dual screen graphics card

[scotlad]

Hi all,

I am looking to upgrade my PC to Dual monitors (have gotten too accustomed to them at work!) which graphics card do you recommend? I would also be doing 'some' gaming but I wouldnt be doing this dual screen I would just use a single screen for this.

Was thinking about a gtx460 - would I see better performace with the 2GB model seeing as this will be a dual screen setup?

My MB is Gigabyte GA-880GA-UD3H 880GA Socket AM3 8 Channel Audio ATX Motherboard.

budget is around £100-£200.


Cheers
Scotlad

 

[Beerbaron]

Graphics cards dont need to be powerful to merely use 2 monitors. The gaming is where you would see the better performance of the GFX card.

 

[scotlad]

What about 2gb vs 1gb? Will there be any benifit give the Scenario? + who makes the best gtx460?

Any alternative card closer to the £100 mark seeing I only game occasionaly?

 

[shadow_boxer]

The higher VRAM will only be useful when gaming at very high resolutions. For the vast majority of games at 1920x1080 1GB will be fine.

How about the Sapphire 5850 Xtreme. Silent at idle, maxes at 55c while gaming. You also have the option of adding a third screen or going Xfire for gaming.

 

[scotlad]

The higher VRAM will only be useful when gaming at very high resolutions. For the vast majority of games at 1920x1080 1GB will be fine.

How about the Sapphire 5850 Xtreme. Silent at idle, maxes at 55c while gaming. You also have the option of adding a third screen or going Xfire for gaming.

Excellent - this is why I always visit this forum before buying hardware! That card seems more suited to my use - cheers m8!

 

[Cleeecooo]

If you want a 460, then EVGA or Gigabyte

 

[Defunkt]

The higher VRAM will only be useful when gaming at very high resolutions. For the vast majority of games at 1920x1080 1GB will be fine.

How about the Sapphire 5850 Xtreme. Silent at idle, maxes at 55c while gaming. You also have the option of adding a third screen or going Xfire for gaming.

Well, I had a 5850 and when plugged into a single monitor it would idle @ 29C (ish) but once the 2nd monitor was plugged into it it would idle @ 40C (ish)
moving up to 70C under load. Having a 2nd monitor does have an effect on temps whether you game on 1 or 2 of them or even if you don't game at all.

 

[shadow_boxer]

Good point. Adding a second screen will increase temperatures. Some cards will not downclock and run at their full clock 100% of the time.

 

[scotlad]

How does the Sapphire 5850 Xtreme compare with the XFX 6870 as I have just seen a good offer for that card? Could I run triple screens off the 6870 also?

thx