Tri-view?

nicksource · 29 Dec 2008 at 15:19

I have a dual-view setup at the moment but could really do with a 3rd screen to help me spread my work out more.

I have a 280GTX, so I imagine to get a 3rd monitor I'd need a 2nd GPU but do I have to buy another 280GTX or can I just get a cheap card?

Thanks,
Nick.

DeathTyrant · 29 Dec 2008 at 16:36

Any cheap card should do, just get one that uses the same drivers as your current card.

edit: Like this

nicksource · 29 Dec 2008 at 17:51

Thanks, how would it work though?

How are the GPUs managed? e.g. if one display is for Games, how does it know to use the 280GTX and not the cheap GPU?

PhillyDee · 29 Dec 2008 at 17:53

Im guessing it assigns it like Main card (PCI-x16 slot) head 1 is primary. Games always show on the primary.

Conan257 · 29 Dec 2008 at 18:10

Yes, it will process the display with the card thats connected to it...

So just make sure you run your games on the monitor connected to the 280

nicksource · 29 Dec 2008 at 18:15

Cheers guys, all ordered.

Kennysevenfold · 29 Dec 2008 at 22:11

Good luck mate

let us know how things go

nicksource · 31 Dec 2008 at 17:23

Managed to squeeze all 3 monitors on my desk... only thing is, the new one didn't come with a cable!!! Grrrr, luckily a friend is in town to pick me one up. It's a shame companies don't include simple things like that (Asus, I'm looking at you!).

nicksource · 31 Dec 2008 at 21:58

Friend got extensions instead of the VGA cable, lol.

I've tried 1 monitor on the 280GTX and 1 monitor on the 8400GS to test monitors on different GPUs and it works a treat. So can't wait to get the 3rd into my GPU.

What would you recommend, having my primary gaming monitor on the 280GTX only and the other 2 on the 8400GS? Or doesn't it matter resource wise?

vincent1989 · 1 Jan 2009 at 00:11

i'd do what you suggest, 2 on the not so good card, it'll be more than enough to power two monitors for MSoffice, itunes, internet and the like, and have the 280 powering the 'main' screen, the one you will be using for graphically intensive stuff

GhostlyPea · 1 Jan 2009 at 10:15

On this line, will he be able to use the second card as a PhysX card as it is nVidia and still display 2D work? No idea on this but it would be handy to know

- Pea0n

nicksource · 1 Jan 2009 at 11:44

Got a new cable and my Asus monitor is all ghosty... the right hand side of stuff is ghosted like a motion blur. (EDIT: Seems my other monitors are now too, not sure what I've done, lol)

I tried resetting to factory settings and auto-adjusting but no luck! Tried different cables too.

Any ideas?

Also the 8400GS is 1.78 where the 280GTX is 180 Nvid Drivers, what should I use?

nicksource · 1 Jan 2009 at 12:13

Right I'm pretty sure it's software related because when I boot the PC up there is no ghosting until Vista loads up.

My LEFT screen is fine, no ghosting

However my CENTER and RIGHT screen has ghosting.

LEFT & RIGHT = 8400GS
CENTER = 280GTX

I've updated my drivers to the latest 1.80. Strange at why this is happening. The only thing I can think of is it being the Belkin Monitor cables, the LEFT one doesn't have one, the other 2 do... but they are brand new!

nicksource · 1 Jan 2009 at 12:27

IT IS THE CABLES!

I bought 3 Belkin cables from Ripoff World for £30 and they all give my screens a ghost blur. So ****** off.

Sorry for tripple posts, guess there is nothing I can do but buy more stupid cables.

vincent1989 · 1 Jan 2009 at 18:04

nicksource said:
IT IS THE CABLES!

I bought 3 Belkin cables from Ripoff World for £30 and they all give my screens a ghost blur. So ****** off.

Sorry for tripple posts, guess there is nothing I can do but buy more stupid cables.

take them back for a refund, you have 14 days on that sort of item don't you? just go complain until they give you refund/replacement