by **flopper** » 17 Nov 2009, 14:22

Nice but you used lack of Physx as an argument against eyefinity?

I dont see what that has to do with anything. If you really want Physx you can get a Nvidia card and use it as a PPU while the ATI card drives the eyefinity.

PhysX dosnt work out of the box with 2 cards blended ati/nvidia.
currently you need to patch and fix which not that many can or likes to do.

eyefinity, will have the same as Matrox, and will work better out of the box as drivers improve and Bezel stuff is worked on.
You now get the 5970, that runs everything using 30inch screens and solutions matrox would even dream about.

You get a card, that does 5teraflops, that runs 3 screens and I bet a lot of those flying sims people, will get that card.
I post my eyefinity experience once my last screen arrives.

Post by **suiken_2mieu** » 18 Nov 2009, 00:20

one must remember the triplehead2go also work at 58Hz and 59Hz. I havn't found anyone running the triplehead2go at 59Hz and having compatability issues. But you do make a valid point in saying that 16:10 monitors are becoming non-existent. I've sent an email to support and they say that they wont add a resolution without significant demand. The demand came when they stopped making 16:10 monitors. Give us 3x1600x900, I'm done playing at 3x1360x768 (But cant afford to upgrade at this time to Eyefinity and Hate SoftTH).

whismerhill · Post by **whismerhill** » 18 Nov 2009, 02:20

Nice but you used lack of Physx as an argument against eyefinity?

I dont see what that has to do with anything. If you really want Physx you can get a Nvidia card and use it as a PPU while the ATI card drives the eyefinity.

this was definitely working on windows 7 (since seven supports multiple gfx drivers/gfx cards) however NVIDIA disabled this functionnality
I don't know if one can enable it back...

Greg Ellis · Post by **Greg Ellis** » 18 Nov 2009, 05:37

[quote]Nice but you used lack of Physx as an argument against eyefinity?

I dont see what that has to do with anything. If you really want Physx you can get a Nvidia card and use it as a PPU while the ATI card drives the eyefinity.

this was definitely working on windows 7 (since seven supports multiple gfx drivers/gfx cards) however NVIDIA disabled this functionnality
I don't know if one can enable it back...

Just load an old nv driver. Tada!

Or there's someone on the web with "fixed" new drivers.

Either way...

Post by **AussieTimmeh** » 18 Nov 2009, 06:37

Nice but you used lack of Physx as an argument against eyefinity?

I dont see what that has to do with anything. If you really want Physx you can get a Nvidia card and use it as a PPU while the ATI card drives the eyefinity.

Despite the stuffing around required to get it to work, it adds two more negatives to the Eyefinity case:
1. More cost in buying an extra video card, if you don't happen to have one laying around.
2. You need a motherboard with multiple PCI-e slots, if yours doesn't happen to have one.

For me to do this, suddenly the cost goes up a fair bit.

Sideeffect · Post by **Sideeffect** » 18 Nov 2009, 14:55

PhysX dosnt work out of the box with 2 cards blended ati/nvidia.
currently you need to patch and fix which not that many can or likes to do.

The patch is a small software patch it is easy to install. You saying someone who goes to all the trouble of using triple monitors and all the fov hacks and configuration needed for games isn't going to want to use a software patch for Physx?

Despite the stuffing around required to get it to work, it adds two more negatives to the Eyefinity case:
1. More cost in buying an extra video card, if you don't happen to have one laying around.
2. You need a motherboard with multiple PCI-e slots, if yours doesn't happen to have one.

For me to do this, suddenly the cost goes up a fair bit.

What I meant is that Physx shouldn't be used as an argument against eyefinity because this isn't a Nvidia vs ATI discussion.

Triplehead2go isn't a Nvidia technlogy.

Also you can get a PCI Physx PPU. A PCI-e 1x or 4x Nvidia GPU for Physx. All motherboards have spare PCI-e slots except maybe micro atx versions. The cost increase would be minimal.

LeeNux · Post by **LeeNux** » 18 Nov 2009, 15:06

well im planning on going 5870 or 5970 with some big screens later this or early next year. currently im reselling my screens (already sold my th2g and 2 screens - 1 to go) and getting info about what screens im going for. 23-24", DP and small bezels is my main focus right now. about physx, im planning on keeping my 8800gtx and use it dedicated for it - either with older driver or the physx fix (already got win7 pro with student license).

Post by **AussieTimmeh** » 18 Nov 2009, 16:34

What I meant is that Physx shouldn't be used as an argument against eyefinity because this isn't a Nvidia vs ATI discussion.

I don't see how this is true. I consider it part of the argument for or against Eyefinity vs Triplehead2Go, because it's going to affect the total cost of the setup for the same visual result.

Sideeffect · Post by **Sideeffect** » 18 Nov 2009, 18:20

[quote]
What I meant is that Physx shouldn't be used as an argument against eyefinity because this isn't a Nvidia vs ATI discussion.

I don't see how this is true. I consider it part of the argument for or against Eyefinity vs Triplehead2Go, because it's going to affect the total cost of the setup for the same visual result.

Then why didn't you mention directx 10.1 and 11 support if were talking ATI vs Nvidia and visual results :?:

Post by **AussieTimmeh** » 19 Nov 2009, 00:48

[quote][quote]
What I meant is that Physx shouldn't be used as an argument against eyefinity because this isn't a Nvidia vs ATI discussion.

I don't see how this is true. I consider it part of the argument for or against Eyefinity vs Triplehead2Go, because it's going to affect the total cost of the setup for the same visual result.

Then why didn't you mention directx 10.1 and 11 support if were talking ATI vs Nvidia and visual results :?:
That's a good point too! Had forgotten about that, unsurprising since DirectX 11 is not commonplace yet. So far it has had no impact on my gaming whatsoever as none of my games use DirectX 11 and this thread was about how each system has affected me. You will be able to use the TH2G with an Nvidia card with Directx 11 when one is available, though, one assumes?

Other people are more than capable of posting how each system has affected them and indeed that's what I was asking to hear about - we KNOW that people have had remarkably different experiences with the two setups!

I'm also finding the Radeon side of things so hard to setup. I still haven't managed to set up a hotkey to toggle between a Triplescreen and Singlescreen mode and back again without having to restart the computer when it fouls all the screens up again.

I want to get this Eyefinity thing working and working well, but it's proving so much harder than the TH2G for me.

alxnet2003 · Post by **alxnet2003** » 19 Nov 2009, 04:54

Eyefinity -
* Unstable. Sometimes my PC starts with different monitor configurations for no reason, DP monitor blinks at times, was a nightmare to get working right. Can't demo to customers as it's embarassing when it starts up all screwed up, no faith in the system yet. Ok for home when you can keep the shame to yourself

Wow, I can say with my setup that it's booted just fine 100%. There are the occasional quirks here and there but one thing it hasn't done is boot up misconfigured. I have the Apple adapter plugged into a Griffin iPhone usb power adapter. The only time it does boot up incorrectly is during a warm boot when I forget to power cycle the adapter. Cold boots very reliably though.

Post by **AussieTimmeh** » 19 Nov 2009, 05:35

Wow, I can say with my setup that it's booted just fine 100%. There are the occasional quirks here and there but one thing it hasn't done is boot up misconfigured. I have the Apple adapter plugged into a Griffin iPhone usb power adapter. The only time it does boot up incorrectly is during a warm boot when I forget to power cycle the adapter. Cold boots very reliably though.

Today was a major breakthrough in this area. As I reported in a post in another thread, as soon as the DP monitor is disabled, it all goes to tears. Ever since moving the DP monitor to the centre screen so that it never gets disabled when going from 3 screens to one, reliability has improved tenfold. Happiness +30.

I still have the same issue as you with warm boots vs cold, plus a strange little thing when starting up in single screen mode in order to get it to back to triplescreen. See this thread. 8)

Sideeffect · Post by **Sideeffect** » 19 Nov 2009, 13:33

I'm also finding the Radeon side of things so hard to setup. I still haven't managed to set up a hotkey to toggle between a Triplescreen and Singlescreen mode and back again without having to restart the computer when it fouls all the screens up again.

I want to get this Eyefinity thing working and working well, but it's proving so much harder than the TH2G for me.

Depending on your equipment if you have a DP to DVI USB adapter unplugging the USB changes to single display instantly and plugging it back in goes back to Eyefinity without needing to change other settings.

With my setup I connected the DP USB converter to the monitor I use for the DP display because it has USB ports. Turning off the monitor also cuts out the converter and resets the Eyefinity display at any time. This actually cures all start-up display problems and re-initialises Eyefinity at any time just by turning the one monitor on and off again.

I work with 4 monitors. 3 x 22" in Eyefinity with a 4th 24" connected to the HDMI. Turning off the monitor with the USB DP connected disables Eyefinity and enables the 24" and the two DVI monitors in duplicate mode. Turning the Monitor with the USB DP back on re-enables Eyefinity and disables the 24". All with the click of a button.

Cygone · Post by **Cygone** » 19 Nov 2009, 19:04

Also you can get a PCI Physx PPU. A PCI-e 1x or 4x Nvidia GPU for Physx. All motherboards have spare PCI-e slots except maybe micro atx versions. The cost increase would be minimal.

Actually spare PCI-e slots are harder to find that you think, alot of people here that have been into triple head gaming for a while, are using 2 or even 3 card SLI/CrossfireX as there running 5.2million+ pixels. so spare PCI-e lanes are not always avail.

Post by **AussieTimmeh** » 20 Nov 2009, 00:55

[quote]

Also you can get a PCI Physx PPU. A PCI-e 1x or 4x Nvidia GPU for Physx. All motherboards have spare PCI-e slots except maybe micro atx versions. The cost increase would be minimal.

Actually spare PCI-e slots are harder to find that you think, alot of people here that have been into triple head gaming for a while, are using 2 or even 3 card SLI/CrossfireX as there running 5.2million+ pixels. so spare PCI-e lanes are not always avail.
Rofl don't quote it as me saying it, I wasn't the one who said it.

BloodTotal · Post by **BloodTotal** » 20 Nov 2009, 05:49

The patch is a small software patch it is easy to install. You saying someone who goes to all the trouble of using triple monitors and all the fov hacks and configuration needed for games isn't going to want to use a software patch for Physx?

Show me this small patch, please, and also don't forget about breaking the bank to get those 3 monitor setups :P

Post by **AussieTimmeh** » 20 Nov 2009, 08:16

...and also don't forget about breaking the bank to get those 3 monitor setups :P

Yeah, but seriously, monitors are cheap these days. 200 bucks each will get you some nice ones. It's more about what to stick between your motherboard and the three monitors that I'm looking at.

There's no doubt that the in-between-bit is expensive, a pain in the butt at times, and can be mega frustrating, but when its working, you just can't go back! 8) 8)

Now that my Eyefinity setup has stopped being so unpredictable and a royal pain in the neck, it's growing on me. Still annoyed with some minor driver issues but when it's working, it performs great. If it had bezel management and didn't need 3 x hotkey to change profile, I'd be set!

flopper · Post by **flopper** » 20 Nov 2009, 12:47

2 Tn panel for the price of less than I paid for my single s-pva.
I run eyefinity using one odd s-pva and 2 tn panel ones at 5760x1080.
works well. I had to get TN panel screens due to budget constraints.

I can get 3 tn panel for the price of one s-pva or isp.
(special deals offered from time to time.)

here is my sisters kid playing testing this out.
Screens not aligned currently.

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