Widescreen Gaming Forum

I found Dave's post on the other thread; although what it was doing in the non-eyefinity Q&A thread is another question entirely.

I missed the quoted version because this thread'd gotten so long I was only reading posts by Dave/Sunspot as a noise filter.

I missed the quoted version because this thread'd gotten so long I was only reading posts by Dave/Sunspot as a noise filter.

Yep, this thread is a pain to follow because of it's length and content in the thread has changed perspective a bit over time based on external input and people actually having the products. It's a lot to read though, but can pretty much be summed up in a short paragraph.

It might be good for somone to summerize this post and lock it because it's grown 6 heads and tenticles by now and it's a PITA to figure out by reading though. The forum is much better served by new sub-topics that are targeted at specialized topics than using this thread as a catch-all topic.

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Brad Hawthorne
Product Manager
Nthusim Pty. Ltd. | www.nthusim.com

A synopsized Q&A thread (possibly locked so only the mods could post on it) with all the information given out in this one would be nice; but only having one or two threads to look at instead of dozens would make things easier for people to keep track of.

If someone makes a post with it all in, I'll set it to Announcement and lock it. :)

But with new info all the time, could get unwieldy. Still, if you're game... 8)

If someone makes a post with it all in, I'll set it to Announcement and lock it. :)

After reading the whole thread a week ago (44 pages at the time) I made the following post at SimHQ. I have a feeling it will be useful.

VGA, DVI, and HDMI connections all require a timing signal generated external to the video signal. A monitor needs this timing signal to function properly.

The ATI 5870 only has two timing signal generators, even though is has four outputs: 2xDVI, 1xHDMI, and 1xDP (DisplayPort). Thus, in order to use three monitors with this GPU, one needs to utilize the DP connection.

There are actually two types of DP connections: DP and DP+. DP+ connections are capable of passing through signals for other connection types (such as DVI and VGA). DP-only connections cannot do this. If one were to connect an inexpensive passive DP-to-DVI adapter to a DP+ port and a DVI monitor, it would work properly. But if one tries the same thing with a DP-only port, it will not work. This is a why an "active" adapter is needed; it actively transcodes a DP signal into DVI (or some other connection standard). These adapters must be powered; most (all?) use a simple USB connection.

The six-output card that is coming soon will have two DP+ connections and four DP connections. That means that it could require up to four active adapters if one intends to connect six monitors all without DP inputs. Right now the best adapter available seems to be manufactured by BizLink (which is also being rebranded by Dell and Accell). It costs ~$100 + tax/shipping, which is clearly not cheap. The kicker is that this is an adapter that goes from DP to dual-link DVI, supporting resolutions up to 2560x1600. Such a device is necessary if one is planning on connecting 30" monitors. However, the vast majority of 3+ monitor users only need an adapter that moves from DP to single-link DVI. In theory this should be much cheaper, and ATI is looking to source such a device with a target price of $35.

The EyeFinity developer, SunSp*t, has said that the goal for EyeFinity was to inject the technology into an ATI line of GPUs as a value-added feature (meaning if it doesn't get used by a consumer then the product is still good) for no extra cost (which is why all of the 5000-series GPU's DP connections aren't DP+).


So far EyeFinity is looking to be not quite as promising as the initial outlook suggested. There is no Windows XP support. There is no multiple-orientation support (such as portrait-landscape-portrait for 30" 2560x1600 monitor surrounded by two 1200x1600 portrait monitors). Crossfire and EyeFinity do not (yet) work together. As advertised, bezel management features do not yet exist in any Windows OS. However, the development team seems committed to improving the product, and already it can largely do what the Matrox TripleHead2Go does.

It is likely that within the year EyeFinity will surpass all of the TripleHead2Go's capabilities and then some, plus it will find its way into many more homes because it is a 3+ monitor solution that is native to the GPU. Another nice thing is that this technology allows a user to buy monitors one at a time and increase screen real estate gradually without having to purchase any other hardware. Don't jump in without doing your research, however; if you do right now you are an early adopter and should expect some hassles.

Cool I posted that in the where to get adaptors thread, the more people see it the better, otherwise we get the same questions over and over. The only thing you forgot to mention is that when CF is enabled you will only be able to use the outputs on the primary card, not the secondary or tertiary cards.

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Dipping bags at Mach1.9

5870six will have no clocks and all six DP ports will require 6 active adapters?

5870six will have no clocks and all six DP ports will require 6 active adapters?

For HDMI/DVI connections it will support 2 via passive adaptors, the remaining 4 via active adaptors.

5870six will have no clocks and all six DP ports will require 6 active adapters?

As I said previously:

The six-output card that is coming soon will have two DP+ connections and four DP connections. That means that it could require up to four active adapters if one intends to connect six monitors all without DP inputs.

The ATI 5870 only has two timing signal generators, even though is has four outputs: 2xDVI, 1xHDMI, and 1xDP (DisplayPort). Thus, in order to use three monitors with this GPU, one needs to utilize the DP connection.

that's true.

There are actually two types of DP connections: DP and DP+. DP+ connections are capable of passing through signals for other connection types (such as DVI and VGA). DP-only connections cannot do this. If one were to connect an inexpensive passive DP-to-DVI adapter to a DP+ port and a DVI monitor, it would work properly. But if one tries the same thing with a DP-only port, it will not work. This is a why an "active" adapter is needed; it actively transcodes a DP signal into DVI (or some other connection standard).

Well just one thing
The DP output on the current 5870 is actually perfectly capable of passing DVI through by itself. The limitation is on the number of VGA/DVI/HDMI screens not on the outputs themselves.
Hence I think the "This is why" I put in bold in your text could be misinterpreted.


Likewise, I also believe all ports of the 5870 Six will handle passive adapters as long as there is no more than two.