MP 7,1 580X + 2x VII: Where to plug in monitors.

[Z28McCrory]

My 7,1 will be here soon, and I’m trying to get all cables, etc ordered before it arrives.

I have a pair of LG 4K monitors with miniDP and DP, plus a 4K HDMI TV as a 3rd monitor that I use on occasion (mounted on wall next to desk)

Originally I was going to run 1 monitor via DP into each of the VIIs, but now I’m thinking it may be more efficient to let the 580X run all the displays? If so, I’d simply get a couple TB3/USB-C to DP adapters, and plug the two monitors into the two rear facing TB3 port on the 7,1.

Am I correct in thinking that this would allow the 580X to use its resources to drive the monitors, and allow the VIIs to have 100% of their resources available for GPU rendering. Otherwise, if I plug into the VIIs, the 580X would sit idle most of the time?

 

[Z28McCrory]

...so based on the silence in reply’s, was this is silly question?

It’s been years since I’ve had to think about this sort of thing. My 6,1... and before that my 2012 iMac, sort of spoiled me I suppose.

I remember back to ~1997-1998 ish when I was building my first gaming PC. My first real gaming configuration had a Voodoo II. If I recall, back then you had to plug your monitor directly into the video card to get its benefit.

But, in the current world of modern GPUs (systems with 2, or even 4 graphics cards), how do you know where to plug in what for maximum efficiency and performance?

 

[jinnyman]

I'm pretty sure Mac OS doesn't have a graphic driver capable of combing multiple graphics for real time 3d rendering, like gaming, performance. The mentioned graphics obviously doesn't support AMD's crossover either. So, I'm pretty sure each graphic is capable of driving whichever monitor it is connected with. Then, it all depends on your reasoning for the multiple graphics.

I'd assume that you want to run apps based on graphic based rendering or assist. Then, why not connect to 580 only and let other two work on rendering only?

 

[Z28McCrory]

I'm pretty sure Mac OS doesn't have a graphic driver capable of combing multiple graphics for real time 3d rendering, like gaming, performance. The mentioned graphics obviously doesn't support AMD's crossover either. So, I'm pretty sure each graphic is capable of driving whichever monitor it is connected with. Then, it all depends on your reasoning for the multiple graphics.

I'd assume that you want to run apps based on graphic based rendering or assist. Then, why not connect to 580 only and let other two work on rendering only?

Overall my reasoning for keeping the 580X in place, is so that I could potentially add XDR displays in the future. And because, well, the 580X is already in there, and may be able to be used in some applications (in addition to the VIIs)

I guess my only worry is that if I connect the monitors via TB3 (therefore, ran by the 580X), is there any difference in rendering power than connecting them direct to the VIIs display ports.

I honestly don’t know if this is a silly question that is covered by “common knowledge” (that I’ve been out of the loop on for at least a decade), or if this is a genuine discussion.

I’ll have 3 GPUs and 3 displays. How would you connect them all? Or does it even matter?

 

[goMac]

Overall my reasoning for keeping the 580X in place, is so that I could potentially add XDR displays in the future. And because, well, the 580X is already in there, and may be able to be used in some applications (in addition to the VIIs)

I guess my only worry is that if I connect the monitors via TB3 (therefore, ran by the 580X), is there any difference in rendering power than connecting them direct to the VIIs display ports.

I honestly don’t know if this is a silly question that is covered by “common knowledge” (that I’ve been out of the loop on for at least a decade), or if this is a genuine discussion.

I’ll have 3 GPUs and 3 displays. How would you connect them all? Or does it even matter?

It really depends on what apps you are using. Some can only use the GPU on the monitor that their window is on. Some can use any GPU.

In applications that do support it, “crossing” graphics card can be less efficient though. It’s generally better to let the GPU doing the work also do the output. But having a faster card might outweigh the inefficiency.

 

[Z28McCrory]

It really depends on what apps you are using. Some can only use the GPU on the monitor that their window is on. Some can use any GPU.

So with that said, would it be “safer” to run 1x 4K monitors through each of the VIIs, and simply leave the 580X to drive the 3rd 4K TV (which is only used on occasion when I want a “real world” preview of some video edits?

The main software I care about is Capture One, Adobe Premiere, and DaVinci Resolve (plus maybe a little Final Cut).

 

[jinnyman]

As long as your connection is enough to handle the spec of monitor, ex. 4k at 60hz etc, how you connect monitors to graphics doesn't really matter. You can use varieties of connection method as HDMI, DP, DP to USB-C DP through, TB3. It's just that each of connector and cable should support the graphic bandwidth. All the graphics mentioned can drive your monitor at the maximum spec if you are using proper cables, so you shouldn't be worried.

Connecting each monitor separately to each graphic surely put less burden on other graphics as each work space is rendered by each graphic. However, a single VII should be able to handle 3x4k no problem. If you want to run games that simultaneously drive 3 monitors (2 monitors and 1 tv) at the same time, I believe you have to connect all to one graphic, and that graphic will be the only one under load. But that's for gaming.

 

[tommy chen]

So with that said, would it be “safer” to run 1x 4K monitors through each of the VIIs, and simply leave the 580X to drive the 3rd 4K TV (which is only used on occasion when I want a “real world” preview of some video edits?

The main software I care about is Capture One, Adobe Premiere, and DaVinci Resolve (plus maybe a little Final Cut).

a “real world” preview want a video I/O like a BMD decklink 4k or intensity pro 4k

for only computerplayback in colorspace for computer you're right