I just got a new work computer here (Dell Optiplex 790) and this issue is driving me nuts because my productivity is way down without three monitors, and even further because I'm spending all my time trying to get three monitors to work =D
I have two ATI Radeon HD 6350 video cards with HDMI ports. I'm using two splitters. One splitter for the main card has two Acer monitors hooked up (these work), and the other splitter has a single Acer monitor hooked up and does not work.
I know it works, because I can alternate between monitors but only two at a time.
Now - I've been doing research for about six hours and I just can't figure it out. I've been reading a lot about something called a "display port" but I can confirm that there are no display ports on either video card.
Is it two cards, or is it a single card with a low profile bracket like the one shown here?
If it is a single card, then you can only run two monitors off of it unless you use a splitter. A splitter also defeats the purpose of multi monitor unless you are looking to run the same thing on both (clone).
I cracked open the case earlier to double check and it's certainly two separate cards. Device manager also has two cards listed.
I'm not trying to achieve eyefinity or anything, just three separate displays. My old station used to handle three monitors with a splitter and a single so I don't see how this can't work!
you can do a vga to a Hdmi that is how i have two monitors set up the one with the HDMI has to be picked up first where the VGA is secondary that is probally why
Hdmi has to be enabled at start up you will see it when booting but when it comes to the vga it won't show till you have confirmed or customized the other monitor
If you understand what i am getting at establish the HDMI first then go on with the VGA
My Computer
Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
CoreI7-6700K MrFingerIII Special Builds
OS
Windows 10 Home Premium 64bit sp1
CPU
Intel I7-6700K @ 4.6 Ghz 1.344 volts everyday OC
Motherboard
Asrock Fatality K6 Z170 Socket 1151
Memory
32GB G-Skill TridentZ 3200mhz 16-18-18-38 DDR4
Graphics Card(s)
Sli Gigabyte Windforce GTX 980 G1
Sound Card
AC97 Creative Rage Tactic 3D Headphones Bluetooth
Monitor(s) Displays
27" Asus ROG Swift PG278Q G-Sync 48" Vizio Smart HD TV
Screen Resolution
2560x1440p 27"- 48" Currently Gaming at 2560x1440p Res 2K
This is what I did for those who may have the same issues:
1) Both HDMI ports have DVI splitters plugged in.
2) One monitor has DVI straight from the monitor to a HDMI splitter on the "main" gfx card (slot 1)
3) The other two monitors are VGA, adapted to DVI, and both plugged into the "second" gfx card (slot 2)
I don't know how this worked or if I got lucky, but it's worth a try for anyone having problems.