Two Graphics cards?

[darkwolf1990]

Hey,

I currently have a XFX ATI HD 5870 installed into my machine but it can only have two screens connected in a hdmi-dvi config. I added a second screen to my setup and additionaly added a small Nvidia 7500 le into another PCI-E slot. I ran 3D Mark 11 and selected my 5870 to bench, which gave me an incredibly low score of around 800 on extreme.

So then I tried removing my 7500 le from the system, obviously this stops me from using my third screen. After it was removed I re-tested and got over 1600 or so, is this a bug?

My question is does my 7500 le used for a separate screen, hinder and bottleneck my hd 5870?

Thanks,

Darkwolf

 

[cmndr_andi]

Hi there,

Not a direct answer to your question, but have you considered using a Displayport to DVI active adapter. Using one of these (which cost ~£20) would allow you to run all three monitors off your powerful HD 5870.

I would suggest having a google for "Sapphire 44000-02-40R".

 

[darkwolf1990]

I've just received the 7950 today to replace my 5870. Is it possible to be able to use a dvi/hdmi/mini-display port all at once? I've read that some ATI cards have specific configurations.

 

[cmndr_andi]

Yes, in fact you can run four monitors off a single HD 7950 - so long as only two are connected to the DVI/HDMI ports.

To run a third (or fourth) monitor off the 7950 you will need an active mini-displayport to DVI adapter. One like this would work fine, as would a "StarTech Mini DisplayPort to DVI Active Adapter".

 

[darkwolf1990]

Thanks for your help dude, much appreciated. Can't believe I didn't think of an adapter as well I've order a DVI to Mini-display port cable, as I seem to lack DVI cables atm.

 

[cmndr_andi]

Happy to help. Just make sure you order one which explicitly states it is an "active" adapter, since the cheaper passive ones will not work to drive a third monitor. If you can't find a cable that is active, then I would suggest just purchasing another DVI cable as well as one of the active adapters I mentioned in post#4.

 

[Orcvader]

Thanks for your help dude, much appreciated. Can't believe I didn't think of an adapter as well I've order a DVI to Mini-display port cable, as I seem to lack DVI cables atm.

STOP!

That cable will be passive. It will not work! You need an active adapter. This is how you run triple monitors on the 5000/6000/7000 series cards. All third+ screens needs to be run off the DP port, and if you want to convert it to DVI/VGA/HDMI you need an active adapter otherwise it will not work. Buy the XFX adapter cmndr_andi suggested and buy another DVI cable.

 

[darkwolf1990]

Thanks guys, I've just placed an order for both the xfx active adaptor and the DVI cable. Should Arrive tomorrow hopefully