Productivity Video card for four screens (2 @ 4k)

[HSC]

Hi all, first post
Just what to check my choice before I buy a Video card

I've had a bit of experience running two 4k screens on integrated graphics (HD 5000 daisy chained DisplayPort 1.2) and the experience was lacklustre. Couldn't get higher than 30Hz and everything (OS and apps) just ran frustratingly slower.

It will not be used for gaming, just productivity (eg Lightroom) and general browsing/media.

I want to get a card that can run the following screens all at 60hz and with no performance issues. PC I'm planning will be running a Haswell i5, SSD and 16Gb RAM.

2 @4k (DisplayPort 1.2)
1 @1920x1200 (DP or DVI)
1 @1920x1080 (HDMI)

Other non critical considerations for the video card are low power consumption and quiet/silent fans.


I think I have found the ideal card which is an Asus GTX 960 Strix 2Gb.
Graphics Cards | STRIX-GTX960-DC2OC-2GD5 | ASUS USA

It's circa £160 which is at the limit of what I want to spend. Also comes equipped with 3x DP, HDMI and DVI

However do you think in order to avoid any performance/lag issues, that this card will be enough??

Or do you think I should be considering the 4gb 960 (will more video ram matter?) or even the GTX970 versions of the Strix card??

Or something else entirely??


Advise will be appreciated. Thanks in advance

 

[SolMiester]

2gb will be fine for 2d display...

 

[tweakboy]

Grab a EVGA 960 4GB ,, gl

 

[HSC]

Thanks
So aside from memory is the GPU sufficient to power those screens and res with no performance issues?

 

[nvgpu]

I'd wait for the GTX 950 launch on August 20th and see how it performs, you might be able to save a little money while still getting all the features of the GTX 960 like 4K HEVC hardware decoding.

http://videocardz.com/57302/nvidia-geforce-gtx-950-confirmed-to-feature-768-cuda-cores

 

[HSC]

Hmm
The 950 looks short on ports

Need to power x4 screens, two of which are 4k
And the 1080p make get a 4k upgrade too later...

 

[HurleyBird]

I would stay away from Nvidia entirely for that kind of unique multi-monitor set up. I have something similar with a 980 and it's been a total nightmare to be honest.

Any current AMD graphics card should run everything at 60hz via DP 1.2, just find one with the right outputs. Their multi-monitor support puts Nvidia's to shame.

 

[iceranger]

You guys will probably think that I am a retard but I would go for an Nvidia GTX 970 if building a pc for 4K/multi-screen gaming under budget since it's much more stable than 960.

 

[HSC]

Thanks
I find the current AMD chips confusing
Let me do a bit of research.

 

[Phynaz]

You guys will probably think that I am a retard but I would go for an Nvidia GTX 970 if building a pc for 4K/multi-screen gaming under budget since it's much more stable than 960.

Not a retard, just uniformed. Do you have any citations for this claim?

 

[tweakboy]

You wont get any issues with your rig. gl

 

[HSC]

I can't seem to find an AMD with the necessary ports

I have since seen a Skylake Iris Pro demo doing 4k to three screens
And a Matrox card that can do 4k to 6 screens

So I'm back to the Nvidia and hoping the drivers are up to the job...

 

[HSC]

Just to update on this and close the thread

New rig is now built and running
Went with the GTX960
Yes the drivers are poor

But...
2x 4k @60
1x 1200p @60
1x 1080p @60

All running like a dream
Thanks all