Need Tri-monitor setup advice

[Conscript]

My father (who's computer setup I built) currently uses a dual monitor setup with a stretched desktop for himself. What he'd like to do is maintain his current setup, but add a third video hookup to a 42" LCD on his wall near where his clients sit, that he use occasionally to show his clients something directly off his screen when he wants (or have it be a separate desktop that he can drag stuff from his current desktop to), and otherwise normally leave it up with a screen saver showing off pictures of his grand kids, acting more as a painting most of the time.

I'm not sure about the best way of doing this, and would appreciate any insight, ideas, etc. the more opinions and thoughts the better

 

[RaiderJ]

USB -> DVI/VGA adapter? Would probably be the easiest method, although might not work with a 1080p LCD.

 

[Conscript]

well he hasn't bought the lcd yet, so probably just get a cheap 720p. I guess my real question is how to achieve the layout he wants with two monitors stretched desktop, and the third independent that he can drag files to when he needs to review something with a client. (or alternatively, to mirror his current desktop.)

Bit of a noob when it comes to multi-monitor setups, so maybe I'm asking a really simple question...


would this be the simplest solution?

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/

 

[MarcVenice]

ATI's videocards, with three outputs, of which one is displayport, will let you do as you described. Matrox can do the same to some extent, but it won't give the flexibility Eyefinity from ATI gives.

Here's some examples of whats possible: http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/eyefinity/whatiseyefinity/Pages/what-is-eyefinity.aspx

What you'd need is to buy a cheap ATI card from the 5000-serie's (HD 5450 will do, if it has dvi/hdmi AND displayport). Because you need to use the displayport. That leaves the question, does one of your dads screen support displayport? If not, you'll also need a adapter to convert the displayport signal.

 

[Conscript]

I doubt it, they're older Dell LCD's from about 4 years ago. But thanks for the advice, maybe the better route would be Eyefinity. Figure TH2G = $299. I can get a 5450 for $70.

Why exactly would I need displayport? Couldn't I buy on of with one of the 5430's that have DVI/VGA/and an HDMI? That way I could HDMI directly to the LCD TV, and use the VGA and DVI to his existing monitors?


nvm: i read the fine print....but that begs the question. If displayport is required, wouldn't using an adapter defeat the purpose? (I have no technical idea why display port in the first place is needed)

 

[Attic]

You can drive 3 displays with AMD's newer cards.

Setup the two monitors on his desk as a 2x1 landscape (1st display group) and have the 3rd monitor (LCD) be an independent display (2nd display group). Or you could just do 3 seperate displays, if you've done two displays before it would be the same procedure for configuring.

You could the 5570 for 85 bux http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814125315

find an active display port adapter to drive the third display and your good to go.

 

[Attic]

I doubt it, they're older Dell LCD's from about 4 years ago. But thanks for the advice, maybe the better route would be Eyefinity. Figure TH2G = $299. I can get a 5450 for $70.

Why exactly would I need displayport? Couldn't I buy on of with one of the 5430's that have DVI/VGA/and an HDMI? That way I could HDMI directly to the LCD TV, and use the VGA and DVI to his existing monitors?


nvm: i read the fine print....but that begs the question. If displayport is required, wouldn't using an adapter defeat the purpose? (I have no technical idea why display port in the first place is needed)

Just look for a cheap active displayport ---> HDMI (or DVI if ya need) adpater.

 

[Conscript]

ok perfect, thanks so much guys... think this is the route I'm going to go. Really appreciate the help.

 

[Attic]

Nice.

Heres a good thread with some info leads for the right display port adapters (ones that work) and also info on setting up eyefinity display groups.

http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=17637