nVidia SLI and Multiple Monitors

[ddrueding]

A GeForce 295GTX showed up with my X-25M 160GB today

So I read that this card supports 2 monitors while in SLI mode and 3 when in non-SLI mode, perfect for my needs. However, it seems that both displays need to be identical resolution, which won't work for me (1920x1080, and 1200x1600). I really don't keep up with the gamer news, and don't even know where to look for this stuff. Has anyone here heard anything?

 

[Pradeep]

Didn't go with the ATI 4870 X2?

 

[ddrueding]

Nope. The last few times I have used ATI cards in more complex configurations, things haven't gone well. Then again, I haven't used one since the 9800GT. My last few cards were a 9800GTX+, 8800GTX, 7950GT and a 6800-something.

 

[mubs]

Pradeep, how are you? Long time no see.

 

[Santilli]

Can try and help a little. I guess you could just order the same resolution panels and go with it.

I did have 3 monitors running Quake 3 and that generation games on a Matrox 750, IIRC.

I found it was greatly over rated. The side monitors didn't really offer much that affected the game, and didn't provide any advantage. Also, most of the games I tried did not support more then one monitor, and, I often had to turn off the side monitors, and just play on the center screen.

For actual work, it was great, a bit better then two monitors.

I've also had software issues using 2003 server and ATI software. Just the drivers seem to work.

I will say the Matrox card was unbelievable in it's clarity, and, if it was even half way close in price, and gaming performance, I would be running one.

Haven't looked at Matrox in a long time, and, considering I don't play games on this computer any more, maybe I should...

 

[Santilli]

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/surroundgaming/en/games/

 

[Santilli]

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/graphics_cards/m_series/
It appears they finally put enough VRAM on the cards, 512 mb, and, put them out at a reasonable price.

 

[Santilli]

David, you MUST click on the Ultimate Hardware setup on this page:
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/surroundgaming/en/downloads/video/
And the Burnout Paradise setup...

 

[Stereodude]

Matrox is still in business?

 

[ddrueding]

I'm afraid Matrox isn't up to this sort of task. For reference, I currently have 1795MB of video memory. I rejected the triple-head-2-go a while ago, they don't support 3x 1920x1080. When they do, I will be all over it. I'm actually considering putting the 9800GTX back in to drive my other monitors. Anyone know of issues with SLI/non SLI multi-card setups? Suppose I'll just have to try it out...

 

[Pradeep]

I couldn't even get a Matrox triple head to run three screens at 1280*720. They may have since fixed that with driver support but it wasn't good enough at the time. They seem to be very much focused on non widescreen resolutions.

 

[Pradeep]

Pradeep, how are you? Long time no see.

I'm well mubs, and yourself? Still on the subcontinent?

 

[udaman]

I'm afraid Matrox isn't up to this sort of task. For reference, I currently have 1795MB of video memory. I rejected the triple-head-2-go a while ago, they don't support 3x 1920x1080. When they do, I will be all over it. I'm actually considering putting the 9800GTX back in to drive my other monitors. Anyone know of issues with SLI/non SLI multi-card setups? Suppose I'll just have to try it out...

Maybe you can email tech support and be a beta tester .

Digital ver. of th2go currently only supports

New! 5040 x 1050 (3 x 1680 x 1050)3 57Hz

, with caveat it's dependent on GPU (none specified) & dual link DVI.

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/resolution/digital/resolutions.html



Could always use one of these packages for just a trifle more (they show spanning on some of the images, likely software support needed for that)

http://www.digitaltigers.com/zenview-trioultraelite.asp#CompatibleProductsTop

To be sure, just when you drop $9k on above^, some company will announce a 4k 32in.+ widescreen LCD, backlit LED naturally...that you will just have, to have

Funny, tomshard search will get even misspelled results like these moniters:

3+ Moniters


http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/251329-33-moniters

 

[ddrueding]

Nice screen Uda, and it is down to $5.3k

 

[mubs]

I'm well mubs, and yourself? Still on the subcontinent?

Yes, that was a permanent move. Right now, I am in New Jersey (just arrived), and starting tomorrow, will be in CT for about 8 weeks on business. The transition will be from lows in the mid 70s (Chennai) to highs below freezing (CT). Fortunately I think it has got a wee bit warmer in CT. Yet, don't know how I'll survive. I'll probably be stuck to the hotel room or the client's office and the car in between. :-|

 

[udaman]

http://ati.amd.com/products/firepro/firepromatrix.html


http://ati.amd.com/products/firepro/specs3700.html

click on the pdf link at this ^^^ for the 3700 (cost ~$80) and you'll get a matrix for 10 different model # in the line with other port configurations/type of supported outputs

Display Capabilities1

• Two independent display controllers
  • Drive two displays simultaneously with independent resolutions, refresh rates, color controls and video overlays for each display
  • Full 30-bit display processing (10-bit per RGB component)
• Two integrated Dual Link DVI display outputs
  • Each supports 18-, 24-, and 30-bit digital displays at resolutions up to 2560x1600
  • Each includes a Dual-Link HDCP encoder with on-chip key storage for high resolution playback of protected content2
• VGA mode support on all display outputs

 

[ddrueding]

Cool. I purchased an 8500GT (that I haven't installed yet) to drive the other two monitors. It would be nice to use the full power of the GTX295.

 

[udaman]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface

dual link dvi in theory supports 30in (2560x1600 res) monitors.

2 dual link dvi outputs on all of the Quadro line, sans the new Display Port models.

Nvs 295 (~$130) is aid to support 2 30in monitors via DL DVI.

higher end multi-monitor Nvidia cards, in the "Plex" link would appear to be the Quadro FX 5600 (model IV) w/ 4 DL DVI, or lower spec'd FX 4500 x2 w/8 DL DVI.

FX 4800 x2, w/4 DL DVI, which sucks 226watts, lists for $2,500

Other than the new NVS 295, seems like the Quadro FX 380 also ~$130 might work.

Quadro FX -Product Comparison

http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_11761.html