TR Forums

Hi,

Building two new computers and trying to setup Eyefinity on each. I'm not sure what cables / adapters I need.

PC1, Here is what I already own:

2 x XFX HD-695X-ZNDC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150524

Each card has these Ports:
HDMI1 x HDMI
DisplayPort2 x Mini DisplayPort
DVI2 x DVI (1 Single Link, 1 Dual Link)

3 x Dell UltraSharp U2412M 24"W Monitor, 24.0 Inch VIS, Widescreen, VGA/ DVI/ DP Dell Part# : 320-2676 http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=soho&cs=ussoho1&sku=320-2676&~ck=dellSearch&baynote_bnrank=0&baynote_irrank=1#Overview

Each monitor has these interfaces and comes with these cables:

1 x VGA - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15)
1 x DVI-D - 24 pin digital DVI
1 x DisplayPort - 20 pin DisplayPort
1 x Hi-Speed USB upstream - 4 pin USB Type B
4 x Hi-Speed USB downstream - 4 pin USB Type A
1x VGA cable
1x DVI cable
1x USB cable

What additional adapters / cables do I need to purchase? I understand that all the monitors must be connected to a single video card (can’t connect monitors using both cards as Eyefinity doesn’t work that way).


 
PC2, Here is what I already own:

2 x XFX HD-695X-ZNDC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150524

Each card has these Ports:
HDMI1 x HDMI
DisplayPort2 x Mini DisplayPort
DVI2 x DVI (1 Single Link, 1 Dual Link)

3 x ASUS VE247H Black 23.6" 2ms Full HD HDMI LED BackLight LCD Monitor w/Speakers 300 cd/m2 10,000,000:1 (ASCR) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236112

Each monitor has these interfaces and comes with these cables:

1 x VGA
1 x DVI-D
1 x D-Sub
1 x HDMI
1x VGA cable
1x DVI cable
1x Audio cable

What additional adapters / cables do I need to purchase? I understand that all the monitors must be connected to a single video card (can’t connect monitors to both cards as Eyefinity doesn’t work that way).

Thanks in advance for your help!

AMD provides a bunch of good information for setting up Eyefinity here:
http://www.amd.com/us/products/technolo ... inity.aspx

Each monitor connected after the second one needs to use DisplayPort. The first two monitors can use DVI or HDMI (don't use icky analog VGA). The DisplayPort input requirement isn't a problem for one of the Dell monitors, but you may need a mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable or a simple adapter if the ends of your Dell-supplied cables are full-size DisplayPort.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6812191224
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6812228176

For one of your Asus monitors, you will need an active DisplayPort-to-DVI adapter to plug into your graphics card's DisplayPort output.
http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pag ... ngles.aspx

This StarTech MDP2DVIS Mini DisplayPort to DVI Active Adapter is on AMD's qualified list, though I don't understand the distinction between adapter and dongle.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6812200944

Wow i love this site, thanks for this quick and detailed response.

Just to make sure I understood you.

For PC1 (the Dell monitors), I would do the following: -- effectively I only need to purchase 1 mini-Displayport cable

Connect Monitor 1 to Video card 1 using DVI cable
Connect Monitor 2 to Video card 1 using DVI cable
Connect Monitor 3 to Video card 1 using a mini-DisplayPort cable (this cable doesn't come with the Dell monitor - could buy): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812191224

For PC2 (the Asus monitors), I would do the following: -- effectively I only need to purchase the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Active Adapter
Connect Monitor 1 to Video card 1 using DVI or HDMI cable (could use the DVI cable includedy by Asus or I think I have a spare HDMI cable or 2 available - don't think there is advantage to HDMI vs DVI)
Connect Monitor 2 to Video card 1 using DVI or HDMI cable
Connect Monitor 3 to Video card 1 using the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Active Adapter plugged into the video card, then using a DVI cable from the adapter to Monitor 3 (the adapter isn't included by Asus - could buy): http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812200944 -- this adapter doesn't need to be powered huh?

Once everything is physically connected as above, in Catalyst control panel I would setup center monitor as Monitor #1, left monitor as Monitor #2, right monitor as Monitor #3.

Correct?

I'm able to find the cable on Monoprice for $4.73, but only in white - I'd prefer black ... http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10246&cs_id=1024606&p_id=6007&seq=1&format=2

Can't seem to find the adapter on Monoprice though ...

Amazon has a black one for $13.88 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004U63I3G/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER
And they carry the Mini DisplayPort to DVI Video Adapter Converter for $16.98 http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00310K9VQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&m=ATVPDKIKX0DER

Think I'll just get them both at Amazon.

Hope the adapter doesn't need to be powered though ... The guy here used a USB powered adapter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrHYKF16_1Q

Unless that video card has what's called a "DisplayPort++" connector, you need to make sure the DisplayPort to DVI adapter you get is an "active" adapter. The one you linked is a cheaper "passive" adapter, which won't work with a standard DisplayPort connector.

(In a nutshell: DisplayPort++ is capable of putting out signals which are compatible with both DisplayPort and DVI displays, so with DP++ all you need is a simple cable adapter that wires the correct signals from one connector to the other. Standard DisplayPort (without the ++) is not capable of putting out DVI signals, so you need a more expensive adapter which has electronics in it to convert DisplayPort signals to DVI signals.)

I have these video cards:

2 x XFX HD-695X-ZNDC Radeon HD 6950 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150524

Can you tell me if they have the "DisplayPort++" connector?

If they don't, are you able to link the active adapter that I need?

Thanks!

JBI! is correct. Go back to the AMD validated list that I linked above. You'll see that there are sections for active and passive dongles/adapters.

You need the StarTech MDP2DVIS Mini DisplayPort to DVI Active Adapter that I linked from Newegg. It's the same price at Amazon but has free shipping. The one that you linked from Amazon lacks the S at the end, making it the passive model that will not work for your Eyefinity setup.

Here's another active adapter from the AMD validated list. Note that these are single-link DVI, so they only work up to 1920x1200. If you're setting up Eyefinity with 2560x1600 monitors like the Dell U3011, you need a dual-link DVI adapter which is more expensive.

Thanks I see that mistake now.

Ok so it looks like it's $41.87 at Amazon with free shipping (5-8 days delivery) vs. $48.85 at NewEgg (3 day guaranteed shipping).

So last question. Are these sold at BestBuy or another local retailer?

I looked but wasn't able to find them on Best Buy. If you could link that would be awesome. I'd buy them local and use till the cheaper ones come in.

Let me know and thanks again for all the help!

For one of your Dell monitors: $13.88 for a mini-DisplayPort to DisplayPort cable. Connect the other two monitors with the DVI cables that you already have.

For one of your Asus monitors: $27.99 for a mini-DisplayPort to single-link DVI ACTIVE dongle. Connect all three monitors with the DVI cables that you already have.

You might try an Apple Mini Display Port to DVI Adapter from the Buy More but I don't know if it is an active or passive adapter.