Dual Monitor + TV setup questions...

[Milwaukee]

I’m figuring out how to rid myself of the cable bill and would like to hook up my PC to my television. However, I have two monitors which I’d like to keep working as an extended desktop.

I know I’ll need a new video card as my GTX 260 has no HDMI out, so I’m looking at what I can buy that allows 3 displays. I found the AMD 6850 (thanks KingFatty for your info in the thread about the 780G), but in the newegg reviews everyone who’s hooked it up to a television has a horror story about BSODs or terrible quality.

I see some versions of the GTX 460 (2BG), like this one here. Say they can handle 4 displays via nvidia’s 3D surround, but I thought you needed an SLI configuration for that. Is a simple GTX 460 1GB x2 SLI a better way to go? I have an SLI board and I’m more versed in nvidia’s products, so I need some advice on what AMD offers (Eyefinity etc.).

Has anyone tried anything like this? All I want is basically a dual-monitor + TV extended desktop. I’m not concerned with splitting sound by app or anything. I’m trying to keep my current dual-monitor PC setup and add in the TV for use with a tuner card and Media Center. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

 

[96Firebird]

What is the PC going to be used for? Gaming, photo editing, etc... or just general use?

 

[Lonyo]

You can use a high end card + low end card if you want 3 displays.
Absolutely no reason to get GTX460s in SLI if you are just looking to add 3 monitors and aren't doing it for performance reasons.

 

[Milwaukee]

The PC will be used for general use and some gaming. The GTX 260 is only slightly prohibitive to my gaming, and I can't justify an upgrade for that reason only.

I honestly hadn't thought of putting in a 2nd card for just TV purposes, thanks for the insight.

Unfortunately, I was wrong about my board being SLI ready. That musta been my last board, because my current one only has one PCIe x16 slot. So now the question is... can a $60 card like this run HD resolution video from Windows Media Center? I'd guess yes, but i'm going to some research first.

Thanks for the help

 

[paperwastage]

any modern gpu can run HD res video...

if you want 1-card option for 3 outputs(and your mobo has no IGP), then any 5xxx/6xxx AMD card with eyefinity plus a $30 DP->DVI/HDMI active adapter would work.

GTX 260 has no HDMI out

DVI->HDMI cables work as well (unless you get problems with HDCP b/c your TV is old/complicated)



the only problem with this set up is that gaming while watching TV might be complicated (eg mouse/keyboard in game might not wor kwell with a remoet switching TV, and you'd want to get a secondary HDD if you record stuff via TV Tuner)

 

[Milwaukee]

Thanks for your help,

if you want 1-card option for 3 outputs(and your mobo has no IGP), then any 5xxx/6xxx AMD card with eyefinity plus a $30 DP->DVI/HDMI active adapter would work.

This statement confused me a little... If an AMD 6850 has 2 DVI, 1 HDMI, and 1 DP, why would you need an adapter? Is there something restricting you from using 2 DVI with the HDMI out? Or do these card require the DP be used for 3 display setups?

 

[KingFatty]

Does your motherboard have another PCIe slot that is slower than x16, or does your motherboard have only one PCIe slot that is occupied by your 260? If there's another slot (maybe limited to 8x), maybe you can throw an inexpensive Nvidia card in there for the TV?

AMD cards can generate signals for 3 outputs. One signal is for the DisplayPort, and the remaining two signals are shared among the DVI/HDMI ports. So the limitation is that you have to choose whether to use both DVI, or one DVI and one HDMI, because the card won't provide three signals to activate the DVIx2 ports and HDMI port simultaneously. so if you want triple monitor support with one AMD card, you'll need to get a displayport monitor or an adapter ($30) that uses the displayport. Although there are special cards that incorporate their own 'adapter' to provide three outputs for DVI/HDMI, they cost more than buying a regular card and separate adapter.

 

[mosox]

Here's what you need:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102924

The card is sensibly faster than yours and it has the adapter included. You can sell your card, you don't need it anymore.

LE You don't need an adapter actually with that card, only if you have a DP monitor or TV.

 

[KingFatty]

Here's what you need:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102924

The card is sensibly faster than yours and it has the adapter included. You can sell your card, you don't need it anymore.

LE You don't need an adapter actually with that card, only if you have a DP monitor or TV.

Well, that 6870 card is $180 after rebate and includes an adapter.

Or... you can get this 6870 for $130 after rebate, and buy a separate adapter for $27, which will be cheaper than getting the card that comes with the adapter:

$130 6870 (use the promo code on the page to bring it down to $130):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131378&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440897&PID=3332167&SID=u00000687
Adapter:
[removed/wrong adapter, see mosox below]

But that's if you want a gaming/powerful card. If you just want to keep your old Nvidia card, and have a spare PCIe slot even if it's not x16, you could find a very inexpensive Nvidia card to throw in for $15 after rebate and use with your old Nvidia card.

 

[mosox]

Better this adapter for that Powercolor.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814999034