Help! Which 3-4 monitor GPU for Photoshop/Video

[E. C. Yian]

Hello,

I use my computer for Photoshop, Corel Painter, music creation and possibly a bit of video work in the next year or so. No Gaming! I will soon get Photoshop CC and use many filters, fx, distortion and layers in Photoshop. I use Filter Forge a lot and now takes too long to get a rendering. I generally run images at 600 ppi. at 11"x14" but now want to work with larger images.

Yes, I have researched this however I am not at all good at GPU specs. My mind was turned to mush and now I am even more confused which GPU to get. Please help.

My current PC: i7 W3690. 12 GB RAM.
Mobo: GIGABYTE GA-X58A-UD3R LGA 1366 Intel X58. 2 X PCI Express x 16 slots. Gen 2.0?
PSU: CORSAIR CMPSU-850TX 850W. PCI-Express Connector = 4 x 6+2-Pin
OS: Recently did a fresh install of Windows 10 64 bit.

My current GPU: which works good for my two monitors but will not handle a third. EVGA GeForce GTX 470 (Fermi) 1280MB 320-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video. https://www.evga.com/Products/Specs/GPU.aspx?pn=E86519BF-9D8D-4A84-B32A-0F45DC3799E3

I now have two monitors on 1920 x 1080 (DVI-D, HDMI, VGA) and one 1280 x 1024 (VGA, DVI-D) and will add the third one at 1920x1080 (DVI-D, HDMI, VGA).

Please help me find the proper GPU for under $400.

Please also suggest a GPU that will also help me do some video editing.

 

[Headfoot]

What version of photochop? CC?

 

[E. C. Yian]

I will shortly get Photoshop CC 2015.
Photoshop is the primary focus of my GPU post.

 

[Ken g6]

I use Filter Forge a lot and now takes too long to get a rendering.

I looked up Filter Forge. Its buying page says less-than-pro versions have a limit on the number of CPU cores they can use. Do you have the Pro version? (It's on sale today.)

The problem is I don't think Filter Forge uses your GPU. So a CPU upgrade might be in order instead.

The next problem is that your CPU is really nice, and finding a clear upgrade from it - including mobo and possibly new RAM - at $400 is difficult.

 

[E. C. Yian]

I looked up Filter Forge. Its buying page says less-than-pro versions have a limit on the number of CPU cores they can use. Do you have the Pro version? (It's on sale today.)

The problem is I don't think Filter Forge uses your GPU. So a CPU upgrade might be in order instead.

The next problem is that your CPU is really nice, and finding a clear upgrade from it - including mobo and possibly new RAM - at $400 is difficult.

I have the Filter Forge Pro version.

I just upgraded to the Xeon W3690 which has 6 cores or 12 hyper-threaded.

I will soon add third monitor so a need to get a new GPU. Please suggest a GPU following the requirement in the OP for under $400.

 

[E. C. Yian]

I still do not have any info to guide me to choose a 3 or 4 monitor GPU for Photoshop and possible for video editing. I have seen the nVidia GTX 970 tossed around. There are many brands and models to choose from and I have no clue which one to get.

I updated the OP regarding DVI-D, VGA and HDMI. None of my monitors have Display Ports. This limits the GPU that I can use. The Display port converters/adaptors are expensive. In any case I prefer to avoid adaptors.

Five GTX 970 that may work for me. It seems that these cards have the correct video outputs to match my monitor’s video input. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...$$$$$$;14-487-162:$$$$$$$;14-121-899R:$$$$$$$

I am still a bit concerned about the PCI-Express Connector here called Power Connector but not sure if that is the same thing. On my current PSU specs the PCI-Express Connector = 4 x 6+2-Pin

Which brand and model is best? Which has the best drivers or are they all the same? What else should I be concerned about?

Please help me choose a GPU.

 

[Spanners]

I still do not have any info to guide me to choose a 3 or 4 monitor GPU for Photoshop and possible for video editing. I have seen the nVidia GTX 970 tossed around. There are many brands and models to choose from and I have no clue which one to get.

I updated the OP regarding DVI-D, VGA and HDMI. None of my monitors have Display Ports. This limits the GPU that I can use. The Display port converters/adaptors are expensive. In any case I prefer to avoid adaptors.

Five GTX 970 that may work for me. It seems that these cards have the correct video outputs to match my monitor’s video input. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...$$$$$$;14-487-162:$$$$$$$;14-121-899R:$$$$$$$

I am still a bit concerned about the PCI-Express Connector here called Power Connector but not sure if that is the same thing. On my current PSU specs the PCI-Express Connector = 4 x 6+2-Pin

Which brand and model is best? Which has the best drivers or are they all the same? What else should I be concerned about?

Please help me choose a GPU.

I can't answer all your questions but those cards need either a single 8pin, 2x6pin or 6+8pin power connectors all of which you have covered with your PSU. I'm going to assume that your PSU is large enough capacity wise if it has 4x6+2 connectors.

I can't say which brand is best but they all run the same drivers from Nvidia.

I would be concerned with noise levels, temperatures and reputation in regards to returns/warranty. Some reviews could help you out there.

This card fits your needs display connection wise, is pretty well regarded, has zero fan noise at idle and good load temps. It's a "gaming" card but don't let that put you off.

You might need someone more familiar with your particular work-flow to chime in on whether you will see any gains with a 970 over say a 960 or even lower end card.

 

[tweakboy]

Your RAM will be bottleneck, You should have 16GB minimum for heavy video editing etc.

I would go 32GB if I was in your shoes... thx gl

 

[tweakboy]

Recent cards have dual DVI and HDMI and display port. You can connect all monitors to a single card. LIke the 980 Ti ,,,,,,, I say 980 cuz you do video editing. gl