• I want three monitors and I have no idea how.
    81 replies, posted
Well, story is I want three monitors like the rest of fp, but I was thinking of a setup where the center monitor is about 22"-23" and the side two monitors would be a smaller width but the same screen height as the center monitor. Also, I'm looking for something under $200 for each monitor, since I'm only 15. Also also, I'm guessing I'll need to do SLI so another EVGA GTX460 SE is in order? Can anyone recommend a setup? Specs: [B]CPU[/B]: AMD Phenom II x4 970 Black Edition [B]GPU[/B]: 1x EVGA GTX 460 SE 1gb [B]Mobo[/B]: Asus M4A79XTD EVO [B]RAM[/B]: something by Crucial, 3x 1gb 1x 2gb total: 5gb [B]HDD[/B]: something by Seagate, 500gb total Also also also, [B]Something with a thin bezel (that border around the actual screen)[/B]
It's unfortunate that you're trying to do it with an nVidia card. ATi is better for triple monitors because for one, you only need one card since they (mostly) have 3 ports each, nVidia Surround requires 2 cards, which means you'll need an SLI supported motherboard which are pretty much only available on the nForce motherboards. For us to choose a mobo that works for you we'll need some specs.
[QUOTE=l337k1ll4;29024998]It's unfortunate that you're trying to do it with an nVidia card. ATi is better for triple monitors because for one, you only need one card since they (mostly) have 3 ports each, nVidia Surround requires 2 cards, which means you'll need an SLI supported motherboard which are pretty much only available on the nForce motherboards. For us to choose a mobo that works for you we'll need some specs.[/QUOTE] added specs to OP, forgot sorry.
[QUOTE=l337k1ll4;29024998]It's unfortunate that you're trying to do it with an nVidia card. ATi is better for triple monitors because for one, you only need one card since they (mostly) have 3 ports each, nVidia Surround requires 2 cards, which means you'll need an SLI supported motherboard which are pretty much only available on the nForce motherboards. For us to choose a mobo that works for you we'll need some specs.[/QUOTE] What? SLI is supported on almost every major manufacturers boards when using an intel cpu. How is it limited to nforce mobos? In fact I don't ever recall there being an nforce mobo for any socket after LGA 775. For AMD it's a different story obviously but the OP never specified he has an AMD cpu. I'd personally go with [url]http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236117[/url] if you need a monitor under $200 for the center monitor. Asus has some ones for $169 but the LED backlighting is worth the 30 bucks. Also just so you know OP triple monitor setups are traditionally done with 3 identical monitors. I've never seen someone do it with a larger center and smaller side ones but I don't think you'll run into too many issues as long as they all have the same res.
Actually, this will make it easier, [url]http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_mobo.html[/url] [editline]6th April 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=garrynohome;29025057]What? SLI is supported on almost every major manufacturers boards when using an intel cpu. How is it limited to nforce mobos? In fact I don't ever recall there being an nforce mobo for any socket after LGA 775. For AMD it's a different story obviously but the OP never specified he has an AMD cpu.[/QUOTE] For Surround it has to be an "SLI Supported" motherboard, otherwise it doesn't if you just want normal SLI. Also, the monitor he chose is a good one for the price, go with that.
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[QUOTE=l337k1ll4;29025075]Actually, this will make it easier, [url]http://www.slizone.com/object/slizone_build_mobo.html[/url] [editline]6th April 2011[/editline] For Surround it has to be an "SLI Supported" motherboard, otherwise it doesn't if you just want normal SLI. Also, the monitor he chose is a good one for the price, go with that.[/QUOTE] Really? I thought it would just be "I have 2 cards. Multi monitors enabled." Well looks like I'll be buying an ATI card for my upgrade.
[QUOTE=xgman236x;29025126][B]My motherboard supports SLI for the love of (god)[/B][/QUOTE] no, it doesn't
Well, like I said, it doesn't just have to work with SLI, most mobos do, but nVidia has to say that it's an "SLI Ready" mobo, from what I can see it's something to do with marketing. But I'm not sure. All I know is that using SLI for Surround isn't like using SLI for just one monitor.
[QUOTE=reapaninja;29025164]no, it doesn't[/QUOTE] Yah sorry OP. Crossfire and SLI are different.
[QUOTE=garrynohome;29025153]Really? I thought it would just be "I have 2 cards. Multi monitors enabled." Well looks like I'll be buying an ATI card for my upgrade.[/QUOTE] Yeah, I was disappointed when I found this out as well, I was going to upgrade to Surround, then I found this out. I was sad.
[QUOTE=l337k1ll4;29025187]Yeah, I was disappointed when I found this out as well, I was going to upgrade to Surround, then I found this out. I was sad.[/QUOTE] Well thanks for saving me from running out and buying a bunch of monitors to use. My mobo isn't on their stupid list.
I would recommend just grabbing an ATi card and using Crossfire, they're not very expensive when matched to nVidia, and most will still tear through most games. [QUOTE=garrynohome;29025206]Well thanks for saving me from running out and buying a bunch of monitors to use. My mobo isn't on their stupid list.[/QUOTE] You're welcome, the only cards that will work without SLI are the 590 and 295 because they're multi gpu, other than that, you need SLI and one of their mobos.
[QUOTE=garrynohome;29025185]Yah sorry OP. Crossfire and SLI are different.[/QUOTE] FUCK
[QUOTE=garrynohome;29025153]Really? I thought it would just be "I have 2 cards. Multi monitors enabled." Well looks like I'll be buying an ATI card for my upgrade.[/QUOTE] I have never heard of needing an "SLi certified" mobo for it hell I don't even know what sli certification means in general, as long as your mobo is supported (e.g P67 P55 nforce etc.) and has 2 PCI-E slots (8x/8x is preferred over 16x/4x) you can use SLi as far as I can tell all it means is the mobo has 8x/8x slots
wait does it matter if I happen to have 2 DVi outputs and one mini HDMI output? or do i still need surround with those two cards?
[QUOTE=xgman236x;29025238]FUCK[/QUOTE] I would have assumed it was obvious. Different names and made by one of the biggest rivals in the PC industry :P You could sell your 460 SE and move to an ati card. [editline]6th April 2011[/editline] [QUOTE=reapaninja;29025258]I have never heard of needing an "SLi certified" mobo for it hell I don't even know what sli certification means in general, as long as your mobo is supported (e.g P67 P55 nforce etc.) and has 2 PCI-E slots (8x/8x is preferred over 16x/4x) you can use SLi as far as I can tell all it means is the mobo has 8x/8x slots[/QUOTE] Well lots of AMD mobos have 8x/8x slots and they don't work with SLI. I've only ever seen one AM3 board supporting sli and it's because it used the NF200 chip.
OP are you planning to game on all 3 monitors or are you just looking for extra desktop space
[QUOTE=reapaninja;29025258]I have never heard of needing an "SLi certified" mobo for it hell I don't even know what sli certification means in general, as long as your mobo is supported (e.g P67 P55 nforce etc.) and has 2 PCI-E slots (8x/8x is preferred over 16x/4x) you can use SLi as far as I can tell all it means is the mobo has 8x/8x slots[/QUOTE] I BELIEVE, so don't quote me on this, that it has something to do with enabling the slots on the second card, which I THINK SLI disables by default, so you could only use the slots on one card. Having a certified mobo just enables them so you have up to 4 slots.
[QUOTE=garrynohome;29025264]I would have assumed it was obvious. Different names and made by one of the biggest rivals in the PC industry :P You could sell your 460 SE and move to an ati card. [editline]6th April 2011[/editline] Well lots of AMD mobos have 8x/8x slots and they don't work with SLI. I've only ever seen one AM3 board supporting sli and it's because it used the NF200 chip.[/QUOTE] [quote]as long as your mobo is supported (e.g P67 P55 nforce etc.)[/quote]
[QUOTE=reapaninja;29025289]OP are you planning to game on all 3 monitors or are you just looking for extra desktop space[/QUOTE] depends on the game, Flight Sim yes, garrysmod not really, Just Cause 2 don't want to fry my computer.
[QUOTE=l337k1ll4;29025295]I BELIEVE, so don't quote me on this, that it has something to do with enabling the slots on the second card, which I THINK SLI disables by default, so you could only use the slots on one card. Having a certified mobo just enables them so you have up to 4 slots.[/QUOTE] again SLi certification means nothing, I have yet to find anything saying it isn't just marketing BS
[QUOTE=reapaninja;29025313]again SLi certification means nothing, I have yet to find anything saying it isn't just marketing BS[/QUOTE] Well I'm not saying it isn't, in fact I'm almost positive that it IS for marketing, but it doesn't change the fact that you need a mobo they say you do in order to use Surround. Which is why I've lost most faith in nVidia.
[QUOTE=reapaninja;29025313]again SLi certification means nothing, I have yet to find anything saying it isn't just marketing BS[/QUOTE] still looking for a straight answer, do I need a special mobo or not?
[QUOTE=xgman236x;29025348]still looking for a straight answer, do I need a special mobo or not?[/QUOTE] According to people I've talked to who have tried it, you do need an "SLI Ready bullshit" mobo, I would search around for answers for you specific mobo, you never know.
[QUOTE=l337k1ll4;29025360]According to people I've talked to who have tried it, you do need an "SLI Ready bullshit" mobo, I would search around for answers for you specific mobo, you never know.[/QUOTE] what would be the issue if I didnt have one like that?
[QUOTE=xgman236x;29025348]still looking for a straight answer, do I need a special mobo or not?[/QUOTE] You're not doing nvidia surround. End of story. Why not just sell your 460 and get an ati card.
[QUOTE=xgman236x;29025371]what would be the issue if I didnt have one like that?[/QUOTE] I assume one monitor wouldn't work, I'm not sure, I haven't tried it. It would probably be as if you had 2 cards without SLI/Crossfire enabled, something like the result of that.
just did some research, [quote]In order to use SLI, a motherboard with an nForce4, nForce 500, nForce 600 or nForce 700 SLI chipset must be used[/quote] my mobo has an nForce 790x chipset
[QUOTE=xgman236x;29025436]just did some research, my mobo has an nForce 790 chipset or something like that[/QUOTE] Not saying that's wrong, but we're not just talking about SLI, we're talking about using SLI for Surround, from what I can tell, nVidia wants you to buy from them, so they are basically two different things.
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