Need 2D Surround video card advice

[mrjoltcola]

Hey graphics gurus.

I have, at my disposal, 2 x 30" LCDs that I currently use, only game on one of them. I also have some unused 21" 1600x1200 LCDs and 24" 1920x1200 LCDs. I figured its time I try multi-display gaming. I see my options as either a single 30" flanked by 2 of the 21" in portrait, or 3 x 24".

I have 2 x GTX560 cards (one still unopened, I was going to SLI them, but now I've changed my mind since reading that 1GB may be tight for high-resolutions / multi-display and after seeing BF3, it seems future games are going to be breaking the 1GB ceiling, plus I need a 3rd display hookup). Basically I think I screwed up and didn't do all my homework before going with the 560s. So I'm selling the 2nd GTX560 to buy a 1.25GB - 3GB card, either GTX560 2GB, GTX560ti 2GB, GTX570 2.5GB (or a used 580 1.5GB), as long as it has displayport or 3 DVI.

My questions:
1) Since my 560's don't have a 3rd DVI or displayport on the same card, I assume I cannot SLI them + drive 3 displays in 2d surround? Correct me if I'm wrong.

2) With 2560x1600 resolution gaming, am I going to regret even a GTX570 mildly overclocked, especially with the 2 x 21" addition and should I scrap the whole plan and get the fastest single slot card with most VRAM I can afford?

3) Backlight: Does anyone make a 560 or 570 with backlight on the card, like the ASUS Matrix? I like the way the ASUS Matrix looks, and it would go well with my Corsair window, H100 cooler backlight and Maximus ROG board backlight + LEDs, but I'm not sure I want to blow $500 more on a GTX580 if a 570 will do, just to get a backlight. It isn't a budget thing, I can afford it, but looks aren't worth $180-200 to me.

Thanks, all opinions are welcome. Like I said, budget isn't a problem, but just because I can afford it doesn't mean I want to buy it. I want it to be a wise choice based on my needs, but since I haven't actually felt the performance of any card with 3 displays, I'm looking to people who have.

 

[4ghz]

From Nvidia website about 2D surround: All displays must have a common resolution, refresh rate, and sync polarity. So it looks like you will have to use 3x24 if you want to try surround.

1. Yes your cards will work in sli surround. 2 dvi cables plug into the first card. 1 dvi cable plugs into the 2nd card.

2. Nvidia surround only works in SLI (you MUST have 2 cards). So if your serious about it then I would suggest 2 gtx 560 2gb or ti 2gb. Gtx 560 1gb will work but you will need to fiddle/lower certain graphic setting until the cards are no longer bottlenecked if you want them to operate at close to 100%.

3. No clue.

 

[Keysplayr]

Yes, you can SLI GTX 460/560/560Ti etc and employ 2D or 3D surround (with proper displays, glasses and emitter). The screens have to be the same size and resolution.
The higher the res, the more memory should be required. For example, I run 3 monitors in both 2D and 3D mode using 3x 22" Samsung 2233RZ's on a GTX590(1.5GB per GPU). (120Hz).
You don't need 120Hz screens if you are just planning on 2D surround.
Umm, what else....

If you are going with 3x 24" 19x10 or 12 monitors in 2D surround, you would need 2 GTX560Ti 2GB cards. Even better would be 2x GTX570 2.5GB cards.

 

[mrjoltcola]

Ok, thanks guys that helps.

So even though I was mistaken about needing the 3-ports on one card it looks like my choice of the 1GB cards was the real shortcoming.

I've accumulated my displays over a period of 4-5 years, I doubt I'll be running out to buy a 3rd 30" display just to do surround, so was hoping to make do with what I had. 95% of my computer time is work, and I can't use 3 x 30". Is there any other sort of hack that would allow me to use displays with dissimilar horizontal resolutions (single 30" and dual 21") as long as I use similar vertical res? I recall seeing some guy post on the forum that he had a 30 and dual 20s, but I don't remember seeing him actually using it for gaming.

 

[mrjoltcola]

If you are going with 3x 24" 19x10 or 12 monitors in 2D surround, you would need 2 GTX560Ti 2GB cards. Even better would be 2x GTX570 2.5GB cards.

So in your opinion, would the 1.5GB GTX 580 be a waste of time at the resolutions I'm dealing with?

Am I correct that the dual GPU on single PCB solutions split the VRAM between GPUs, so for example the 590 or the Mars II 580 x2 3GB essentially equal 2 x 580 1.5GB SLI?

Seems to me even for 3 x 30" my best use of funds may be 2 x SLI 570 2.5GB cards for around 750-800 total, which would approximate a GTX 590 with 5GB.

 

[Keysplayr]

95% work. Ok, will you be gaming the other 5% on 2D surround? Or will you be satisfied just doing your work on 3 screens and gaming on one?

Makes a difference in your selection. A world of difference.

If you are just planning to do work on 3 screens and not game, then you would be fine with 2x GTX550Ti or 2x GTX460's. This way, you don't have to spend a ton, and still be able to do your work in 2D surround, and game on just one monitor using SLI.

If you tell us the EXACT monitor configuration you intend to use, and the EXACT way you intend to use them (work, gaming) it would help. You gave us a lot of scenarios and monitors at one shot. Need to know what you intend to do.

Keys

 

[mrjoltcola]

95% work. Ok, will you be gaming the other 5% on 2D surround? Or will you be satisfied just doing your work on 3 screens and gaming on one?

Makes a difference in your selection. A world of difference.

If you are just planning to do work on 3 screens and not game, then you would be fine with 2x GTX550Ti or 2x GTX460's. This way, you don't have to spend a ton, and still be able to do your work in 2D surround, and game on just one monitor using SLI.

If you tell us the EXACT monitor configuration you intend to use, and the EXACT way you intend to use them (work, gaming) it would help. You gave us a lot of scenarios and monitors at one shot. Need to know what you intend to do.

Sorry I complicated things; I didn't know 3 identical displays were required for 2D and wanted to see several recommendations.

My work machine will stay with 2 x 30". Some day far into the future, I may add a third 30" if I can find one at a great price, but I can't justify it for now.

1) So on my second rig with 3 x 24" (1920x1200) for 2D surround. What will I need for that?

2) Far into the future, if I had a 3rd 30", what would I need, minimum, to run 2D surround on them at 30-40 FPS at native res? The only 3 x 30" I've seen online with any detail is the maxishine, but he uses maximum everything so it doesn't really help me figure out what a minimum setup requires (unless you tell me 3 x 580s really are required).

 

[Keysplayr]

Lets start with your 3x 24" 19x12 screens for 2D surround.
If you intend to game in 2D in surround, you'll probably need 2x GTX570's preferably with 2.5GB per card and SLI them.

If you intend to do just work on 2D surround and just game on the center monitor, then you could easily get away with 2xGTX550Ti or 2x GTX460 1GB cards.

In the future if you go with 3x 30" screens, then you'll probably need no less than 2xGTX580 3GB cards. But by that time newer cards like Kepler may be out.

FYI, you can also buy a single GTX590 and run 2D surround with just the one 590.

 

[CVSiN]

As much as I love my Nvidia cards I just removed my SLI 460s and my 580 to run 2x HD 6950 2 gigs for their superior handling of Eyefinity gaming.

With Eyefinity it doesnt care what size the mons are and will find a common res.

also can be done on 1 card if you want.

I'm finding the 2x 6950s to be much stronger than I thought they would be as well.

I'm not missing my 580 at all.
and it blows the doors off the SLI 460s and even the 560Ti's I tested.

might want to consider jumping ship to ATI for Eyefinity gaming.
they seem to have it pretty well locked in.

The ONLY catch 22 here is.. Eyefinity either requires a native DisplayPort Monitor or an Active DisplayPort Dongle.

I just happened to have a native and it works great.

 

[mrjoltcola]

Hey that is a great idea, actually. I have already been researching the Radeon cards. I've had Nvidia for so long, I don't follow the Radeon nomenclature well. The last Radeon I had was one from 2006 or so. Geforce does seem to be tight on vram, it seems these cards are stronger in GPU in relation to VRAM, unless you buy the special edition cards with double RAM, which cost even more.

So if I have 2 cards in crossfire, do I still need a displayport hookup, or can I spread the monitors across 2 cards on the DVI ports?

 

[CVSiN]

Hey that is a great idea, actually. I have already been researching the Radeon cards. I've had Nvidia for so long, I don't follow the Radeon nomenclature well. The last Radeon I had was one from 2006 or so. Geforce does seem to be tight on vram, it seems these cards are stronger in GPU in relation to VRAM, unless you buy the special edition cards with double RAM, which cost even more.

So if I have 2 cards in crossfire, do I still need a displayport hookup, or can I spread the monitors across 2 cards on the DVI ports?

yes you still have to have a DP port or Dongle..
the XFX Dongle is like 30 bucks and I'm told it works very well.

yeh I'm so far really liking the power of the ATIs at large resolutions.

and you would be able to use very dissimilar monitors with no issues.

with Nvidia Surround I have 2 different brands of 22s.. Nvidia would not give me my full supported res.

with the Eyefinity it doesn't care..

 

[mrjoltcola]

and you would be able to use very dissimilar monitors with no issues.

with the Eyefinity it doesn't care..

This is key.

I don't plan to spend an extra 1k on another 2560x1600 30". Besides that, I don't think it is a good use of $$, since the side displays are more for peripheral vision & overall immersion effect than anything, from what I've been told. Also the overall power / price to push 7680x1600 is a big step up from what I'll need to push 4960x1600.

Thanks for that, I'll research more about Eyefinity resolutions.

 

[mnewsham]

I was reading through the first half of this thread and was VERY surprised no one brought up eyefinity, luckily it was brought up in the second half but it should have been one of the first things mentioned especially with the vRAM (6950/70 both come with 2GB) and the dissimilar monitor resolutions.

Glad it got sorted out

 

[mrjoltcola]

I'll report back how it works when I get the new cards! Thanks all, great help!

 

[mrjoltcola]

I bought a Radeon 6950, get it home, found that the 2nd DVI port is single link. For work I need to push the two 30" displays @ 2560x1600, and was planning to put two smaller displays on the display ports with a cheap adapter. Now looks like I either have to buy an expensive, active adapter, or add a second card and put the other 30" on the 2nd card. Disappointed given the price for a 6950, that I can't just plug both 30s up and go.

 

[mrjoltcola]

Guys. Since I'm waiting on an adapter, I can't try it myself yet, but can someone confirm? I read this in the Eyefinity FAQ, concerning dissimilar resolutions.

Can I support different resolutions?

All monitors running in a Display Group or cloned modes must be running with the same resolution. If monitors have different native resolutions, the highest common non-native resolution between the monitors will be used when creating Display Groups. Monitors running in extended desktop mode can have independent resolutions.

Now I'm concerned that for gaming, my plan with dissimilar displays will not work. Can someone clarify?