3 Monitor Setup (first timer). tips/advice?

[Darkfalz89]

After looking at multi monitor setups and seeing their beauty I condsidered getting some myself. Since my tax return is taking so long to get here I'm second guessing going nvidia due to motheboard options with my amd cpu... (when considering sli in the future) I know ati doesn't have the best drivers but my 5870 has been performing so beautifly I just can't let ati go...plus ill never use 3d yet I love the eyefinity.

With this in mind I plan to sell my 5870 to a friend building his first computer and buying a 6970 (which I plan to crossfire). So I'm looking for advice on a 3 monitor setup and what type of monitors give a nice crisp and colorful color palette. I'm just confused on how higher resolutions work per monitor whith running a single high res on the 3. Really loving the 120 hertz monitor I have but I'm planning to sell it for these. I understand you don't need higher than 60 because the higher resolutions require more from the card so I won't see a higher framerate.

If it helps I plan on using this setup to play mmos, mmos and maybe sometimes a mmo.

 

[Darkfalz89]

33 views and nothing :< ?

 

[ssddx]

Darkfalz89,

have a little patience... some people don't check the forums often.

you're correct on not needing 120hz over 60hz. 120hz is required for 3d but the 60hz (60fps) signal is standard for non-3d content.

you're also correct on ati having drivers that are a bit more irritating then nvidia. personally i'd go nvidia but it is your choice either way will work. crossfire or sli would be mandatory if you expect decent framerates.

as for running an application across all 3 monitors, you would treat the three as one large monitor. this means that 3 1920x1080 monitors would be 5760x1080 if placed side by side, or 3240x1920 if in portrait mode.

since this is quite a large resolution you need some serious computing power if you want to play anything newer. also keep in mind that you will have at least an inch between the actual panels (border) which might cause interference.

if you aren't worried about price, the viewsonic pro series (vp) offers a very nice product. i had a vp201b that has performed great.

if price isn't a huge consideration then instead of 3 panels you could always go for one of the dell large format displays.

 

[Darkfalz89]

Another question I had was whether there was a pre adjust 3 monitor setup (a setup that didnt have the 1 inch gaps between the screens). But thanks for your info ssddx.

 

[ssddx]

darkfalz80,

the 1" or so gap is because every single lcd screen has approximately a 1/2" bezel around the actual lcd screen. if you put two side by side you end up with about a 1" gap between actual screens.

you can "adjust" this gap so that the pixels shift left or right so diagonal lines and similar phenomena appear normal. think of it this way.. draw a diagonal line on a piece of paper... split it down the middle.. move the pieces apart.. see any difference? the adjustment slides the screen over a bit so that though you still have a gap the line still looks like a line.

there IS a monitor out there that is 3 lcd monitors combined without any bezel with a nice stand and all that nice stuff that we like to dream about. however, such equipment costs an extreme amount and the screens aren't even market top-of-the-line.

if you dont want bezels go with a single screen dell large format displays provide a screen resolution double typical monitors.

 

[Darkfalz89]

Best answer selected by Darkfalz89.

 

[Darkfalz89]

Thanks ssdx, think ill have to enjoy a single large screen, meh.

 

[varis]

How do you use triple screens for a MMO? Does peripheral vision matter there...

For Eve Online I would suppose running a client on one screen, a second one (for your alt account) on the other screen, and the third screen would be for some web browser, vent and maybe your production spreadsheets etc - so the bezels would be no issue at all

 

[jfreema]

Hi, I need help with dual or triple monitor setup. I have a graphic design business, and miss my large dual monitors at a previous employer. There I used a Dell docking station with the laptop closed and the two mointors just plugged into the dock. I use the monitors for multiple apps, not gaming.

I have a new ASUS G73Sw laptop, and two large flat screen monitors (ViewSonic VA2226w and Asus HDMI VE249 LCD). I work mostly at my desk, so I'm even willing to diable my laptop monitor to get these two monitors to work for me. I have tried the following:

1. Purchased a Toshiba Dyna Dock, with which I connected all 3 monitors successfully. It interfered with Windows 7, couldn't start or restart easily, poor quality on one monitor (the DVI connection, I think). Caused enough troubles that it was not worth the benefit of the extra real estate. Returned it.
2. Thought I'd try the ASUS dock. This one won't allow 3 monitors, which is OK. I'm unable to get the 2 flat screens to work; I can only get the laoptop and one of the flatscreens. I've connected the 2 blue VGA and 1white DVi cables every possible way (blue to laptop, other blue to dock; blue to laptop, white to dock, etc.), no luck.
3. I know how to configure the multiple monitor settings (usually)

I don't understand most of your discussion in this thread, but would love to know if I can use all 3 monitors or at least the 2 flat screens. Will another video card help, and if so, does it require an internal install or plug and play? Can I disable the laptop monitor and will it help? Thanks for your help! -Jill