What cables/adapters do I need to hook up a Catleap to my 7850?

[SickBeast]

I've decided I'm getting a Catleap soon but I need to make sure that I have all I need in terms of cables and adapters.

Will I need anything special?

TIA

 

[blastingcap]

It comes with dual-link DVI. If you want to use anything else then the monitor needs to support it (DP, HDMI, VGA). If it doesn't then you need an adapter that can adapt dual-link DVI signals, and those aren't cheap.

As for power, just "borrow" a power cord from an old, unused PSU or monitor and plug it into the universal AC-to-DC adapter that should come with the Catleap.

/thread

 

[SickBeast]

Thanks blastingcap.

My card has a dual link DVI port so I should be fine.

Theoretically could I use my remaining 3 HDMI ports to power up to 4 displays in all?

 

[blastingcap]

If your HDMI can output 2560x1440 *and* you can find an adapter that will convert that to dual-link DVI, then yes. But don't hold your breath. The connectivity issue is a big reason why I have not upgraded to 3x2560x1440... the Catleaps with DVI/HDMI/DP/VGA connectors cost way more than the ones without. Sapphire for their 7970 OC edition included a hi-speed HDMI cable and I know one of the connectors is a dual-link DVI, and I have 2 mini-DP connectors, but good luck finding cheap adapters for the HDMI Hi-speed and mDP->dual-link DVI (the single links are $30, the duals are more like $90).

In other words: don't expect to Eyefinity three of these together without paying a lot of money either for rare adapters or for the expensive version of the Catleaps that come with things other than DVI.

 

[SickBeast]

Can a single HDMI port even power 1440p resolution? I thought 1080p was the maximum.

I was talking about hooking up a few smaller 1080p screens for a total of 4 displays. Would all of the ports on my card theoretically work simultaneously?

 

[blastingcap]

Hi-speed HDMI can go up to 2560x1600 at 60Hz, and presumably 7970s have Hi-Speed HDMI ports, because Sapphire bundles a Hi-speed HDMI cable with their 7970 OC edition. But AIB's are free to skimp on their connectors so I don't know for sure if, say, a Powercolor 7850 has a regular HDMI or a Hi-Speed HDMI connector. You can look up the specs online or in your manual or contact Powercolor for more info.

As for a 1080p + 1080p + 1080p + 2560x1440 that should be doable on 7xxx cards. The 2560x1440 monitor needs to be on the dual-link DVI port of your card. The others don't matter so much since they are at 1920x1200 or below, so you can use any single-link connector you want, such as HDMI + two miniDP->active single-linkDVI adapters. An HDMI cable is cheap so just string it between your monitor and the card (assuming your monitor has an HDMI port). MiniDP->active single-linkDP adapters go for $25 or so, e.g., http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815309008

Personally I wouldn't try to do it with a 7850. The adapters simply cost too much. You would be better off selling the 7850 and getting a GTX670 and not pay for $50+ worth of adapters. A GTX 670 is also far more capable of a GPU and would not be as underpowered when facing 5760x1080 resolutions.

 

[SickBeast]

Personally I wouldn't try to do it with a 7850. The adapters simply cost too much. You would be better off selling the 7850 and getting a GTX670 and not pay for $50+ worth of adapters. A GTX 670 is also far more capable of a GPU and would not be as underpowered when facing 5760x1080 resolutions.

Well, my 7850 has barely enough grunt to game on a single 1440p display, so I'm not worried about having several of them.

 

[blastingcap]

Well, my 7850 has barely enough grunt to game on a single 1440p display, so I'm not worried about having several of them.

C-c-c-crossfire?

Wow you really are sick. In the head.

Don't say we didn't warn you away from multi-GPU.

 

[SickBeast]

C-c-c-crossfire?

Wow you really are sick. In the head.

Don't say we didn't warn you away from multi-GPU.

I was saying I wouldn't want several monitors, not graphics cards.

Lay off the personal attacks.

 

[blastingcap]

I was saying I wouldn't want several monitors, not graphics cards.

Lay off the personal attacks.

Ah ok, the way you wrote it made it sound like multiple cards.

What is it with this whole "personal attacks" thing, is it an AT forum meme I didn't hear about?

 

[chimaxi83]

Ah ok, the way you wrote it made it sound like multiple cards.

What is it with this whole "personal attacks" thing, is it an AT forum meme I didn't hear about?

Some people are overly sensitive to obvious playful banter.

 

[SickBeast]

Whatever man. You were doing great until you flamed me. I appreciate your help.

 

[KingFatty]

Ah ok, the way you wrote it made it sound like multiple cards.

What is it with this whole "personal attacks" thing, is it an AT forum meme I didn't hear about?

Aha I think SickBeast got you on that round... :awe:

 

[blastingcap]

Aha I think SickBeast got you on that round... :awe:

Lay off the personal attacks.