TrippleHead2Go and 3 HP w2207h 22" monitors

[Exahertz]

Recently i've been on a quest, scavenging Craigslist and Ebay in search of three 22" HD LCD's.

I got locked into using the w2207h when i got one new in the box for $150 and another for $200. now i just have one left to go.

anyways, i was wondering what kind of proformance i might get using the tripplehead2go digital at 1680x1050 x3 (5040x1050) while playing games like Crysis or FSX.

Might i see a linear decrease in frame rates (2 monitors = 1/2 the frame rate, 3 monitors = 1/3 the frame rate) or is it more complicated than that?

anyways, its a big investment and i just wanted your input.

So far this is what i've got
http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/laserskys/SNC00036.jpg

And I am fully aware of the limited desk space issue :p:

[STEvil]

more complicated: when you run out of frame buffer (memory on the video card) performance will drop like a rock.

768mb will keep you ok with no FSAA or very little.

[Bertross]

well the 8800GTX is kicking along abit imo for Crysis. One GTX295 might be a better option GPU wise, even a GTX285 will be alot better. I would sell the two screens and grab two 24".

[Exahertz]

well the 8800GTX is kicking along abit imo for Crysis. One GTX295 might be a better option GPU wise, even a GTX285 will be alot better. I would sell the two screens and grab two 24".

the main problem with having only two screens is that you get the edges of the two screens right in the center of the game. big black lines right ware you're aiming is never good.

and i dont really have room for anything larger than three 22's (or funding)

[Bertross]

yeah fair enouh. look you make a really good point, i would do the extra screen just to get your crosshair in the centre like you said.

to be honest i think your performance will drop signicantly in games. Desktop wise im unsure.

[Exahertz]

So i guess i should consider upgrading my vid card?

Im thinking two HD 4870's in crossfire should work well (totaling 2 gigs video memory).

[SNiiPE_DoGG]

yes CF is a good option for you, but a 4870x2 will only cost you 400 so you might want to do that especially if your gonna WC and you will only need to buy one block...

[IronWarrior]

So i guess i should consider upgrading my vid card?

Im thinking two HD 4870's in crossfire should work well (totaling 2 gigs video memory).

Yep them cards will rock and power you through anything, have you thought about the 4870 X2 through?

Nice setup, I was thinking of a tri-head setup but the TrippleHead2Go doesn't support 30" max resolutions. :(

I love your PC, I like the fan controller, any chance you could take some pictures? :)

[DementeD]

^ i believe the TH2G wont support the res he wants with an ATI brand card..so a 295 would be the better bet ..?

[Exahertz]

the TripleHead2Go Digital will support 3 x 1680 x 1050, which is the maximum of my w2207h monitors.

[ewitte]

A lot of games may work well but I don't think Crysis will be one of them ;)

[IronWarrior]

A lot of games may work well but I don't think Crysis will be one of them ;)

Yes Crysis will work fine on three screens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJWVuJjdueI

[DementeD]

the TripleHead2Go Digital will support 3 x 1680 x 1050, which is the maximum of my w2207h monitors.

unless ur using ati
compatibility list for an 4870x2 max res for triple monitors is
3x1280x1024 or 3x1440x900 ie NO 1680x1050 unless ur in dual monitor mode which can do 1920x1200 :D

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/support/compatibility/gxm/

[Bobsama]

You could do a DualHead2Go on for a pair of the monitors and attach the third with the second DVI port on the graphics card?

[Bertross]

4870x2 will do fine mate, i say upgrade GPU then grab a 3rd screen.

[DementeD]

^ i guess u didnt read where i wrote the TH2G wont do his res with the 4870x2...good recommendation..

[Bobsama]

I'll reiterate my suggestion.

One or two HD4870X2 2x1GB and a DualHead2Go. No reason to spend on a Triple, because you can't run all three at native resolution. With the DH2G, you should be able to run two 1680x1050. Even a pair of the DH2G should yield you four 1680x1050.

[IronWarrior]

I'll reiterate my suggestion.

One or two HD4870X2 2x1GB and a DualHead2Go. No reason to spend on a Triple, because you can't run all three at native resolution. With the DH2G, you should be able to run two 1680x1050. Even a pair of the DH2G should yield you four 1680x1050.

He doesn't want to do that since the crosshair be stuck between the screens and no one wants the big black edges of the screens as the centre. :/

Personally, I would just get a 30" as my main display and just play on that till triplehead supports higher resolutions or be forced to play at 3x1280x1024

[DementeD]

OR..get nvidia card like a gtx295 like i suggested before..that will work on a TH2G..i believe its JUST ati thats held back in resolution..and im not sure why..seems stupid imo but whatever

[Exahertz]

I'll reiterate my suggestion.

One or two HD4870X2 2x1GB and a DualHead2Go. No reason to spend on a Triple, because you can't run all three at native resolution. With the DH2G, you should be able to run two 1680x1050. Even a pair of the DH2G should yield you four 1680x1050.

I kind of like that idea, just as long as i can have all three monitors running at 1680x1050 and just use "stretch desktop" in Nvidia's multiple monitor control center.

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/laserskys/DH2G.jpg

This save $100 dollars, But would this configuration create any incompatibilities that a TrippleHead would not?
would everything still be centered?

[ewitte]

Yes Crysis will work fine on three screens.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EJWVuJjdueI

I just mean it gets crap fps even on one and I'm running a gtx 285 and have AA off ;)

[Bertross]

What about a Sapphire 4850x2 2GB? she has 4 outputs. not much slower than the 4870x2.

[STEvil]

1680x1050x3 actually works on ATi hardware on the desktop, so no real reason that it wont work 3D except drivers..

You could set a custom resolution using the Matrox desktop software which should let you run it, maybe at 1680x1024x3 or something but it should work.


Unfortunately when outputting to multiple monitors in 3D all SLI/X-Fire modes are disabled... so DH2G+SoftTH/etc would not work.

The 8800GTX will run 3x1680x1050 fine for now, upgrade GPU later.

[Exahertz]

1680x1050x3 actually works on ATi hardware on the desktop, so no real reason that it wont work 3D except drivers..

You could set a custom resolution using the Matrox desktop software which should let you run it, maybe at 1680x1024x3 or something but it should work.


Unfortunately when outputting to multiple monitors in 3D all SLI/X-Fire modes are disabled... so DH2G+SoftTH/etc would not work.

The 8800GTX will run 3x1680x1050 fine for now, upgrade GPU later.

Agreed, i haven't noticed too much of a performance drop while gaming with two monitors (for testing purposes only), so three shouldn't be that bad (i hope).

Now back to my previous post. I am not SLI'ing, so would the configuration in that drawing work? Basicly use a DualHead2Go on my GTX's DVI port 1 and the third monitor on DVI port 2. configure it in Nvidia control panel to stretch?

I like the fact of not having to upgrade my GPU as funding is tight. I guess ill be tweaking with Riva again :D

[STEvil]

I dont know if you can tell it to stretch and have it do 3D across 3 monitors... i've never tried.

SoftTH is a software version of TH2G which would allow it to work and it might be just fine since you wont be transferring information over the PCI-E bus.. I found that it was really slow doing that :(

[Exahertz]

I guess ill call the guys at Matrox again and see what they recommend.
I tried calling them earlier today but was on hold for 20 mins before i hung up :confused:

[Exahertz]

I just picked up the T2G-D3D-IF (newest version) for $200! :D

[IronWarrior]

Congards! :D

[Exahertz]

I can only imagine what the TrackIR would be like in a tri-head setup!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_AO0F5sLdVM&eurl=http://video.google.com/videosearch?um=1&hl=en&q=trackir&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iv

drool!!!!

[geo]

is there a reason you didn't crossfire 2 4850 cards? dont they have dual DVI on each? or even Quad DVI 4850X2

[Exahertz]

[update]

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/laserskys/Simulator.jpg

http://i44.photobucket.com/albums/f9/laserskys/Room.jpg

Now the only thing im waiting on is the TripleHead2Go (T2G-D3D-IF) to come in then i can fire up all three of theses bad boys!! :D Should be here in a few days.

BTW, im about to order the TrackIR headtracker and a logitech G25 racing wheel.

[swale]

I would have said a gtx 295 would be ideal if not a 4870x2 thats a lot of screen :)

Looks great though...crysis is a right @rse to get good frames on especialy with this kind of setup so wouldn't be too worried.