Need a new video card...

satindemon4u · Nov 25, 2011, 05:51 PM

Last night for black Friday I bought a TV that I am now using as a monitor. Doing so made me have a total of three monitors. Upon trying to set them all up in the NVidia menu it told me that my GPU could only support 2 different displays. I know I could get a splitter but I am looking to, if possible, have 3 DIFFERENT displays. As in a stretched desktop, not just duplicates.

So I was wondering what cards support this feature? Or rather, what exactly do I look for when searching for one that supports it.

Thanks guys!

cheesy999 · Nov 25, 2011, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satindemon4u

Last night for black Friday I bought a TV that I am now using as a monitor. Doing so made me have a total of three monitors. Upon trying to set them all up in the NVidia menu it told me that my GPU could only support 2 different displays. I know I could get a splitter but I am looking to, if possible, have 3 DIFFERENT displays. As in a stretched desktop, not just duplicates.

So I was wondering what cards support this feature? Or rather, what exactly do I look for when searching for one that supports it.

Thanks guys!

AMD cards if you use a display port + Adapters to make use of the eyefinity, or i think very high end nvidia cards now support that

your best bet if you can't spare the funds for that now is using 2 cards, or even the motherboards built in graphics at the same time as the PCI-E graphics

theonedub · Nov 25, 2011, 05:56 PM

Nearly all Nvidia cards have a 2 display limit. Just recently we have seen the releases of certain Nvidia cards with new display logic that allows for more than 2 displays, but I do not think they are available or will be released in the US.

Pretty much any recent AMD card supports 3 monitors. So that's probably where you want to head.

If you wanted to keep your current card you could also have the option off adding a second low power Nvidia card solely for the third display. For example, in my computer I powered 2 displays off my 580 and used my GT530 to send signal to my 32" LCD.

satindemon4u · Nov 25, 2011, 06:10 PM

Didn't think to use the built in graphics at the same time...

cheesy999 · Nov 25, 2011, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satindemon4u

Didn't think to use the built in graphics at the same time...

Yeah, it depends on the chipset but on AMD systems all you normally have to do is go into the bios and change the memory allocation from automatic to a set number (like 256MB) and it will function alongside the discrete one normally, this can be a bit tricky to set up though so it's best to use GPU-Z to see if you've got it set up correctly and if windows is actually detecting both cards

satindemon4u · Nov 25, 2011, 06:17 PM

Eekk. Makes me sort of nervous haha

Ok so I went in there and did some looking around....

is it the frame buffer size that I want to mess with and set to something like 256mb?

cheesy999 · Nov 25, 2011, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satindemon4u

Eekk. Makes me sort of nervous haha

Ok so I went in there and did some looking around....

is it the frame buffer size that I want to mess with and set to something like 256mb?

That would appear to be it, but i have not used ATI's on-board graphics, i would get someone else to confirm this first unless you know how to reset the bios and/or are comfortable experimenting with settings

theonedub · Nov 25, 2011, 06:48 PM

Running the onboard AMD and discrete Nvidia 450 seems like it would result in a driver train wreck, but I couldn't find any info on whether or not it would actually work. I only have a 760G board available to me, so there is no way for me to investigate. Definitely post back if you get it to work.

Yukikaze · Nov 25, 2011, 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theonedub

Running the onboard AMD and discrete Nvidia 450 seems like it would result in a driver train wreck, but I couldn't find any info on whether or not it would actually work. I only have a 760G board available to me, so there is no way for me to investigate. Definitely post back if you get it to work.

Back in the XP days I ran a pair of 8800GT cards and a HD2600XT (required for three monitors back then, since SLI and multiple monitors was a no-go back then) without any driver problems.

I doubt Win7 is going to be worse on the driver management front.

theonedub · Nov 25, 2011, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yukikaze

Back in the XP days I ran a pair of 8800GT cards and a HD2600XT (required for three monitors back then, since SLI and multiple monitors was a no-go back then) without any driver problems.

I doubt Win7 is going to be worse on the driver management front.

That sounds promising then. The only info I had on mix matched cards came from what I read about Folding@Home, and it seemed like it was quite an issue. Did you have any issues with 3D/high performance with that setup?

Yukikaze · Nov 25, 2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theonedub

That sounds promising then. The only info I had on mix matched cards came from what I read about Folding@Home, and it seemed like it was quite an issue. Did you have any issues with 3D/high performance with that setup?

Nope, no performance issues as far as I recall.

cheesy999 · Nov 25, 2011, 07:22 PM

I think windows 7 will allow for 2 completely separate display drivers to run at the same time, the only problem he might encounter is if he uses Vista as Vista will only allow one display driver to run at a time meaning both cards would have to be the same manufacture

satindemon4u · Nov 25, 2011, 11:59 PM

Using windows 7 x64.

Will test it out right now and see what happens! Will post back with results

Edit:
Went in and set it to 256mb. Saved the changed and started up and got the classic black screen stating that windows failed to start. Also, in those settings there is an option that is something like "primary video driver" or something, with 4 different options. I am guessing the one that is selected is my video card, but I don't know seeing as how the names seem to be like ghr4-ghn4-gdnd-a3erf (that is just button mashing not real names but you get the idea/setup of it)

Edit edit:
Tried setting it to 1024mb and I booted just fine after that. However my pc still isn't picking up the other monitor.

Edit edit edit:
Turns out setting to anything really, now works. As far as booting goes. Monitor still not being picked up.

If I buy like a $40 video card, will that suffice for the purpose of having another monitor? lol Would this work? PNY VCG84512D3SPPB GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit DD...

theonedub · Nov 26, 2011, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satindemon4u

If I buy like a $40 video card, will that suffice for the purpose of having another monitor? lol Would this work? PNY VCG84512D3SPPB GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit DD...

Yes, a second card would work (its what I was talking about in my first reply). $40 for a 8400GS is pretty pricey though. You can get a GT 210, 220, etc for cheap right now esp with Holiday Deals. Newegg has a GT 520 for $15 after MIR. Its a much more solid card that would have great use if it ever finds itself in another computer down the road.

EDIT: Its sold out

But there are other deals out there http://slickdeals.net/forums/showthread.php?t=3604734

satindemon4u · Nov 26, 2011, 03:30 AM

So am I forced to buy one then? A second card that is.

Yukikaze · Nov 26, 2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by satindemon4u

Using windows 7 x64.

Will test it out right now and see what happens! Will post back with results

Edit:
Went in and set it to 256mb. Saved the changed and started up and got the classic black screen stating that windows failed to start. Also, in those settings there is an option that is something like "primary video driver" or something, with 4 different options. I am guessing the one that is selected is my video card, but I don't know seeing as how the names seem to be like ghr4-ghn4-gdnd-a3erf (that is just button mashing not real names but you get the idea/setup of it)

Edit edit:
Tried setting it to 1024mb and I booted just fine after that. However my pc still isn't picking up the other monitor.

Edit edit edit:
Turns out setting to anything really, now works. As far as booting goes. Monitor still not being picked up.

If I buy like a $40 video card, will that suffice for the purpose of having another monitor? lol Would this work? PNY VCG84512D3SPPB GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit DD...

If you've booted into windows, you still need to enable the second monitor. Right click on the desktop and select "Screen Resolution". It should show up both displays there, with one being disabled. Click on it and choose "Extend desktop to this display" and then hit apply. Later adjust the resolution and position of said screen.

satindemon4u · Nov 26, 2011, 06:38 PM

Alright so I did that and the monitor came up, as in it was detected. However when I try to enable it that just kills off my other monitor and I am then left with one.

So here is what happens...

Currently: []=monitor
["No signal error][Working fine][Working fine]

If I try to enable the "broken" monitor via "Display device on VGA" I go from that to...

[Not working][working fine][not working]

Nov 25, 2011, 05:51 PM	#1
satindemon4u Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 433 (0.45/day) Thanks: 14 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts System Specs	Need a new video card... Last night for black Friday I bought a TV that I am now using as a monitor. Doing so made me have a total of three monitors. Upon trying to set them all up in the NVidia menu it told me that my GPU could only support 2 different displays. I know I could get a splitter but I am looking to, if possible, have 3 DIFFERENT displays. As in a stretched desktop, not just duplicates. So I was wondering what cards support this feature? Or rather, what exactly do I look for when searching for one that supports it. Thanks guys! __________________ Thanks Newegg for the proof reading. xD

System Name:	The Beast xD
Processor:	AMD Phenom II x4 945 Processor 3.00 ghz
Motherboard:	ASUS M4A785-M AM3/AM2+/AM2 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
Cooling:	Stock
Memory:	Kingston 2048MB (1024MB x2) and GSkill 4096MB (2048MB x2) TOTAL: 6 gigs
Video Card:	NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
Hard Disk:	Stock 140GB Hitachi and 2TB WD External
Optical Drive:	Optiarc DVD RW Lightscribe
Case:	Stock
Sound Card:	Stock
PSU:	Antec 650W
Software:	Windows 7 Ultimate x64

System Name:	PC
Processor:	Phenom II X4 B55 @3.5ghz
Motherboard:	Asrock 970 extreme3
Memory:	4GB Corsair Vengeance Blue
Video Card:	HD6950
Hard Disk:	128GB SSD 1TB Samsung
Optical Drive:	DVD
CRT/LCD Model:	22" 1920x1080
Case:	Coolermaster 430
PSU:	Thermaltake

Nov 25, 2011, 05:56 PM	#3
theonedub habe fidem Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northern CA Posts: 6,603 (4.45/day) Thanks: 2,269 Thanked 3,188 Times in 1,923 Posts System Specs	Nearly all Nvidia cards have a 2 display limit. Just recently we have seen the releases of certain Nvidia cards with new display logic that allows for more than 2 displays, but I do not think they are available or will be released in the US. Pretty much any recent AMD card supports 3 monitors. So that's probably where you want to head. If you wanted to keep your current card you could also have the option off adding a second low power Nvidia card solely for the third display. For example, in my computer I powered 2 displays off my 580 and used my GT530 to send signal to my 32" LCD. __________________ My Heatware Feedback 129+ Pristine

System Name:	WCG0
Processor:	i7 3770k @ 4.2ghz 1.080v
Motherboard:	Asrock Z77E-ITX
Cooling:	Corsair H100 w/ SP120s
Memory:	16GB Corsair Vengeance DDR3 1600
Video Card:	MSI GTX 580 TFIII LIGHTNING (875c@1.006v)
Hard Disk:	256gb Corsair Performance Pro, 2TB Caviar Green, 2TB Samsung F4
CRT/LCD Model:	DELL Ultrasharp U2713HM 27"
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Nov 25, 2011, 06:10 PM	#4
satindemon4u Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 433 (0.45/day) Thanks: 14 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts System Specs	Didn't think to use the built in graphics at the same time... __________________ Thanks Newegg for the proof reading. xD

Nov 25, 2011, 06:17 PM	#6
satindemon4u Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 433 (0.45/day) Thanks: 14 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts System Specs	Eekk. Makes me sort of nervous haha Ok so I went in there and did some looking around.... is it the frame buffer size that I want to mess with and set to something like 256mb? __________________ Thanks Newegg for the proof reading. xD

Nov 25, 2011, 06:48 PM	#8
theonedub habe fidem Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Northern CA Posts: 6,603 (4.45/day) Thanks: 2,269 Thanked 3,188 Times in 1,923 Posts System Specs	Running the onboard AMD and discrete Nvidia 450 seems like it would result in a driver train wreck, but I couldn't find any info on whether or not it would actually work. I only have a 760G board available to me, so there is no way for me to investigate. Definitely post back if you get it to work. __________________ My Heatware Feedback 129+ Pristine

System Name:	Wintermute
Processor:	Intel Core i7 990X Extreme Edition @ 4.3Ghz
Motherboard:	Asus Rampage III Extreme
Cooling:	Swiftech MCP655, MCR320-QP, MCR220 and MCRES Rev2, EK Supreme HF Cu, Tygon 1/2", Bitspower Fittings.
Memory:	12GB (3x4GB) Corsair Vengeance 2Ghz CL10-10-10-27
Video Card:	Sapphire HD7950 3GB + Palit GeForce GTX470 1280MB Dual Fan + Sapphire HD6570 1GB
Hard Disk:	Intel X-25M 160GB SSD (Win7) + Patriot Torqx2 64GB SSD (Ubuntu) + 3 x Samsung F2 1.5TB RAID5
Optical Drive:	LG x22 DVD-RW
CRT/LCD Model:	2 x Samsung 2333T 23" + Samsung 2333SW 23" + 1 x LG L2000CN 20" + 1 Chimei 19" + 1 Sony 32" TV
Case:	Cooler Master ATCS 840
Sound Card:	Musiland Monitor 02 US + Logitech Z-2300 + Sennheiser PXC350
PSU:	Corsair TX750
Software:	Windows 7 Professional 64-bit + Ubuntu 10.4.2LTS 64-bit

Nov 25, 2011, 07:22 PM	#12
cheesy999 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Near Canterbury, uk Posts: 1,889 (1.79/day) Thanks: 634 Thanked 562 Times in 453 Posts System Specs	I think windows 7 will allow for 2 completely separate display drivers to run at the same time, the only problem he might encounter is if he uses Vista as Vista will only allow one display driver to run at a time meaning both cards would have to be the same manufacture __________________ “if you run short on cash, theres always that option. dont forget to use vasaline” -Freedomeclipse “Before you complain about lag, think about Jesus. He lagged three days before respawning.” -repman244

Nov 25, 2011, 11:59 PM	#13
satindemon4u Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 433 (0.45/day) Thanks: 14 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts System Specs	Using windows 7 x64. Will test it out right now and see what happens! Will post back with results Edit: Went in and set it to 256mb. Saved the changed and started up and got the classic black screen stating that windows failed to start. Also, in those settings there is an option that is something like "primary video driver" or something, with 4 different options. I am guessing the one that is selected is my video card, but I don't know seeing as how the names seem to be like ghr4-ghn4-gdnd-a3erf (that is just button mashing not real names but you get the idea/setup of it) Edit edit: Tried setting it to 1024mb and I booted just fine after that. However my pc still isn't picking up the other monitor. Edit edit edit: Turns out setting to anything really, now works. As far as booting goes. Monitor still not being picked up. If I buy like a $40 video card, will that suffice for the purpose of having another monitor? lol Would this work? PNY VCG84512D3SPPB GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit DD... __________________ Thanks Newegg for the proof reading. xD Last edited by satindemon4u; Nov 26, 2011 at 12:48 AM.

Nov 26, 2011, 03:30 AM	#15
satindemon4u Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 433 (0.45/day) Thanks: 14 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts System Specs	So am I forced to buy one then? A second card that is. __________________ Thanks Newegg for the proof reading. xD

Nov 26, 2011, 06:38 PM	#17
satindemon4u Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 433 (0.45/day) Thanks: 14 Thanked 18 Times in 15 Posts System Specs	Alright so I did that and the monitor came up, as in it was detected. However when I try to enable it that just kills off my other monitor and I am then left with one. So here is what happens... Currently: []=monitor ["No signal error][Working fine][Working fine] If I try to enable the "broken" monitor via "Display device on VGA" I go from that to... [Not working][working fine][not working] __________________ Thanks Newegg for the proof reading. xD

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