I am building a new computer but want the new one to be able to handle 3 monitors at one time - doing a different program or process on each ie movie on one, program on another and email on the other. I know that I need an Active display port but I don't exactly know why and if it will accomplish what I want. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
This is simple to do, all you need is a graphics card with enough outputs for your monitors. You could get a card like this with 2 dvi a display port and hdmi. You might need an addition adapter depending on what inputs your monitors can support. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102864
Many triple-output cards can only output to two screens at a time. If you have an onboard video, then you can get any double-output card, and use the onboard for the third screen. The 5770 does support up to three screens at a time, but you are a bit limited because one of those screens must be running off of the display port (you can't run DVI, DVI, HDMI). The good news is that display port to HDMI converters are cheap. Also, the 5770 has been getting hammered with bad reviews lately...it seems that running at 70C really is bad for the card...the laws of thermodynamics don't change just because ATI says 70C is a safe idle temperature. I'm not sure that would keep me away from the 5770, but it would certainly keep me away from Sapphire's cards...as their coolers are not great.
