I've been doing far too much reading on this subject, talking to engineers and reading various threads on multiple forums, so I thought I'd answer a few of the very commonly asked (and most confusing) questions concerning The 5870/5850 & Eyefinity. I apologize to anyone that may already know this information and/or finds it redundant. But 1) I we don't have a thread concerning these specific issues a 2) lots of people are asking me where to get answers.
The first, and most important, asked question people are asking me is:
Q: "How can I run three displays with a 5870/5850?" and "Will x adapter work?"
A: Multi-part answer: Number one, passive Displayport to DVI adapters will not work.
Why? The 5870/5850s have two clock generators which are required to create DVI signals. Displayport does not make use of a clock generator in this fashion when using three displays, therefore passive DP to DVI adapters Will Not work because they cannot create a clock for a DVI panel. An Active DP adapter is required.
Two, the only known Active DP adapters that have been testing a Do Work are made by Dell/Bizlink and are approx. $100 CAD. Yes, it's expensive, but still far cheaper than buying a new LCD with DP built-in. AMD is working with OEMs to make more/cheaper adapters.
Three, To run a triple, monitor setup with a 5870/5850 all three monitors must have the same resolution. Mixing & matching is not an option here, as Eyefinity only supports SLS (Single Large Surface) which requires that all monitors used to create an Eyefinity group have matched resolutions. This may be changed in the future with a software and/or Bios tweak, we'll see.
There, that's not too bad is it? Get 3x matched (and getting cheaper by the day) 22''+ LCDs with DVI inputs + a $100 active DP adapter and your fancy 5870 and you're laughing.
Note: Unlike a Matrox TH2Go setup, Eyefinity is NOT limited to 3x1680x1050 maximum resolution and can scale just fine all the way up to 3x2560x1600. It also supports triple portrait setups as well.
Q: "Can I Use one of each connect for Eyefinity?" (aka 1x DVI, 1x HDMI & 1x DP)
A: Yup.
Q: "Can I CrossfireX and an Eyefinity setup at the same time?"
A: No, not yet. You can do either or, but CF with Eyefinity is not yet working (but is also being worked on).
Q: "Can I run a 4th monitor on side, next to an Eyefinity setup?"
A: All signs point to No. As mentioned above, with only two clock generators (both of are being used when using Eyefinity) there are none left for use with your remaining connector. AMD has shown possible setups for the Future of Eyefinity, which involve a Triple monitor setup + extra displays, but to my knowledge those extra modes will only work with the 5870 Eyefinity6 (5870 w/ 6x mini DP connectors).
Q: "When the Eyefinity Edition (aka Eyefinity6) comes out, will I still have to use an Active DP adapter?"
A: Yes, but don't kill me if I'm wrong yet. All documents and data I can find concerning this card indicate that will still only have two clock generators, and thus an active DP adapter will be needed for the 3rd, 4th, etc displays.
Q: "Why displayport? Adapters/changing monitors is annoying and expensive"
A: A few reasons. First being bandwidth = 8Gbps theoretical. This easily allows for the 30'' panels to connect seamlessly without worrying if your DVI connector is dual-link or not. Another reason is that Displayport directly informs the monitor how to properly display a mode. Gone will be the days of EDID, where a monitor "informs" a graphics card what resolutions/modes it supports and how to display them. Displayport will simply tell the monitor how to display any mode, and thus will (hopefully) decrease the cost of LCD monitors in future, since all the eletronics/complications related to EDID will be gone.
Q: "Which drivers work for Eyefinity?"
A: These drivers: Link - and only these work, thus far.
Update: 10/18/2009:
Q: "Can I use any three monitors with the same resolution for Eyefinity?"
A: Yes. Provided that they all share the same resolution/aspect ratio/orientation.
Q: "I know I can't get Eyefinity to work with with a Passive DP-DVI adapter, but I can I use it anyway just to have 3x monitors?"
A: This seems to be a mixed bag, some people online have reported that a passive DP adapter will work and that you'll be able to use all 3 monitors as either cloned or extended desktop. However, in my testing I have not yet found a passive adapter that will work At All with the 5870. I'll update this again if I find anything different later on.
Hopefully all this info helps :thumb: I'll update this thread when more news/info comes out.
The first, and most important, asked question people are asking me is:
Q: "How can I run three displays with a 5870/5850?" and "Will x adapter work?"
A: Multi-part answer: Number one, passive Displayport to DVI adapters will not work.
Why? The 5870/5850s have two clock generators which are required to create DVI signals. Displayport does not make use of a clock generator in this fashion when using three displays, therefore passive DP to DVI adapters Will Not work because they cannot create a clock for a DVI panel. An Active DP adapter is required.
Two, the only known Active DP adapters that have been testing a Do Work are made by Dell/Bizlink and are approx. $100 CAD. Yes, it's expensive, but still far cheaper than buying a new LCD with DP built-in. AMD is working with OEMs to make more/cheaper adapters.
Three, To run a triple, monitor setup with a 5870/5850 all three monitors must have the same resolution. Mixing & matching is not an option here, as Eyefinity only supports SLS (Single Large Surface) which requires that all monitors used to create an Eyefinity group have matched resolutions. This may be changed in the future with a software and/or Bios tweak, we'll see.
There, that's not too bad is it? Get 3x matched (and getting cheaper by the day) 22''+ LCDs with DVI inputs + a $100 active DP adapter and your fancy 5870 and you're laughing.
Note: Unlike a Matrox TH2Go setup, Eyefinity is NOT limited to 3x1680x1050 maximum resolution and can scale just fine all the way up to 3x2560x1600. It also supports triple portrait setups as well.
Q: "Can I Use one of each connect for Eyefinity?" (aka 1x DVI, 1x HDMI & 1x DP)
A: Yup.
Q: "Can I CrossfireX and an Eyefinity setup at the same time?"
A: No, not yet. You can do either or, but CF with Eyefinity is not yet working (but is also being worked on).
Q: "Can I run a 4th monitor on side, next to an Eyefinity setup?"
A: All signs point to No. As mentioned above, with only two clock generators (both of are being used when using Eyefinity) there are none left for use with your remaining connector. AMD has shown possible setups for the Future of Eyefinity, which involve a Triple monitor setup + extra displays, but to my knowledge those extra modes will only work with the 5870 Eyefinity6 (5870 w/ 6x mini DP connectors).
Q: "When the Eyefinity Edition (aka Eyefinity6) comes out, will I still have to use an Active DP adapter?"
A: Yes, but don't kill me if I'm wrong yet. All documents and data I can find concerning this card indicate that will still only have two clock generators, and thus an active DP adapter will be needed for the 3rd, 4th, etc displays.
Q: "Why displayport? Adapters/changing monitors is annoying and expensive"
A: A few reasons. First being bandwidth = 8Gbps theoretical. This easily allows for the 30'' panels to connect seamlessly without worrying if your DVI connector is dual-link or not. Another reason is that Displayport directly informs the monitor how to properly display a mode. Gone will be the days of EDID, where a monitor "informs" a graphics card what resolutions/modes it supports and how to display them. Displayport will simply tell the monitor how to display any mode, and thus will (hopefully) decrease the cost of LCD monitors in future, since all the eletronics/complications related to EDID will be gone.
Q: "Which drivers work for Eyefinity?"
A: These drivers: Link - and only these work, thus far.
Update: 10/18/2009:
Q: "Can I use any three monitors with the same resolution for Eyefinity?"
A: Yes. Provided that they all share the same resolution/aspect ratio/orientation.
Q: "I know I can't get Eyefinity to work with with a Passive DP-DVI adapter, but I can I use it anyway just to have 3x monitors?"
A: This seems to be a mixed bag, some people online have reported that a passive DP adapter will work and that you'll be able to use all 3 monitors as either cloned or extended desktop. However, in my testing I have not yet found a passive adapter that will work At All with the 5870. I'll update this again if I find anything different later on.
Hopefully all this info helps :thumb: I'll update this thread when more news/info comes out.
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h34r: Thats what i get to writing a long involved post what a hectic day on my hands, bleh.
