So, I finally got around to trying eyfinity........????s

[Oyeve]

So, yesterday I decided to run my 2 22" monitors, a Dell 2007FPW and an Apple Cinema 22". Both monitors use the same panel. Worked great, looks great. But, most of the game I play that support eyefinity have the main character split down the middle, not so great. I tried to put in a 19" 4:3 screen in the middle using a displayport to DVI adapter and thats when I found out you need an active DP-DVI adapter.

So, a couple of questions:

1. I want this config: 22" ws for left, 19" 4:3 for middle, 22" ws for right. I figure my main character will be in middle of screen in full view.

2. I would use the active DVI to DP adapter for the middle monitor, good?

3. Being that the 2 22" WS monitors are 1680x1050, and the 19" 4:3 is 1280X1024, WTH would the res be for spanning all 3 monitors?

4. Would this even work? Is it worth it at all? Or should I look into buying another 22" WS monitor with native display port to use in the middle?


Thanks.

 

[veri745]

I think all monitors need to be the same resolution for eyefinity to work. Dont' quote me on that, but I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't get that setup running.

 

[busydude]

I think all monitors need to be the same resolution for eyefinity to work. Dont' quote me on that, but I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't get that setup running.

Hehe, sorry for quoting. :sneaky:
Yes and no. Yes, you need same resolution for eyefinity to work. Eyefinity will work even if the 3 monitors are not of the same res. It will just use the highest common resolution, which is 1280X1024 in this case.

If monitors have different native resolutions, the highest common non-native resolution between the monitors will be used when creating Display Groups. Monitors running in extended desktop mode can have independent resolutions.

You can try this method explained in widescreen gaming forum.

 

[BladeVenom]

I'd just get another 22" monitor. I'd put the priority on getting a matching monitor. You can always get an active adapter if the monitor you want doesn't come with displayport, and very few do.

 

[faxon]

Yea what bladevenom said. If you can find a 22" panel with a DP input you should be fine. check and see of your apple display does, I'm not sure but I think they include it. If they do, you can pick any 22 inch panel you like

 

[jtvang125]

There's really no point in going 2 monitor eyefinity setup. Your player, reticule or car will be split between the monitors and look awful. 3 would be the minimum so that your point of focus is on it's own screen.

So definitely pick up another monitor. If it doesn't have a displayport you'll have to get an active converter (~$100). One thing that sucks and a royal PITA is switching between eyefinity and independent desktops. Every time I switch back and forth the order of my monitors get out of order and I'll have to rearrange them.

 

[digitaldurandal]

A lot of the actives don't function correctly. Supposedly there is really only like two manufacturers that have many rebrands and it is a crapshoot. I got one of the recommended ones and it did not function correctly had to return and pay a restock fee, gave one monitor to the wife and bought a DP monitor.

 

[NoQuarter]

You can use a DP->VGA adapter ($20), active DP->DVI adapter ($100), or native DP monitor. If you use an adapter you should use it on the left or right monitor because those adapters are hit or miss and you may get a working one that barely works (occasionally blanks out for a second). If it does this be ready to exchange it, if you can buy from a B&M store that may be better so you can exchange it readily.


Your set up right now would be 3x 1280x1024 (3840x1024) and you would want to make sure the 1680x1050 monitors are set to 4:3 mode (pillarboxed) and tuck them partway behind the 1280x1024 monitor in the center.

 

[Oyeve]

Thanks for the info guys. Its been very helpful. I am thinking of getting another apple 20.1" cinema (have a few at work not really being used) so it will all match and have a minimalist look. I would have to get an active adapter as these lcds dont have a DP. I also have a 24" HP LP2475w at work which has a builtin DP but it is too big to have with the other 2 on my desk. I will research the former option as I dont really want to have a 19" 4:3 in the mix. It would throw off the resolution across all 3.

 

[Martimus]

Since this was kind of a skunkworks project for AMD, the support isn't all there yet for Eyefinity. At some point in the future, I expect AMD to introduce different resolution support for eyefinity.