Need a card for eyefinity@ 5760x1200

[neo2210]

Hey folks,

Recently finished off my triple monitor setup with 2 LG flatrons and a samsung syncmaster 2433bw all @ 1920x1200 (down with 1080p 24 inch monitors).

Right now I'm running them off a nvidia 250gts and an old nvidia 8400, basically one gfx accellerated monitor and the other two just for general stuff.

Basically I want to get an eyefinity setup at some point, was wondering what card to get, 5870 or 5970?

Running games like BFBC2, gta etc.

Only problem is my 750 watt corsair power supply doesn't have that many free cables, infact it has none that aren't used with the 250 gts.
So I gather the 5870 is two 6 pin connectors, but Im pretty sure the 5970 is 8 and 6 pin, so I guess i'd need a new power supply.

Or should I(assuming id need a new power supply anyway) consider Nvidia's surround with two 460's?
Only problem is i heard for that you need 3 identical monitors (same make, model), although I dont see why, and I could be wrong.

Anyone else using a single 5870 to push a 5760x1200 resolution?

 

[magicroundabout]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=56&subid=1752&sortby=priceAsc

 

[magicroundabout]

or use one of these with a standard 5870

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-223-SP

 

[lay-z-boy]

The nv option only requires 3x identical monitors for 3D. For surround it will work but you will loose the bezel correction feature.
You will obviously need 2 gpu's for nv surround vs the one for eyefinity.

Speaking from experience. A single 5870 will drive a 56x12 res without too much of a problem trusting you keep aa off or low. However there are a few games that will not behave well. (metro being one)
Generally ati makes better use of the same amount of memory over nv but if possible I'd take a 2gb card over a 1gb anyway.

A pair of 5870's or a 5970 from what I have found will allow higher settings and a higher overall fps rate.
BC2 ran very well with 1 gpu but 2 keeps the fps high and the settings on max.

 

[neo2210]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/productlist.php?groupid=701&catid=56&subid=1752&sortby=priceAsc

Ive heard of these 6 edition cards before, but why would I need one when a normal one can drive 3 monitors?
Id still need an active adaptor even if I did buy the 6 edition.


Looks like my options are 1 ati 5870 for which Id need an active displayport adapter or 2x nvidia 460 for which I'd need a new power supply.
Hrmmm..

what's the reason why i'd lose the bezel compensation on the nvidia cards?

 

[lay-z-boy]

Non identical monitors.

 

[neo2210]

would i have the bezel compensation feature on the ati cards?

 

[magicroundabout]

yes you do but unsure with different monitors

http://www.maxisdomain.co.uk/news/41-eyefinity/167-how-to-setup-ati-beze

 

[Phoenixdancer]

the ONLY way your going to play and decent games on that setup is with 2x 5870's in crossfire.
a 5970 can handel it but not by much hence why i have a 5970 and 5870

 

[RynceWynd]

I run a single 5850 running 5760x1080,

plays most fps games, i own (MW2/metro/operation flash point),on medium-high, and most mmo's maxed out (wow/lotro/war/guildwars).

I don't run fraps or any kind of fps monitor, so if the game feels smooth and playable i'm happy, if not I just knock the settings down until its smooth, so i doubt i'm punching above 60fps in most instances.

 

[MonkeykingZX]

5970 or 2 5870's in crossfire, i struggle in some games at max/near max settings with a 5970 at a similiar res so yeah anything less would be a bad idea

 

[Phoenixdancer]

I run a single 5850 running 5760x1080,

plays most fps games, i own (MW2/metro/operation flash point),on medium-high, and most mmo's maxed out (wow/lotro/war/guildwars).

I don't run fraps or any kind of fps monitor, so if the game feels smooth and playable i'm happy, if not I just knock the settings down until its smooth, so i doubt i'm punching above 60fps in most instances.

You must be sitting at around 28ish FPS got AA on?

I do like my 8AA

 

[RynceWynd]

Hmmm you got me thinking now to what the fps actually is.... (i can hear my wallet panicking!)

if i get some time over the weekend, i'll start a thread on my findings....


Our OP seems to have gone missing, but i'd say to them it all depends on whether you want to run games maxed out @5760x1200 or whether you are willing to sacrifice detail for smoother gameplay.

 

[MoRT489]

the ONLY way your going to play and decent games on that setup is with 2x 5870's in crossfire.
a 5970 can handel it but not by much hence why i have a 5970 and 5870

This is just not true. Your best bet would be to go for a 5970 as then u wouldnt need to upgrade ur PSU. U will be able to play most games on high settings with a single 5870 1GB (no u dont need the Eyefinity 6 card linked above ) but the 5970 will give you the ability to run them at max. I'd love to add a second 5870 to my setup but chances r I would also need to upgrade my PSU and my case doesnt have room for the 5970 (13" iirc).

Also, see here before u go spending loads on an active adapter http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18140392&highlight=cheap+run I got my VGA one today so will try it this wknd bt lots of positive reports.