Will my system run 3 monitors?

[Anchundan]

I currently have 2 x Dell U2412M monitors connected to a single Asus R9280X-DC2T-3GD5 Graphics Card.

My motherboard is an Asus Z97 Sabertooth Mark S, which supposedly supports DisplayPort at 380x2160@60Hz, or HDMI with max. resolution of 2560 x 1600 @ 60Hz.

I really want to buy a 3rd monitor, Dell U2515H (2560x1440) and use it as the central monitor. Is there any reason I shouldn't be able to do this (I've never tried triple monitor setup before)?

I want to have the bigger monitor in the centre for movies/gaming - if it's possible, what would be the best way to connect them (i.e. which monitors to motherboard and which to graphics card)?

Specifications below:

Spoiler

Graphics Card Specs:

Resolution:

DVI Max Resolution: 2560x1600​

Interface:

DVI Output : Yes x 1 (DVI-I), Yes x 1 (DVI-D)
HDMI Output : Yes x 1 (via DVI to HDMI adaptor x 1 )
Display Port : Yes x 4 (Regular DP)
HDCP Support : Yes​

Motherboard Graphic Specs:

Integrated Graphics Processor- Intel® HD Graphics support
Multi-VGA output support : HDMI/DisplayPort ports
- Supports HDMI with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 2560 x 1600 @ 60 Hz
- Supports DisplayPort with max. resolution 4096 x 2160 @ 24 Hz / 3840 x 2160 @ 60 Hz
Maximum shared memory of 512 MB
Supports Intel® InTru™ 3D, Quick Sync Video, Clear Video HD Technology, Insider™
DP 1.2 Multi-Stream Transport compliant, supports DP 1.2 monitor daisy chain up to 3 displays​

Dell U2412M connectivity:

1 Digital Visual Interface connectors (DVI-D) with HDCP
1 DisplayPort(DP)
1 Video Graphics Array (VGA)​

Dell U2515H connectivity:

2 HDMI(MHL) connector
1 Mini DisplayPort
1 DisplayPort (version 1.2)
1 DisplayPort out (MST)​

 

[Armageus]

Best option would be to ignore the onboard graphics and connect all 3 to the graphics card (both U2412M via DVI, and the U2515H via Displayport).

The only reason onboard graphics normally have to be involved for 3 or more screens is when using older non-displayport monitors. You are in a great position though with 3 screens that all support displayport, so not limited when it comes to any future graphics card upgrade.



also minor error in your specs above - the graphics card only has a single DP, not 4.

reference:
https://www.asus.com/uk/Graphics-Cards/R9280XDC2T3GD5/specifications/

 

[Anchundan]

Thanks Armageus, both for the quick reply and the great advice! I might be slightly wrong on the graphics card as the one I ordered initially failed and they replaced it with almost the same thing, but slightly thicker. It was a while ago, so can't quite remember

You've definitely made my mind up!

Edit: Ahh I now know why I'm wrong, they replaced it with the 'R9280X-DC2T-3GD5-V2' which is actually slightly slower (not that I noticed since I had so many problems with the original one)!

https://www.asus.com/Graphics-Cards/R9280XDC2T3GD5V2/specifications/