How to Configure Multiple Monitors Using an AMD Eyefinity Graphics Adapter

---

Article Summary: This article explains what AMD Eyefinity Technology is and how to configure the displays to achieve multiple displays (3 or more) on a single Graphics adapter.

---

Table of Contents

• What is AMD Eyefinity Technology?
• What Graphics Adapters Support AMD Eyefinity?
• Requirements for Setting up AMD Eyefinity
• How do I Configure Displays with an AMD Eyefinity Graphics Adapter?
• How to Set up AMD Eyefinity using Catalyst Control Center?

---

What is AMD Eyefinity Technology?

AMD Eyefinity is a technology by AMD for it is line of advanced graphics adapters. AMD Eyefinity technology for the AMD (Formerly ATI) Radeon HD 5400 series and newer High Definition graphics adapters that are configured with DisplayPort (DP) technology. Support for three or more monitor outputs from a SINGLE graphics adapter, "active" DisplayPort adapters (dongles) or monitors with direct DisplayPort input connections must be used. (Dell U-Series Displays all have DisplayPort input connections.)

Microsoft Windows 8, 7, Vista, or Linux are required in order to support more than two displays per graphics adapter. Eyefinity configurations are not supported in Microsoft Windows XP and earlier operating systems.

Back to Top

---

What Graphics Adapters Support AMD Eyefinity?

Dell has several models of AMD Graphics Adapters available that support Eyefinity technology. The list includes but is not limited to the following graphics adapters:

• AMD Radeon HD 6670 - DisplayPort(1) VGA(1) DVI(1)
• AMD Radeon HD 7770 - HDMI(1) DVI(1) DisplayPort(1)
• AMD Radeon HD 7870 - HDMI(1) DVI(1) Mini-DisplayPort (2)
• AMD FirePro V7900 - DisplayPort (4)
• AMD FirePro V5900 - DisplayPort (2) DVI-I(1)
• AMD FirePro V7800 - DisplayPort (2) DVI-I(1)
• AMD Radeon HD 5870 - HDMI(1) DVI(2) DisplayPort (1) (Dual DVI is Default)
• AMD FirePro W2100 - DisplayPort (2)
• AMD FirePro W4100 - Mini-DisplayPort (4) With DP 1.2 MST (6)
• AMD FirePro W5100 - DisplayPort (4) With DP 1.2 MST (6)

NVIDIA-based graphics adapters alone support only 2 displays per graphics adapter. For NVIDIA to support 3 or more displays. A second graphics adapter (Either a matching second NVIDIA card or an Intel adapter in a system whose BIOS supports OPTIMUS) is required. Systems with Intel HD 4000 integrated graphics can support one analog display (VGA or the notebook internal LCD) and 2 DP connections (No adapters supported).

Back to Top

---

Requirements for Setting up AMD Eyefinity

• AMD compatible graphics card.
• Compatible monitors
• Video or Display Cables
  • DisplayPort cable (at least 1 monitor must be connected using DisplayPort).
    The DisplayPort cable must be an Active Display Cable (as recommended by ATI) for using 3 monitors. Using any other type of display cable other than the ones listed below may result in being unable to use the third monitor.

Back to Top

---

How do I Configure Displays with an AMD Eyefinity Graphics Adapter?

AMD Eyefinity technology embraces the functionality of the DisplayPort. Combined with a MAXIMUM of 2 Legacy display connections.
 

AMD defines legacy graphics as the following:

 

• Video Graphics Array (VGA)
• Digital Video Interface (DVI)
• High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)

The chart below indicates examples of possible monitor configurations for an AMD FirePro V5900 graphics adapter that is equipped with a single DVI and 2 DP connections.

 

3 Display Configuration	DVI Port Connection	DisplayPort 1 Connection	DisplayPort 2 Connection	AMD Eyefinity
Option-1	DVI Cable	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	Yes
Option-2	DVI Cable	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	Passive Adapter	Yes
Option-3	DVI Cable	Passive Adapter	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	Yes
Option-4	DVI Cable	Passive Adapter	Passive Adapter	No
Option-5	DVI > VGA Adapter	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	Yes
Option-6	DVI > VGA Adapter	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	Passive Adapter	Yes
Option-7	DVI > VGA Adapter	Passive Adapter	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	Yes
Option-8	DVI > VGA Adapter	Passive Adapter	Passive Adapter	No

The chart below indicates examples of possible monitor configurations for an AMD Radeon HD 6670 graphics adapter that is equipped with a single DVI, VGA, and DP connections.

 

3 Display Configuration	DVI Port Connection	VGA Port Connection	DisplayPort Connection	AMD Eyefinity
Option-1	DVI Cable	VGA Cable	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	Yes
Option-2	DVI Cable	VGA Cable	Passive Adapter	No
Option-3	DVI Cable	VGA Cable	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	Yes
Option-4	DVI > VGA Adapter	VGA Cable	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	Yes
Option-5	DVI > VGA Adapter	VGA Cable	Passive Adapter	No
Option-6	DVI > VGA Adapter	VGA Cable	DisplayPort Cable or Active Adapter	Yes

This chart indicates resolution and adapter options available for AMD Eyefinity configurations:
 

Connection Type	Max Resolution	Active Adapter Part #	Passive Adapter Part #
DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cable	2560 x 1600	Dell Part Number RN698	Not Applicable
DisplayPort to DVI-D Dual-link Adapter	2560 x 1600	Dell Part Number XT625	Not Applicable
DisplayPort to DVI-D Single-link Adapter	1920 x 1200	AMD	Dell Part Number 23NVR
DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter	1920 x 1200	Not Applicable	Dell Part Number TK041
DisplayPort to VGA Adapter	1920 x 1200	Dell Part Number RN699	Not Applicable

The Dell Part Number adapters are available via the Dell website, or they can be purchased through Dell Sales or Technical Support.

Back to Top

---

How to Set up AMD Eyefinity using Catalyst Control Center?

Setting up your monitors to take full advantage of AMD Eyefinity technology requires you to first Create an Eyefinity Group and Arranging the Displays.

Creating an Eyefinity Group

1. Connect each monitor to an output from the graphics card. At least one monitor must be connected using a display port connection. Shown below is an ATI 5970HD Graphics Adapter with 3 monitors (Figure 1).
   
   Figure 1: 1 DisplayPort Cable and 2 DVI Cables that are connected to the ATI 5970HD Graphics Adapter.
    
2. Power on the computer and all the monitors.
3. Open the Catalyst Control Center application (If not available, you must install the AMD Graphics Driver).
4. Click Desktops & Display in the graphics menu of Catalyst Control Center (Figure 2).
   
   Figure 2: Catalyst Control Center.
    
5. Click Detect Displays to ensure that all the three monitors are getting detected by your computer (Figure 3).
   
   Figure 3: Detect Displays.
    
6. Right-click on each monitor icon at the bottom of the window and select Duplicate (Figure 4).
   
   Figure 4: Duplicate Display.
    
7. In the middle of the window, Right-click on the monitor icon, go to Display Group, and select Create Group (Figure 5).
   
   Figure 5: Create Group.
    
8. In the new window, select the appropriate layout of the monitors as required (Figure 6).
   
   Figure 6: Select Layout.
    

Arranging the Displays

To arrange the displays in your groups, the Catalyst Control Center will help you arrange the display surfaces as required in your display group.
Once the group is created, Catalyst Control Center starts the wizard. If the arrangement is already correct, click Yes. Other wise click No and follow these instructions.

1. Right-click on any of the 3 monitors displayed in the group, go to Display Group, and select Arrange (Figure 7).
   
   Figure 7: Arranging the display group.
    
2. One of your monitors should now become active and will turn from black to blue. Click the corresponding monitor in the display group (Figure 8 & 9).
   
   Figure 8: Arranging the displays.
   
   
   Figure 9: Arrange the remaining monitors.
    
3. Repeat Step 2 for the remaining two monitors.
4. Click Done.

To change the resolution of the display group, click the triangle icon on the display group and select Properties. This will bring up the Catalyst Control Center Desktop Properties.

If you have further questions about this article, contact Dell Technical Support.

Back to Top

---