Extended vision
KFA2 has revealed a new series of graphics cards, targeted at those looking to connect multiple displays to their system. The descriptively-named Multi Display Technology (MDT) line comprises two models: the NVIDIA-powered GeForce GTX TI MDT X5, able to power up to five displays, and the GeForce 210 MDT X4, which supports up to four displays.
The multi-display work is handled by a ViewXpand VMM1400/1402 chipset, which augments the rendering capabilities of the graphics chips with which it is paired. Combined with 'WinSplit Revolution' desktop software, the ViewXpand chipset enables the two cards to run both independent and cloned displays, in addition to joining all the connected screens together in one large virtual display.
The KFA2 GeForce GTX 560 TI MDT X5 uses NVIDIA's GTX 560 Ti chipset, and is the only graphics card using that chip able to power up to five monitors at once. Pulling displays together to create one large surface, four monitors can be run at a 1,440 x 900-pixel resolution and joined to form a single 5,760 x 900-pixel display, while dropping to three-monitor mode enables each to run at up to 1,680 x 1,050 pixels (5,040 x 1,050-pixel virtual display).
The GeForce 210 MDT X4 doesn't have the rendering prowess of the GTX 560 Ti-based model, but it makes up for it by being able to run four 1080p displays simultaneously. For applications such as video editing, therefore, the lesser graphics power will likely prove a small sacrifice for the increase in usable desktop real estate. The use of a passive cooler on the GeForce 210 MDT X4 also suggests its expected use in environments where noise pollution would be an inconvenience.
Both card are available now, with the KFA2 GeForce GTX 560 TI MDT X5 retailing for around £230 and the GeForce 210 MDT X4 coming in at a little under £90.
