Can't set up 3 monitors (NOT an adapter problem)

[davidstrongarm]

Hi guys,

I have just bought a new computer with dual 5870s, each with 6 mini-DP connectors, and 3 monitors. I have an ASUS P6X58D Premium MB.

I can't figure out how to get all 3 monitors working at once though. In the Catalyst Control Center, I can get any two to work fine, so the problem isn't the monitors or cables, but if I try to extend the desktop onto a third monitor I get "To extend the desktop, a desktop or display must be disabled".

I've tried to google for help, but unfortunatly the only results I can find are people who don't have the right adapter for their DVI/HDMI/DP or whatever, which obviously isn't my problem.

I have just updated to the latest drivers and CCC.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Dave.

 

[superunknown98]

How are the monitors hooked up? all three are running off of 1 card?

 

[davidstrongarm]

Yes, all 3 monitors off 1 card. They are all the same, and brand new.
I'm using Win7 64 bit btw.

 

[aka1nas]

What sort of monitors are they and how do you have them hooked up?

 

[davidstrongarm]

I'm using 3 Samsung 2443BW. They have DVI outputs, I'm using the adpters that came with the card to convert DVI > miniDP.

Apparently it IS an adapter problem. I had assumed, quite wrongly as it happens, that the adapters that came with the GFX card would be active and work fine.

But that's not the case. I kinda feel like I've been conned by ATI. The fact that I need to buy a special adapter to run eyefinity on an eyefinity card that comes with a range of adapters seems rather ridiculous

 

[Vesku]

I'm more upset with monitor makers lagging in providing display port on newer models considering how prevalent they are on new computers.

 

[digitaldurandal]

in the catalyst control center. Choose displays. Click create group. This will enable eyefinity for all three displays. There is another way to get all monitors workings separately but I am unsure of it.

 

[XFX Support]

The adapters that ship with the card are most likely passive. Passive adapters can handle up to two displays because they basically piggyback off of the existing outputs built in to the processor for DVI and HDMI. Ryan Smith wrote a pretty good article about it at http://www.anandtech.com/show/3879/active-singlelink-displayport-adaptors-available-soon.

The bottom line is that I am not aware of any manufcturer shipping active adapters with their Eyefinity6 cards. I would recommend contacting the manufacturer of your cards to confirm. That is exactly how the cards will act with passive adapters. You will likely need to purchase http://www.accellcables.com/products/DisplayPort/DP/mdp_dvi_sl_active.htm for every monitor you intend to use after the second. It is probably the adapters.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Active Displayport to DVI single-link adaptor, $28 at Newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-030-_-Product

 

[Darkrage]

Active Displayport to DVI single-link adaptor, $28 at Newegg

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-030-_-Product

+1, I just got this very same adaptor 3days ago and it works perfectly.

 

[davidstrongarm]

Thanks for the responses guys.

One of my problems is that I'm in Australia, and I'm having a hard time finding an adapter. I'd rather not ship from overseas because I don't want ot have to wait.....I want it NOW lol