One of the main competitive advantages of modern AMD video cards is their rich communication capabilities. Video cards of the HD 5000 series (except for the HD 5870 Eyefinity Edition model) allow you to simultaneously connect up to 3 monitors, and the HD 6000 models, together with DisplayPort 1.2 connectors, have the ability to simultaneously connect 6 monitors at once. Against this background, the decision to add at the driver level the ability to combine multi-monitor configurations into a single virtual screen became very logical. This is not the first such development, but earlier versions did not catch on among gamers. However, now this idea has caught the fancy of both game manufacturers and NVIDIA, which last summer introduced Surround technology, which provides similar functionality to its video cards.

However, the practical implementation of these technologies is somewhat different. To organize Surround you need 2 NVIDIA video cards (or one dual-chip). At the same time, it is obvious that the performance of the company's top video cards is quite enough to maintain a normal FPS level in many games, even when using a three-monitor configuration. Well, organizing a multi-chip configuration is always associated with certain problems - 4 occupied slots on the motherboard, increased power consumption and noise levels, and not always stable operation in new games.

Eyefinity has another problem - one of the monitors must be connected to the DisplayPort connector. Now this problem is not so relevant, since DVI-DisplayPort adapters are on sale, and monitors with this interface are more widespread. Third-party vendors have also come to the rescue - video cards no longer require a mandatory DisplayPort connection.

It turns out that creating a three-monitor configuration does not require particularly significant financial investments. Of course, everything primarily depends on you, your needs and capabilities. But in principle, having one Full HD monitor and a suitable video subsystem, it is enough to buy two more inexpensive monitors. That is, the minimum price for “joining the club” is about 10,000 rubles.

Most of those reading this material probably know about Eyefinity, because this technology was introduced back in September 2009. Therefore, in this article we will only talk a little about setting up a multi-monitor configuration and our gaming experience with the resulting system. The most important part of the article is the test data, which allows us to get some idea of ​​​​the performance of modern AMD video cards in this mode.

Installing and configuring Eyefinity

The main difficulties in preparing a three-monitor configuration for work lie not in its configuration, but in its installation. Imagine that you have 3 immodestly sized boxes in your room, from which you need to remove monitors (in our case, these are 23” inch NEC MultiSync EA231Wmi) and stuff the junk that is unnecessary for further installation back. Each of our monitors is 55cm wide, so a 165cm table is needed to set them up in a row. In fact, it is better to install monitors at a slight angle to each other to improve the effect of presence.

Obviously, when working with such a configuration, you should be located significantly further from it than when using a single similar monitor. Otherwise, a feeling of discomfort quickly arises (even dizziness). Therefore, the width of the table should also be impressive.

You will also have to accept that the monitor stands will take up most of the table. An alternative is to wall mount or use specialized brackets. The latter is the most preferable solution, as it allows you to ideally adjust the location of the monitors relative to each other. However, the price of such solutions seriously moves us away from the base level of 10,000 rubles. So we carefully place our monitors on the table, adjust the height and angle... and think about where we should connect these three monitors. Of course, in the test laboratory there are no problems with this, but the buyer of the Eyefinity system will probably have to worry about purchasing a normal pilot with the appropriate number of sockets. Next, we connect the monitors to the video card, carefully hide all the cables, turn on all the monitors and start the computer.

Connecting multiple monitors to one computer is a necessity for specialists who process large amounts of information. Research shows that this increases their productivity by 30-60%. At home, gamers need multiple monitors; this is how they immerse themselves in the virtual world. It is also convenient to use multiple screens for trading.

Connection conditions

Theoretically, an infinite number of screens can be connected to one device. Of course, provided that it has the necessary technical characteristics. You can create a video wall from dozens of modules, each of which will have its own image. But this solution will cost several hundred thousand rubles; ordinary people have no use for it.

For home or work use, 2 or 3 screens are suitable. Even the most advanced gamers have enough video footage from a maximum of 6 monitors. If you have good hardware, they can be connected to one video card. But to avoid overloads, it is better to distribute 2-3 screens per device.

All modern video cards, even those built into the processor, can withstand such loads. To enable 3 or more displays, you will need AMD 5 series or higher video cards, NVIDIA - GTX 600 model and newer is also suitable.

Necessary conditions for creating a multi-monitor system:

• multi-channel support;
• 2048 MB of video memory for non-gaming systems and 2 times more for gaming computers;
• data bus bandwidth from 128 bits and high memory speed;
• Driver support for all screen resolutions;
• Availability of a DisplayPort interface on at least one display for the AMD device;
• Availability of the necessary outputs on the video card.

As a last resort, it is allowed to use adapters if the hardware does not have the necessary outputs.

Methods for connecting monitors

There are three ways to combine screens into a video system:

• through ports on one video card,
• with the installation of several video cards,
• connection via splitters.

If the video card is equipped with several ports, there are no problems - each display has its own output. If there is only one port, you can use a signal divider - a splitter. It is connected to the system and distributes a signal to 2-4 screens, depending on the model.

The more outputs on the splitter, the worse the picture quality on each monitor. It also depends on the capabilities of the video card. If its stream is only enough for one video, when divided, the resolution and clarity of the picture will become worse.

To connect via a splitter, it is better to choose screens with the same resolution. Otherwise, the quality of the picture will be different everywhere, and it will be impossible to correct it.

To create a common system with several video adapters, they will have to be combined into SLI or Crossfire. Another option is to use the built-in video in addition to an external graphics card. To do this, the motherboard BIOS must have the Always Enable option. With this method, displays from different video chips will work separately, and it will not be possible to create a common multi-monitoring system.

How to connect devices

The physical connection of graphic cards and monitors is simple: the devices are disconnected from the network and the cables are inserted into the required connectors. A video chip can have several types of ports:

• HDMI
• HDMI, Wi-Fi extender
• DisplayPort.

VGA is the most common type, designed for connecting a TV or monitor. It occurs both on modern equipment and on outdated models. The peculiarity is that this connector does not transmit an audio signal. This can create a problem when synchronizing audio and video. It is solved by a separate audio system. It is not recommended to connect a FullHD monitor through this port, as the picture will be unclear.

DVI is a more modern port, replacing VGA. Used for high-resolution screens, digital projectors, plasma panels. Using an adapter to this connector, you can turn on a VGA screen.

HDMI is a digital output that can transmit not only a high-quality video signal, but also a multi-channel audio signal. The new HDMI 2.0 standard allows you to transmit not only FullHD video, but also 3D images and Dolby audio. Supports monitors with an aspect ratio of 21:9. There is a wireless version, connecting devices via Wi-Fi.

DisplayPort has the same picture expansion capabilities as HDMI – 3840x2160. The advantage over this model is the low production cost, since the company does not pay tax for using this port in its device. Another small plus is the latches on the connector, which will prevent it from falling out of the connector.

Setting up additional screens in Windows

After physically connecting all devices, you can perform a test activation. The picture on the additional monitors will be the same as on the main one. To select a display mode, you need to open the projection panel using a combination of the Windows key and the Latin letter P.

The “Duplicate” option creates the same image on all screens. The “Extend” button makes the second and subsequent displays an extension of the main one.

If the computer does not detect additional monitors, you need to select “Display Options” from the desktop menu. Next, you need to click “Detect” or “Find”. When connected correctly, the system will detect the screen automatically. If this does not happen, you need to open the “Multiple Displays” list and select the “Try to connect to...” line with the desired connector. If there is no connection, you should check the connections of all cables, turn on the display through another cable or another video card port.

After detecting the screen, you can select the color rendition, brightness, orientation by clicking on the icon with a serial number and the inscription “Customize your screen.”

How to connect 2 monitors to one computer on Windows XP:

1. From the desktop menu, select “Properties” and go to the “Options” tab.
2. The gray field will display the monitors with their serial numbers.
3. By default, the picture on all screens is the same. To expand it, you need to check the “Extend the desktop onto this monitor” checkbox.
4. By clicking on the screens, you can adjust their resolution and color rendering.

Workshop: how to connect two monitors to one computer (video)

https://youtu.be/XjFSau4upx4

One or two monitors on a desk don't take up much space. If you connect 4-6 screens, you need to figure out how to optimize the space. The easiest way is to purchase desktop or wall brackets and hang one monitor above the other. This will save space and increase the total area of ​​the desktop picture.

Hi all!

During class and beyond, many people ask: “ How to connect two monitors to one computer?" or " How to connect multiple monitors?»

I decided to write an article answering this question. The purpose of the article is not to describe everything in detail, but to show possible options for connecting multiple monitors. I hope everyone understands that the inscription on the picture “Hackerman” is just a joke, and the information here is not the ultimate truth.

Content

Multiple monitors for one video card

As a rule, you can connect two monitors to one video card, but there are video cards that support more than two. The maximum number of connected monitors is indicated in the video card description - on the manufacturer's website or on third-party sites.

Perhaps this is the most “elegant solution”. There is no need to invent anything, plus low power consumption compared to. The downside is less fault tolerance and high consumption of video card resources.

Multiple video cards

On the motherboard there are PCI Express (PCI-E) slots, you can connect a video card to each slot. There are two types of slots: PCI-E x16(long) and to PCI-E x1(short), but their functionality is similar. There may be other types of slots on the board, but most GPUs connect via PCI-E.

PCI-E 16x slot

Most video cards in standard computers are connected through this slot. In case there are two slots on the motherboard PCI-E 16x, then you can connect two video cards. If each video card supports connecting two monitors, then you can connect four monitors.

PCI-E x1 slot

Graphics card with PCI-E x1

Video cards that can be connected to the slot PCI-Ex1 very little. One of them - HIS Radeon HD 4350.

Riser

TO PCI-E x1 You can connect standard video cards. To do this you will need to install a special adapter - Riser . The risers differ in versions, the main difference being the power connectors. Choose those that are free on your block.

Connecting multiple video cards to one motherboard is, in my opinion, the preferred method.

• This way we get a more stable and fault-tolerant system. If one of the video cards fails, then there are still one or two left.
• The load will be distributed between video cards. This will reduce the resource consumption of video cards and, in some cases, reduce noise. It is not necessary to install powerful video cards and overclock them, so cards with a passive cooling system (radiator) - without a cooler (fan) - are suitable.
• Most likely, this method will be cheaper, than connecting all monitors to one video card, but it is necessary to compare the options.

Do you need system support? SLI And CrossFireX on the motherboard? No! Ability to combine video cards into a mode SLI And CrossFireX It’s not needed for our task, but it won’t interfere either.

Video card and integrated video card

There are motherboards with an integrated graphics card (built-in video card) to which you can connect one or two monitors, rarely more. Also most of them have connectors PCI-E Therefore, you can install a discrete (ordinary) video card.

External video card

Conclusion

Of all the above, I would recommend. Ideally, use identical, preferably digital ( Displayport, HDMI And DVI) ports for connecting a monitor. You can also use, but it is more difficult to choose, especially if you want to connect six monitors.

If you already have a computer and don't want to change it, I would advise first of all to connect a cheap video card via . If there is no free slot, connect an additional card using . As a last resort, you can use .

If you have any questions about this topic or any other, be sure to ask them in the comments. I will try to answer in the comments, and in some cases write an article or video.

Thank you all for your attention and good luck!

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Today, few people will be surprised by the presence of a 27-inch monitor with a 16:9 ratio. This monitor allows you to plunge deeply into the space of video games or watching high-quality films. Modern video cards can easily handle high resolutions, for example 2560x1600. This is all great, but here's what to do if the quantity more than one display - or three monitors ?

Why three monitors?

For gamers. For a greater sense of 3D reality from the game))).

Well, or for programmers, when several programs are used simultaneously.
The first monitor is where we are writing code, the second is where we are debugging the code, the third is where we output the finished result. Calculate for yourself how much time it will take just to switch between windows within one monitor.

For AMD and NVIDIA, this will not be a problem. They provide for video card operating modes in which the image is displayed on multiple monitors.

AMD video cards allow you to connect up to 12 monitors. But, of course, this is a lot and expensive, so
In this article we will look at:

Connecting three monitors on the AMD platform

This technology is called Eyefinity. It is implemented mainly on new video adapters - one of the monitors must be connected via DisplayPort.

for video cards AMD from series 5(For example Radeon HD 5670 )

RMB on the desktop, select “Catalyst Control Center” from the drop-down menu. A window with video card settings opens - select “Multiple AMD Eyefinity Displays”, then click “Create a group of Eyefinity Displays”, then select the screen layout (vertical and horizontal).

In the monitor settings (Win+P) this corresponds to the “Duplicate” mode; return separate use of monitors - “Expand” mode
For players - in the game settings, select the highest resolution and the appropriate aspect ratio

Next, we'll look at some questions that may arise when setting up your computer hardware.
The video card must have three outputs.
Hardware— standard ports are used to connect three monitors: HDMI, DVI and VGA and modern DisplayPort:

Connection— there shouldn’t be any problems, just connect the monitors using the above ports and that’s it.
Selecting monitor orientation —
landscape— optimal for such types of computer games as flight simulators and car simulators,
portrait— optimal for those games that require a large screen area:
landscape and portrait orientation when connecting three monitors:

Arranging— after connection, the system will automatically detect all connected monitors. However, the program will need help in establishing the order of the monitors.

You can recognize and organize connected monitors using standard Windows tools. If each screen works separately from the other and is defined as a separate device, then most 3D games and movies will not be able to automatically split the picture into three parts. To do this, you should implement the “Create Group” function in the Catalyst driver.

Connecting three monitors on the NVIDIA platform

For video cards NVidia up to 600 series

With this connection, you will need a pair of video adapters, since more than 2 monitors cannot work with one video card!
You can organize a three-monitor system if you have two GPUs on video cards at once:
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 260/275/280/285/295
NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460/465/470/480/580/590

There are several methods for connecting 3 monitors to a PC equipped with video cards NVIDIA:

If your PC comes with two different video cards. In this case, you should either expand the desktop or clone it onto additional monitors.

Two identical video cards. In this case, it is possible to display the image on 3 monitors.

For video cards NVidia older than 600 series

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660/...and up to GTX 2080 - all these video cards support connecting 3 monitors.

There are also special devices ( HDMI splitter - splitter), which allow you to display one image on several screens at once:

Or external expansion module Matrox TripleHead2Go Digital SE to connect via DisplayPort or Mini DisplayPort, used on Mac OS.