Three Monitor Setup Problem

[Sutenvulf]

Hello,
I've just purchased 3 Asus VG278HE monitors, I'm running them off 2x Gigabyte GeForce GTX 670 4gb in SLI for the moment.

The problem is I can't get the 3rd monitor working, I've got 1 DL-DVI-I to DL-DVI-D for the first monitor, 1 DL-DVI-D to DL-DVI-D to the second which leaves 1 Display Port and 1 HDMI, I haven't tried the DP connector yet as I'm unsure of the cable to get as there seems to be a few DP to DVI adapter's and they are all a bit pricey at around £70 does anyone have an idea of the exact one I need, preferably cheapish.

The monitors are running side by side as one screen.

I've tried the HDMI, but when I connect it, the first monitor comes on, goes through boot, gets to the windows loading screen and after that to the log in screen, when it reaches the log in screen the second monitor becomes active and all I have is 2 black screens, the 3rd monitor does nothing, however I can see and move the mouse cursor between the screens and secondly I can type my password and hear it logging into windows but still only see 2 black screens and the mouse cursor.

Any advice would be appreciated thanks.

 

[bignastyid]

Do you have an option to enable surround in the Nvidia control panel?

 

[bignastyid]

If you just want all 3 working independently(windows extended desktop) you'll have to disable SLI in the nvidia control panel.

 

[noidea_77]

Do you get the menu by right-clicking on the black screen after the login? If you, goto screen resolution and check the monitor config. It sound to me like the hdmi monitor is the active on an doesn't show a picture, either because of a wrong resolution or the monitor doesn't recognize the active input port automatically.

 

[mouse24]

http://www.geforce.com/optimize/guides/how-to-correctly-configure-geforce-gtx-680-surround#3

The first option seems appealing, assuming it works as it says and you have an extra dvi cable laying around.

 

[ubercake]

144Hz??? Damn!

First, you have some of the absolute best monitors available for gaming. Incredible. I'm glad to see they're pushing the refresh rates on the monitors. I have a single 120Hz monitor my self. With high refresh rate monitors 120Hz+, there is absolutely no perceivable tearing (with framerates under 450fps). As a result, you never have to turn v-sync on for anything and in turn, don't have the input lag that goes along with it. For shooters, this is key.

The thing with the 120Hz monitors in surround is they all need to be connected with 120Hz capable cables and ports. Make sure you're using only the dual-link cables (usually white) that came with the monitors.

To start from scratch, shutdown and start with only a single monitor - the one that will become your center monitor in the 3-display setup - attached to the top-most 670 and the others detached from the cards. Boot up and disable SLI (under 3d settings-> Configure SLI...->SLI Configuration) in Nvidia control panel, then 'Apply' and then shut down.

Connect a second monitor to the top-most 670 and the third to the lower 670.

Turn the PC on. Once started up, in Nvidia control panel choose 'Span displays with Surround' then apply. Then 'Configure...' as necessary using bezel correction and custom resolutions.

Does this work?

 

[Sutenvulf]

Thanks for all the replys so far, I've went with your suggestion ubercake and all three are now working however when I goto Span Displays with surround I'm getting a blue screen every time, any ideas?

A second thing is I've disconnected 2 of the 3 and went into Nvidia control panel, disable SLI is automatically set to off, so just running on one monitor I set it to maximise 3D performance from disable SLI and once again it blue screened, again this is with the 2 monitors totally disconnected from the tower.

 

[ubercake]

Thanks for all the replys so far, I've went with your suggestion ubercake and all three are now working however when I goto Span Displays with surround I'm getting a blue screen every time, any ideas?

See if there's a driver update. Even go for the Beta version if you don't already have it and install. Otherwise, uninstall the Nvidia drivers. Then re-install with only one monitor attached. Shutdown and the re-connect the other 2 as before.

 

[ubercake]

Thanks for all the replys so far, I've went with your suggestion ubercake and all three are now working however when I goto Span Displays with surround I'm getting a blue screen every time, any ideas?

A second thing is I've disconnected 2 of the 3 and went into Nvidia control panel, disable SLI is automatically set to off, so just running on one monitor I set it to maximise 3D performance from disable SLI and once again it blue screened, again this is with the 2 monitors totally disconnected from the tower.

What is the error code in the blue screen?
That second thing you added is not good. Update the drivers and make sure the SLI bridge is seated properly.

 

[Sutenvulf]

Uninstalled the Nvidia drivers and reinstalled them and it's still the same, drivers are upto date

Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.1.7601.2.1.0.256.1
Locale ID: 2057

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: d1
BCP1: 0000000000000010
BCP2: 000000000000000E
BCP3: 0000000000000000
BCP4: FFFFF88007E3227A
OS Version: 6_1_7601
Service Pack: 1_0
Product: 256_1

Files that help describe the problem:
C:\Windows\Minidump\032113-13525-01.dmp
C:\Users\Kris\AppData\Local\Temp\WER-23665-0.sysdata.xml

 

[Sutenvulf]

Ok another thing is I use PC Wizard, it hasn't worked since I put these 2 cards in, at first starting it up was giving me a Red Screen and now it's just gave me a blue screen, from what I'm reading people have been having problems with the 670s and some suggest a Bios update.

 

[ubercake]

Ok another thing is I use PC Wizard, it hasn't worked since I put these 2 cards in, at first starting it up was giving me a Red Screen and now it's just gave me a blue screen, from what I'm reading people have been having problems with the 670s and some suggest a Bios update.

A BIOS update would be in order. Most deal with hardware compatibility issues, so that makes sense. Try it and let us know.

 

[bignastyid]

Is the SLI bridge connected? What make and model of motherboard and power supply are you using?

 

[Sutenvulf]

Yes it's connected, it's a Asus Rampage IV Extreme and a Enermax MaxRevo 1350 psu.

However it's solved huzzar!, I flashed the bios, interesting that was too as I've never flashed a bios before but that's solved everything, it does actually state on a multi monitor page of the nvidia website to update your bios.

Quickly tested the setup out on Just Cause 2 and it's quite laggy, which is what I was expecting running with 2 670s on 3 monitors, I'm tempted to add a 3rd but the tower power cables are in the way of the last visible PCI slot, I'd imagine while I'm getting used to this setup that I'd be better off waiting for the 700 series.

Thanks ubercake and everyone else for the help and suggestions.

 

[ubercake]

Yes it's connected, it's a Asus Rampage IV Extreme and a Enermax MaxRevo 1350 psu.

However it's solved huzzar!, I flashed the bios, interesting that was too as I've never flashed a bios before but that's solved everything, it does actually state on a multi monitor page of the nvidia website to update your bios.

Quickly tested the setup out on Just Cause 2 and it's quite laggy, which is what I was expecting running with 2 670s on 3 monitors, I'm tempted to add a 3rd but the tower power cables are in the way of the last visible PCI slot, I'd imagine while I'm getting used to this setup that I'd be better off waiting for the 700 series.

Thanks ubercake and everyone else for the help and suggestions.

Hey no problem. Glad you got it working!