Radeon HD 7850 for more than 2 monitors?

[smerny]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150641&cm_mmc=AFC-dealnews-_-NA-_-NA-_-14-150-641

This has 2 dvi and 1 hdmi as well as 2 mini dp

I have 2 monitors that take vga/hdmi, and have dvi/hdmi adapter cords. I also have a tv with hdmi.

Could i hook up the two monitors dvi/hdmi and the tv hdmi? or will i have to use one of the mini-dp with an active adapter (if so, why?)?

thanks

 

[Spaniard United]

You can only use 2 out of the 3 DVI and HDMI connections. After that, you MUST use the mini-dp with active adapters. DVI and HDMI share clocks and AMD allows for a max of 2, after which the displayport has to be used.

Unless you get/have this card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102996
That allows for 3 displays to be utilized without using the displayport.

 

[smerny]

Spaniard, this card has the same ports. What makes it allow 3 displays (2x dvi + 1x hdmi) without using dp?

Would these displays show up as three separate monitors that I can move around and such in the windows screen resolution dialog just as it currently works with dual monitors?

Also, what makes dp's special... why is it that normally we need to use dp to use extra monitors?

 

[AdioKIP]

The card he showed you is a "Flex" edition which specifically was designed for using the extra DVI ports.

Yes, having 3 monitors will work the same as 2, you'll see the monitor in the windows display dialog and be able to arrange them as easily as if you were using 2.

As far as displayport, it allows more bandwith than other connections but technology hasnt really caught up to needing it yet. As far as why you have to use it on your card, its the way ATI setup certain cards. The DVI port and HDMI port share the same internals, its actually just one port with two headers on it so you cant use both at the same time.

 

[smerny]

thanks guys... for some reason it seems hard to find good information on hooking up multiple monitors.

so with this flex series, the hdmi is not on the same internal as either of the dvi's? I'd be able to hook both of my monitors up to the dvi and hook my tv up via hdmi and get sound to it?

 

[Spaniard United]

Correct.

 

[AdioKIP]

thanks guys... for some reason it seems hard to find good information on hooking up multiple monitors.

so with this flex series, the hdmi is not on the same internal as either of the dvi's? I'd be able to hook both of my monitors up to the dvi and hook my tv up via hdmi and get sound to it?

Yes, BUT a simple adapter would allow your current card to work in the way you need. Just get a DisplayPort to DVI adapter (or depending on your card may need Mini DisplayPort). You can then use that for your DVI monitor, and use the HDMI to your TV with sound. The adapter should only run you about $20, just get one that says it is made to work with EyeFinity.