SOLVED: 3 monitors - was working on previous computer - not on my one. :(

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Eight Ezzz

Eight Ezzz

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Oct 12, 2013
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10,510
Hi!

I was recently gifted a 2nd hand ATI Radeon™ HD 5850 Graphics/Video card so I could use 3 monitors but it won't allow me to use all monitors at the same time - only 2 at once.

I've upgraded the driver, tried playing around with settings, and cables to no avail.

I am using 2 BENQ monitors, and 1 CHIMEI monitor. They all work great individually or 2 at once, & I can easily switch between them but when I try to have all 3 active at once it won't allow the settings to be saved.

Everything I read says that you need to use at least one Active DisplayPort Adapter however my SO (significant other) promises me that he did not use one on his computer, and that he was also using >> Monitor 1 - DVI, Monitor 2 - DVI, Monitor 3 - HDMI

I don't understand why would this setup work on his computer, but not on mine?

I would like to try to solve the issue before spending $100+ on an Active DisplayPort Adapter if I can.

Background: He bought the computer brand new with the above graphics card installed & 3 monitors - exactly the same model/brand.

Thank you for reading! :)

Kelly
 
Solution
R
I don't understand how it could work either. I've been using three and four screen setups on AMD cards for a while now. They do not drive more than 2 non displayport screens. One manufacturer built a workaround into their top tier cards, but that was on the 7xxx series. Was he using his onboard graphics? Otherwise, I have no explanation and do not believe it is possible.

On the plus side, active adapters aren't nearly as much as they used to be. This one is under $25, http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16814999032
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rhysiam

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Mar 24, 2013
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Sorry, but everything you've read is correct. That card will support at most two non displayport monitors.

Do you want to play games across all three monitors (using eyefinity?) Or is it just for use in windows? If it's the latter, you can just enable your onboard video card (assuming you have one) and plug one of the screens into that. It'll work just fine. If you want to game across three screens you need a displayport monitor or active adapter as you said in your post. A single 5850 is going to really struggle gaming on three screens though?

I'm happy to give you some more detailed instructions on enabling your onboard graphics if you just want 3 screens for Windows.
 
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Eight Ezzz

Eight Ezzz

Honorable
Oct 12, 2013
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10,510
Thank you for your reply rhysiam & offer of more detailed instructions. :)

I won't be using Eyefinity, and just want the 3 monitors to help multitasking in windows (well so I can watch movies/tv shows whilst multitasking lol). Unfortunately I don't have an onboard video card. :(

I just don't understand how it could work on his computer without an Active DisplayPort Adapter or DisplayPort monitors.
 
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rhysiam

Splendid
Mar 24, 2013
4,366
29
26,990
I don't understand how it could work either. I've been using three and four screen setups on AMD cards for a while now. They do not drive more than 2 non displayport screens. One manufacturer built a workaround into their top tier cards, but that was on the 7xxx series. Was he using his onboard graphics? Otherwise, I have no explanation and do not believe it is possible.

On the plus side, active adapters aren't nearly as much as they used to be. This one is under $25, http://m.newegg.com/Product/index?itemnumber=N82E16814999032
 
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Solution
Eight Ezzz

Eight Ezzz

Honorable
Oct 12, 2013
3
0
10,510
Thank you for your help rhysiam. I ended up "solving" the issue by buying (well, making him buy) an Active DisplayPort Adapter & it worked straight away.

He is still very adamant that he did not need it on his computer, but I'm happy with the 3 monitors & it doesn't matter now.

It will continue forever to be a mystery I guess. :)

SOLVED!
 
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