jhighwind
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4 monitors on AMD FirePro W5100 - can only get 3 to work.
So I have a new HP workstation with an AMD FirePro W5100 card (specs and other details below). Replaced an older system where 4 monitors were working fine.
The FirePro W5100 has 4 DisplayPort outputs, but I can only seem to get any combination of 3 monitors to work (the 4th always just gives a "no signal" message and goes black). I was under the impression that I could run 4 monitors off of this, but I'm wondering if there's something wrong with my combination of adapters. The monitors only have DVI and VGA ports, no native DisplayPort connections, so I'm using active displayport -> DVI adapters.
The AMD FirePro software shows a 4th monitor as disabled. If I try to extend to it, FirePro software gives me a message that I have to disable one other monitor before I can enable that one. I get the same thing if I try to enable the 4th monitor in Windows 7 display settings (just gives me an "Unable to save display settings" error).
I know the monitors themselves are fine because I can get any combination of 3 monitors in any combination of 3 ports to work. The adapters I'm using are all identical. So basically, I can only have 3 monitors running at a time. Windows 7 and the FirePro software both acknowledge that 4 monitors are connected, but I can't enable the 4th one.
Am I missing something here? Should I be able to run 4 monitors on this card the way I'm trying to do it?
Some other system specs:
HP Z840
16GB RAM
Windows 7 Pro SP1
Intel Xeon E5-2650 2.30GHz
AMD FirePro W5100
LG Flatron L2000CP monitors (all 4 monitors are the same model)
The FirePro W5100 has 4 DisplayPort outputs, but I can only seem to get any combination of 3 monitors to work (the 4th always just gives a "no signal" message and goes black). I was under the impression that I could run 4 monitors off of this, but I'm wondering if there's something wrong with my combination of adapters. The monitors only have DVI and VGA ports, no native DisplayPort connections, so I'm using active displayport -> DVI adapters.
The AMD FirePro software shows a 4th monitor as disabled. If I try to extend to it, FirePro software gives me a message that I have to disable one other monitor before I can enable that one. I get the same thing if I try to enable the 4th monitor in Windows 7 display settings (just gives me an "Unable to save display settings" error).
I know the monitors themselves are fine because I can get any combination of 3 monitors in any combination of 3 ports to work. The adapters I'm using are all identical. So basically, I can only have 3 monitors running at a time. Windows 7 and the FirePro software both acknowledge that 4 monitors are connected, but I can't enable the 4th one.
Am I missing something here? Should I be able to run 4 monitors on this card the way I'm trying to do it?
Some other system specs:
HP Z840
16GB RAM
Windows 7 Pro SP1
Intel Xeon E5-2650 2.30GHz
AMD FirePro W5100
LG Flatron L2000CP monitors (all 4 monitors are the same model)
ASKER
Will give that a shot and let you know. It's going to be a day or two before I get back over there (the user is going to be out of town for a couple of days).
In the worst case, I'm thinking I'll just install a second video card or something. But getting all four monitors to work from the one card would obviously be my ideal fix here.
In the worst case, I'm thinking I'll just install a second video card or something. But getting all four monitors to work from the one card would obviously be my ideal fix here.
It's clear from the specs that it should work. In the Key Features list of the datasheet it says, "Four standard DisplayPort outputs" and in the headline it says, "4K quad-display capabilities", but the latter statement is where it has an important footnote:
Requires 4K displays and content; performance dependent on file size. AMD Eyefinity technology supports up to six DisplayPort™ monitors on an enabled graphics card. Supported display quantity, type and resolution vary by model and board design; confirm specifications with manufacturer before purchase. To enable more than two displays, or multiple displays from a single output, additional hardware such as DisplayPort-ready monitors or DisplayPort 1.2 MST-enabled hubs may be required. A maximum of two active adapters is recommended for consumer systems. See www.amd.com/eyefinityfaq for full details.I'd be very disappointed if it couldn't handle four DP-to-DVI connections with two active and two passive adapters. Looking forward to hearing the results of your tests. Regards, Joe
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Thanks for the update — interesting stuff! I'm glad to hear that the W7100 did the trick, but disappointed to hear that the W5100 didn't — very good to know for making future recommendations. Thanks again for taking the time to post your results. Regards, Joe
> I might have been mistaken on the types of adapters I had.
That would be my guess. I have found the AMD Eyefinity technology documentation about various FirePro adapters to be accurate and reliable. I have little doubt that the W5100 can support four monitors with the proper adapters correctly configured.
> Regardless, the W7100 did the trick with no other changes needed.
Glad to hear it. I was happy to try to help you with this issue. Regards, Joe
That would be my guess. I have found the AMD Eyefinity technology documentation about various FirePro adapters to be accurate and reliable. I have little doubt that the W5100 can support four monitors with the proper adapters correctly configured.
> Regardless, the W7100 did the trick with no other changes needed.
Glad to hear it. I was happy to try to help you with this issue. Regards, Joe
ASKER
I might have been mistaken on the types of adapters I had. Regardless, the W7100 did the trick with no other changes needed.
If you're using four active adapters, that could be the problem. From the Eyefinity FAQs: And from footnote #1 of the FirePro W5100 datasheet: So I would try two active and two passive adapters rather than four active ones. Regards, Joe