Kind of dissapointed (third display not working)

D.Roberts

D.Roberts

D.Roberts

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Hi all :)

I have got me a R9 280x on this it has

x2 DVI
x1 HDMI
x1 Mini display port

Now at the moment I have x2 22" monitors connected to the DVI out puts both work great.

I now have got me a smaller display as third output I connected this display using the HDMI output but on the monitor there is only DVI so I thought no worries as I have a converter that takes DVI to HDMI.

Any way long story short I started computer after pluggin it all in and I am unable to have a third display why is that?

I was under the impression I could have 3 to 4 monitors as I have 4 outputs :(.

Please help me get a third display working :(

this is the GPU I have

http://www.sapphiretech.com/productdetial.asp?pid=33D28E48-DBA2-40E7-A9F4-D8265AD5B38D&lang=eng
 
If nothing's changed since my 7970 days, you need one display to be connected via an active miniDP adapter. They cost around £20 and I am not too sure if OcUK stock them.
 
Ah I see so I can only use

x2 DVI + mini DV
or
x1 DVI + mini DP and HDMI

Could any one confirm this pretty please befor I purchase a cable :)

Thanks
 
I believe this will do the job:

YOUR BASKET
1 x StarTech.com Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Active Video and Audio Adapter Converter (MDP2HDS) £22.99
Total : £26.90 (includes shipping : £3.26 Ex.VAT).



I personally used an XFX Active MiniDP to DVI adapter, they cost me around £15 a few years ago, but OcUK do not stock them.

Edit: The configuration using the above Startech adapter would be as follows:

DVI from GPU > DVI in monitor 1
DVI from GPU > DVI in monitor 2
miniDP from GPU to the adapter > HDMI from the adapter to monitor 3.
 
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Ouch thats expensive :(

I was trying to do this cheap :P if not for free I dont mind getting a £5 cable.

I have been looking around a bit and read the 280`s dont need active miniDP things?.
 
The third monitor the one I will connect to the DP will not have an HDMI or DP in it only has DVI :(.

I was hoping I could get a DP to DVI and then just continue to use my DVI outputs as I am doing now?

P.S

Thanks for taking the time to reply BTW appriciate it :)
 
D.Roberts said:
The third monitor the one I will connect to the DP will not have an HDMI or DP in it only has DVI :(.

I was hoping I could get a DP to DVI and then just continue to use my DVI outputs as I am doing now?

P.S

Thanks for taking the time to reply BTW appriciate it :)
Click to expand...

Yup, that's fine. You can use miniDP to DVI if you so wish! - I tend not to mix and match cable inputs and try and keep the same on each end, it's more a personal thing though - It makes it a lot less confusing.

D.Roberts said:
Ok reading thi

http://support.amd.com/en-us/search/faq/162

I get the impression I only need an active adapter if I wish to go eye infinity I DO NOT.

I just want 3 monitors for extra space :).
Click to expand...

That's fair enough, AMD are not very concise on how to go about it. My advice would be to google your graphics card model (including manufacturer, and product name) followed by "3 monitors" - If there's not really any issues, you more than likely will get away with it. If there are issues, you may have to get the active adapter. It entirely depends on whether your R9 280X was a rebranded 7970, or actually a new R9 280X.

I know it's a farce, and my apologies. Good luck!
 
Thanks for the help :)

I shall keep u posted

If any one does have this GPU and is running three monitors please advise what your doing :)

Thanks
 
You'll have to specify what brand and model of GPU it is, many companies make many variants of the R9 280X.
 
The 280x has two clock-generators on the card. HDMI, DVI and VGA each require a clock signal, so only two of these can be used. DP doesn't require a clock, which is why it needs to be used for additional displays. Active DP adapters have circuitry inside to produce their own clock signal, where passive ones don't so need to use one of the card's generators.

AMD added a trick a while back where under certain circumstances a card can share a clock generator between two screens. The screens need to be the same model (or very nearly, definitely same size and resolution) and all need to be plugged in when the PC is first powered on.

EDIT - found a link explaining it better than I do:
http://www.anandtech.com/show/7400/the-radeon-r9-280x-review-feat-asus-xfx/3

I've run 3 identical screens from the DVI/DVI/HDMI outputs on a 7970/280X (done this myself) so you should be OK to run 2 identical plus a different on the same outputs. If all three screens are different, you'll need to go for an Active DP adapter for any after the first two.

Does you motherboard have any GPU outputs? I'm currently running games on the 3 screens attached to my GPUs and the fourth (running monitoring, emails, Team speak, etc) runs off my motherboard as I found some games didn't like running properly with all four on the GPU.
 
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Thanks for replying :)

My two main monitors all though not the same are exactly the same resolution these two run off the DVI outputs from the GPU.

My third monitor is a smaller size screen not sure of resolution but its deffo not the same as my other two.

I have found some cheap display port to dvi cables (PS yes I am sorry my GPU has a display port NOT mini display port)

Thanks
 
D.Roberts said:
Thanks for replying :)

My two main monitors all though not the same are exactly the same resolution these two run off the DVI outputs from the GPU.

My third monitor is a smaller size screen not sure of resolution but its deffo not the same as my other two.

I have found some cheap display port to dvi cables (PS yes I am sorry my GPU has a display port NOT mini display port)

Thanks
Click to expand...

If you have all three connected using DVI/DVI/HDMI outputs on your GPU when you boot the PC up, and you can only enable two at a time, then your screens aren't close enough for the GPU to share a clock generator between any of them. You will need an Active adapter to get the third screen working.

Beware of cheap cables/adapters. Often they'll be passive connectors and will simply makes the GPU think an HDMI screen is connected, so it'll need to use a clock generator to talk to it. This is therefore the same as far as the GPU is concerned as having the screen plugged into the HDMI output. If you're 100% sure it's an Active adapter (so the GPU will "think" your HDMI screen is actually a DisplayPort screen when it's plugged in), buy it. If you're not 100% sure then save yourself the money and go straight for buying a StarTech one. Their website is excellent for telling which model numbers are Active and which aren't so you can be sure, and I've not been let down by one yet.
 
Crap your right I never noticed this before :(

DVI 1 = Samsung syncmaster 22" 1680 x 1050 @ 60hertz
DVI 2 = Hanns-G 22" 1680 x 1050 @ 61hertz (it will NOT do 60herts at 1680 x 1050) So Iassume this is the issue :(

Well that sucks :(

I suppose I need to get me a display port cable etc then :P

EDIT

would this work then so use x2 dvi out puts then plug this into display port and then dvi cable from it to third monitor?

https://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CB-021-SR&groupid=1929&catid=1757

Thanks and so sorry for being slow I am confused because some sites say no active thing needed others say yes its needed? :(
 
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Agreed, that sucks.

You're looking at a StarTech model "DP2DVIS" for what you're after - hopefully Google will find the cheapest supplier if you look for that model number.

Just checked one of my drawers, and I've got an old Active DP to DVI cable that I'm not currently using. If you want to try it, Trust me your address and I'll pop it in the post. If you get all your screens up, then you know buying one is worth it and just send mine back when your new over comes through. Just a thought if you wanted to try before you buy. :)
 
Wow that is realy cool of you :)

I shall take you up on that offer thank you very much mate :).

I shall PM you my address now :).

Thanks mate :)

EDIT

details sent :)
 
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