Alternative to Eyefinity? Multi-Monitor Gaming

[allthatisman]

Current setup in sig...

My buddy and I have a similar computer setup, except he has two of the monitors that I have, we both really want to go with a tri-monitor setup for widescreen gaming. I am willing to trade him my one monitor fro some cash towards the three that I will need to buy.

My question... I have seen the Hard OC video review of the 5870/5850 Eyefinity and I am sold. I am planning to go from one 28" monitor to three 22" monitors.

1.) Can I do this without getting rid of my current video card?

2.) If I buy a new card, do you think one 5850 would be plenty to run 3 22" monitors, if not dows crossfire work with Eyefinity yet?

I know that Matrox hub allows multi monitor gaming, but that hub costs in between a 5870 and a 5850, so it makes no sense to go that route since I can sell the X2 for at least $200 in an effort to recoupe my losses.

I am mainly looking for some insight into this, since I know pretty much what I need to do, and what that will cost. Any thoughts/advice?

 

[aequasi]

if i am not mistaken, the eyefinity stuff onl works on the 58xx line right now as it is a hardware thing, despite the nice video card that you have
and the second question is a litle to general. what games are u gona run? lol crysis? id say get a 5870

 

[allthatisman]

Originally posted by: aequasi
if i am not mistaken, the eyefinity stuff onl works on the 58xx line right now as it is a hardware thing, despite the nice video card that you have
and the second question is a litle to general. what games are u gona run? lol crysis? id say get a 5870

Yeah, I am really just fishing for input to be honest. I have done a fair amount of research on the topic, I am just seeing if there is anything that I might be missing. With regard to the cards/games I will run on them... any and all... crossfire 5850's would be ideal I think, but at the same time, if I can get away with one 5870 at 1680*1050*3... that would be ideal... ie no crossfire issues. In the video review, the reviewer had no issues running any of the games(except Crysis) on max settings on 3 24" monitors. I would imagine with 3 22" monitors, the 5870 would be just fine with maxed Crysis or anything similar in the near future.

I usually run 2-4x AA in pretty much all games. I prefer smoother frame rate over super fine image quality.

 

[McRhea]

Originally posted by: allthatisman

Originally posted by: aequasi
if i am not mistaken, the eyefinity stuff onl works on the 58xx line right now as it is a hardware thing, despite the nice video card that you have
and the second question is a litle to general. what games are u gona run? lol crysis? id say get a 5870

Yeah, I am really just fishing for input to be honest. I have done a fair amount of research on the topic, I am just seeing if there is anything that I might be missing. With regard to the cards/games I will run on them... any and all... crossfire 5850's would be ideal I think, but at the same time, if I can get away with one 5870 at 1680*1050*3... that would be ideal... ie no crossfire issues. In the video review, the reviewer had no issues running any of the games(except Crysis) on max settings on 3 24" monitors. I would imagine with 3 22" monitors, the 5870 would be just fine with maxed Crysis or anything similar in the near future.

I usually run 2-4x AA in pretty much all games. I prefer smoother frame rate over super fine image quality.

From what I've read in reviews, the 5850 should be enough for 3 22" monitors, and there is always overclocking as well. However, if you'd rather have peace of mind, then just get the 5870 and be done with it. That way you could probably upgrade to 24" monitors in the future if you wished. Don't bother with the Matrox hub... that is useless now. Let us know how it goes, sounds like you guys will have a blast.

 

[allthatisman]

Well my buddy sold his BMW and was on his way to Fry's when I read some bad news... since he was going to buy my monitor off of me(which doesn't have a displayport on it), I read that you have to have at least one displayport monitor for eyefinity to work... I ask myself and ATI if they are not likely reading this... why on earth would you use a link that no on has, and few monitors being sold RIGHT NOW do not have... I guess I can see why Dell bought so many of these cards right off the bat, because it has the port format that they practically invented...

I guess the only alternative is to either buy a monitor with displayport, or buy an active DP to DVI adapter... which Apple makes but it is over $100... if someone knows of an alternative THAT WORKS, I would love to see it.

Supposedly over on the AMD forums someone said that they are coming out with an eyefinity version of the 5870 which has three DVI's on it. Guess we will have to wait for that...

 

[McRhea]

Originally posted by: allthatisman
Well my buddy sold his BMW and was on his way to Fry's when I read some bad news... since he was going to buy my monitor off of me(which doesn't have a displayport on it), I read that you have to have at least one displayport monitor for eyefinity to work... I ask myself and ATI if they are not likely reading this... why on earth would you use a link that no on has, and few monitors being sold RIGHT NOW do not have... I guess I can see why Dell bought so many of these cards right off the bat, because it has the port format that they practically invented...

I guess the only alternative is to either buy a monitor with displayport, or buy an active DP to DVI adapter... which Apple makes but it is over $100... if someone knows of an alternative THAT WORKS, I would love to see it.

Supposedly over on the AMD forums someone said that they are coming out with an eyefinity version of the 5870 which has three DVI's on it. Guess we will have to wait for that...

Yeah, the displayport thing is the only downside. From what I've read, the Apple DP to DVI adapter is a huge cockup, don't use it. Go with a displayport monitor.

HardOCP has a video review of Eyefinity, along with a list of displayport monitors available right now:
Display port monitors

 

[allthatisman]

Originally posted by: McRhea

Originally posted by: allthatisman
Well my buddy sold his BMW and was on his way to Fry's when I read some bad news... since he was going to buy my monitor off of me(which doesn't have a displayport on it), I read that you have to have at least one displayport monitor for eyefinity to work... I ask myself and ATI if they are not likely reading this... why on earth would you use a link that no on has, and few monitors being sold RIGHT NOW do not have... I guess I can see why Dell bought so many of these cards right off the bat, because it has the port format that they practically invented...

I guess the only alternative is to either buy a monitor with displayport, or buy an active DP to DVI adapter... which Apple makes but it is over $100... if someone knows of an alternative THAT WORKS, I would love to see it.

Supposedly over on the AMD forums someone said that they are coming out with an eyefinity version of the 5870 which has three DVI's on it. Guess we will have to wait for that...

Yeah, the displayport thing is the only downside. From what I've read, the Apple DP to DVI adapter is a huge cockup, don't use it. Go with a displayport monitor.

HardOCP has a video review of Eyefinity, along with a list of displayport monitors available right now:
Display port monitors

IMO ATI's decision to go with the displayport was a VERY lousy business move... I am not 100% on why they chose displayport over HDMI, but if it was ABSOLUTLY necessary for them to use that type of input, they should have contacted a cable oem and marketed an ATI brand displayport adapter and sold it for $30-40 with thier name on it. There are a lot of people that want to buy another couple of the monitor they already have, but now wont:

A.) be buying a 58XX card
B.) be buying 2 more monitors
C.) be buying adapters that will allow(or at least are endorsed to work) said monitors with said card...

Poor corporate communication and forethought to say the least... my buddy and I were ready to take the plunge this weekend too... oh well.