Number of Monitors a GPU will drive at once

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Shinobisan

Shinobisan

Junior Member
Apr 3, 2009
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One thing I am having difficulty researching is how many monitors a GPU will drive.
Many now have 2xDVI and one HDMI port, but will really only drive two at a time.
Others are capable of outputting images to all three at the same time.
This doesn't really seem to be part of the standard "specifications" for the card.

Personally, I have two monitors and one TV currently hooked up to my PC.
I would like to be able to buy one high end card to use with all three.

Is there an easy way to tell?
Can we add this to standard benchmark notes?

Am I missing something?
 
cusideabelincoln

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
3,275
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Almost all cards will not allow you to ouput to three monitors at a time using any combination of DVI, VGA, or HDMI. You're limited to just two outputs. There are a few cards with exceptions, like the Sapphire HD 4850 X2, but you will probably have a hard time finding such cards.

However AMD 5000 and 6000 series cards, those with Eyefinity technology, can output to three or more monitors at a time. You are still limited to just two outputs from either DVI, VGA, or HDMI. You will have to use DisplayPort (DP) for the third output. If your monitor doesn't have DP, you can buy active adapters to convert DP to whatever you want.

So you will need to look for a Radeon video cad, with Eyefinity technology and with DisplayPort as a third output.
 
Shinobisan

Shinobisan

Junior Member
Apr 3, 2009
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Currently I have a crossfire setup, but my older cards only need one power connector each.
So... another valid choice would be to continue the two card approach... and figure out how to power two new cards with greater consumption.

I was really hoping to go with one card.
I'll have to do some more research on Display Port I think.
lol... why do things always have to get complicated? oh well.
 
Shinobisan

Shinobisan

Junior Member
Apr 3, 2009
11
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Regarding HDMI being "legacy" and DisplayPort
Similar notes from Dell:
http://en.community.dell.com/dell-blogs/Direct2Dell/b/direct2dell/archive/2008/02/19/46464.aspx

I don't really see DisplayPort taking over.
Dell noted that HDMI was a legacy adapter over two years ago, and DisplayPort is still just limping along. Consumers have really taken to HDMI and 1080p. It's something they understand. It's Simple.

Monitors with DisplayPort:
Newegg: Zero
Best Buy: Zero
Amazon: 74 (although they are terrible for listing specs, so its impossible to prove)

Monitors with HDMI:
Newegg: 83
Best Buy: 40
Amazon: 327

If DisplayPort is free to use, and such a better connection for LCD type monitors... why aren't monitor manufacturers adding them as an optional input for all flat screens?

[Perhaps I should ask this in a new thread? or perhaps there already is one covering the subject]
 
cusideabelincoln

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
3,275
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Shinobisan said:
Currently I have a crossfire setup, but my older cards only need one power connector each.
So... another valid choice would be to continue the two card approach... and figure out how to power two new cards with greater consumption.

I was really hoping to go with one card.
I'll have to do some more research on Display Port I think.
lol... why do things always have to get complicated? oh well.
Click to expand...
Why don't you list what cards you are using. HD 4850s? 4830s? 4770s? HD 3870s? HD 5770s?

You have plenty of options, dual and single card alike, that would give you an increase in performance depending on your current setup.

happy medium said:
Take a look at this gtx 460 that uses 4 displays. Do some research on it. I think this is perfect for you.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

http://www.techpowerup.com/131388/ZO...hics-Card.html
Click to expand...
Why would that be "perfect" for him? Radeon cards will do the same job.
 
Shinobisan

Shinobisan

Junior Member
Apr 3, 2009
11
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0
First... I greatly appreciate everyone's thoughts. :) !!!

I currently have two HD3870 cards.
and my power supply is a 650 watt modular, with two PCI 6+2 connectors.
I can convert other connectors to PCI with the little adapters I guess.

Tell you what... I am really enjoying the back and forth this last year between AMD and NVidia graphics cards. I think we the consumers really do win with the great competition they have going recently. I'm open to either as a solution for my machine.

As long as you're volunteering to help...
you know I want the three connections (two monitors and HDMI to a TV)
I would like DX11 capable cards
My main monitor is 1080p.
My target budget is $300-$400, to be spent perhaps in Feb 2011.
 
cusideabelincoln

cusideabelincoln

Diamond Member
Aug 3, 2008
3,275
46
91
You should be able to power any single video card, even the high end ones, just fine. A Radeon HD 6870, HD 5850, or HD 5870 is going to be much faster than your dual 3870s - probably roughly twice as fast. And a single Radeon card will drive all three of your monitors.

But.. wait. You aren't going to buy until Feb? You should re-evaluate the best products for purchase at the time of your purchase. There will be new video cards out and they will be in your price range. Although if you were buying right now then the Radeon HD 5870 would be "perfect" for you - they are going for a good price, and can drive your three monitors with an active DP adapter. The Radeon HD 6950 will be available soon. It should fall in your price range and it should drive more than three monitors, but it will likely be more expensive than current 5870s.

happy medium said:
*Think* read much?
It might not need a exspensive adapter>?
Click to expand...
You obviously didn't look at the card. He will need to get two adapters for it, but he won't even know what kind of adapters to get. There's no mention if the DisplayPort ports pass DVI/HDMI signals or if they just pass the DisplayPort signal. It's funny how you recommend something on a "might". That is just not good advice, when there are other options without the "might".

Oh yeah nice personal insult. There was nothing about the question I asked necessitating a "read much" insult.


Also, in the very recent past, you were against a person making the switch from one vendor to another, citing it's much better to stick with the same vendor because of "fewer driver headaches." Why aren't you using that justification now? The scenario is no different.
 
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Shinobisan

Shinobisan

Junior Member
Apr 3, 2009
11
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0
Thanks again for your insight.
Here is why I'm looking now instead of Feb... I'm learning how to look.
When Feb rolls around I want to be educated to the point of making the best decision.

Right now, I see a good option being two GTX460 cards in SLI, they perform very well.
But I would have to use one PCI power connector for each...
and then use the power adapters to switch others over for the second PCI power connector for each.
(follow that?)
So each board would have one standard 6pin PCI power, and one old (4 pin - to - 6pin PCI) power connector.
They have the power adapters in the box with the card... but can you really trust them? Has anyone used them? Any comments?
 
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