Question Unable to run 3 4k displays from my GPU (3070)

[Steelbom]

Hi guys,

I've got two Ark Odyssey (3840x2160@165Hz) and one Samsung G8 (3840x2160@240Hz) monitors.
The two arks by themselves work fine on the 3060, but I am unable to add the G8 -- it simply appears in the Display section as a tiny box.
I've tried changing the G8 to "Extend desktop to this display" but it simply refuses and goes back to "Disconnect this display".

I was under the impression that 3 4k monitors was possible? Is it because I have two through HDMI and one through DisplayPort?
Or is it because they are high refresh rate monitors?

The 3060 is in a PCIE 4.0 x4 slot.

Cheers,
SB

 

[Geven]

Your GPU should theoretically be able to support 3 4K monitors. The issue might be related to the combination of HDMI and DisplayPort, but it could also be due to the high refresh rates as you mentioned.

One thing you could try is to lower the refresh rate on your monitors, then see if you can connect the third one. If it works, then the refresh rate might be the problem. If it doesn't, you could try using DisplayPort for all three monitors if that's an option.

Another possible solution could be checking your GPU driver. Make sure it's up-to-date as sometimes driver issues can cause problems with multi-monitor setups.

Best of luck sorting this out!

 

[Muadib]

Which monitors are using DisplayPort? What happens when all 3 use Displayport?

 

[Steelbom]

Your GPU should theoretically be able to support 3 4K monitors. The issue might be related to the combination of HDMI and DisplayPort, but it could also be due to the high refresh rates as you mentioned.

One thing you could try is to lower the refresh rate on your monitors, then see if you can connect the third one. If it works, then the refresh rate might be the problem. If it doesn't, you could try using DisplayPort for all three monitors if that's an option.

Another possible solution could be checking your GPU driver. Make sure it's up-to-date as sometimes driver issues can cause problems with multi-monitor setups.

Best of luck sorting this out!

I see. I was thinking that it should support 3 4k monitors.

Yep, I'll try adjusting the refresh rates. Unfortunately, the 3060 is running the two Arks which only support HDMI and the 3060 only has 2 HDMI and 2 DP. So I can't try 3 HDMI with it.

All good with drivers, recent fresh install + up-to-date.

Which monitors are using DisplayPort? What happens when all 3 use Displayport?

The 3090 has one G9 connected via DP. The 3060 has two HDMI and two DP available, with both HDMI taken by the Arks.

 

[Muadib]

I’m going to guess that you don’t have another DP cable. DisplayPort has more bandwidth than HDMI, unless they are HDMI 2.1. I would get another DP cable, and see if you can get two of the monitors working on DisplayPort. I’m not sure but your 3090 may have a 2.1 HDMI port. It’s hard to remember specs before my morning coffee.

 

[Steelbom]

I’m going to guess that you don’t have another DP cable. DisplayPort has more bandwidth than HDMI, unless they are HDMI 2.1. I would get another DP cable, and see if you can get two of the monitors working on DisplayPort. I’m not sure but your 3090 may have a 2.1 HDMI port. It’s hard to remember specs before my morning coffee.

So the 3090 Ti has 3x DP 1.4a and 1x HDMI 2.1. The 3060 has 2x HDMI 2.1 and 2x DP1.4a.
Unfortunately, the two Ark monitors are HDMI only (connected to 3060) so I can't test adding a third HDMI to that one.

Right now one G9 and the G8 are connected via DisplayPort to the 3090 Ti. Once my other G9 is repaired I'll try all three and see how that goes.

 

[Muadib]

So the 3090 Ti has 3x DP 1.4a and 1x HDMI 2.1. The 3060 has 2x HDMI 2.1 and 2x DP1.4a.
Unfortunately, the two Ark monitors are HDMI only (connected to 3060) so I can't test adding a third HDMI to that one.

Right now one G9 and the G8 are connected via DisplayPort to the 3090 Ti. Once my other G9 is repaired I'll try all three and see how that goes.

Sounds good. Good luck!

 

[aigomorla]

I really have no idea what the hell Samsung was thinking making a 3000 dollar monitor with only HDMI.
But i think there was a issue with Nvidia 3000 series and running 3 4K, which is why most of us that do that, run dual video cards.

I remember nvidia hotfixed it with a driver, but i haven't kept up with it.
But i think you will have issues because you need dual HDMI and im not a fan of using adapters for 4k, and i do not think a lot of the adapters can keep up with the native refresh rate.

The easiest fix would be to run a second video and split the Ark up.

 

[Steelbom]

I really have no idea what the hell Samsung was thinking making a 3000 dollar monitor with only HDMI.
But i think there was a issue with Nvidia 3000 series and running 3 4K, which is why most of us that do that, run dual video cards.

I remember nvidia hotfixed it with a driver, but i haven't kept up with it.
But i think you will have issues because you need dual HDMI and im not a fan of using adapters for 4k, and i do not think a lot of the adapters can keep up with the native refresh rate.

The easiest fix would be to run a second video and split the Ark up.

Maybe I can upgrade to the 4090 for "bugless 3 4k monitor functionality" lol!

Right now I do have a dual card setup -- 2x DisplayPort to the 3090 Ti and 2x HDMI to the 3060. I'd be hard pressed to fit a third card, but I might be able to since I got the Silverstone Alta F2 I can mount some cards in weird places.

And yeah on your point about a 3k monitor with only HDMI, it's pretty crazy and a bit annoying. Some cards only have one HDMI lol.

 

[aigomorla]

If your running 2 cards... id put each Ark on a GPU itself.
The primary gaming on one, and the productivity on the other, unless your gaming on both, which in that case, that must be one AMAZING setup, and you would probably need to run a psudo SLI setup or get really bad screen shuttering.

 

[Steelbom]

If your running 2 cards... id put each Ark on a GPU itself.
The primary gaming on one, and the productivity on the other, unless your gaming on both, which in that case, that must be one AMAZING setup, and you would probably need to run a psudo SLI setup or get really bad screen shuttering.

Yeah, problem is I have 2 G9's and a G8 that need connecting as well. It's a headache haha.
I don't actually do any gaming on the Arks at all

Primarily I use the bottom G9 (which is directly in front of me).

 

[Steelbom]

To update:
I tested 2x G9 5120x1440 at 60Hz and 1x G8 3840x1440 at 60Hz all over DisplayPort on the 3090 Ti. The G8 won't turn on.
I tried the 2x G9 at 3840x1080 at 60Hz. The G8 still wouldn't turn on.

 

[aigomorla]

To update:
I tested 2x G9 5120x1440 at 60Hz and 1x G8 3840x1440 at 60Hz all over DisplayPort on the 3090 Ti. The G8 won't turn on.
I tried the 2x G9 at 3840x1080 at 60Hz. The G8 still wouldn't turn on.

Yeah i think something about the limitation on 2 4k monitors i read somewhere on top of you trying to use both HDMI.
This is why i didn't get the Ark.

I don't like HDMI on PC.

You need to split the Arks on independent video cards is what im guessing.
Thank good for you, almost any cheap nvidia card will do it.
Id look for a 1060 mini, but now you might run into issues with pci-e lanes with a second video card.

 

[Steelbom]

Yeah i think something about the limitation on 2 4k monitors i read somewhere on top of you trying to use both HDMI.
This is why i didn't get the Ark.

I don't like HDMI on PC.

You need to split the Arks on independent video cards is what im guessing.
Thank good for you, almost any cheap nvidia card will do it.
Id look for a 1060 mini, but now you might run into issues with pci-e lanes with a second video card.

It seems the limitation is also for 3 DisplayPort as well!

I feel like these cards should be able to power more than even 3 4k monitors. More like 5 or 6 each.

If I purchase another, it'd be a third GPU. The way the motherboard is, if I put a 2-slot card in the 2nd PCI-E port it covers the third AND the USB cable connectors. Right now I'm using the PCIE Riser cable that came with my case to get around this and the GPU is mounted on the left. If I added a third, I'd need to figure out where I can put the GPU and I'd need a riser cable to connect it up.

This is what I'm working with:



Ideally, I'd have the second GPU in PCI-E #2 and a third hanging using #3 but this motherboard doesn't really have the space or layout for it.
Unless I can hang the third GPU in front of the current hanging GPU. So I'd have two on the left. Not sure how doable that is.

 

[aigomorla]

I dont think you can run a 3rd gpu on a non HEDT.

Your not getting all monitors to display on 2 gpus?
Because that sounds really weird.
I have 2 x 4K's and 1 ultra wide... its not exactly 3 x 4k, but my ultrawide is 3840x1600.

I am assuming you do have the Arks each on its own GPU.
Have you tried moving the G9 on a different videocard and seeing if it will post?

So for example..
3090ti -> Ark + G9
3060 -> Ark solo.

oh wait are you running 2 G9's + 1 G8 + 2 Arks? so a total of 5 x 4k monitors?
Then you might need a third videocard.... but again, you can't do that without HEDT, im about 100% sure you wont have the PCI-E lanes let alone a third physical 8x slot to plug it into.

 

[Steelbom]

I dont think you can run a 3rd gpu on a non HEDT.

Your not getting all monitors to display on 2 gpus?
Because that sounds really weird.
I have 2 x 4K's and 1 ultra wide... its not exactly 3 x 4k, but my ultrawide is 3840x1600.

I am assuming you do have the Arks each on its own GPU.
Have you tried moving the G9 on a different videocard and seeing if it will post?

So for example..
3090ti -> Ark + G9
3060 -> Ark solo.

oh wait are you running 2 G9's + 1 G8 + 2 Arks? so a total of 5 x 4k monitors?

Yeah so it's basically

• 2x Ark
• 2x G9
• 1x G8

The two Arks go into the 3060 (both HDMI)
The two G9's go into the 3090 Ti (both DisplayPort)

At this stage, everything works fine running the four monitors.

But, if I add the G8 to the 3090 Ti (three on DisplayPort) it won't load.
If I add it to the 3060 via DisplayPort (2 HDMI, 1 DisplayPort) it won't load.

I'm unable to test 3 HDMI since neither card has 3 HDMI ports.

Then you might need a third videocard.... but again, you can't do that without HEDT, im about 100% sure you wont have the PCI-E lanes let alone a third physical 8x slot to plug it into.

Oh, really? It'd explain why there isn't enough space. Three PCI-E slots I have should be PCIE-5 @ x16 (down to x8), PCIE-4 x4, and then PCI-E 3/4 x2.
I just assumed I'd be able to add another GPU, but nevermind that, actually fitting it in there is also a problem lol

 

[aigomorla]

People say i have too many monitors, but not only do you run me over with it, but you back up and run over me several times more with your setup.

You must of a montage of screens being a wall in your room with that many displays.


I am gonna throw a hail mary at you, it may work, or it may not, but its amazon prime, so you can return it if it doesn't work.

Amazon.com

I would try a usb3.0 to video... but latency will be horrible i hear.
But it would be a sure way to rule out the Display limitation on video card.

 

[Steelbom]

People say i have too many monitors, but not only do you run me over with it, but you back up and run over me several times more with your setup.

You must of a montage of screens being a wall in your room with that many displays.


I am gonna throw a hail mary at you, it may work, or it may not, but its amazon prime, so you can return it if it doesn't work.

Amazon.com

I would try a usb3.0 to video... but latency will be horrible i hear.
But it would be a sure way to rule out the Display limitation on video card.

HAHA, it's a pretty impractical setup for most, but it works well for my use. Also turns the office into a sauna without AC on... 800W~ power draw for the two Arks and the two G9's.
I'm waiting on a new desk (90cm deep) that will allow me to set everything up a bit better. It's fairly cramped right now.

Nice idea! Didn't think of that. I found one that does 60Hz (and another that can apparently do 120Hz). Might give it a try.

Also tossing up the idea of upgrading MSI MEG X670E Godlike as it will allow me to slot in three graphics cards (8x/8x/4x PCI-E 5) which would allow me to run up to 6 monitors... but yeah that's the more expensive option lol.