OS Neutral Elite Dangerous Multi Display Gaming possible on Apple Hardware?

[helo15]

Hi,
currently I am playing Elite Dangerous in Boot Camp (Windows 7) on my 2012 Macbook Pro Retina (NVidia GT650M) connected to an Apple Thunderbolt Display.

Since I saw this video on YT, I am wondering: Is it possible to get ED running on current Mac Hardware on three displays like the guy in the video (he is actually using three beamers instead of displays, but I think you get the idea)?

At first I thought it would be quite easy to achieve this with my current hardware (using the ATD, the internal Retina display and an 24 Inch Samsung Syncmaster), but then I found out that my graphics card would need a NVidia Feature called "Surround" that is only available on NVIDIA Desktop graphics cards and by default is not available on mobile graphics cards.

So that would rule out most iMacs and all Macbooks because if they have dedicated graphics cards those are the mobile versions, so no Surround available there.

That leaves either the Mac Pro or the iMac Retina. Both have AMD graphics and so far I found out that the feature for creating such a multiple display setup is called "Eyefinity" and you can find and configure it in the AMD Catalyst Control Center.

What I haven't found out yet: Is the "Eyefinity"-feature on AMD drivers in Boot Camp for those to Macs in question available or not?

Especially I would be interested in an answer to this question for the iMac Retina. It seems it works for the Mac Pro, at least with an older driver version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WmlsePKH6AY

So, is anyone reading this who tried out gaming on the 5k iMac in Boot Camp and can check if Eyefinity is available as an option in AMDs Catalyst Control Center?

 

[cluthz]

edit: i was answering from an nvidia standpoint so it wouldn't answer your question, but multiple display gaming is a killer on hardware, even the fastest GPU on iMacs would be slow.

 

[helo15]

edit: i was answering from an nvidia standpoint so it wouldn't answer your question, but multiple display gaming is a killer on hardware, even the fastest GPU on iMacs would be slow.

I am aware that such a setup would be demanding to the hardware.

For now I just want to find out if it is possible at all.

I already had a rather unsuccessfull attempt with a windows gaming notebook, the ASUS G751. I chose that one because it is one of the few windows notebooks that actually have a thunderbolt port. I had to return it because the thunderbolt port didnt't work with my thunderbolt hardware (the ATD and an Elgato Thunderbolt 2 Dock). The notebook would recognize a display via Mini-Displayport-cable or Peripherals via Thunderbolt-cable that where connected to either the ATD or the dock. But neither the Thunderbolt Display would work, nor my Samsung display if connected to the dock which in turn was connected via thunderbolt to the notebook. Besides, it was with the Asus notebook (which had an GTX980m) that I realized that "Surround" is generally not available with NVidia mobile gpus.

I simply could order an iMac Retina and return it it if it doesn't work, but I would prefer if I could find an answer to "is Eyefinity possible" without all the hassle of ordering (and perhaps returning).

Another option is to wait for the Mac verision of ED, that is announced. Perhaps OS X will be able to run the game with multiple diplays...

 

[Huntn]

Are the "beemers", projectors or?

 

[helo15]

Are the "beemers", projectors or?

Yeah, you are right. Sorry, bad german, also called "denglisch"

 

[Huntn]

Yeah, you are right. Sorry, bad german, also called "denglisch"

Usually projectors, the ones I am familiar with are used to project large pictures on the wall. These pictures seem smaller, but it's hard to tell how big they are. I assume he built the three screen structure for them to be projected on?

 

[akm3]

That's an awesome setup the 3x projector guy has. Looks very fun.

For all the expense and such though, I still hope that Oculus Rift delivers on it's promise and gives an even better experience for less $

 

[Huntn]

I see virtual reality goggles as the path forward as most prople don't have the room or the budget for expensive movie room type setups.