Four monitors to 1 or 2 video cards split + duplicate screen

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Astralv

Astralv

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I am trying to connect 4 monitors (or at least 3) to one video card. The card I have is AMD 7850. Currently I have DVI monitor, VGA monitor and 2nd VGA via split signal Y cable (which gives me problems with screen resolution, but thats another story).

I need to be able to connect 4 monitors, 3 of which would be duplicated main screen and 1 extended screen. (2 monitors with extended screen and 2 separate monitors on distant location that duplicate screen 1).

AMD 7850 offers DVI, VGA, HDMI and DP.

From my experiments I learned that this video card (or may be all video cards) not able to send data from 3 outputs when 2 monitors need split screen and at least one monitor needs extended screen.

The results I get: DVI + VGA
DVI + HDMI
VGA + HDMI.
Every time I attempt to change settings to make 3rd output work, one out becomes disconnected.

I am considering to buy 2nd video card if I have to, unless somebody can tell me how to make 3 outputs work at the same time on one card.

I am not sure, how the CrossFire works and if I will need to use CrossFire. Situation is complicated by use of KVM switch, which is DVI/ VGA double monitor KVM, for this reason, I have to use DVI and VGA monitors on my desk (to be able to switch between computers).

So right now- I have one monitor on DVI, and one monitor on VGA. Extended screen.

I need to add 2 more monitors that will duplicate (split) the same main screen, but preserve extended screen monitor.

Question: how is CrossFire works? Will I be able to preserve current “extended screen” setting on one video card and have “Split screen” duplicated from monitor 1 on 2nd videocard?

I need 3 monitors show the same desktop, and only 1 monitor to extend screen 1. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 
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unksol

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This is because you don't understand the requirements of your GPU. The third monitors must be hooked up using an active display port to DVI (or VGA) adapter.

From what your saying the easiest thing to do would be use three identical, or at least same resolution, monitors and use a 3 way HDMI splitter for the "clone" monitors. This would be best if they are remote as hdmi cables can be 25foot.

If your CPU has an onboard GPU you can turn it on in the bios and use it to drive the 4th monitor and get an ACTIVE display port adapter to drive the 3rd. (or if your CPU gpu can drive two monitors just use it for the 3rd).

if you have no onboard GPU you can get a cheap card like the 5450 to drive the other 2.

If you can't fit a second card use.the display port adapter and a USB gpu.
 
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Astralv

Astralv

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Thank you for the reply. You have so many ideas- I need to process each of them.

1. What is an active display port to DVI (or VGA) adapter? The video card has 2 white ports, DVI D and DVI I, I have to use adapter to be able to connect VGA monitor- not sure if it related. Sounds like you refering to something else. Please, clarify.

2. The HDMI splitter is great idea, I would look in to it, however, I have KVM switch which supports 3 other computers, this is why the main screen should be DVI or VGA to be able to switch between computers (unless there is some kind of adopter of DVI to HDMI). The KVM has no HDMI.

3. My CPU is 3770K, the onboard graphics support HDMI, VGA and DVI. I thought- there sould be way to use onboard graphics while using dedicated videocard such as AMD 7850. I have tried it before on my other systems and it did not work. Would you mind to specify how to turn it on in BIOS?

My concern is that I need to have Monitor 1 and 2 in extended screen mode, and monitor 3- 4 to duplicate desktop. The distance is 12 Ft.

Thank you very much for the great ideas.
 
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unksol

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1. There are only 2 clock signals on your card. This means you can only drive two non display port connections. The third must be off the display port, and use.an active adapter to add.the needed clock signal. If you decide to do this make sure you are getting the right connector for your card. There's display port and mini display port.
www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999030

2. HDMI and single link DVI are the exact same video signal. You can use simple adapters or a HDMI to DVI cable. if the remote monitors support HDMI.and have speakers you'll also get audio to them.

3. You'll need to look in the bios section of your manual. Under the integrated options there should be an option to set it to "always enabled" (may be phrased differently)

So you have lots of options, depending on how you want to do it. Your CPU should support 2 monitors, so you should be able to do it without buying anything. Look for that "always enable" option, and assuming your remote monitors support HDMI I would hook up:

CPU GPU to VGA, CPU GPU to HDMI remote monitor, GPU to DVI, GPU to HDMI remote monitor.

You can of course do it however works for you, but that way it doesn't cost anything and no adapters are used.
 
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Astralv

Astralv

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Actually- one of the remote monitors not supporting HDMI, and another one I will have to buy. I was actually going to buy newer monitor for my desk (main station), and monitor it replaces has no HDMI as well. I am on a budget because I am about to have another build soon as 4770 becomes available. This build was made in January. It is electronic music production studio- I need monitors near my synth keyboards stations so I can see what I record when I play.

If I have to, I will buy small TV or small monitor with HDMI, but then I will be stock with old monitor... Lets say- the remote monitors have no HDMI support for now.

By the way- you mantioned "the same resolution". One of the problems I have on the "Split VGA Y cable" is that computer recognizes lower resolution available on older monitor. This is frustrating. Does it mean- I need all monitors with the same resolution?
 
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unksol

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cloned displays are copies, so the same resolution. Using just a splitter would mess it up, but outputting from the GPU I believe you'd have to set the lowest resolution out of the three. If they are different aspect ratios there may be some letter boxing, but it should work. One thing I am not positive on is if the cloned monitors all have to be on the same GPU. If they do you'd need that active displayport adapter to get the 3 clones all on the 7850.

Using HDMI is not necessary either just a little easier at that distance. If you wanted to use an HDMI cable you could even use a cheap HDMI to DVI adapter at the monitor. As I said, same signal/wiring just different plugs.

The first step is getting the CPUs GPU enabled. At that point you should be able to use any two connectors on EACH for a total of 4. The only real limit is you only have 2 VGA total, one on each. That will at least get you where you can try things out, and figure out if cloaning the 3rd works with them set up like that. If it doesn't just.get the display port adapter and put all the clones on the 7850 and the extended on the CPU
 
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Astralv

Astralv

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Ok, I will get in to BIOS and try to find where to unable it. And then I will get back here to report the findings. Also the DP active adapter to DVI- this would bypass HDMI? I would use VGA, DVI and DP to DVI? Thanks.
 
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unksol

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It's in there somewhere. Possibly under onboard devices. I can't remember where off the top of my head. By default it disables if a dedicated gpu is present, which is why you have to set it to always enabled. If you can tell me the motherboard make/model i can go grab the manual to find where it is.
 
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unksol

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You can always get the manual on their site under support/downloads for the product.

www.asus.com/Motherboards/P8Z77V_PROTHUNDERBOLT/#support_Download_30

Page 3-25. In the UEFI, under the advanced tab. Should be a system agent configuration and under that gpu configuration. in there should be the iGPU multi-monitor setting.
 
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Astralv

Astralv

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I can not solve it. You were right, I can not have "Duplicate signal" or split screens on different cards, therefor I am back to square 1: I need to connect 3 monitors to 1 video card in "Split screen" mode- all 3 showing the same thing. So now I still need DP to DVI cable?
 
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