3 monitors on linux

[importpsycho]

I'm looking for a video card to run 3 monitors on linux
not for gaming, just bigger extended desktop
I'm thinking some 5770 or lower
do I need two video cards?

[grifter11]

If the monitors are 27" and smaller you only need 1 ati/amd Radeon HD Video card. however if they are 30" monitors you will need multiple video cards.

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by grifter11

If the monitors are 27" and smaller you only need 1 ati/amd Radeon HD Video card. however if they are 30" monitors you will need multiple video cards.

If he doesn't do any gaming then he'll need 2 cards no matter what.

1 for the dual head and the 2nd for the third monitor.

[importpsycho]

Originally Posted by enaberif

If he doesn't do any gaming then he'll need 2 cards no matter what.

1 for the dual head and the 2nd for the third monitor.

for some reason, I was under the impression that 5000 series with eyefinity could run 3 monitors without crossfire and not running eyefinity...

[enaberif]

Originally Posted by importpsycho

for some reason, I was under the impression that 5000 series with eyefinity could run 3 monitors without crossfire and not running eyefinity...

Last I checked ATI support for Linux was dismal at best.. You may want to check support for such things.

[ilya]

Originally Posted by importpsycho

for some reason, I was under the impression that 5000 series with eyefinity could run 3 monitors without crossfire and not running eyefinity...

The OP wants to run 3 monitors in Linux, eyefinity won't work, at least not right now, ATI/AMD promised support with the 10.1 drivers and it hasn't happened. He'll need 2 cards to run 3 monitors the old fashioned way and they don't have to be in crossfire/sli. Probably wouldn't work in crossfire either.

[importpsycho]

So, if I don't use eyefinity,(doesn't work in Linux), even 5870 eyefinity 6 will only do 2 monitors?

[ilya]

Originally Posted by importpsycho

So, if I don't use eyefinity,(doesn't work in Linux), even 5870 eyefinity 6 will only do 2 monitors?

Until ATI/AMD releases the promised drivers at least. Which you shouldn't expect to happen as they were supposed to be the 10.1 drivers from a while back. ATI/AMD has made major strides in terms of Linux drivers the past few years, but they still have a long ways to go to match Nvidia's support.