Dual GPU Video Card Question (HD 6990)

[chr6]

Would it be better to run a single GPU card or dual GPU card for the following configuration:

Triple monitor desktop, 1 monitor used for browser, 1 for gaming (windowed mode), 1 for media streaming; all of this is run in extended desktop mode.

The reason I ask is because I am not sure if a dual GPU card has to be in a particular mode to take advantage of both GPUs. Would I be better of sticking to a single GPU card?

Any input is appreciated.

 

[nanaki333]

if you're not going to actually game on all 3 displays, a dual GPU is not necessary for a nice 1080p experience. i would start with a single 6950/70 and if you try out eyefinity and end up liking it, just add a second card to the mix.

 

[GotNoRice]

1 for gaming (windowed mode)

Crossfire does NOT function when gaming in any form of windowed mode, so that should make your decision rather easy.

 

[tweakboy]

if you're not going to actually game on all 3 displays, a dual GPU is not necessary for a nice 1080p experience. i would start with a single 6950/70 and if you try out eyefinity and end up liking it, just add a second card to the mix.

Took the words out of my mouth.

What games do you play. Grab a 6950 or a 4xx or 5xx equivlant. You will be able to play with 1080p 8xAA 16xAF high detail.

If the 6950 is not suffice,, then youll do xfire. But I doubt you will do that as your framerate in games will be 60fps , once you get games going to 40's and 30's and staying there, then you add a xfire.. gl :'(

 

[chr6]

Crossfire does NOT function when gaming in any form of windowed mode, so that should make your decision rather easy.

Thank you for this information, this was what I was afraid of. I do multitask when I game, so I suppose I will change it up and go with a single GPU solution. Thank you very much.

 

[chr6]

Would the GTX 580 fit this bill? I am aware that the GTX 580 does not support Nvidia's 3D Surround without SLI (2 cards needed), but will one card support 3 monitors if you plan to just game windowed mode on 1 monitor and use the other 2 monitors for misc applications? Or is it 2 monitors only as a limitation of the GPU?

 

[nanaki333]

Would the GTX 580 fit this bill? I am aware that the GTX 580 does not support Nvidia's 3D Surround without SLI (2 cards needed), but will one card support 3 monitors if you plan to just game windowed mode on 1 monitor and use the other 2 monitors for misc applications? Or is it 2 monitors only as a limitation of the GPU?

pretty sure a single nvidia card only supports 2 monitors at once, so you would need another cheap card for another display. unless nvidia changed recently. a 69X0 supports up to 6 out of the box with one of those DP (that's displayport you perverts!) adapters.

 

[chr6]

Theroetical question: in my setup, would it be possible to drive a single monitor on the 6990 (utilizing crossfire) for gaming, and then have a second cheap video card driving the other 2 monitors? Or would the full screen lock out the other 2 displays?

 

[GotNoRice]

Theroetical question: in my setup, would it be possible to drive a single monitor on the 6990 (utilizing crossfire) for gaming, and then have a second cheap video card driving the other 2 monitors? Or would the full screen lock out the other 2 displays?

That should work fine. You can have your 6990 itself driving the extra displays. The Crossfire limitation only applies to 3d acceleration. As long as you are playing your 3D game in fullscreen, crossfire will still function while allowing you to display 2d content on the extra monitors. Of course you have to alt-tab out of the game before you can move your mouse onto one of the side monitors which I understand is why many use windowed mode instead.

I run 3 monitors right now, 2 powered from my 2x4870x2 and the 3rd running from the IGP on my 2500K. I use the extra monitors for Ventrilo and to monitor my pings and hardware temps while i'm in-game.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Get an HD 6970 and get it over with.