Nvidia multi-monitor: swapping between 2 out of 3 connected displays

[petitmal]

I know Nvidia only supports 2 monitor configs on a single-GPU setup. However given that their 5xx cards have 3 connection ports (2 DVI + 1 mini hdmi), is it possible to have 3 displays connected, and simply choosing which two are active at any given time?

I ask because I'm currently using a dual-monitor setup for work, and I'm thinking about adding a 3rd LCD TV for gaming / movies. While I'm watching a movie or gaming on the primary screen, it's not as important that I have all 3 screens active at once (I'm ok with 2 out of 3, at least for multi-tasking with a movie on in the background)

1) Well first off I don't know if such a setup is even possible with Nvidia cards. Has anyone else tried something like this and can confirm?

2) If it is possible, how quick/easy is it to toggle between which displays are active? (I don't want to go through a long hassle / restart every time I want to switch to gaming / movie mode. Being able to hot-swap between two gpu profiles for the modes would be ideal)

3) Is it easy to toggle which is the primary monitor that games/movies will get full-screened on?

4) If I have to get a new GPU to support 3 monitors, what are the comparable advantages of AMD's offering?: Hot-swapping / profile support? with 3-monitor support enabled will it detect when the 3rd TV is off and scale down accordingly?

 

[mnewsham]

Frankly getting an AMD card is probably the easiest, what Nvidia card do you currently have? Also what resolutions will you the monitors be?

 

[petitmal]

I'm running on a 9800 gtx, with two 24" monitors @1920x1200. The TV is going to be 1920x1080.

My current card doesn't even have a 3rd hdmi port, so I was thinking of getting a 560 Ti gtx. I know less about AMD cards at this point, however a thread here mentioned that a 3-monitor AMD setup requires purchasing an active display-port adapter, which is not that cheap (and factors into the decision).

Of course there's multiple additional factors in deciding between AMD and Nvidia, but if I were to pick a single one, it would primarily be which side provides the greatest ease-of-use in running a 2-display config with a 3rd TV that is intermittently toggled on?

 

[VirtualLarry]

As far as I know, NV cards are strictly dual-output cards. Even if they have three connectors.

 

[taltamir]

As far as I know, NV cards are strictly dual-output cards. Even if they have three connectors.

he knows, that isn't what he was asking.

Of course there's multiple additional factors in deciding between AMD and Nvidia, but if I were to pick a single one, it would primarily be which side provides the greatest ease-of-use in running a 2-display config with a 3rd TV that is intermittently toggled on?

not all AMD cards require an active adapter. Get a card with 2 DVI ports + 1 component out (its better to use it than HDMI for the TV since it doesn't have HDCP which is nothing but trouble).
People are very divided on whether they prefer nVidia or AMD. I can't tell what you will prefer, they both have their strength and weaknesses and people get very very attached to one brand or another to the point of not seeing the flaws of their favorite.

Most brick and mortar stores have a generous 100% satisfaction guarenteed or your money back return policy, you can buy an AMD card and if it isn't what you are looking for return it. Alternatively, you can try to hook up 3 displays to an nvidia card and see if it will let you switch between which 2 are active in the driver. You could also wait for a response from someone who tried, or maybe even contact customer support for either nvidia themselves or one of their channel partners.

 

[wahdangun]

the easiest way is to use amd card, and the adaptor for display port to hdmi/dvi is just 30 $

 

[taltamir]

the easiest way is to use amd card, and the adaptor for display port to hdmi/dvi is just 30 $

30 * 3 = 90$. There is nothing just about it.
However, there are lots of AMD cards which don't require an adapter:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150505
2x DVI + 1 HDMI = all he needs without adapters.

However, considering WHAT he wants to do with it:
1. You don't need a new card, your card has HD TV output plug (it looks like s-video only with more pins) that can be used with a dirt cheap splitter to give you component video, which is arguably better than HDMI.
You can get one here: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr...kw=nvidia+component&_sacat=See-All-Categories

You can test nvidia's drivers capability with your current setup

2. I think you can manage what you want to do with a switch.

3. Since you just need it for desktop output, you can buy a dirt cheap (30$) card from either nvidia or AMD with 2 outputs and use it for only the non gaming desktop monitors, while your current card can power your single monitor gaming. Windows 7 (and I think vista too) allows that; you will not be using SLI, just two separate cards driving different monitors in the desktop.

 

[VirtualLarry]

30 * 3 = 90$. There is nothing just about it.
However, there are lots of AMD cards which don't require an adapter:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150505
2x DVI + 1 HDMI = all he needs without adapters.

Won't work. Cannot do 2x DVI AND 1x HDMI on ATI cards. Have to choose 2 out of the available 3 outputs, plus displayport (and active adaptors if you need to convert DP to DVI or HDMI.)

 

[wahdangun]

30 * 3 = 90$. There is nothing just about it.
However, there are lots of AMD cards which don't require an adapter:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814150505
2x DVI + 1 HDMI = all he needs without adapters.

However, considering WHAT he wants to do with it:
1. You don't need a new card, your card has HD TV output plug (it looks like s-video only with more pins) that can be used with a dirt cheap splitter to give you component video, which is arguably better than HDMI.
You can get one here: http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_tr...kw=nvidia+component&_sacat=See-All-Categories

You can test nvidia's drivers capability with your current setup

2. I think you can manage what you want to do with a switch.

3. Since you just need it for desktop output, you can buy a dirt cheap (30$) card from either nvidia or AMD with 2 outputs and use it for only the non gaming desktop monitors, while your current card can power your single monitor gaming. Windows 7 (and I think vista too) allows that; you will not be using SLI, just two separate cards driving different monitors in the desktop.

you just need ONE dp to dvi adapter. So its just $30,

btw isn't component cable only suport 720p ?

 

[OVerLoRDI]

AMD card, grab ONE (why some people think you need three, I have no idea) display port adapter and enjoy. You can get a 5xxx/6xxx series card that will do the job for not a lot of money.

 

[taltamir]

you just need ONE dp to dvi adapter. So its just $30,

btw isn't component cable only suport 720p ?

no, 1080p. And without HDCP there is no 5-10 second delay when switching input, there is no need to reboot your TV and PC (in the right order!) because it lost the handshake (I HATED when that happened on my sanyo Z3 projector) there is no cases where it refuses to play at all due to HDCP (my brother's xbox360 on unprotected home DVD movie over HDMI to his sony grand wega that is not compatible with its HDCP.

There is also the fact that HDMI cannot go over 10 feet while component can go over 100ft.

you just need ONE dp to dvi adapter. So its just $30,

no, he needs ZERO, he just has to buy a card with 2 DVI + 1 HDMI. I linked one and there are dozens on newegg. I pointed out that if following the bad suggestions he would have to buy 3 (or 1 for a slightly not as bad suggestion) but he can buy 0 if he buys the right AMD card.

 

[gorobei]

where exactly are you getting this dvi+dvi+hdmi capability info from taltamir? (every review of the 6850 6870 that i have seen indicates that eyefinity requires dp for the 3rd display to function.) is there some review/test setup you have built or seen?

also OP, i believe there is a 460 or 560 gtx that actually has dp dp hdmi with 3 tmds generators for 3 monitor setups. I tend to hesitate to recommend it because it is only made by one company(dont remember which), and if it fails sometime down the road you will have a hard time finding a replacement.

 

[taltamir]

where exactly are you getting this dvi+dvi+hdmi capability info from taltamir? (every review of the 6850 6870 that i have seen indicates that eyefinity requires dp for the 3rd display to function.) is there some review/test setup you have built or seen?

It didn't occur to me that AMD is also limited to 2 DVI type outputs at once. The cards have 2dvi + 1 HDMI + 1 DP... but if only 2 of the DVI/HDMI ports can be active at once then he will indeed need one active adapter. Thanks for the correction

 

[gorobei]

It did occur to me that AMD is also limited to 2 DVI type outputs at once. The cards have 2dvi + 1 HDMI + 1 DP... but if only 2 of the DVI/HDMI ports can be active at once then he will indeed need one active adapter. Thanks for the correction

no problem, just checking in case there are new developments.
given the eyefinity5 card and the nv 3 tmds card i mentioned, the options change frequently nowadays. (I suspect nv will get tired of being beaten over the head with the "triple monitor on single card" arguments and build proper displayport multi-monitor support on the next kepler gen. )

i agree with you on the 30$ 2nd vidcard being the easiest and cheapest option for the OP.

 

[Skurge]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102924

You can use this card. You can use the 2 DVI and the HDMI ports without the adaptor.

 

[taltamir]

no problem, just checking in case there are new developments.

I meant to say didn't occur.
Although, are you sure? I remember hearing somewhere that they can, hence the whole "nvidia only does 2 monitores per card while AMD can do more"...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102924

You can use this card. You can use the 2 DVI and the HDMI ports without the adaptor.

I linked such cards and suggested the same, but then gorobei said that AMD cards are also limited to only 2 of the DVI/HDMI ports working at once.

Also, wouldn't an nvidia card with a display port then ALSO be able to handle more then 2 monitors at once?

 

[Skurge]

I linked such cards and suggested the same, but then gorobei said that AMD cards are also limited to only 2 of the DVI/HDMI ports working at once.

Also, wouldn't an nvidia card with a display port then ALSO be able to handle more then 2 monitors at once?

That card actually has the extra hardware needed to run 3 DVI monitors vs a regular 6870.

I don't see why an nV card with display port wouldn't be able too, thats what they do with their workstation cards. Might be difficult to find them.

 

[taltamir]

newegg shows 23 nvidia cards with 1 display port:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

there is even one with 1DVI + 3 display ports:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814500174

 

[Skurge]

newegg shows 23 nvidia cards with 1 display port:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...e=&srchInDesc=

there is even one with 1DVI + 3 display ports:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814500174

Well, that more than I thought. A lot of them are pretty expensive $350+, the other are overpriced for what they are. But yeah, no reason why he wouldn't be able to run 3 monitors on one of those, unless there are driver issues.

 

[gorobei]

the sapphire FLEX edition that skurge linked is a special proprietary model that only sapphire makes. It has the 3rd tmds timing signal generator i mentioned. I heard about the 5770 version but not the 68xx. The standard 6850 6870 that taltamir originally linked only have 2 tmds.

the zotac with 3dp+1dvi is the 460gtx i was talking about in my first post. it is a bit of a bodge job, it can only do 3 x 1600x1200 on the displayports and no 2+ monitors if you use the full 2560x1600 DVI-D port.

those other nv cards(570gtx) with dp out still only have 2 tmds so no 3rd monitor. the gf110 does have displayport compatibility but it isnt part of the reference design, so its up to each oem to implement the additional electronics. Just having dp outs doesnt mean >2 multi-monitor .
the 6 pipeline architecture in the amd cards took a good bit of extra engineering, displayport is just a packaging interface that allow them to use the extra video pipelines.