ATI Eyefinity special report

Post by **scavvenjahh** » 14 Sep 2009, 12:08

Been living under a rock for a few weeks, and BAM - lots of shocking news on the TripleHead... Surround... uh, Multi-Monitor front. I don't know what to think about the technology yet but driver issues at 57Hz and my shiny new 2048 MB GTX 285s all feel a bit retarded at the moment. :lol:

LeeNux · Post by **LeeNux** » 14 Sep 2009, 15:30

tough luck? :?

well anyway, i put up my screens for sale too; i wanna try to get in enough cash for 3 new 1080p screens to be ready when the eyefinity-madness starts ;)

CrownSeven · Post by **CrownSeven** » 14 Sep 2009, 22:49

Well doesn't this just suck. I bought 2 GTX 275's and a th2go about a month ago, and then this happens. Gotta love techonology.

I have to admit the eyefinity technology definitely sound like the way to go. But I wouldn't rush to sell my nvidia cards and th2go just yet. I think the smart thing to do would be to wait until at least nvidia has shown all their cards, and the ATI tech is proved out to actually do what it says it will do.

As for those who haven't jumped into th2go - I say wait a month or two. I'm certain nvidia may have something up their sleeves as well for us wide screen gamers. If they don't, well then nvidia may indeed be in trouble this time around.

Until then I'll continue to enjoy what used to be a very capable gaming rig.

Post by **BHawthorne** » 15 Sep 2009, 05:13

Well doesn't this just suck. I bought 2 GTX 275's and a th2go about a month ago, and then this happens. Gotta love techonology.

I have to admit the eyefinity technology definitely sound like the way to go. But I wouldn't rush to sell my nvidia cards and th2go just yet. I think the smart thing to do would be to wait until at least nvidia has shown all their cards, and the ATI tech is proved out to actually do what it says it will do.

As for those who haven't jumped into th2go - I say wait a month or two. I'm certain nvidia may have something up their sleeves as well for us wide screen gamers. If they don't, well then nvidia may indeed be in trouble this time around.

Until then I'll continue to enjoy what used to be a very capable gaming rig.

If the GTX275 and TH2G are working for you I wouldn't worry about it much till your next build. The reason why I'm obsessing on it is mostly because I like to run some pretty odd display setups. :lol:

Post by **Paradigm Shifter** » 15 Sep 2009, 11:15

As for those who haven't jumped into th2go - I say wait a month or two. I'm certain nvidia may have something up their sleeves as well for us wide screen gamers. If they don't, well then nvidia may indeed be in trouble this time around.

It's certainly worth the wait, I agree. :) ATi learned to keep quiet about future releases after the flop of the HD2900XT compared to the 8800's. nVidia, I would assume, given their silence on the GPU front, have learned that shouting about opening "cans of whoop-ass" with the GTX280 cards only works if they actually do - if the opponents cards are better than anticipated (like the 4800's were) then all that happens is they look rather silly.

So, yes... with any luck, both sides have got some amazing new stuff to show, and both are managing to keep it under wraps. :D

geniv2 · Post by **geniv2** » 16 Sep 2009, 01:38

wait.. wait..

That 5870 have:
- 2x DVI
- 1x HDM
- 1x DisplayPort

does that mean it can run quad monitors at a time?

that would be sweet then I can sell my FireMV. (I use to add more than 2 monitor support to my system since my 9800 gx2 only have two output, and I run 4 monitors)

dinmaster · Post by **dinmaster** » 16 Sep 2009, 13:05

the 1gb i think is that and the 2gb is the 6 dp connectors.

someone posted a huge picture list of the cards and such:
http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=234555

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 16 Sep 2009, 22:38

Bugger so I am going to have to get 2x mini-DP to DVI converters and 1 mini-DP to HDMI (and I will run that one through an HDMI switcher for my XBox). Cos I want the 2GB version, for sure.

DaFox · Post by **DaFox** » 16 Sep 2009, 22:56

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 16 Sep 2009, 23:37

Mmm so I will be using one DP-to-DVI, one DP-to-HDMI (switch then back to HDMI to DVI converter for screen!) and one DP-to-DVI that has to be 'active'

And the 'active' prices were 150 bucks US????? Doubt I will go there then which is bad.

EDIT: or is active only needed for 4 or more displays, not very obvious. Well once it come out I will have to find out what I need to have 2xDVI and 1xHDMI (centre) screen. 5 days to go now :)

Post by **BHawthorne** » 17 Sep 2009, 04:39

I'll just get the 6 Mini-DP card and use passive DVI-I adapters.

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 17 Sep 2009, 04:56

As I said I am totally confused, it says active adaptors needed for 'wider modes'. What ever that is. Still all will become clear in a few weeks when you early adopters tell me WTF I should do :)

Post by **BHawthorne** » 17 Sep 2009, 06:25

As I understand it, the passive adapters can only do the bandwidth of single-dvi, not dual-dvi....hence limited to 1920x1200 or smaller displays per port. I'm guessing by "wider" they mean 2560x1600 displays. Running multiple 2560x1600 displays is pretty irrelevant to me. :wink:

To quote Monoprice:

Supports up to 1920x1200 resolutions (single link).

NOTE: This adapter does NOT support analog signal. It will only output a digital signal. It can be used with DVI to DVI and DVI to HDMI cables and adapters, but NOT DVI to VGA.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10428&cs_id=1042802&p_id=5106&seq=1&format=2

Seriously, are you guys arguing the active adapter issue really going multiple 30"? The only thing active adapters effect are the use of obsolete VGA displays or 30" displays. The only reason why they were using active adaptors at the demo was because of all of those 30" displays they were showing.

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 17 Sep 2009, 06:51

I'd love to (if only for max single screen gaming) but I think 3x1920x1200 will do me, thanks very much ATi :cheers

Post by **BHawthorne** » 17 Sep 2009, 07:02

Monoprice Knowledgebase:

Mini DisplayPort to DVI Adapter

Question: Will this adapter transmit audio?
Answer: No, while DisplayPort technology supports audio, VGA and DVI do not.

Question: Will this adapter support Dual Link DVI connections?
Answer: No, DVI uses a different protocol for extended graphic resolutions than DP. Dual link can not be supported without an active converter. These adapters are passive.

Question: What is DisplayPort?
Answer: DisplayPort is a new digital video and audio connection standard designed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). It is a royalty-free technology designed primarily for the computer industry but also compatible for home theater application.

Question: What''s the difference between DisplayPort and Mini DisplayPort?
Answer: Mini DisplayPort is a more compact version of the orginial DisplayPort connector that was designed by Apple Computers and is found mostly on their newest MacBook laptops.

Question: What''s the difference between DisplayPort and HDMI.
Answer: DisplayPort was primarily designed as a replacement for VGA, DVI and LVDS which are common interfaces used in the computer/IT industries, while HDMI was developed by the Consumer Electronics Industry specifically for Home Theater applications. Toward this end, DisplayPort has certain enhanced features such as direct drive monitor design and single cable multi-function monitor connectivity. Some advantages of HDMI are the ability to support xvYCC color, Dolby TrueHD and CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) signals.

Though both share powerfull A/V features, DisplayPort was designed to complement HDMI, not to replace it.

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 17 Sep 2009, 07:48

OK so a 24" screen doesn't need Dual Link. I guess that a 30" does? The only Dual Link that I have experience with is TH2Go.

X-Warrior · Post by **X-Warrior** » 17 Sep 2009, 17:54

I'd love to get a 2GB version, but I still have a CRT display here, which I'm not really willing to give up just yet - it displays some of my pictures much better than my LCD (both calibrated).

So I suppose I'd be best off finding me a DVI+VGA version. And a DP for futureproofing.

However... will a DVI-VGA connector attached to a DVI output work properly on the card? It's the way I'm running now. Would mean I could just get a 2xDVI edition :)

whismerhill · Post by **whismerhill** » 17 Sep 2009, 18:00

also active mini DP to DVI adapters might be needed for 120Hz screens

Mesh · Post by **Mesh** » 17 Sep 2009, 18:18

As long as the card is dvi-I (analog+digital) you can use the dvi/svga adapter, I've yet to see any video card that has dvi-d and not work with the adapter. Unless ati/amd really screws the design, it should have dvi-i.

As for 24"/dual-link, it's more based on resolution than size, like a 23" 2048 x 1152 probably needs a dual-link too.

FramerateUK · Post by **FramerateUK** » 22 Sep 2009, 10:31

I have to say this technology looks very cool :)

I've just migrated back to the world of Windows after using macs for about 2 years (literally this week. I felt held back on the Macs. They just wouldn't do everything the way I wanted).

I'm still using the hardware in my sig at the mo, but this may be a good reason to finally upgrade and start with something new!

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