Radeon 6970 + 5450

[Dkcode]

I am thinking about using two video cards in my PC; the 5450 to drive my 30" monitor and the 6970 to drive my 120Hz primary monitor.

The 6970 only has 1 dual link DVI connector and I refuse to pay in excess of £70 for a displayport to DVI adapter.

Is there anything I should be wary of running these two cards in one machine? Will these two cards 'play nice' with each other?

Thanks.

 

[RaistlinZ]

I am thinking about using two video cards in my PC; the 5450 to drive my 30" monitor and the 6970 to drive my 120Hz primary monitor.

The 6970 only has 1 dual link DVI connector and I refuse to pay in excess of £70 for a displayport to DVI adapter.

Is there anything I should be wary of running these two cards in one machine? Will these two cards 'play nice' with each other?

Thanks.

Is this the kind of adapter you're talking about?

You can buy them on Ebay for like USD $15.00

 

[ViRGE]

Is this the kind of adapter you're talking about?

You can buy them on Ebay for like USD $15.00

Sadly no. For >1920 monitors and 120Hz monitors you need DL-DVI. DP to SL-DVI adapters are cheap (one set of TDMS transmitters and power through the DP), but DL-DVI adapters are quite expensive due to the need for 2 sets of transmitters and external power from USB.

 

[Dkcode]

Aye I looked around on the internet and they are very expensive.

A second card is probably the cheapest option here.

I have room inside my PC for a second card but I don't want to buy into a world of grief.

 

[RussianSensation]

Can't you drive the 30 from the DL-DVI and the 120hz from HDMI 1.4a? Or does your 120hz monitor lack an HDMI port?

You can drive 2 x 2560x1600 monitors on a single 69xx series card. I was under the impression you need an active DP port adapter for 3 2560x1600 monitors.

 

[Dkcode]

My 120HZ LCD has HDMI.

I thought HDMI was limited to 1080P @ 70Hz?

 

[ViRGE]

My 120HZ LCD has HDMI.

I thought HDMI was limited to 1080P @ 70Hz?

Correct, it is. HDMI 1.4a can drive 3D, but not 120Hz. It's actually 1080P @ 48hz (24fps/eye). 120Hz TVs then repeat the frames as necessary.

The only way to drive a monitor at those resolutions at 120Hz is with DL-DVI or DisplayPort.

 

[RussianSensation]

The only way to drive a monitor at those resolutions at 120Hz is with DL-DVI or DisplayPort.

Ok, then can't the OP connect 6970 DL-DVI to the 120hz display, and use the HDMI for the 30 inch monitor.

 

[Dkcode]

The 30" monitor only has DVI and D-SUB for input.

 

[ViRGE]

The 30" monitor only has DVI and D-SUB for input.

And since the 30" monitor is larger than 1920x1200, it needs DL-DVI too.*

* Technically HDMI 1.3+ should have enough bandwidth. In practice no one uses it like that

 

[Dkcode]

It all comes down to:

Buy a expensive adapter for £80
Fit a 5450 for £30

Going back to the original question; will the 6970 and 5450 work with each other running separate screens?

The driver package for the 5450 is the same one as the 6970 so I am assuming this is going to work with the same driver.

Can anyone with any experience shed some light?

 

[jacktesterson]

cgi.ebay.ca/Dell-BizLink-Display-Port-DVI-D-Dual-Link-Adapter-/260755947418?pt=UK_Computing_Laptop_Accessories_LaptopCables_Connectors&hash=item3cb643ff9a

 

[RussianSensation]

nvm

 

[Dkcode]

cgi.ebay.ca/Dell-BizLink-Display-Port-DVI-D-Dual-Link-Adapter-/260755947418?pt=UK_Computing_Laptop_Accessories_LaptopCables_Connectors&hash=item3cb643ff9a

Thanks, but the 6970 uses a mini displayport.

 

[lifeblood]

Can anyone with any experience shed some light?

I have a discreet 4830 driving a 19" 1440x900 LCD, and a 3200 IGP driving a 15" 1024x768 LCD. They play very nicely and have given me no problems. The same driver runs both.

Tomorrow my new 24" 1920x1080 arrives. It will become the primary and the 19" the secondary. Hopefully the 3200 IGP will be able to handle the resolution.

 

[Dkcode]

I have a discreet 4830 driving a 19" 1440x900 LCD, and a 3200 IGP driving a 15" 1024x768 LCD. They play very nicely and have given me no problems. The same driver runs both.

Tomorrow my new 24" 1920x1080 arrives. It will become the primary and the 19" the secondary. Hopefully the 3200 IGP will be able to handle the resolution.

Thanks dude!

 

[Chapbass]

DK, I have done this in the past, My old setup was:


8800GTS -> Dell 24" @ 1920x1200

5200 (PCI) -> 2xDell 19" @ 1440x900

Works like a charm. I wouldn't worry about a thing.