3 Monitor Eyefinity Setup Issues

[jkelley9]

Hello all. I am sorry to start another Eyefinity setup issue thread but I just cannot find an answer with my current hardware setup. I'll describe exactly what hardware I'm using and what I've tried below and if you see anything wrong please let me know!

Video Card:
XFX Radeon HD 6870 2GB
(2) DVI ports
(1) HDMI port
(2) Mini-Displayports

Monitors/Hardware:
Asus VH242H (Plugged in DVI)
Asus VH236H (Plugged in Mini-DP with an HDMI -> Mini-DP adapter (passive adapter to my knowledge))
Asus VH236H (Plugged in Mini-DP with an HDMI -> Mini-DP adapter (passive adapter to my knowledge))

I have looked into it via google and supposedly I should not need an active displayport adapter since I am using DVI and two mini-DP ports and not the DVI+HDMI+(1)mini-dp port configuration since from what I've understood the DVI and HDMI share a bridge or something? But I avoided this by using only 1 DVI port and both the mini-DP's.

When I go into CCC and try to create a desktop "group" it only lets me select 2x1 or 1x2 configuration and does not let me do 3x1 or 1x3. It detects all 3 monitors, but I am unable to use/select more than 2 at a time.

Any help would be much appreciated, as I am tres confused

Thanks!

 

[vrumor]

1 needs to be an active adapter for it to work I believe.

 

[larkspur]

Read this page on AMD's website paying close attention to the 2nd paragraph: http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

You need an active miniDP -> DVI (preferred) or an active miniDP ->VGA for ONE of your monitors to enable three at once.

According to that page they just don't make any active DP -> HDMI adapters.

 

[jkelley9]

Okay, so it looks like with this setup that I will need an active single-link mini-dp to DVI-D adapter. But these things are like $30 from what I can see online. Are there any stores that I can buy one of these things from? I've checked with a few retail stores and it doesn't look like they have any. I'd rather not wait another few days.

Or is there an alternate configuration in which I won't need an active displayport adapter but still get 3 monitors and eyefinity working?

Thanks for the input

 

[vrumor]

If there was any other way, you wouldnt need an active DP adapter. A little research before your purchase woulda helped

 

[jkelley9]

I think I read where I can use a mini-dp to VGA (D-sub) adapter because it doesn't use the hardware something-or-other that the DVI does. I will probably just fork out the $30 though instead of the $15 for one of these since basically it sounds like the other two monitors will be brought down to d-sub quality (which isn't took large a concern since I will only be running in 3x1920x1080 and not any higher resolutions)

Can anyone confirm if this is true tho?

 

[larkspur]

Are there any stores that I can buy one of these things from?

Did you try microcenter? There's one in Marietta. Give them a call and see if they have it: http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/marietta.html

 

[larkspur]

I think I read where I can use a mini-dp to VGA (D-sub) adapter because it doesn't use the hardware something-or-other that the DVI does. I will probably just fork out the $30 though instead of the $15 for one of these since basically it sounds like the other two monitors will be brought down to d-sub quality (which isn't took large a concern since I will only be running in 3x1920x1080 and not any higher resolutions)

Can anyone confirm if this is true tho?

If it is an ACTIVE mini-dp -> VGA then yes no problem. The reason I suggested the DVI is that it is a digital signal and is generally preferred over VGA. Just make sure it is ACTIVE.

 

[jkelley9]

Did you try microcenter? There's one in Marietta. Give them a call and see if they have it: http://www.microcenter.com/at_the_stores/marietta.html

I don't live in marietta anymore I live in Columbia, SC. I really miss having a Fry's and Micro Center just minutes away lol. I can't seem to find any large retail computer parts stores here

If it is an ACTIVE mini-dp -> VGA then yes no problem. The reason I suggested the DVI is that it is a digital signal and is generally preferred over VGA. Just make sure it is ACTIVE.

Oh ok. I just thought I read that I can avoid an "activated" adapter if I went with dp -> vga. But it may also have to be active, which would copmletely be counterproductive at that point if I went with the vga adapter.

I guess I will have to buy an active displayport adapter then, does anyone know where I can find one < $30?

 

[larkspur]

Haha one cent below: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999034

I wouldn't go with any other brand of DP adapter. The sapphires have always done me well and apparently others too since they get great feedback. Newegg ships fast.

 

[jkelley9]

Haha one cent below: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999034

I wouldn't go with any other brand of DP adapter. The sapphires have always done me well and apparently others too since they get great feedback. Newegg ships fast.

Now that's some saving! haha

I'll go ahead and buy it then thanks for all the help!

 

[jkelley9]

Best answer selected by jkelley9.

 

[Mousemonkey]

This topic has been closed by Mousemonkey