Eyefinity using 3x 24", or one 30" and a secondary 24"?

[fallout man]

I'm having some trouble deciding on this whole thing.

I can spend about $1000 to get eyefinity using my current 24" S-IPS monitor (hp 2335) plus a couple more ~$500 S-IPS (the new dells) to get a 3 monitor setup.

I could also just get a really nice 30" panel for slightly more, use that as a primary monitor for gaming, and have my current 24" tilted to use as a second panel.

Both configurations have pros and cons to me. Mainly--I'd be mis-matching monitors, so I'd have to use the old hp2335 as center if I want eyefinity (do want!).

The 30" would be pretty freaking sweet for gaming, and the secondary monitor would be a boon even if it's old and sub-par in terms of IQ.

I'm running a 5870 to do all of the work.

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[Aikouka]

Meh, I just use two 27"s and have one mostly for gaming and the other for everything else. I don't really like the idea of borders in between my games, but it isn't as bad when it's just a horizontal span.

 

[fallout man]

Meh, I just use two 27"s and have one mostly for gaming and the other for everything else. I don't really like the idea of borders in between my games, but it isn't as bad when it's just a horizontal span.

Well, I guess my question is more of a "are you happy with eyefinity" question.

 

[apoppin]

Well, I guess my question is more of a "are you happy with eyefinity" question.

If he's using two monitors, it isn't 3-panel Eyefinity

i use one 30" 2560x1600 LCD as my primary monitor and my 24" 1920x1200 as my secondary; i have a 3rd 24" 1080 LCD also.
- i don't have experience with Eyefinity, i need a 3rd 1080 24" monitor to make it happen

i read a lot of threads over at HardOCP where Eyefinity is all the rage. i haven't seen anyone who doesn't like their setup although some have reservations about it. The bezels evidently seem to disappear for most gamers.

Also, you are running a really high resolution with 3 x 1080 LCDs; a single 5870 might not be enough for some people. Make *sure* you get at least one LCD with Displayport - or you will need an "active" adapter.

 

[aka1nas]

If he's using two monitors, it isn't 3-panel Eyefinity

i use one 30" 2560x1600 LCD as my primary monitor and my 24" 1920x1200 as my secondary; i have a 3rd 24" 1080 LCD also.
- i don't have experience with Eyefinity, i need a 3rd 1080 24" monitor to make it happen

i read a lot of threads over at HardOCP where Eyefinity is all the rage. i haven't seen anyone who doesn't like their setup although some have reservations about it. The bezels evidently seem to disappear for most gamers.

Also, you are running a really high resolution with 3 x 1080 LCDs; a single 5870 might not be enough for some people. Make *sure* you get at least one LCD with Displayport - or you will need an "active" adapter.

I was pretty sure that you can't mix resolutions with Eyefinity yet, so you'd have to run a 30-incher at a reduced resolution to mix it with smaller panels in an Eyefinity setup.

 

[apoppin]

I was pretty sure that you can't mix resolutions with Eyefinity yet, so you'd have to run a 30-incher at a reduced resolution to mix it with smaller panels in an Eyefinity setup.

You are correct. You really need to run 3 x 24" (or 3 same-sized, same res) panels all at the same resolution and with the same orientation. Sadly, Eyefinity cannot display a 25x16 30" in landscape flanked by two 1080 24" LCDs in portrait.

 

[fallout man]

You are correct. You really need to run 3 x 24" (or 3 same-sized, same res) panels all at the same resolution and with the same orientation. Sadly, Eyefinity cannot display a 25x16 30" in landscape flanked by two 1080 24" LCDs in portrait.

Yeah, that's the shitty part.

My decision if I go with eyefinity is get two more 1900x1200 panels. It seems so cool, but I'm not about to buy another 5870 and a new power supply to run it half-decently.

 

[digitaldurandal]

Yeah, that's the shitty part.

My decision if I go with eyefinity is get two more 1900x1200 panels. It seems so cool, but I'm not about to buy another 5870 and a new power supply to run it half-decently.

I am using a single 5870 and running 5870x1200 I have been playing CODMW2, BFBC2, Dirt2. All good frames. Only thing I had to do was lower AA.

 

[fallout man]

I am using a single 5870 and running 5870x1200 I have been playing CODMW2, BFBC2, Dirt2. All good frames. Only thing I had to do was lower AA.

I take it that you wouldn't want to trade the extra 2 monitors for a single 30"?

 

[badb0y]

If you play a lot of FPS games, Eyefinity is great, not to sure about other genres.

For me the 2 side displays were filling in my peripheral view and the bezels weren't annoying for me. It was awesome playing on it though.

 

[NoQuarter]

You are correct. You really need to run 3 x 24" (or 3 same-sized, same res) panels all at the same resolution and with the same orientation. Sadly, Eyefinity cannot display a 25x16 30" in landscape flanked by two 1080 24" LCDs in portrait.

In my experience you can get away with a couple inches difference between the monitor sizes without it becoming very distracting. The only actually requirement is the resolutions will step down to the lowest common resolution, but I understand what you're saying.

From my own experience playing on both Eyefinity and a 52" 1080p HDTV I much prefer the Eyefinity set up. I haven't played games on a 30" 2560x1600 monitor to compare the 3rd option however.

From the people who have commented on using both the majority seemed to prefer Eyefinity while a few preferred their 30" 2560x1600 monitor.

 

[MrK6]

I went and played with a 24" landscape Eyefinity setup a few months ago and I have to say, I greatly appreciate the "peripheral" vision and exta immersion, the overall experience gaming on a 30" monitor is even better. The huge real-estate, visual quality of a 2560x1600 resolution, and the fact that guns in an FPS are almost "life-like" in size is just something I'll never give up. It really is sometimes like looking through a window rather than playing a game. If AMD ever gets the drivers to a point where I could throw two 19" monitors on the side of my 30" and have half a screen of peripheral vision on each side, I might do that, but for now, 30" is the way to go.

 

[jpinks]

I am in this decision too. I have a 25.5 monitor and was trying to decide if going to a nice 30 or getting 2 more 19x12's and trying out Eyefinity. My concern is going forward I dont want to need to upgrade graphic cards every year to keep Eyefinity running in a playable experience. I know its guessing but how long will an Eyefinity setup stay playable (ie at least 30FPS)??

 

[MrK6]

I am in this decision too. I have a 25.5 monitor and was trying to decide if going to a nice 30 or getting 2 more 19x12's and trying out Eyefinity. My concern is going forward I dont want to need to upgrade graphic cards every year to keep Eyefinity running in a playable experience. I know its guessing but how long will an Eyefinity setup stay playable (ie at least 30FPS)??

Any specific number is just a crapshoot, so there's no point in me giving one. Setups can be "playable" for awhile - you'll just have to turn down settings (be it resolution, quality, or both). I remember reading that AMD is working on their drivers to get Eyefinity to support more "middle" resolutions, which will help in finding a middle ground for tweaking. Even then, it's a trade off. Even on my 30", I find myself upgrading every generation because there's always some game that ends up using the extra performance, even if I'm "only" at 2560x1600. But then I run every game at absolute maximum settings and there's very few things I'm willing to compromise on in that regard.