3 Monitors - New Graphics Card

[d4ren]

Hi all,

I have two LG 23" monitors that I have connected to my GTX560, each via DVI.

I've been gifted a third monitor of the same make and model, but unfortunately it seems my graphics card doesn't support 3 monitors.

It's been years since I bought my last card, and given the huge choice on offer I'm concerned I'll make the wrong decision, so I'd appreciate some advice on which card to buy.

Each monitor has a DVI/HDMI/VGA input with a 1920x1080 resolution. I do play the occasional bit of BF4, but my primary use is software development/VM's. Budget is around £130, but will spend more if necessary, and I'd prefer NVIDIA.

Many thanks.

 

[snips86x]

I would personally go for the Powercolour 280x:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-171-PC&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1842

Its an incredible card for the price and the performance is oustanding. It would happily support your 3 monitors.

If you're really after an nVidia card, it will cost more to match the performance of the 280x, but the 760/770 would be the first choice.

 

[ShivP]

Used GTX 670/760 if you prefer nvidia

 

[tankskun]

I was in the same boat as you, with preference for a nvidia card. Bought a GTX670 4gb for use with triple monitor nvidia surround. But found that switching between monitors with nvidia driver software was terrible, really bad.

Ended up buying a Amd 290 and haven't looked back. Eyefinty driver software is light years ahead of nvidia. You can easily save profiles and monitor switching is just so much easier.

Would recommend a amd 280x

 

[ShivP]

I was in the same boat as you, with preference for a nvidia card. Bought a GTX670 4gb for use with triple monitor nvidia surround. But found that switching between monitors with nvidia driver software was terrible, really bad.

Ended up buying a Amd 290 and haven't looked back. Eyefinty driver software is light years ahead of nvidia. You can easily save profiles and monitor switching is just so much easier.

I've heard of people changing to nvidia because nvidia surround was better no idea though, just what I heard

 

[anthony566]

I am running AMD with 3 monitors and its very simply to setup and tune and very easy to switch profiles I can't comment on Nvidia as its been a while since I had one...

 

[Mark This Day]

You could get a 580 for less than 50 pounds

 

[ShivP]

You could get a 580 for less than 50 pounds

Doubt it I got a 570 for 55 recently, 580 I believe go for about £80 on the MM

Your best bet is a used 670/760 off the 'bay or similar, they go for around what you are budgeting

Or of course a used 280X at about £150

 

[Mark This Day]

I got a Evga super clock for 45 pounds for a pc build for a friend

 

[ShivP]

I got a Evga super clock for 45 pounds

 

[tankskun]

I've heard of people changing to nvidia because nvidia surround was better no idea though, just what I heard

Really don't understand why, This is pretty much what the experience with Nvidia is like due to Bezel correction resolution disappearing. Heck even Nvidia doesn't even save monitor layouts properly.
https://forums.geforce.com/default/...d-and-34-standard-34-in-a-non-painful-way-/1/
The last post by DjFIL works, but its kinda broken.

You could get a 580 for less than 50 pounds

Only single 600 series and above support nvidia triple surround.

OP if you must get an Nvidia card have a little read here:
http://www.wsgf.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=25235&hilit=nvidia+monitor+switching

There was a better thread which covered the whole thing better but cant seem to find it right now, but you should get an idea.

 

[ShivP]

Really don't understand why, This is pretty much what the experience with Nvidia is like due to Bezel correction resolution disappearing. Heck even Nvidia doesn't even save monitor layouts properly.
https://forums.geforce.com/default/...d-and-34-standard-34-in-a-non-painful-way-/1/
The last post by DjFIL works, but its kinda broken.



Only single 600 series and above support nvidia triple surround.

OP if you must get an Nvidia card have a little read here:
http://www.wsgf.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=25235&hilit=nvidia+monitor+switching

There was a better thread which covered the whole thing better but cant seem to find it right now, but you should get an idea.

Do consider they are over a year and a half old

 

[tankskun]

Do consider they are over a year and a half old

Yes they are old, but it was still the same when I had my GTX670 last month. Nvidia had years to sort out the driver/ software for triple surround, but seems they have given up. Likely just focusing on Gsync and 4K etc..

 

[Mark This Day]

Really don't understand why, This is pretty much what the experience with Nvidia is like due to Bezel correction resolution disappearing. Heck even Nvidia doesn't even save monitor layouts properly.
https://forums.geforce.com/default/...d-and-34-standard-34-in-a-non-painful-way-/1/
The last post by DjFIL works, but its kinda broken.






Only single 600 series and above support nvidia triple surround.

OP if you must get an Nvidia card have a little read here:
http://www.wsgf.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=25235&hilit=nvidia+monitor+switching

There was a better thread which covered the whole thing better but cant seem to find it right now, but you should get an idea.

Your wrong tankskun you can run surround with a 580 or a 590

 

[tankskun]

Your saying a single 580 can run 3 monitors? Yes a 590 can do it, because it's a dual gpu. I'm talking about a single card and not SLI.

 

[ShivP]

Your saying a single 580 can run 3 monitors? Yes a 590 can do it, because it's a dual gpu. I'm talking about a single card and not SLI.

Go for 600/700 series. As I said, used 760 or 670

 

[kaka4200]

Go overkill just for the funs of it and buy Titan Z X)

 

[Gregster]

Really don't understand why, This is pretty much what the experience with Nvidia is like due to Bezel correction resolution disappearing. Heck even Nvidia doesn't even save monitor layouts properly.
https://forums.geforce.com/default/...d-and-34-standard-34-in-a-non-painful-way-/1/
The last post by DjFIL works, but its kinda broken.



Only single 600 series and above support nvidia triple surround.

OP if you must get an Nvidia card have a little read here:
http://www.wsgf.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=70&t=25235&hilit=nvidia+monitor+switching

There was a better thread which covered the whole thing better but cant seem to find it right now, but you should get an idea.

Just to give my tuppence, I ran a triple 3D monitor setup with a pair of 680s and then a pair of Titans and never had any issues. Adjusting bezel correction took less than 10 seconds and switching gaming on one in 2D/3D or 3 in 3D or 2D was so easy.

I can't comment about AMD but don't see either having any major hang ups in honesty.

Your wrong tankskun you can run surround with a 580 or a 590

A 590 will run triple screens but a 580 won't.

 

[d4ren]

Thanks for everyone's input, it's really appreciated.

My preference for nVidia was purely out of familiarity; I've had them for years without any issues, but then I've only ever had two monitors!

At this stage, a 280 is coming out on top when compared with the price of an equivalent nVidia.

I would personally go for the Powercolour 280x:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-171-PC&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=1842

Its an incredible card for the price and the performance is oustanding. It would happily support your 3 monitors.

If you're really after an nVidia card, it will cost more to match the performance of the 280x, but the 760/770 would be the first choice.

XFX make one which has x2 DVI, x1 HDMI and x1 DP : http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-221-XF&tool=3

Given that my monitors don't have a DP input, and that I'm generally not a fan of using adapters unless I have to, I presume I can just plug all three monitors in (x2 DVI and x1 HDMI) and away I go?

 

[ShivP]

Yes that should work just fine