Widescreen Gaming Forum

Can someone help me on my setup.

I have this:

1pc. Samsung 26" T260HD LCD monitor (middle)
2pcs. Samsung 22" T220 LCD monitor (left and right side)

I need:

-Videocard that can run the three monitors listed above and also do Gaming on the middle monitor (T260HD), watching TV or HD Video on the left monitor (T220) and surfing on the right monitor (T220).
-Games I play are World of Warcraft, Starcraft2, Diablo3 (future) and the like.
-Videos I watch are downloaded HD 720p and 1080p mkv files. TV programs via a TV tuner (which I am also looking for)

Can someone recommend me a good Videocard for my needs. I am currently looking at the Sapphire HD5850. Is this enough or should I go for the HD5870?

If you intend to play on just the 1 monitor with those games then that card (5850) will be more than enough for your requirements.
1 Thing that I must bring to your attention however is that, in order to utilize the 3rd output on the gfx card you will need to use the display-port connector, of which you shall require...
a) active display-port to DVI adaptor
or
b) active display-port to VGA adaptor (extra note.. all display-port to VGA adaptors are active)
or
c) a monitor with display-port input.

:welcome

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Do any of the screens have an HDMI connection? You might be able to run 2xDVI + 1xHDMI. Not sure if those are on separate clocks (for separate screens).

Forgive my ignorance if I have missed something new... Ibrin, are there 5xxx series cards with 3 clocks so you can use dvi/dvi/hdmi without an adapter?

-Erik

- T260HD has 1x DVI and 2x HDMI inputs (no display port input)
- T220 has 1x DVI input only (no display port input)

Can't I use 2x DVI output of the vcard to the 2x T220 Monitor and the HDMI output of the vcard for the T260HD? Does it have to be 2x DVI + 1x Display port ??? What does you also mean "active" display port to dvi adaptor? Is there a passive one?

Also I want to play World of warcraft, starcraft 2 and Diablo3 in High graphics setting in only 1 monitor (T260HD) - 1920x1200. Can the 5850 still be enough for this? Should i get the HD5850 2GB or 2GB one?

- If HDMI/DVI/DVI won't really work, I guess I can't go for the active displayport adaptor route as I live in the Philippines and I don't think they have those here. Anyway, would getting two HD5770 and link it together work? This way, I can use the 3x DVI port for my 3x Monitors.... right? I need to change my motherboard though if I take this route which would be an extra cost and a lot of hassle as I need to re-install all my programs.

Will ATI release new vcards that will use 2x DVI and 1x HDMI in the future? Why the hell did they consider the Displayport to be the 3rd connector.

Thanks

Forgive my ignorance if I have missed something new... Ibrin, are there 5xxx series cards with 3 clocks so you can use dvi/dvi/hdmi without an adapter?

-Erik

That's what I can't remember. But, he's not looking to do Eyefinity, just extend the desktop. I'm actually testing 5850 in CFX right now. I'll scam an HDMI cable from some other box. Will test for you, but will be late tomorrow before I can get to it.

Ok,

I've decided to use 2 monitors only but I opted to get the bigger monitor now.

2 units of Samsung T260 (25.5") LCD with resolution of 1920x1200

Question is:

- Will 1x Sapphire HD5850 1GB Video card be enough for this 2x big monitors? Or should I get the GTX470 or HD5870?

Games I will be playing:
-World of Warcraft, Starcraft2, Eve Online, Diablo3 (future) and the like.

Those games are mostly CPU heavy. Why dual screen? Unless you watch something while grinding, single is enough. You can probably get away with a single 5830 with these games.

Here's a good combo deal if you wish to have an adapter and try out 3 screens later:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.429648

Here's an Eyefinity performance review:
http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/wiki/ATI_Radeon_5850_5830_-_Featured_Review
and another one from [H]:
http://www.hardocp.com/article/2010/01/05/amds_ati_radeon_eyefinity_performance_review/1

There are no single chips with 3 clocks. HDMI is sharing its port with DVI, so you can't use 2X DVI and 1X HDMI. Third screen have to be on the DP.

Here's a list of connection options:
http://support.amd.com/us/kbarticles/Pages/gpu50-ati-eyefinity-display-connectivity.aspx

thanks for the reply.

just a quick question:

- will the 5830/5850 be replaced anytime soon? I just saw that there is already a 5970 (replacement for the 5870?). If so, when do you expect the 5930/5950 will arrive? Thanks

thanks for the reply.

just a quick question:

- will the 5830/5850 be replaced anytime soon? I just saw that there is already a 5970 (replacement for the 5870?). If so, when do you expect the 5930/5950 will arrive? Thanks

All the cards that will be released in the 5xxx series have now been done so (except niche cards like 5970 E6). Until Southern Islands come out sometime in the fall (which may be called a 5890 or a 6770) what you see is what you get.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ATI_graphics_cards#Evergreen_.28HD_5xxx.29_series