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[Official] nVidia Surround

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#1 ·





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Mission Statement:

With the release of nVidia's 3D Vision Surround in the 258.69 beta and 258.96 WHQL Candidate drivers, I thought perhaps it would be worth having a thread here to complement the ATi EyeFinity thread in the ATi section. This thread is not intended as a contest for "which is better" - both have advantages and disadvantages.

Personally, I ended up jumping for nVidia Surround as it meant I could use DVI only monitors (no DisplayPort or Adaptors)... but that ended up not mattering as I picked up a DisplayPort capable Dell U2410 up cheap to complement two Dell 2405's I already had. This "different monitor" issue meant no Bezel Correction with ATi EyeFinity, however, so the nVidia route turned out superior for me. As always, individual mileage may vary.

This thread is intended as a resource/share-point for all those people using nVidia Surround (I will avoid the '3D' portion as I don't have monitors that can do that...)

nVidia themselves are obviously a primary resource for information about this new technology, as such some of the things I found most interesting on their site are linked to below.

Hopefully lots more people will join the Surround Gaming club and this will become an "Official" thread...





Signature Link:

Here's a template/example link to this thread. I'm not a fan of huge sig links, but feel free to increase the text size if you want. In fact, if you're like me, and a bit of a minimalist fan, just go with the basic one.


nVidia Surround Gaming

Code:

Code:
[URL="http://www.overclock.net/nvidia/780396-nvidia-surround-gaming.html"]nVidia Surround Gaming[/URL]
or

nVidia Surround Gaming

Code:

Code:
[URL="http://www.overclock.net/nvidia/780396-nvidia-surround-gaming.html"]nVidia Surround Gaming[/URL]
Useful Links:

3D Vision Surround Forum

System Hardware Requirements/Compatibility

Supported Display Modes

Supported Games

Optimising Your Games

Want Taskbar Icons centred? Here's how. Props to _CH_Skyline_ for finding it.

Surround Gaming Review: 1GB vs 2GB in Surround.

Surround/EyeFinity General Benchmark Thead: comparisons between different setups, so you can get an idea of what to expect with setup 'x' in Surround/EyeFinity.

Useful Hints:

If you want Aero Peek back (Surround breaks it for some reason) either turn off Taskbar icon merging (set to 'Never Combine'), or set the Taskbar to the side of the screen! Right click the Taskbar and select properties to get this menu:



Useful Software:

Because Windows 7 allows sidebar gadgets to be placed anywhere, you can put them in the centre screen without issues This makes generally keeping an eye on what is going on in your system a lot easier. They also appear to be a lot less system intensive than similar monitoring programs. With the exception of GPU meter, they've become one of the first of the "non essential" things I get running on any new install.

Windows Sidebar CPU Usage Meter - requires CoreTemp to get temperature readings from the CPU.

Windows Sidebar Network Usage Meter - does what it says on the tin. Personally, I like knowing when something is trying to talk to the outside world.

Windows Sidebar Drive Usage Meter - very interesting to use - gives a great indication of just how hard a HDD/SSD is working when that case light is flickering away. Often it's not very hard!

Windows Sidebar GPU Usage Meter - haven't really used this one, as I use MSI Afterburner and my Logitech G15 LCD for keeping tabs on what my GPUs are doing.

Update: 2012/08/15: Removed since Microsoft killed off Sidebar due to a security hole they couldn't be bothered to fix.

Will be updated with Rainmeter info once I can get my skin the way I want it.

Surround Wallpapers:
Surround wallpapers can now be found all over the internet (a quick Google Image search for 5760x1080 or 5760x1200 will net you a fair number of results) but some quick (and reasonably sized) examples are shown below:





3D Surround Users also welcome!



Surround Users:

Paradigm Shifter - Dell 2405|Dell U2410|Dell 2405, GTX670 4GB SLI + Accessory Display!
Defoler - Triple Samsung 2443BW, GTX470 Tri-SLI
Boulard83 - BenQ G2420HD|G2410HD|G2420HD, GTX460 SLI
wheth4400 - Triple Samsung P2570HD, GTX470 SLI
cy07 - Triple Alienware Optx AW2310, GTX480 SLI
_CH_Skyline_ - Triple Hansar 28", GTX580 Tri-SLI
appleg33k85 - Triple Asus 23", GTX580 Tri-SLI
Rangerscott - Triple LG Flatron W2361VG, GTX465->470 SLI
Ishinomori - Triple Dell U2311H, GTX580 3GB SLI
Chobbit - Triple VX2239WM, GTX460 1GB SLI
Hambone07si - Triple 24" Asus, Tri-SLI GTX480
num1son - Triple Acer S231HL, GTX570 SLI
Special K - Triple Acer G235H, GTX590 QUAD-SLI
matrices - Variable Monitors, GTX560Ti 2GB SLI
Nytehawk - Triple Acer 22" Portrait, GTX580 3GB SLI
gerrardo - Triple Dell U2311H, GTX480 SLI
Canis-X - Triple LGW2453V, GTX590 QUAD-SLI
FattyBoomba - Triple Dell U2711, GTX580 3GB Tri-SLI
masterm - Triple Samsung BX2450, GTX580 3GB SLI
GrandArchitect - Triple Acer 23" LED, GTX580 SLI
Vlasov_581 - Triple Asus 21.5", GTX480 SLI
Twilex - Triple BenQ XL2410T, GTX590
Ubeermench - Acer 23", Dell U2311H, Acer 23", Tri-GTX570
Juggalo23451 - Triple Samsung 2343, GTX590 QUAD-SLI
Reloaded83 - Triple Dell 20", GTX560Ti SLI
icy_cool_quad - Triple Acer S231HL, GTX480 SLI
kevink82 - Triple Dell U2412M, GTX590 QUAD SLI
TooManyToys NotEnoughTime - Dell 2407FPW|U2410|2407FPW, GTX580 3GB SLI
wermad - Triple Asus VS229H-P Portrait, GTX560 Ti 448 2.5GB Tri-SLI
mironccr345 - Triple 24" Asus, GTX460 2GB SLI
Freelancer852 - Samsung 245B|2443BW|245B, GTX470 SLI
yang88she - Triple Dell 3007WFP Portrait, GTX580 3GB Tri-SLI
d-block - Triple HP 2511, GTX470 SLI
Xyphyr - Triple BenQ XL2410T, GTX590
Tipless - Triple 22" Samsung, GTX470 SLI
MistaDowner - Triple Samsung 245BW Portrait, GTX480 SLI
donrapello - Triple P236H, GTX680
pvt.joker - Dell 2408|U2412|2408, GTX470 SLI
FixedgearIain - Triple Viewsonic VA2431WM, GTX460 1GB SLI
chaosneo - Triple Samsung 226BW, GTX590
whipple16 - Asus VH247/VS247/VH247, GTX680
patrickrussell - Triple Asus 27", GTX480 SLI
ljason8eg - Triple Dell U2312HM, GTX580 SLI
Asad_A203 - Triple Dell 2209WA, GTX670 OC
Dannnnn_the_man - Triple Asus VH236H, GTX680
rivaxstorm - Triple LG W2363D, GTX670
Sexparty - Triple Dell U2412M Portrait, GTX690
brdnhigh - Triple Dell 3007WFP, GTX680
nVIDIASLiRig - Triple Samsung 22" 3D Surround, Unknown GPU (likely GTX600 series)
Triniboi82 - Triple Asus VS247H-P, GTX680
Descadent - Triple Crossover 27q, GTX670 4GB SLI (7680x1440!)
Sugi - 3x2 Asus VW246H, GTX690
tha d0ctor - Triple Asus VG236H, GTX680 4GB Tri-SLI + Accessory Display!
kpforce1 - Triple AOC e2243Fwk, GTX670 4GB
xmod - Triple NEC 225WNXM, GTX660 2GB
EDGERRIES - Triple Samsung (mixed models), GTX670
SkitzoPhr3nia - Triple LG IPS, GTX680 4GB SLI
wot - Triple Samsung S23A700D 120Hz, GTX680
Azefore - Apple 27", dual Crossover 27", GTX670 SLI
Methos07 - Triple Acer GD235HZbid, GTX670 4GB SLI + Accessory Display!
xlur8 - Triple Catleap 2b, Unknown GPU (like GTX600 series)
Levon1983 - Triple Samsung BX2431, GTX470 Tri-SLI
manny1222 - Triple Samsung T260, GTX680 4GB FTW+ SLI
emett - Triple Asus VG278H, GTX680 SLI
Swolern - Triple ASUS VG278H, GTX670 QUAD-SLI
Stiltz85 - Triple Dell S2330MX, GTX580 SLI
LayerCakes - Triple LG D2342P, GTX670 DCII SLI + THREE! Accessory Displays!
Harx - Triple Asus VN247H, GTX670 SLI
thenk83 - Triple Asus VS238H-P, GTX680 SLI
Levon1983 - Triple Triplescreen, 4GB GTX680 SLI
malmental - Triple SXGA, GTX560Ti 448 SLI
ejohnson - Triplescreen, GTX650TI
Mr. Strawberry - Triple Dell U2312HM, GTX780 SLI
spidert622 - Triple Crossovers (2560x1440), Triple GTX670
Powermonkey500 - Triple Hanns-G HL272HPB, GTX690
zinfinion - Dell U2913WM, GTX670 Honourary Surrounder!
IntialDriveGTR - Mixed monitors, GTX670 - Amazing Custom Surround Stand
Ensamada - Triple Acer G245HQL, GTX 680
dboythagr8 - Triple [Manufacturer] VG236, GTX580 3GB SLI
TheSurroundGamr - Triple Asus VW266H, GTX670 Tri-SLI
Gregster - Triple Asus VG278H, GTX Titan SLI
ACMH-K - Triple Acer G235H, GTX660Ti SLI + 2 Accessory Displays/GTX550Ti
King4x4 - Triple 27" Koreans, GTX680 4GB Tri-SLI
trn - Triple BenQ, GTX Titan SLI
alancsalt - Triple Dell U2412M, GTX580 Quad-SLI
dpoverlord - Triple Dell 30", GTX Titan
Draygonn - Alienware AW2310 & 2 Acer GD235HZ, GTX480 SLI
B3L13V3R - Triple ASUS VG248QE, 4GB GTX670 SLI
erayser - Triple BenQ XL2420T, GTX780 Tri-SLI
Zoide - Triple Asus VH248qe, GTX680 SLI
Cape Cod - Triple Asus 1080p, GTX670 4GB
carmal - Triple Philips 23", GTX660Ti Tri-SLI
bbond007 - 2x LG 23EA63V-P, DELL SR2320L GTX760 2GB SLI

*StarYoshi edit: I have merged the nVidia surround club thread with this one. Keep up the good work, Paradigm
smile.gif


TFL edit: testing RTE.
 
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10
#3 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by maxhudson View Post
Does this work with non 3d monitors?

And can this let me play games on two different sized monitors?
Yes, Nvidia 3D Vision Surround does work without 3D monitors. It would just be 2D, though.

Unfortunately, all this requires SLI. And SLI isn't something that everyone has...
 
#4 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by XX55XX View Post
Yes, Nvidia 3D Vision Surround does work without 3D monitors. It would just be 2D, though.

Unfortunately, all this requires SLI. And SLI isn't something that everyone has...
But it wont work with only two monitor and 1 card?
 
#6 ·
you dont want to play games on just 2 monitors, or 4, or 6. Why? Because you wont have a center...where your toon or whatever would be will be 2 big black lines which is the border of the 2 monitors your using
 
#7 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by maxhudson View Post
Does this work with non 3d monitors?

And can this let me play games on two different sized monitors?
Yes, Surround works perfectly on 2D monitors.

As far as I know (although I'd need to test it) as long as the monitors have a common resolution, refresh rate and sync polarity, any size can be used together.

This means that you could use one 1920x1080 monitor, one 1920x1200 and one 1680x1050... so long as you ran all of them at 1680x1050.

I'll try to test this idea out with two 1920x1200 and one 1680x1050 panels when I get a free moment to do so.
 
#9 ·
Yeah, I only really tried the latest WHQL Candidate drivers, and they're very good. Will post pics later.
 
#12 ·
The only question I have is if you do not want 3d do you have to buy any software to run surround? Obviously you need SLI and the three monitors but do you need to buy the little software 3d bundle or does it come with the drivers?
 
#15 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Chilly View Post
Yes, but without the need of Eyefinity's restrictions with DisplayPort

this is awesome news!

next question: will all my games work on three monitors? keep in mind, i do not want the 3d stuff. i just want to play my games in 2d on all 3 monitors.

also, does running games like this put a lot of extra strain on my gpu's?
 
#17 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by VW_TDI_02 View Post
The only question I have is if you do not want 3d do you have to buy any software to run surround? Obviously you need SLI and the three monitors but do you need to buy the little software 3d bundle or does it come with the drivers?
If you don't want 3D, you don't need it. I'm running 60Hz non-3D monitors without any issues whatsoever (beyond those that are part and parcel of gaming on Surround/EyeFinity/TripleHead2Go...) just get the latest nVidia drivers (258.96 as of typing) and a GTX200 or GTX400 series SLI setup.

Quote:

Originally Posted by psi_guy View Post
ok, let me get this straight. with the new nvidia beta drivers, i can run three monitors now like eyefinity can? i have 2x 480's.
Indeed! As Chilly already said, best thing is; no DisplayPort needed either. Also, you can run bezel management without needing identical monitors (EyeFinity needs all three monitors to be "the same" as far as Windows is concerned or it won't allow bezel management...)

Quote:

Originally Posted by psi_guy View Post
this is awesome news!

next question: will all my games work on three monitors? keep in mind, i do not want the 3d stuff. i just want to play my games in 2d on all 3 monitors.

also, does running games like this put a lot of extra strain on my gpu's?
You can run without 3D with no problems. I've not got a video camera, or I'd record something to post.

Running games in Surround puts tremendous extra strain on the GPUs. My hotter GTX460 hit 87*C (mostly due to very high ambient) at stock with MSI Kombustor. With Dirt 2 in Surround and DX11, it broke 90*C. If you were getting 80fps in something prior to Surround, you can expect something more like 20-30fps. Just Cause 2 for me went from 75-80fps to 20-25fps - same settings, just resolution jump to Surround (6064x1200 from 1920x1200...)

Quote:

Originally Posted by maxhudson View Post
How do we download the software?
Visit nVidia's website and download the latest (258x96) drivers.


...

Added very useful resource for multimonitor gaming to OP.
 
#18 ·
Ok, I currently use three monitors that are exactly the same and then one smaller monitor for monitoring things. Would I be able to choose what monitors to use in Surround vision or does it choose them for me? Like, could I use the three Asus monitors in Surround and then just have my HP still sitting there or will I have to disable the HP and just use the three Asus monitors? My instinct tells me I can't have the HP just sit there, but was just wondering if anyone here knew for sure.
 
#19 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBalll View Post
Ok, I currently use three monitors that are exactly the same and then one smaller monitor for monitoring things. Would I be able to choose what monitors to use in Surround vision or does it choose them for me? Like, could I use the three Asus monitors in Surround and then just have my HP still sitting there or will I have to disable the HP and just use the three Asus monitors? My instinct tells me I can't have the HP just sit there, but was just wondering if anyone here knew for sure.
I think you can have the fourth one on the fourth DVI port of the GPUs and keep it seperate. You can pick which monitors are in the Surround array, and where they're positioned. I'll try to get some screenies to demonstrate the control panel. Hang on a tick.

edit: Relevant screenies attached.
LL
LL
 
#20 ·
Three monitors would be awesome. I did not care for two though. Playing crysis with my crosshair cleft in twain was not fun. It did look awesome at 3840x1200 though
 
#21 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by staryoshi View Post
Three monitors would be awesome. I did not care for two though. Playing crysis with my crosshair cleft in twain was not fun. It did look awesome at 3840x1200 though

I agree. Two monitors isn't fun for any game where you focus on the "middle" of the screen.

But triple monitor surround is just... jawdropping.

I seriously think this is the biggest upgrade I've made since I got a 3dfx Voodoo card.
 
#22 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Paradigm Shifter View Post
I think you can have the fourth one on the fourth DVI port of the GPUs and keep it seperate. You can pick which monitors are in the Surround array, and where they're positioned. I'll try to get some screenies to demonstrate the control panel. Hang on a tick.

edit: Relevant screenies attached.
Much appreciated. Seeing as how it has an Additional displays option in that second picture it does look like I can do what I want.
 
#23 ·
I'd be really interested in knowing what sort of framerates you get with those 1792MB GTX275s. I am firmly of the opinion that Surround is heavily VRAM limited. Every time I break 1000MB usage on my GTX460's, framerate goes down from a happy 40+ to <8fps...
 
#24 ·
Found a bug/issue... for what it's worth...

The Windows 7 Aero feature of mousing over an open program in the Task Bar to get a mini pop up picture of that program is broken in Surround mode. It works fine when they're all separate monitors, but activate Surround and the picture pop up breaks... it's just a text description (usually whatever the program title bar says, eg: "Overclock.net - Overclocking.net - Reply to Topic - Mozilla Firefox" or whatever.

Have to say, it's not a feature I much cared for, so I don't really care that it doesn't appear to be working. But others may thinking differently.

...

Can't seem to get Just Cause 2 running acceptably. I think I might need to go turning the resolution down.
 
#25 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Paradigm Shifter View Post
As far as I know (although I'd need to test it) as long as the monitors have a common resolution, refresh rate and sync polarity, any size can be used together.
I can definitely confirm this. I wanted to try out surround using two extra monitors I had sitting around anyway, and it works great. The monitors are all different brands, screen sizes, native resolutions, native refresh rates, and even different types (two LCD, and one CRT.)

They have to all be hooked up with the same connector, so I used three VGA-DVI adapters to hook them up. I then created a custom resolution of 1024x768 with a 60.001 refresh rate for each one (1024x768 is the highest common resolution, the 60.001 refresh rate is needed for my HP, as I understand it is because of Windows 7 rounding error.)

And even though I am playing games across three different screen sizes, it still seems fluid while playing and is a great experience. I am planning on picking up two more 24" monitors at my earliest convenience. Definitely a surround fan here.
 
#26 ·
i would really like to see some in-game banchmarks while running three monitors with 2x 480's. my biggest concern is going from running every game i own with completely maxed out video settings on one monitor at 1920x1080p, to something much less with three monitors. if anyone has any links to this information or personal experience, i would greatly appreciate it.

also, i would like to see this thread as a sticky. great information so far!


edit: i found one article detailing fps numbers on my setup using 2d surround.

nvidia surround technology performance review
 
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