R9 280X three monitors

[saddasasddas]

Windows 7.

Two of the monitors are connected through DVI and the last monitor is connected through HDMI. The HDMI monitor doesn't receive a signal.

I've read that I need an active DisplayPort cable/adapter that costs like $100. That's almost half the price of the GPU... Do I really need to use DisplayPort?

http://i.stack.imgur.com/NRIVu.png

What about the motherboard's integrated DVI port, can't I use it for the third monitor? I remember I tried it and I think I got the same issue then. I also have a second Asus R9 280X but my motherboard is an Z87-K so the second PCIE slot is only x4...

 

[zhunt99]

Just buy an active displayport adapter. You're given options for eyefinity setups and more options in terms of your multi monitor setups. They're a little under thirty, which isn't quite so bad. In my case, I found it was more convenient to run it off of just one card vs multiple cards, etc. It's so much less of a headache at the end of the day.

http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-DP2DVIS-DisplayPort-Active-Adapter/dp/B004SUO1GM/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1410468934&sr=8-7&keywords=active+displayport+adapter

That one is a little over $25.

 

[saddasasddas]

I actually think I should buy an Nvidia card instead. Don't you generally get more bang for the bucks from Nvidia cards than AMD cards? I'd prefer having one good GPU instead of two R9 280X. Can you recommend me a Nvidia GPU that I can buy if I sell both of my 280X?

 

[legend001523]

^ No, it's the opposite, AMD offer better value for money

 

[saddasasddas]

Okay, but what about using the integrated DVI port that is on my motherboard. Wouldn't that work for my third monitor? I remember I tried it and it didn't work but maybe I have to enable the DVI port in BIOS? Should it work?

 

[legend001523]

No, motherboard dvi is for the integrated gpu and you would've need it to be disabled

 

[saddasasddas]

So I can't use the integrated GPU at the same time as I use the 280x?

 

[legend001523]

nope