What Card BF3 3 Monitors

[Athariel]

I am just in the process of finalising my new system build as my current computer is 3 years old and beginning to show signs of ageing with the latest games, with the current graphics cards being 2 x 280 GTX.

I have found myself in the situation where I have some money to spend on a new system though it is not a limitless budget where I can just buy the most expensive of everything and leave it at that so I have come here for some advice.

Purpose of the rig is primarily for gaming now in particular for Battlefield 3.

I currently run 3 monitors Dell U2311. Sometimes I use these independently for work stuff or for multiple accounts of Eve Online or WoW.

My intention for BF 3 however is to run it across all three monitors.

However with so many Graphics cards out there I am unsure what direction to go, years ago I was an ATI fan and then switched to Nvidia around the days of the 6800's.

I have looked at the 580 GTX's would 2 x 1.5gb 580's be sufficient or for multiple screens do I really need to go with the 3gb ones?

I have the budget but don't want to spend more than I need.

I really don't know much about current ATI cards so not sure where to start with those or how they compete. Also nearly all the reviews I read focus only on single monitor displays that just increase in resolution which doesn't help me.

Thanks in advance your help.

 

[Freakbro]

Well, there are big discussions about the limiting factors of VRAM on multi-monitor displays, not sure if there is a definate answer yet.

But, with BF3 on 3 screens....personally I would choose the 3gb versions.

But then, the next round of gfx card releases aren't that far off? (I know not in time for BF3) but it may be worth just getting something to tie you over for now and upgrade to the new ones later, as DX11 games and multi-monitor setups are going to require some grunt to get the best settings.

 

[Mr. May]

Ultra at 1080 can use up to 1.5gb of vram so 100% go for the 3gb ones

 

[marc1024]

Multi monitor defiantly get 3gb cards. Ati or nvidia (if ati do 3gb or more cards)
Big single monitor at 1920x1080 i recommend the 570 2560mb.

 

[JeffyB]

I think you have 2 realistic options (prices from ocuk)

2x580gtx 3gb = £839.98

or for around the same money

Ati/Amd 6990+6970 = £844.98

The 6990+6970 will be quicker but noisier.

 

[chief barker]

Ultra at 1080 can use up to 1.5gb of vram so 100% go for the 3gb ones

Source Please or just rumour based on the BETA?

 

[arc@css]

2gb or 3gb cards imo.

 

[JeffyB]

Source Please or just rumour based on the BETA?

Just tried took this screeny after about 1 min playing on the highest everything could go, 1920x1200. Have to divide the memory usage by 2 which is 1570mb.

 

[marc1024]

Source Please or just rumour based on the BETA?

thats 1920x1080 all ultra full AA on a 570 2560mb