What PCI VGA card to run 3rd Monitor for Games?

[Gimpymoo]

Am thinking of purchasing a 3rd Monitor for use mainly with rFactor.

Anyone able to recommend a good PCI card (well, as good as they get anyway) either brand new or second hand.

Not interested in running at native res.. as long as the game runs on the 3rd monitor.

Thought of a Matrox Triplehead2go but dont think the ATI X1950 PRO 512MB would be upto the job of the high resolution.

Thanks.

 

[Greebo]

What is the res of the 3rd monitor?

And from what I've read of the Matrox Triplehead2go you need 2 dual dual link gfx cards in your system already.

http://www.trustedreviews.com/displays/review/2006/04/12/Matrox-TripleHead2Go/p4

So if you have only one gfx card you need to buy another before you get the Matrox. The Matrox just converts all that gfx output across 3 screens and I must admit it does look impressive.

And unless you are talking about screen bigger tahn 19" (the Matrox only works up to 19") then a x1950 pro will handle the extra screen no problem or if your original card can't handle the two 19" screens (I presume it can sonce your asking about a 3rd?) then use the x1950pro to handle 2 screens.

As to whether 2 cards and 3 screens will work in your game without something like the Matrix then I'm not sure.

1000TH Post - Yippee

 

[Gimpymoo]

Will be running on 3 x HP w2207 Monitors.

Have an ATI x1950 PRO 256MB with 2 outputs. Need a 3rd output for the third montor so looking for a beefed up PCI VGA card I guess.

As mentioned.. am not bothered about running at native res as the w2207 scaled very well.

Why im reluctant to run the Triplehead2go is that to get 3 displays at a minimum res of 1024x768 on each screen.. I need to run the game at 3072x2304 which I think the x1950 would struggle with.. lets be be honest.. it would kill it.

 

[Gimpymoo]

Would a GeForce 6 6200/PCI 256MB be any good?

Seems to be the best I can find.

 

[Greebo]

Why im reluctant to run the Triplehead2go is that to get 3 displays at a minimum res of 1024x768 on each screen.. I need to run the game at 3072x2304 which I think the x1950 would struggle with.. lets be be honest.. it would kill it.

It would but the Triplehead2go still needs two gfx cards in your system so it would be your 1950 pro plus whatever else you get.

You can't have three screens powered by just your pro and the triplehead2go.

 

[Aod]

Would a GeForce 6 6200/PCI 256MB be any good?

Seems to be the best I can find.

i wonder if it could be unlocked to 6600...

 

[Gimpymoo]

It would but the Triplehead2go still needs two gfx cards in your system

No it doesn't.

You can't have three screens powered by just your pro and the triplehead2go.

Yes you can, that is the entire point of it. To take a single output if needed and span across multiple monitors.

The manufacturers web page at http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/gxm/products/th2go/ says only a "Single VGA output connector" is required (Or DVI on the Triplehead2go Digital which is the one im looking at).

Sure, SLI/Crossfire would help with the resolution you need hence why im pondering a PCI VGA Card INSTEAD of the Triplehead2Go but it is NOT a requirement to have multiple VGA cards, that defeats the purpose of the Triplehead2Go.

 

[Greebo]

Ah my mistake. I googled it and found a review where they said you needed two gfx cards. SHould have just gone to the manufacturers website in the first place.

 

[Gimpymoo]

Seriously, it is an amazing piece of kit.

I may wait untill the newer gen cards are released and get one of the Triplehead2Go's and run rFactor at 3072x2304 spanned across 3 screens.

Think my x1950 PRO would die at that res I think... would an 8800 be any better?