BEST 3-MONITOR GAMING: AMD Eyefinity vs NVIDIA Surround & Samsung 245BW vs HP ZR24W

[smoka]

I need help in going from single-monitor to a triple-monitor Eyefinity or NVIDIA Surround setup.

Here is what I currently have:
CASE: Thermaltake Tsunami Mid-Tower
PSU: 600W Thermaltake TR2
MOTHERBOARD : MSI P67A-GD65
CPU: INTEL I7-2600K
MEMORY: 16GB G.Skill Sniper DDR3 1600
CURRENT GPU: PNY GTX460 1GB Overclocked (UPGRADE#1)
CURRENT MONITOR#1: Samsung 245BW TN MONITOR (Currently hooked up to gaming PC @ home)
CURRENT MONITOR#2: HP ZR24W IPS MONITOR (Currently hooked up to work laptop)

As far as graphics cards, I have 3 options:
1. Sell my GTX460 1GB ($100-$150) and buy an AMD Eyefinity card (68xx or 69xx). I am considering the AMD 6950, which would be about a $70 upgrade.
2. Buy another GTX460 and run an SLI setup. This will run me an extra $100+ for sure and I might also have to upgrade the PSU ($50-$100 more) - $100 to $200 upgrade.
3. Sell my GTX460 1GB ($100-$150) and buy another video card setup all-together (max budget is $300).

I would like to run 3 monitors at full resolution (5670x1200) with current games like Battlefield3/Dirt3/Etc. I am not a hardcore gamer, but I would like to experience these games at full resolution without lag (which would ruin the point of a setup like this).

Doing some research, I found that the only games "officially" supported by NVIDIA Surround are the ones built for 3D surround (a handful of games). AMD, on the other hand, has a large list of officially supported games. With NVIDIA, you NEED an SLI setup to run NVIDIA Surround (unless you have a GTX295 or GTX590). With AMD, all you need is a single radeon 5xxx/6xxx/7xxx. On the other hand, I hear that NVIDIA cards generally have more stable drivers than AMD. I would like to invest in a video card(s) once in the next few years, but this makes the decision tough.

PS: I have not owned an ATI card since the ATI 9800 Pro 128MB!! (ATI 9800 PRO -> BFG 8800GT -> BFG GTS250 -> PNY GTX460)

Questions:
1. Which of the setups above would you recommend for the best gaming experience and bang for the buck?
2. Are any of these setups good enough to run games at 5670x1200 resolution or do I need to upgrade to something insanely costly (eg: GTX580 or 6990 SLI)?
3. Which technology/platform is better (Eyefinity vs AMD Surround), which one is likely to work smoothly with more games?

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As far as monitors, I have 2 options:
1. Waiting for another price drop on the HP IPS to $250 each: 2x HP ZR24Ws for $500.
2. I have a local craigslist deal pending on the Samsung TN panels: 2x Samsung 245BW for $300.

Honestly, I love both monitors. I haven't played any games on the HP IPS monitor (only used it at work), but I'm considering taking it home for the gaming setup. I've done some gaming on the Samsung 245BW and it seems okay, but I haven't tried anythine else in comparison. Also, I noticed that the ZR24W has a 7ms response rate, which is slower than the 5ms on the Samsung 245BW.

Question:
Considering it's $100/monitor more, is it worth it to stick with HP ZR24W IPS for gaming or should I just jump on the local Samsung 245BW deal @ $150 each?

 

[KingSmoth]

I have no experience with AMD cards or IPS panels, so I cannot comment on that. However, I've been running a pair of 1GB 460's since release in NV Surround @ 5990x1200 on a trio of 245BW's. It is an older monitor setup(circa 2007) but games look great. I have had no problems running any of the games I play, though I haven't tried BF3 or Skyrim yet.
I used a TX650 when I was running SLI 9800GTX's, but upgraded to a TX850 with the 460's, so I don't know how well they would do on a smaller PSU.
If a game supports a resolution such as 5760x1200 or 5990x120, you can run it in NV Surround(at least games that I've tried, as recent as Dead Island). That list of games just appears to be for 3D Vision.

 

[smoka]

I have no experience with AMD cards or IPS panels, so I cannot comment on that. However, I've been running a pair of 1GB 460's since release in NV Surround @ 5990x1200 on a trio of 245BW's. It is an older monitor setup (circa 2007) but games look great. I have had no problems running any of the games I play, though I haven't tried BF3 or Skyrim yet.
I used a TX650 when I was running SLI 9800GTX's, but upgraded to a TX850 with the 460's, so I don't know how well they would do on a smaller PSU.
If a game supports a resolution such as 5760x1200 or 5990x120, you can run it in NV Surround(at least games that I've tried, as recent as Dead Island). That list of games just appears to be for 3D Vision.

Hey KingSmoth.

Ya, those Samsung 245BWs are solid for TN panels

What games did you try with the GTX460s?

Have you tested the framerates at full resolution?

Where are you getting 5990x1200 resolution from (1920x3=5760, right?).. Is there a 1997x.... resolution monitor out there?

 

[Mistwalker]

Where are you getting 5990x1200 resolution from (1920x3=5760, right?).. Is there a 1997x.... resolution monitor out there?

Bezel compensation adds to the rendered resolution. The monitors of course only display the 5760...

 

[BallaTheFeared]

3D surround isn't the same as the surround you want.

With either AMD or Nvidia you're going to want at least two cards.

If you're overclocking the i7 and you go overclocked 460 SLI you'll want at least a 750 watt psu.

1GB is fine, it just means you can't run as much AA, and you'll need to either settle for native textures, or reduce them. In games like skyrim you won't be able to mod in a bunch of high res textures.

Most games you'll be processing power limited with little to no AA, going to a 6950 2GB CF would probably work better, but I believe even if you sell it will be out of your budget.

I would canablize your $200 ISP budget and look at selling your 460 for $100, that should give you about $450 to work with..

Which makes 2GB 6950 CF and GTX 560ti 2GB/GTX 560ti 448 SLI options outside your price range by $50 or more.

6870 2GB CF would put you below the aforementioned options as far as power goes, but they're avaialble for $400~ for a pair.

If 6870 isn't something you'd want you could always come up with another $50, or look around for used cards.

470s would go for about $300 or less now, but they're hotter and draw more power than what you have now. Has 250mb more vram than what you have currently. I actually run this setup at 5900x1080 and have had good results because a) I'm crazy, and b) I'm a water cooler.

480s would go for about $400 or so now, but they're hotter and draw more power. They have 500mb more vram than what you currently have, which should be enough for just about everything right now but a rare few games (Metro 2033/Skyrim modded).

Possible to obtain any of those other cards, or even better ones used on the cheap as well.

On the AMD side you could look for used 6970/50's, 2GB versions, 2GB 5870s are an options too.

 

[smoka]

3D surround isn't the same as the surround you want.

What I understood is that "surround" is the term NVIDIA uses to describe a 3-monitor setup. While the have the exclusive "3D Surround" technology (games that work with 3D monitors and multi-monitor setups), you can also play 2D surround to play on 3-monitors as long as the game was built to allow that type of resolution/configuration.

With either AMD or Nvidia you're going to want at least two cards. If you're overclocking the i7 and you go overclocked 460 SLI you'll want at least a 750 watt psu.

I am running my i7 at stock speed so far because I don't do much gaming. I would mainly like to play Dirt3, BF3, and Skyrim for PC. I wanted to avoid the SLI setups and a PSU upgrade, but it looks like that won't be possible if I want to run the games smoothly. I just found some benchmarks with SLI setups barely getting 30-40 FPS @ 5760X1200, so you're right. Guess I'm gonna have to start saving for a major GPU/PSU upgrade if I want to run 3-monitors for gaming.

I did a lot of research on cards when I got the GTX460. It's still a solid performer in terms of performance, power draw, temperatures, etc. The GTX560 like seems to be a solid successor, so I think I'll consider a NVIDIA GTX 560ti SLI or a AMD 6950 Cross-Fire setup. The upgrade to 560ti-448 cores or 6970 is just not worth the price jump.

For the monitor, I will get the two extra Samsung 245BWs and use one for dual monitor until I get the right setup in place for 3 monitors.

Thanks for your input.

 

[BallaTheFeared]

Yep, just to be clear 3D Surround doesn't really have anything to do with 2D surround. The only thing you can take from it is that your 2D surround will have native support for your resolution within the game options. That said most games will accept your native resolution since it views it as one single large screen (even those that don't have 3D Surround support). Games that don't like Skyrim are fixed by an ini edit, but it also requires an addon to fix the insanely huge menu resolution that comes from the ini edit.

There are enough people with triple screen setups on both sides for there to be a high probability of "fixes" already out there for issues that may come up.


Since you're already considering waiting on finishing the setup, I'd suggest waiting on 28nm from Nvidia as well as the rest of AMD's 28nm lineup. Some prices should start moving downward in the coming months, you're at the tail end of a two year stretch + refresh so price/performance and overall power of what is currently available outside 79xx series from AMD is going to go down unless Nvidia blunders badly.

Normally people recommend not waiting since something new is always coming out, but since this is a major overhaul of your setup and time is not of the essence I think patience is the best course of action.

Of the two mentioned 560ti(1gb) SLI and 6950(2gb) CF I'd go with the 6950's, but again I'd wait to see how things play out over the next few months as both these setups are already last gen but without replacements they're still occupying price points they rightfully shouldn't anymore.

 

[imaheadcase]

I don't think any of those graphic options would be enough. With a max budget of only $300 you won't get a card that can push 3 monitors to play games.

Nvidia needs a SLI setup for a reason..lots of power it takes to run 3 monitors...esp 1920x1200 yo have.

I would say a MIN is gtx 580. SLI them if you can.

I personally don't think its worth the investment. It depreciates in value so fast.

 

[flopper]

Can you have one card and run 3 screens, yea but fps is going down.
currently, a 7970 heavily OC is the best option until maybe Kepler one day comes out.
Other options are, 3 projectors or even build a racing rig if one like racing games.

2x sli cards seems the best bet with your setup.

Lag might happen with any sli/crossfire setup due to microstuttering if one notice it.
5760 is a lot of pixels neded to be pushed.

 

[thilanliyan]

For a single card setup at that res, probably only the 7970 would do.

Ideally it would be a multi-card setup to get playable fps at that res. 6950XF or 560Ti SLI is the minimum I'd go with. Try to get 2GB cards.

 

[jacktesterson]

GTX 460 SLI would power that res at Medium-High settings in almost any game out there right now.


He said he's not a hardcore gamer..... these settings would most likely be fine,

 

[imaheadcase]

GTX 460 SLI would power that res at Medium-High settings in almost any game out there right now.


He said he's not a hardcore gamer..... these settings would most likely be fine,

He says he plays BF3. So no he won't be able to play at that high settings with rez he is talking about.

I have SLI gtx580s on Ultra and get 80-120fps depending on area. On 1900x1200 in bf3. Given how fast games change, he will be in for a hurt sooner than that with GTX 460.

 

[guskline]

In the for whatever its worth department, I ran eyefinity with 3 24" monitors on rig 1 below. I used an active displayport (cost almost $100 but worked well). 2 of the monitors were ACER 24" LEDs and the third was a Hanns G241H. I have 2 5850s in CF with a 2500k OCd to 4532. You will need a good 750W PSU to run 2 cards in SLI or 2 in CF (more cost). I have an Antec TPII 750W and it runs fine. Unfortunately your 600W won't cut it with 2 cards. As I understand from reading, to run 3 monitors with Nvidia cards you need 3 EXACT monitors so that could be an issue( Eyefinity is more forgiving). You have a GREAT CPU, MB, Plenty of ram and 2 of the 3 24" monitors ( they are not identical so Eyefinity should work but I'm not sure of Nvidia SLI).
I must tell you that I could play COD MW3 OK at 5760 x 1080 but the FPS was not what a single monitor would produce. If want no lag and want to play BF3 on high resolution on 3 24" monitors "break out the piggy bank" you gonna need at least 2 6970s in CF if not the 7970s.

I must say my 5850s in CF are fun and playing a WW I flying game is a hoot, trying to play BF3 without lag on 3 24" monitors at decent frame rates is gonna take some real HP.

email me at skline00@comcast.net if you have more questions of how I set up the eyefinity rig.

BTW, I played BF3 on the rig with 3 24" monitors. It's playable at lower rates with AA off on the 2 5850s.

 

[exar333]

6950XF 2GB would be ideal

 

[realjetavenger]

He says he plays BF3. So no he won't be able to play at that high settings with rez he is talking about.

I have SLI gtx580s on Ultra and get 80-120fps depending on area. On 1900x1200 in bf3. Given how fast games change, he will be in for a hurt sooner than that with GTX 460.

Yep, for BF3, 460 sli at that resolution will be at lower settings.
I'm running 460's in sli on 1920X1200. In BF3, my settings are ultra but with msaa off, fxaa high and textures medium. The framrates are playable (50-60). But with textures on high or ultra, it becomes a slideshow hitting the 1GB vram.

 

[BrightCandle]

If you want to run games without turning down the options to play on 3 screens even 2 7970's isn't enough. Part of it is that I am getting imperfect scaling from the 7970's (along with microstutter) but its also that I dont really want to compromise the quality of the image to get the additional screens. But you are going to have to with any solution you can buy today.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

Another thing to keep in mind is that with Nvidia the only way to have 3 monitor gaming is with SLi. That may change in the future.

 

[InfoTiger]

6950 is a good option to quick set up eyefinity.
You don't need to game at that high resolution, you could do lower resolution on 3 for the start to take off some load on GPU.

 

[smoka]

Thanks everyone for your reply. I decided to go with completing the 3x Samsung 245BW setup and I have an offer pending on a new XFX 6950 2GB. I will play around with the resolution/settings to get the games I want at an acceptable framerate. I may get CF or a more powerful GPU down the line when prices drop. As a casual gamer, $400-500 is already very steep for an upgrade, but having 3-monitors will have much more use to me besides gaming.

The one thing I forgot to consider though is desk space I have a Canon MX870 All-In-One eating up 1/2 my desk that will probably have to go on the ground temporarily!! I will have to get an L-Shaped desk in the future as well (and selling my existing desk will not be easy either - not like I can ship that on ebay)...

Will update the thread with pictures of the setup once it's ready


PS: As I checked out the 6950 line, I found out that the ASUS 6950 Supports 6-monitors as a stand-alone card!! I wonder how many of those you have to get in SLI in order to play games??

 

[KingSmoth]

Hey KingSmoth.

Ya, those Samsung 245BWs are solid for TN panels

What games did you try with the GTX460s?

Have you tested the framerates at full resolution?

Where are you getting 5990x1200 resolution from (1920x3=5760, right?).. Is there a 1997x.... resolution monitor out there?

I've played games like Amnesia, Dead Island, Left 4 Dead 1/2, Metro 2033, Riddick/Dark Athena, Batman: AA, Crysis, SC 2, etc. I couldn't give you any numbers because I've never run FRAPS or anything.

 

[smoka]

So I was about to get the XFX 6950 2GB at $220, but then I read somewhere that the AMD 7850/7870 are expected to hit shelves in March at the price of $199/$299 respectively. I believe the 1GB versions of the 7950 will be priced at $199 or $219 and the 2GB version will be at $249, and the 7870 at $299. I think it's worth the wait to see benchmarks and comparisons before buying.

Also, the NVIDIA 600 Kepler line will be hitting in April. Does anyone know if those will have triple-monitor support on one card? I couldn't find any information on these and the little specs available on the 600 series is "leaked" and not really confirmed.

BellaTheFeared mentioned the new video cards earlier, but I didn't think they were this close to release.

 

[pelov]

Don't believe any Kepler rumors. There's been so many rumors that more than often contradict each other that it's just far better to sit and wait it out. If I had to bet, I don't think nVidia will provide 3-monitor support off a single card.

If you want to run an eyefinity setup right now you'd be better off buying AMD. The 7950 will have a 1.5GB version priced at $399 MSRP.

You'll have to spend a pretty penny regardless of whether you go nVidia or AMD for good framerates on a 3-monitor setup, especially for games like BF3. A 7970 or 7950 3GB would be your best bet, but those are upwards of $500. With goodies turned on you'll want the extra vram

 

[smoka]

Don't believe any Kepler rumors. There's been so many rumors that more than often contradict each other that it's just far better to sit and wait it out. If I had to bet, I don't think nVidia will provide 3-monitor support off a single card.

If you want to run an eyefinity setup right now you'd be better off buying AMD. The 7950 will have a 1.5GB version priced at $399 MSRP.

You'll have to spend a pretty penny regardless of whether you go nVidia or AMD for good framerates on a 3-monitor setup, especially for games like BF3. A 7970 or 7950 3GB would be your best bet, but those are upwards of $500. With goodies turned on you'll want the extra vram

I decided I will probably sacrifice some resolution and graphics options for decent framerates (in my initial setup). I just don't want to shell out $200 on a card that's being phased out (6950) when I can wait a few weeks and get a better and faster card for the same price.

At $450-$550, the 79xx line is out of the question for me. The 7870 or 7850 2GB are looking like the best options. But then it's a matter of buying in March or waiting for potential price drops in April when the NVIDIA line releases!!

The 7950 1.5GB ($399) is still somewhat expensive considering the 3GB is $50 more. I think I'll wait to see comparisons between the 7950 1.5GB ($399), 7870 2GB ($299), and 7850 2GB ($249). I'm hoping the differences will be marginal so I can keep my purchase in the $200's.

 

[smoka]

Okay, so the Samsung monitors on Craigslist were sold before I got to them and I decided to wait on the 7850. While waiting, I reconsidered the cost of an eyefinity setup and read up about the issues with the bezels/gaps, software correction, etc.

I considered a 3-projector setup for eyefinity (to fully experience it), but this is WAY out of my budget. I am now scrapping the whole eyefinity idea and just getting a Mitsubishi 82840 instead!! I've seen them as low as low as $1500, but maybe they'll drop by the time I move to a new house (September-October 2012)

 

[KingFatty]

82 inches of screen... nice! How far away will you be sitting from the screen?