New parts for eyefinity [share your experience]

Moose · Post by **Moose** » 07 Nov 2011, 15:59

Hello forum,

I recently decided to trade in in my 30" monitor because I really want to try Eyefinity.

The three monitors I want to buy are: http://www.asus.com/Display/LCD_Monitors/VS229H/ | http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236205
The videocard I want to buy is a Flex version of the standard HD 6950: http://www.hitechlegion.com/reviews/video-cards/9242-sapphire-6950-fe-video-card-review | http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102929

The rest of my system:
CPU = Intel Core i7 950 | http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211&Tpk=Intel%20Core%20i7%20950
Motherboard = ASRock X58 Extreme 3 | http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157189&Tpk=ASRock%20X58%20Extreme3
RAM = Corsair XMS3 6GB Triple Channel Kit | http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222 (I have 2000mhz, apparently in the US those are not for sale)

Now my question to you guys and girls is if any of you have had any experience on a similar system with eyefinity. Anything is welcome, I am sure there are people here that have a similar kind of setup and are using eyefinity.

Thanks in advance!

Dyre Straits · Post by **Dyre Straits** » 08 Nov 2011, 09:02

Hello forum,

I recently decided to trade in in my 30" monitor because I really want to try Eyefinity.

The three monitors I want to buy are: http://www.asus.com/Display/LCD_Monitors/VS228H/ | http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236176
The videocard I want to buy is an overclocked version of the standard AMD 6950: http://www.msi.com/product/vga/R6950-Twin-Frozr-III-Power-Edition-OC.html | http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127575

The rest of my system:
CPU = Intel Core i7 950 | http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211&Tpk=Intel%20Core%20i7%20950
Motherboard = ASRock X58 Extreme 3 | http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157189&Tpk=ASRock%20X58%20Extreme3
RAM = Corsair XMS3 6GB Triple Channel Kit | http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820145222 (I have 2000mhz, apparently in the US those are not for sale)

Now my question to you guys and girls is if any of you have had any experience on a similar system with eyefinity. Anything is welcome, I am sure there are people here that have a similar kind of setup and are using eyefinity.

Thanks in advance!

Everything you've listed is very acceptable except for the displays....IMHO. If I were to do Eyefinity again from scratch, I'd very definitely opt for native DP connection on the displays. The main reason is due to all the problems I...and many, MANY others have had with the adapters to make it work. If, however, you cannot go the route with displays that have Native DP, I'd recommend a graphics card that has multiple DP ports and use the provided adapters from the manufacturer.

Just my 2 cents.

Moose · Post by **Moose** » 08 Nov 2011, 17:02

Everything you've listed is very acceptable except for the displays....IMHO. If I were to do Eyefinity again from scratch, I'd very definitely opt for native DP connection on the displays. The main reason is due to all the problems I...and many, MANY others have had with the adapters to make it work.

What you are saying is that I should get monitors that have a (mini) Displayport. This leaves only monitors that are above the €200,- ( = $275 US Dollar). That is not an option for me.

If, however, you cannot go the route with displays that have Native DP, I'd recommend a graphics card that has multiple DP ports and use the provided adapters from the manufacturer.

What you are saying here is that I should get a graphicscard that has at least three displayports, and use three DVI to DP-adapters to connect them. That's okay, if you could tell me why I can't use 2 DVI's and one HDMI/DP port. I've read something about it before, but no one could tell me more. Could you?

Dyre Straits · Post by **Dyre Straits** » 08 Nov 2011, 21:27

Everything you've listed is very acceptable except for the displays....IMHO. If I were to do Eyefinity again from scratch, I'd very definitely opt for native DP connection on the displays. The main reason is due to all the problems I...and many, MANY others have had with the adapters to make it work.

What you are saying is that I should get monitors that have a (mini) Displayport. This leaves only monitors that are above the €200,- ( = $275 US Dollar). That is not an option for me.

If, however, you cannot go the route with displays that have Native DP, I'd recommend a graphics card that has multiple DP ports and use the provided adapters from the manufacturer.

What you are saying here is that I should get a graphicscard that has at least three displayports, and use three DVI to DP-adapters to connect them. That's okay, if you could tell me why I can't use 2 DVI's and one HDMI/DP port. I've read something about it before, but no one could tell me more. Could you?

When you use one DP-connected monitor with any other two types, HDMi/DVI/VGA, you will get tearing on the DP-connected display. This is a known, and, so far, unavoidable situation due to how the signals are sent to the displays. So, if tearing on one of the three monitors isn't a concern, you can ignore the advice.

One other way to possibly avoid tearing would be to get a DP Hub....which is quite expensive still, but, would allow same-type connection to all three monitors.

Moose · Post by **Moose** » 08 Nov 2011, 22:38

There is one other way though,

I could connect one monitor to DVI, the second with an adapter to the HDMI port and the third one with an adapter to the apple-mini-displayport. Will this cause any problems and/or difference in the display-quality?

EDIT: I read your post again ;p

When you use one DP-connected monitor with any other two types, HDMi/DVI/VGA, you will get tearing on the DP-connected display.

Then perhaps I should get two adapters to convert two DVI monitors to the two apple-mini-displayports. Then I can connect the third monitor the DVI or HDMI port. Is that an option? I was wondering how you did it with your XFX HD 6870 1 GB GDDR5, because that card also has two DVI, one HDMI and two apple-mini-displayports ( http://content.hwigroup.net/images/products_larges/115794/4/xfx-radeon-hd-6870-black-edition-v2-1gb.jpg )

Could you tell me more about that?

Post by **Haldi** » 08 Nov 2011, 22:43

i got three Dell U2311H With Displayport. 2 Over DVI and one over Mini DP to DP cable. No tearing!

If you want to use 2DVI and one HDMI Port you will need this FLEX HD6950 so you don't need a DP.

Moose · Post by **Moose** » 08 Nov 2011, 23:58

The funny thing is this:
Your card:
http://www.overclockersclub.com/vimages/sapphire_hd6950_flex/10.jpg

My (future) card:
http://nl.msi.com/pic/product/five_pictures2_2333_20110221144956.jpg

it has the same connectors, right? Or am I seeing this completely wrong now? Remember, I am new to Eyefinity so I don't want to order everything, and then having to buy $100 adapters which could've been avoided.

Post by **Haldi** » 09 Nov 2011, 00:10

the FLEX series of the AMD Radeon cards are the ONLY Radeon cars who can output 2x DVI + HDMI!

All other normal Radeon cards can just do 2x DVi + DP or 1x DVI 1x HDMI + DP They're special inside. you cant see any difference outside.

Dyre Straits · Post by **Dyre Straits** » 09 Nov 2011, 07:57

The way I have my own HD 6870 connected for Eyefinity is using 2 x DVI + Mini-DP->DVI active adapter. And, yes, I get tearing on the DP-connected monitor. In order to not be so distracted by this, I make the DP-connected monitor one of the end monitors since gaming action takes place on the CENTER monitor. The side ones are mainly for peripheral vision.

I'm making a point about the tearing since it's an important issue with so many gamers. AND, since only recently has this issue been reported by AMD reps as being a known issue whenever non-identical connections are used.

To test for tearing -- once you have Eyefinity setup -- just create a window on the desktop. Move it to each monitor and then "slide" it up and down. You'll readily notice the tearing on any monitor where it exists.

For my own purposes, I may pick up a multi-port DisplayPort Hub to see if I can eliminate the tearing doing it that way. It would be my cheapest option under the circumstances. But, at a cost of $150 or more. :(

Moose · Post by **Moose** » 09 Nov 2011, 09:01

So if I were to connect my monitors like this: 1 x DVI, 1 x HDMI and 1 x DVI to mDP, will it work? Or is the Flex edition just an overall better choice?

Dyre Straits · Post by **Dyre Straits** » 09 Nov 2011, 11:58

So if I were to connect my monitors like this: 1 x DVI, 1 x HDMI and 1 x DVI to mDP, will it work? Or is the Flex edition just an overall better choice?

As for "will it work" you should be able to get Eyefinity working, yes. But, with this configuration, I would almost expect tearing on all three due to none being connected identically to one of the others.

Is the tearing problem of concern to you or not? If not, then go with whatever combination you can get for the lowest cost. Just be aware that these DP adapters can sometimes be a real pain to deal with. So, make sure you can return for a full refund any that may not work for you.

Moose · Post by **Moose** » 09 Nov 2011, 12:14

Well, the tearing is an issue for me. So this means I 1. have to get a Flex card, or 2. get three monitors with (mini)DP outputs. However, choice number 2 is very, very expensive. But getting active adapters is also expensive, so I guess I getting a Flex card. Am I about right in my conclusions here?

Dyre Straits · Post by **Dyre Straits** » 09 Nov 2011, 12:34

Well, the tearing is an issue for me. So this means I 1. have to get a Flex card, or 2. get three monitors with (mini)DP outputs. However, choice number 2 is very, very expensive. But getting active adapters is also expensive, so I guess I getting a Flex card. Am I about right in my conclusions here?

Yes, I think the Flex is the better option if you're going to go for consistency over all of the screens. I see where you've opted for the IPS panels which is a very good...and wise...choice, IMHO. Also, IIRC, doesn't the FLEX card also come with the adapters needed? Might want to check that out.

Moose · Post by **Moose** » 09 Nov 2011, 12:42

This is what I get with the 6950 Flex:

Video Adapter: DVI to D-Sub adapter, DVI to HDMI Adapter
Video output: DVI-D, DVI-I, HDMI, 2x Mini Display Port

Is that enough for a monitor with D-Sub (VGA), DVI-D, HDMI ports?

PS: I've also watched this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMVDejZH4kw (I'm trying to get that video a sticky, it's soooo helpful!).
I'm also editing my first post with the setup now.

Dyre Straits · Post by **Dyre Straits** » 09 Nov 2011, 23:49

This is a quote from a reviewer of a Sapphire Flex card:

"Stock AMD cards require that one of your monitors have a DisplayPort input, but such monitors are rare. Sapphire's FleX cards let you use the two DVI and the HDMI port in Eyefinity mode, so you can play games on two DVI and one HDMI monitor, or three DVI monitors using the included HDMI adapter."

Whether or not the HDMI and/or the HDMI adapter will solve the tearing is something I have no idea about. However, this would seem to be the much better option over using any DP solution.

Moose · Post by **Moose** » 10 Nov 2011, 00:12

Okay, thanks mate, for all the help! I'll keep you up to date

Widescreen Gaming Forum

New parts for eyefinity [share your experience]

New parts for eyefinity [share your experience]

Moose wrote:Hello forum, I

Quote:Everything you've

Moose wrote:Quote:Everything

There is one other way

i got three Dell U2311H With

The funny thing is this:

the FLEX series of the AMD

The way I have my own HD 6870

So if I were to connect my

Moose wrote:So if I were to

Well, the tearing is an issue

Moose wrote:Well, the tearing

This is what I get with the

This is a quote from a

Okay, thanks matemate, for

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