Eyefinity

[Buffy]

Anyone using Eyefinity?

Specifically, I'm trying to figure out how to make a 3-monitor group (have four monitors available) and if I have to buy additional hardware.

I'm really confused on the topic, anyone running this?

[Harkinate]

Hardware-wise, you should be fine with any mid-grade Radeon card that has at least one Mini DisplayPort (looks a little like the fat USB ends). In my current setup, my videocard has 1 HDMI port (monitor 1), 1 DVI port (monitor 2), and 2 Mini DisplayPorts (monitor 3 is using one of these).

Not many monitors have native DisplayPort capability, but you can purchase an adapter that converts HDMI/DVI/VGA to Mini DisplayPort which you can find on newegg/tigerdirect for decent prices.

As I can't link directly, just google AMD Eyefinity FAQ for AMDs official FAQ on their website.

[Jojimbo]

There's an option in CCC called 'AMD Eyefinity Multi-Display', just follow that to set up the eyefinity display. 'Desktop Manager' for placing the fourth monitor. Presets can be used to easily swap between eyefinity and extended modes, although a bit of a pita to setup at times.

Whether you require additional hardware depends on the GPU and monitors, AMD cards can only drive two monitors from HDMI/DVI (including passive DP adapters), additional monitors have to use DisplayPort which requires active adapters if your monitors don't have DP inputs (barring Sapphire Flex GPUs which have one built in or something). Some AMD GPUs can only output to three monitors, but any that have two or more DP outputs can output to four monitors. Mid-range and above nVidia GTX 600/700 can output four monitors as well and only the fourth needs to use DP.

[Buffy]

There's an option in CCC called 'AMD Eyefinity Multi-Display', just follow that to set up the eyefinity display. 'Desktop Manager' for placing the fourth monitor. Presets can be used to easily swap between eyefinity and extended modes, although a bit of a pita to setup at times.

Whether you require additional hardware depends on the GPU and monitors, AMD cards can only drive two monitors from HDMI/DVI (including passive DP adapters), additional monitors have to use DisplayPort which requires active adapters if your monitors don't have DP inputs (barring Sapphire Flex GPUs which have one built in or something). Some AMD GPUs can only output to three monitors, but any that have two or more DP outputs can output to four monitors. Mid-range and above nVidia GTX 600/700 can output four monitors as well and only the fourth needs to use DP.

Ok, this was really helpful.

I have this card x2: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...?EdpNo=2546186

I currently have 2 monitors running off the DVI ports on one card and one monitor (DVI) and one 42" TV (HDMI) running off the second card.

What you are telling me is I can't plug 3 monitors into 2 different cards and run eyefinity? I need to get an adapter that allows the third monitor to plug into the 1st card? Do I understand correctly?

edit: In other words I need this item: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...60690&CatId=73

and I need to plug it into one of the two mini-dp on the 1st card and plug my third monitor in there?

[Jojimbo]

For eyefinity you need all three monitors on the same card, the two cards operate completely separately unless you use crossfire them in which case the second GPU should stop outputting. Although not sure why you don't have them CF'ed, could have used a much cheaper GPU if you just needed additional video out.

Given the price that looks like it may be a passive adapter and won't work. You want an active mDP -> DVI adapter from here.

[Buffy]

For eyefinity you need all three monitors on the same card, the two cards operate completely separately unless you use crossfire them in which case the second GPU should stop outputting. Although not sure why you don't have them CF'ed, could have used a much cheaper GPU if you just needed additional video out.

Given the price that looks like it may be a passive adapter and won't work. You want an active mDP -> DVI adapter from here.

I actually use all 4 monitors at the same time for various tasks - I do use Crossfire for playing FFXIV now to get all the sparkles XD, it has been a very flexible set up for me being able to switch back and forth just by enabling or disabling Crossfire.

Thanks Jojimbo, you've been very helpful.

[Buffy]

Jojimbo, just wanted to say that the adapter worked. I bought one from Amazon instead, but the Active mDP to DVI was the answer. I now have eyefinity working on FFXIV.

Is there a way to disable it easily? Like swap back and forth to a normal mode? The reason I ask is web pages expand to take up all three screens now too. I can leave them in windowed mode, but just curious.

[Jojimbo]

You can use presets, they can be a bit of a pita to setup but once done you should be ok (until you have to update drivers!). Setup your monitors in extended mode and save a preset (can set keybind if you want), then setup your monitors in eyefinity and save another preset. You might have to repeat it to get to actually work correctly, sometimes my monitors screwed up swapping presets and I had to delete them and try again.