Single card for 3 screen gaming

[Screv]

I have been running three Dell U2312HM screens from a single MSI HD R6970 for some time now and to be honest, its not been to bad. But I want to try some full screen gaming over all three screens, BF3 (soon 4) and other titles seem to show some amazing immersion and thats something I really would like to experience. Currently I am resigned to using just one screen for gaming and running a film and map on the others, but I would like to get more out of my battle station.

I have put off getting a new card until AMD made the announcement on the 25th and frankly the lack of detail there has not helped me with my decision making. I'm not sure if its worth waiting for more information about the R290X or going for some of the current high end offerings already on the market.

I have been tempted by the 7990's that can still be swiped for under £500, but I realize time is running out if I want to bag one (also that would require a PSU upgrade). But I have been interested in the GTX 780, despite early driver issues experience by many.

Can anyone give me a good argument for any of these options, currently I just don't know what to go for.

System Spec:

CPU: Intel 3930K @3.5Ghz
Mobo: EVGA X79 SLI
Memory: Patriot Viper Xtreme 16GB (4x4GB) DDR3 PC3-12800C8 1600MHz Quad Channel Kit
Cooler: Corsair H100 (Note: Not an H100i)
GPU: MSI HD 6970 OC 2048MB Twin Frozr II GDDR5
PSU: Corsair HX 650W ATX Modular
Case: Corsair Carbode 500R

HDD's: Crucial RealSSD M4 128GB 2.5" SATA 6Gb/s SSD
2 X WD 250GB S-ATA 2
1 X WD 500GB S-ATA 2
1 X SG 2TB S-ATA 3

Screens: 3x Dell UltraSharp U2312HM 23"

 

[Gregster]

The 7990 is a fantastic card and that Gigabyte would sorely be tempting me.

You would need a new PSU though, as the minimum is a 750W.

 

[Screv]

the combined cost of a 7990 and a PSU to support it does strike me as a very expensive move, I have been resisting the buy button all day frankly.

If anything I'm just looking for other arguments for other cards so if anyone asks me why I upgraded to a 7990 I can say it really was the best performance for the money. That and I would hate for something to come out in October that was the muts nutts and be kicking myself for not waiting just a little longer. Did that in the past, in fact every time I have upgraded my GPU something shinier came out not long after or prices were slashed.

 

[oldestgregg]

AMD haven't sorted their drivers out for eyefinity plus crossfire yet though bud. They say its coming but frame pacing isn't sorted for that yet. Just single screen crossfire.

 

[Screv]

So the benefits of a 7990 over a 7970 for arguments sake, would only really be seen on a single display, untill that is, they sort the drivers? Am I understanding this right then?

 

[drakt]

My 7970 can run most stuff at the moment over 3x 1920x1200, albeit low/med for the newer games.

a single 780 or R9-290x should be able to get you playable rates in anything out currently, who knows what BF4 would be like on one card, you're gonna have to turn things down quite low!

 

[F1aw1ess]

another 6970 should tide you over till the 290x no?

edit: see your board possibly wont support soz and fwiw I have a 690 setup in triple screen, but I find it puts me off more in twitchy shooters like COD, BF and CS but is absolutely amazing for racing games!

 

[Screv]

another 6970 should tide you over till the 290x no?

edit: see your board possibly wont support soz

I have a 690 setup in triple screen, but I find it puts me off more in twitchy shooters like COD, BF and CS but is absolutely amazing for racing games!

Yea I have regretted getting this MOBO for a while now, that said for now the GPU is the bigger limiting factor personally so i'm more inclined to replace that than the other.

The impending EOL nature for the current range is something I worry about, especially with the AMD announcement of Mantle. Will they continue to support the earlier ranges to as extensive a level as the next generation. Given the change in architecture, i'm not sure they will in the long term. Similar concerns could be raised by Nvidia, hence my interest in the GTX 780 with it being the newer architecture.

 

[F1aw1ess]

Personally I would sell the 6970 and grab a couple of 4gb 670's or possibly 680's.
cause;
1. You can use the boards SLI capabilities so you don't feel like you made a duff choice
2. More horsepower than a 780
3. Bigger framebuffer (if you get the 4gb version)
5. They are so cheap now (or they were last week anyway) you could get both cards and a new psu for little more than a single 780



Sorry the mrs come back in so couldn't finish the message, to answer your your question yes they will still be supported and the AMD cards will support mantle much earlier which makes the decision a little more complicated