Eyefinity Setup Checklist?

[Mattw]

Hi,

Im looking to expand into a 3 monitor setup via ATI's Eyefinity. AFter a bit of reading im quite confused as to exactly what I need.

Currently I have a 22" monitor with 1x VGA and 2x HDMI inputs

FYI, this setup is not for gaming just general day to day work so I have been looking at this - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-196-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1673

That has 1x DVI out, 1 HDMI out and 1 DisplayPort out.

So how exactly do I connect 3 monitors to the card? Do I need a monitor with HDMI, a monitor with DVI, and 1 with display port (whats that anyway lol)

Ideally I want to do it as cheaply as possible, this is only a work/office machine.

What else would I need to be aware of?

Thanks for your time

 

[Predicament]

Eyefinity is specifically for gaming. To use 3 monitors, you don't even have to purchase a high end graphics card.

Look here.
http://www0.epinions.com/content_4436697220

 

[Vipernet]

and one of these - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-150-OK

 

[lay-z-boy]

What gpu do you currently have? You could use that in combination with a second, cheaper gpu.

Also, what screen do you have? If you plan on getting another 2 of your screen then the setup could be like this:

graphics card 1: screen one and two
graphics card 2: screen three

That would avoid any display port headaches but you may not have two graphics card slots.

 

[Rroff]

If your not using it for gaming - as above try and avoid displayport - for every person I know who has displayport working ok I know someone else who has nothing but trouble with it.

 

[Mattw]

Although I wont be using it for gaming, I will be using it for photoshop and basic video tasks so I do need a bit of kick, just not much

I currently have an ATI HD 4600 which is well on its way out, the fan on it is knacked and I literally need to kick start the fan everytime I turn the machine on. So instead of spending a few bob on a fan I figured I might as well replace it.

I have a Gigabyte GA-P31-ES3G which only has 1x 16x pci express slot on it as well.

Vipernet, I assume that adapter takes the Displayport from the graphics card and turns it into a standard DVI socket to plug the monitor into?

If so, am I right in thinking that-

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-196-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1673

With 1 monitor with DVI, 1 Monitor with HDMI and 1 Monitor with the OcUK Mini DisplayPort to DVI-D adapter?

If theres a better cheaper option im all for it, but on the flip side if theres a better not to much more expensive (~£30) option then I would probably jump for that!

Thanks for the continued advice guys!

 

[Mattw]

I guess this would do wouldn't it? - http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-116-HT&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=168

 

[Mattw]

Ok done some further research that has led to further confusion lol

http://www.amd.com/us/products/desk...d-5450-overview/pages/hd-5450-overview.aspx#4

Point 17 says-

Driver version 8.66 (Catalyst 9.10) or above is required to support ATI Eyefinity technology and to enable a third display you require one panel with a DisplayPort connector.

But the card doesnt have a displayport connector? Just 1 vga and 2 dvi?

 

[TropicLightning]

Driver version 8.66 (Catalyst 9.10) or above is required to support ATI Eyefinity technology and to enable a third display you require one panel with a DisplayPort connector.[/I]

To run 3 displays on one card you will need a 5400 & up series or 6000 series card.

This should help:

■Use of 3 or more displays with AMD Eyefinity technology requires a DisplayPort-capable panel or an AMD Eyefinity validated dongle. See http://www.amd.com/EyefinityDongles for a list of validated DisplayPort dongles.

http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

 

[Mattw]

To run 3 displays on one card you will need a 5400 & up series or 6000 series card.

This should help:

■Use of 3 or more displays with AMD Eyefinity technology requires a DisplayPort-capable panel or an AMD Eyefinity validated dongle. See http://www.amd.com/EyefinityDongles for a list of validated DisplayPort dongles.

http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

So does that mean the card I linked http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-116-HT&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=168

Cannot run 3 monitors at the same time as it does not have a displayport output? AMD's own specification contradicts itself saying the card can do 3 monitors in eyefinity then the footer note says otherwise.

Arggh! So which is the cheapest card to run 3 monitors along with photoshop etc

I hate computers =D