Eyefinity/Active Adaptors question

[Makhaira]

I've got a HIS 7950 Boost variant, and I'm thinking of moving to a 3 screen setup.

At the moment I have a monitor connected via HDMI, and another via DVI. These two monitors don't have DP connections, so whatever I do I'm going to need to keep them connected via the DVI and HDMI.

Two mini-DP ports are available on the card.

What are my options for linking up the 3rd monitor (it may/may not have DP), and what adaptors (active or otherwise) will I need?

Link to product page below.

http://www.hisdigital.com/un/product2-725.shtml

Many thanks!

 

[Shelster]

If you can then 2 x DP and 1 x DVI will work without any adaptors.

 

[Makhaira]

Sorry I should have said, the two existing monitors only have HDMI and DVI, so using 2x DP isn't an option. I'll update OP.

 

[paulstung]

Well you could make sure the 3rd monitor has DP, and run min DP to DP, or you will have to get an active adapter, DP to active DVI. And run the 2 as you are. Your much better getting 3 matching monitors though mate, it makes a whole lot of difference.

 

[Confused Stu]

If you get a monitor with a Displayport input, then it's simply a case of a miniDP to DP cable and you're good.

If your third monitor doesn't support DP, then you'll need to get an Active DP to DVI adapter, or an Active DP to VGA adapter, depending what input your new monitor has. DVI would be preferable to VGA as less likely to have image quality or connection issues.

If you go for Active DP to VGA, you'll need something like Startech's MDP2VGA (Google's your friend on this one)

If you go for DVI and your third monitor is running more than 1920x1200, you'll need a dual link adapter such as this one:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-000-SR
If you use DVI and the third screen is 1920x1200 or less, a single link adapter will be fine, and cheaper, like Startech's MDP2DVIS

That should get you up and running with 3, or even 4 screens attached to your 7950.

Don't forget you can run different resolutions for desktop/separate screen stuff, but if you're looking at merging the screens and running a game across all 3 they'll need to run a common resolution - so matching a 1280x1024 monitor with 2 1920x1080's will cause each to run at 1280x1024 for running a game - which will look nasty on 2 of them!

Also, don't forget pictures when it's all set up!