How the HECK do I set up Eyefinity?

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ckim2116

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I have a Radeon 5970 and a 24" monitor; going to be picking up two more monitors this weekend, but there are only two ports on the video card. What else do I need to buy besides the monitors? Also, is it ok to buy two monitors that aren't the same brand as the middle monitor?

Thanks in advance for the help; I'm just really confused :hello:

Here are my system specs for reference:
Intel Core i7-920 (stock)
Diamond Radeon HD 5970
Patriot Extreme Performance Viper DDR3 6GB 1333MHz Tri Channel 7-7-7-20
Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R
Corsair CMPSU-650TX- 650W
WD 750GB Serial ATA/300HD, 32 MB buffer
Cooler Master HAF 932
Lite-On 24X SATA DVD-RW Gen II
Netgear WG311 G PCI 54 Mbps Wireless-G PCI Adapter
Windows 7 Home Premium
 
Eyefinity requires that 1 of the displays use the Display Port. You can have a combinations of (2) DVI or (1) DVI and (1) HDMI display, but the 3rd MUST use the display port. The only work around to this is buying a display port to DVI active converter. These run about $100+ from what I hear. I also don't know if this causes any lag in monitor response either.

Once you have 3 displays working, you just use the ATI drivers and turn on Eyefinity, which is basically just a single desktop spread across 3 displays. Eyefinity is just a marketing name.
 

ckim2116

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Wow thanks, very informative =]

I looked up display port to DVI converters, and they weren't that expensive. Less than $20 in fact. Is there a difference between display port DVI "converters" and "active converters"?
 

Kari

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apple had active adapter...

but i cant remember the exact reason why it had to be active. It has come up in the reviews... maybe it had something to do with those 30'' displays with higher resolutions they were using in the reviews or dual links or something completely different

http://www.startech.com/item/DP2DVI-DisplayPort-to-DVI-Cable-Adapter.aspx
This adapter supports display resolutions of up to 1920x1200 allowing you to take full advantage of single link DVI capability.


edit and looks like sapphire has one also
http://www.hartware.de/press_11580.html

edit2 list of monitors that have displayport http://www.hardocp.com/article/2009/09/28/amds_ati_eyefinity_technology_review
Dell 3008 - Dell U2410 - Dell 2408 - Dell P2010H - Dell P2210H - Dell P2310H - NEC MultiSync EA231WMi-BK - HP LP2480zx - HP LP2475w - HP LP2275w - Lenovo 2440x

edit3 still havent found the reason for active....
 

redwolfexr

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You need either the Apple or the Dell active adapter. These have a USB cable to provide power for the adapter electronics. You may find them hard to find in stock since a lot of Eyefinity users have been buying them.

A better option is to buy this http://www.google.com/products/catalog?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4ADFA_enUS358US358&q=dell+displayport+monitor&um=1&ie=UTF-8&cid=12247390447437611988&ei=l_sqS_KiIdP_nAeUyaz8CA&sa=X&oi=product_catalog_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CBcQ8wIwAg#ps-sellers

or

http://www.google.com/products?q=nec+ea231wmi&aq=0&oq=NEC+ -- this is a VERY nice monitor for its price.

which will directly plug in with no issues. Just an FYI, you need to order a DP cable with the NEC...
 

redwolfexr

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No. No adapter that does not also have a USB plug for power will work.

:eek:
 

ckim2116

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I'm actually only looking to spend around $200 for each screen, with a tiny bit of flexibility.
 

ckim2116

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Ok so I found this online:
Question: Will this adapter support Dual Link DVI connections?
Answer: No, DVI uses a different protocol for extended graphic resolutions than DP. Dual link can not be supported without an active converter. These adapters are passive.

So I guess I answered my own question =P
I suppose I'll have to buy one of those hundred dollar converters :(

One more question, is there a difference between displayport and mini displayport? The Diamond website says one or the other in different places. I'm confused.
 

Yes, in the same way that there is a difference between USB and mini USB, mini is smaller but I can't recall the exact dimensions.
 

ckim2116

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So to confirm, since the 5970 has a mini displayport, to connect a DVI monitor I need an active DVI- mini displayport adapter?
 

hunuok

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hey there,

reread jay2tall's response

you need an active displayport to dvi converter-approx $100

a passive adapter will NOT work-approx $20

also, i heard apple displayport adapters do not function properly

accell, dell or bizlink are your best bet nb:stocks are limited

http://www.amazon.com/Accell-UltraAV-B087B-002B-DisplayPort-Dual-Link/dp/B002ISVI3U

sapphire also have one but not sure when they will be coming out

good luck
 

hunuok

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hey there

to my knowledge there are no MINIdisplayport to dvi adapters.

use this dongle with the active displayport to dvi adapter.

ie, VGA card minidisplay port>minidisplayport to displayport dongle>active displayport to dvi adapter>dvi monitor cable

im pretty sure this should be the CENTER display setup

the other monitors should be connected directly to the dvi ports on the back of the video card

you can setup the correct sequence in CCC

this is what i will be doing when my displayport adapter arrives so i hope this info is correct!

i hope this helps :hello:

PS: the dvi to vga adapter is useless for this setup
 
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