Newb help on tri-monitor setup

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ITPaladin

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Dec 16, 2003
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(since 4 hours have passed on WSGForums without a reply I hope I get one here sooner)

I have two 24" LCDs. If I can afford a third I will get one but know nothing about how to do it. The LCDs are plugged into both LCD ports on my one graphics card.

I assume I need a mb with dual PCI-E as this one only has one slot + the standard PCI?

I heard of the Matrox TripleHead2Go.
 
lifeblood

lifeblood

Senior member
Oct 17, 2001
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It's best if you have two PCIe 16x slots, but it doesn't sound like you do. You can buy a PCI or PCIe 1x video card, but good luck finding one. Beyond that its TripleHead2Go.
 
computerbuildin

computerbuildin

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Nov 23, 2011
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you could just use a cheap cable. There is a triple hub somewhere, I cant find it, but it was made by nvidia, there was a stand made by them too, for a triple monitor setup that has 3 dvi ports built in that hook to your computer, along with an extra usb hub in the stand. Heres a splitter that I could find. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16812196196 I dont think this would work but you could plug one monitor into the gpu, then the splitter and the other 2 monitors go in the splitter, doubt that would work but you could try to find a cheap triple splitter..
 
KingFatty

KingFatty

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Dec 29, 2010
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What do you plan to use the 3 monitors for? Do you want to just use windows browsing/desktop? Then you can get a cheap 2nd video card and toss it into your computer.

But if you want to game on all 3 monitors as though it's one big display, then you should consider getting one video card that can display on all 3 - perhaps one of the AMD 5XXX, 6XXX, or 7XXX series cards, or one of the NVidia 6XX or 7XX series cards. They make it pretty easy.

The triplehead option would work, but might show that your current video card is not powerful enough. Another exotic option is SoftTH, you can do that and it works but you'd also need a 2nd video card for that. Google SoftTH.
 
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ITPaladin

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Dec 16, 2003
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I use my computer both for work and play (EQ 1/2, LoTRO, Vanguard, maybe Planetside 2, WoT, Oblivion, Witcher, Eve Online, etc).

I was looking at the prices for the TripleHead2Go and it looks like I would be spending ~$300-$350 for one, which is rather steep it feels like right now.

It seems that I would also be spending that much buying a MB that has two PCI-E slots + another graphics card (not to mention the 3rd monitor).
 
KingFatty

KingFatty

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Dec 29, 2010
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Or, sell your existing video card, and spend $100 on a used AMD 5850 and run 3 monitors off of it. If you really want to spend $300, you could buy an amd 7950 or nvidia 670 or 660ti
 
KingFatty

KingFatty

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Dec 29, 2010
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What is your video card type/model? Also, what is the type/model of motherboard? Maybe we can look it up online and see what your options are, maybe you do have two PCIe slots for some options, or not with less options?

But regardless, I think the very easiest solution is to just take a test-run and dip your toe in the water by making a very low investment into a used video card that is capable of supporting 3 monitors. If you sell your existing video card, then maybe you will end up coming out even? Then, play around with the triple setup and see how you like it, and if you want more performance, then you can invest more money in a new video card. It's just that there are lots of cards like the 6850 for pretty darn cheap, maybe you can find one used on craigslist or ebay for less than $100, that would let you do triple screen.

The triplehead adapter thing, that is pretty exotic/rare, so I bet it would cost more money than just getting a 6850, assuming you could even find one for sale used. Plus, it's pretty easy to re-sell a video card, but if you get the triplehead adapter, you might be stuck with it as I bet it's harder to sell?
 
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ITPaladin

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Dec 16, 2003
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I have a MSI GTX 460 (hawk? box in garage atm).
MSI MB only has one PCI-E slot as at the time I wasn't thinking I was going to run SLI (and still don't think I need it as much since I only play those games listed which aren't Crysis etc).
 
paperfist

paperfist

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Nov 30, 2000
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www.the-teh.com
KingFatty said:
What do you plan to use the 3 monitors for? Do you want to just use windows browsing/desktop? Then you can get a cheap 2nd video card and toss it into your computer.

But if you want to game on all 3 monitors as though it's one big display, then you should consider getting one video card that can display on all 3 - perhaps one of the AMD 5XXX, 6XXX, or 7XXX series cards, or one of the NVidia 6XX or 7XX series cards. They make it pretty easy.

The triplehead option would work, but might show that your current video card is not powerful enough. Another exotic option is SoftTH, you can do that and it works but you'd also need a 2nd video card for that. Google SoftTH.
Click to expand...

On the nVidia 6xx series (660Ti) do you need an SLI MB or 2 cards in SLI to make 3 displays work?
 
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ITPaladin

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Dec 16, 2003
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hmm apparently the person that replied (received a notification by email) got their post removed...
 
KingFatty

KingFatty

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I believe the 6XX series NVidia cards can support up to 4 monitors on one single video card, so you don't need to use SLI or an SLI motherboard to get 3 displays to work. But that's just based on my own reading, I don't own a current-gen video card so I haven't specifically tested.
 
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ITPaladin

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Dec 16, 2003
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KingFatty said:
I believe the 6XX series NVidia cards can support up to 4 monitors on one single video card, so you don't need to use SLI or an SLI motherboard to get 3 displays to work. But that's just based on my own reading, I don't own a current-gen video card so I haven't specifically tested.
Click to expand...

I did a NewEgg search and only found one card having 3 DVI ports at $100 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814187184 SPARKLE 700003 GeForce GT 640 2GB 128-bit DDR3 ), while the rest are $1000+!!!
 
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KingFatty

KingFatty

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Dec 29, 2010
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I think my HDMI-DVI adapter was 99 cents on ebay (Hong Kong free shipping), something like that could allow you to get more affordable cards that have HDMI as one of the outputs, then just use the adapter to convert that to DVI.
 
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ITPaladin

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Dec 16, 2003
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tweakboy said:
Just grab a GTX 460 1GB it has 3 ports, 2 DVI and one HDMI. gl
Click to expand...

I have been asking on WSGF and doing internet searches.

Geforce.com as well as some random forum conversation somewhere said that only 670+ supports one card Surround.

Let me copy/paste my updated reply on WSGF (their traffic seems to be much slower there and I would like a faster response such as I get here):

I currently have two 24" 1920x1080 LCDs (Acer H243H and ASUS VE248H), a MB with just one pciex16, a GTX 460, 8 GB RAM, W7 Pro, and an AMD x2 Phenom 3.10 GHz unlocked to x4 by the MSI Bios/software.

I have limited funds and so think that maybe the $300 cards with 2 GB memory are out of the question as I will also need to buy another 24" ~$200 LCD. I was looking around NewEgg, etc and saw the EVGA 670 FTW and the NewEgg YouTube video. I noticed it said it supports up to 4 displays. On Amazon's page for it someone says they use 3 displays like what I am looking for. Will I need to buy extra wires/adapters or something in order to use one card + 3 monitors if said card has 3-4 LCD support? I am only familiar with the standard LCD (dvi?) plug.

I have seen the Matrox TripleHead2Go adapter with its ~$300 pricetag.

What do you think is the best way to have 5760x1080 with good framerates playing Vanguard, EQ II, Planetside 2, World of Tanks, maybe WarZ when it is fleshed out more (para-dum-dah :lol: ), Eve Online, or what ever other game grabs my attention again (not really playing the intense FPS Crysis style or other single player games right now, although I still have an uncompleted Oblivion and Witcher installed /sigh).

I am confused about the whole thing; what is needed, etc. I also use my current setup to make working at home easier, instead of having the windows overlapping like they used to. What a relief it was to get a second monitor for work.


edit: After more internet searching, I found this Geforce guide. Do I really have to have the exact make/model of each monitor? I did find that the 670 and 680 supposedly both support running 3 monitors off one card (read that on a forum I lost now somewhere).

Monitor Prerequisites

In 2D Surround, any combination of monitors that share common timings is perfectly acceptable, though each must have, at minimum, one DVI, HDMI, or DisplayPort connector. Aesthetically, identical monitors are preferable, but not a requirement.
In 3D Vision Surround, each monitor must be an identical make and model, and you must use three matching digital connectors. We will go into detail below, but you may need additional adapters for this.
The Accessory Display, the forth monitor, does not have to be identical to the three Surround displays, but does require one of the three possible connectors.
Click to expand...

I did find on the Geforce website this tool as well so it is helping more. If I am reading correctly, it seems the only way to run single GPU and not completely change out my motherboard, buy another card, etc is to have at least a 670?
Click to expand...
 
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SolMiester

SolMiester

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Dec 19, 2004
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I did find on the Gefore website this tool as well so it is helping more. If I am reading correctly, it seems the only way to run single GPU and not completely change out my motherboard, buy another card, etc is to have at least a 670?
Click to expand...
correct!
 
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ITPaladin

Golden Member
Dec 16, 2003
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I still haven't received any replies at WSGF.

What about what they say that you have to have every monitor be the same make and model?
 
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ITPaladin

Golden Member
Dec 16, 2003
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bump...I even posted on the Geforce forums in the Geforce 600 forum and no one has replied in over 1 1/2 weeks.

I am getting the 670 but still have no reply from WSGF, Geforce, or here about if it is absolutely necessary to have the same make and model of monitor for the Nvidia Surround 5760x1080.

This is the Asus I currently have.

NewEgg has this Asus cheap right now with rebate. Notice that both have the same refresh rate and veritical/horizontal rates.


This is the Acer I currently have. It does not have the exact refresh rates as the Asus'.
 
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ITPaladin

Golden Member
Dec 16, 2003
1,603
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bump again.

Still no reply from anyone. A friggin' nightmare trying to get responses from places I would have expected help from (WSGF, Geforce forums, etc).

The FTW has 1 HDMI, 2 DVI, 1 DP. I am not using a DP. I assume I will need an HDMI > HDMI cable for the 3rd LCD?
 
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