Author Topic: Triple Monitor  (Read 4378 times)

Offline Bino

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Triple Monitor
« on: November 14, 2012, 10:23:17 AM »
I need both more desktop for regular PC work and more peripheral vision while gaming, so I'm going to set up three monitors.  Well, mostly for gaming, if truth be told.  ;)  I await the annual "Black Friday" sales to buy two more ASUS VE258Q monitors.  The nice folks at Ergotech have confirmed that their model 100-D16-B03-TW can hold three VE258Q screens.  However, I'm fairly certain that my aging Crossfire pair of AMD 5850 video cards will have some trouble running all three screens at their native 1920 x 1080 as one big 5760 x 1080 super-wide screen.

What sort of video card would you select as an upgrade?  I would much prefer a single card to any Crossfire or SLI setup.  Neither my budget nor my case will accommodate an AMD 7970.  I think the two most likely candidates are the AMD 7950 and the NVidia 660 Ti.  They seem very close in both price and performance, and are both equipped with 3Gb of video RAM.  The NVidia 670 is a little more expensive, is rated as faster, but only sports 2Gb of RAM.  What's the comparison between AMD and NVidia when it comes to running multiple screens?

Existing setup: kenshelby.us/docs/pc-parts.htm


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Offline MrRiplEy[H]

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #1 on: November 14, 2012, 10:32:19 AM »
I need both more desktop for regular PC work and more peripheral vision while gaming, so I'm going to set up three monitors.  Well, mostly for gaming, if truth be told.  ;)  I await the annual "Black Friday" sales to buy two more ASUS VE258Q monitors.  The nice folks at Ergotech have confirmed that their model 100-D16-B03-TW can hold three VE258Q screens.  However, I'm fairly certain that my aging Crossfire pair of AMD 5850 video cards will have some trouble running all three screens at their native 1920 x 1080 as one big 5760 x 1080 super-wide screen.

What sort of video card would you select as an upgrade?  I would much prefer a single card to any Crossfire or SLI setup.  Neither my budget nor my case will accommodate an AMD 7970.  I think the two most likely candidates are the AMD 7950 and the NVidia 660 Ti.  They seem very close in both price and performance, and are both equipped with 3Gb of video RAM.  The NVidia 670 is a little more expensive, is rated as faster, but only sports 2Gb of RAM.  What's the comparison between AMD and NVidia when it comes to running multiple screens?

Existing setup: kenshelby.us/docs/pc-parts.htm


With the latest drivers the 660Ti is lagging badly behind. It's comparable to a 7850 which is 100 bucks cheaper. A 7950 boost edition should be great bang for buck.
Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement. –W. Clement Stone

Offline gyrene81

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #2 on: November 14, 2012, 11:36:01 AM »
the video memory is only going to help with detailed graphics settings. Ripley's recommendation is a good one. a 660ti would not perform as well. the 670 would be a bit better. you will also need at least 1 active displayport or mini-display port adaptor to run 3 monitors on the radeon card depending on which brand/model you buy.


here is a link to show performance differences between a standard 7950 3gb and a gtx670 2gb.
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/550?vs=598&i=468.371.372.373.469.374.375.376.470.377.378.379.471.380.381.382.472.385.384.383.473.386.387.388.474.389.390.392.475.393.394.476.395.396.477.397.400.398.401.402.403.404.459.457.456.405.460.391.426.406.424.407.411.410.422.423.409.413.412.414.415.416.417.418.419.420.421
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Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. - Terry Pratchett

Offline Krusty

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2012, 07:24:57 PM »
I know it's a bit more expensive, but in the long run the 7970 might be a better choice...

Here's a similar link comparing the 7950 to 7970:
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/Product/550?vs=508

I say that because my single 6970 has to be tuned down in some games or else my FPS drops. Some games are just badly coded so you get chop regardless of details, others scale very well. But over time and various patches/upgrades to the games you play (Aces High included) video requirements creep up.

The 7970 will be able to run higher details and for longer before you need to start turning some settings down.

Offline Pollock

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2012, 09:50:13 PM »
I use a hd6950 2gig from ATI works well with 3 matched circa 2006 19 Samsung LCD monitors.

Offline Bino

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #5 on: November 24, 2012, 08:51:28 AM »
Thanks for the feedback, folks!  :salute

I have pulled the trigger on ordering the monitor stand and the LCDs.  Although I plan to give my existing video card setup a try, I'll probably end up upgrading to either a AMD 7950 or a NVidia GT 670.  IMHO the Ergotech 100-D16-B03-TW monitor stand is both very well designed and very well made.  I am quite happy with it.  

Can't wait for the two additional monitors to arrive!   :x
« Last Edit: November 24, 2012, 08:53:38 AM by Bino »


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Offline ebfd11

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2012, 11:34:22 PM »
Bino I just ordered one too will post pics when I get it installed..

CrazyLwn
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Offline Warmongo

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2012, 01:19:24 PM »
Since the topic was started, I will post this question. I just built a new system with an Intel 3930 cpu overclocked at 4.2 ghz, 32 gig ram and a NVidia gtx690. I could not buy the second video card from NVidia because they only allow one per client. I have 3 Dell Ultrasharp monitors. They are only 20 or 21 inches diagonal (1920 x 1080 or 1050). Sorry I am a work and don't remember...

Does anybody have an idea how my single gtx 690 would perform? I would like to use those three Dell monitors in portrait mode. If no, is the Matrox TripleHead to go an alternative? Using a 24 inch monitor now at 1920 x 1200 and it runs very well and is pretty but I would like more screen real estate.  I used a 37 inch Samsung HDTV (1080p) in HDMI for a while but the graphics are subpar.  I just took shadows off because they don't do anything for me. Everything else is maxed.

Offline gyrene81

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2012, 01:48:56 PM »
Since the topic was started, I will post this question. I just built a new system with an Intel 3930 cpu overclocked at 4.2 ghz, 32 gig ram and a NVidia gtx690. I could not buy the second video card from NVidia because they only allow one per client. I have 3 Dell Ultrasharp monitors. They are only 20 or 21 inches diagonal (1920 x 1080 or 1050). Sorry I am a work and don't remember...

Does anybody have an idea how my single gtx 690 would perform? I would like to use those three Dell monitors in portrait mode. If no, is the Matrox TripleHead to go an alternative? Using a 24 inch monitor now at 1920 x 1200 and it runs very well and is pretty but I would like more screen real estate.  I used a 37 inch Samsung HDTV (1080p) in HDMI for a while but the graphics are subpar.  I just took shadows off because they don't do anything for me. Everything else is maxed.
i've been told that 690gtx will run triple 27 inch 120hz monitors very well, and it should considering the cost. anyone who tells you that you need 2 of them to get performance is looney. just have to be careful with the drivers, the last couple have been a bit messy.
jarhed  
Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day...
Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. - Terry Pratchett

Offline Bino

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2012, 03:36:01 PM »
Wow.  Flying AH with triple monitors is *awesome*!  Why didn't somebody hold a gun to my head and *force* me to try this, *years* ago?  Just, wow.


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Offline Noir

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #10 on: November 28, 2012, 04:57:55 PM »
Wow.  Flying AH with triple monitors is *awesome*!  Why didn't somebody hold a gun to my head and *force* me to try this, *years* ago?  Just, wow.


It sure is awesome, and takes little time to adapt to.
now posting as SirNuke

Offline Gman

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #11 on: November 28, 2012, 07:28:55 PM »
Warmagoo, I just built that exact system, but after having the 690 for a week or so, I traded it to a friend who really REALLY wanted it and they were out of stock then, and bought myself 2 680 ftw+LE 4gb and sli'd them.

The system you have, particularly the video card, it's just begging to be run on those 3 monitors.  You won't find a better solution for running 3 screens for gaming out there unless you get into the ridiculously priced CPU's that are over 1000$ and uber 4000$ video cards.  You just can't.  The 3930k I'm running is o/c as well, but to a bit higher ghz than yours, but it'll be close enough for horseshoes and hand grenades.  The 690 is essentially a dual GPU solution on one card, and performs very very similarly to my 680 sli cards - within single digits percentage wise on most apps/games in my personal experience.  You don't need any additional equipment like you do with some of the eyefinity setups depending on your monitors and if they are display port capable etc.  You should be ready to go so long as you have the various connecting cables you need to go from your GPU back plate to the 3 Dell monitors.  If you're an Aces High player, prepared to be blown away by the difference you'll see not only with the settings all slammed to the max, but on all 3 screens.  Performance wise, my experience is that you will likely never see less than 59/60 frames per second, even on maximum detail, over 3 cv's firing the much loved puffy ack, and with 20+ red guys flying around.  Also, quick edit, but running triple monitor is a more enjoyable and better way to go than a big screen TV IMO.  I tried my system on my 60" LED 120hz tv, and it wasn't as good as running my 3 monitor setup, at least to me.

Just a quick off topic question, but what is the cooling method you're using for your 3930k?  Even with a middle of the road cooler you can very likely clock it a fair bit faster and still see relatively low temperatures for a 24/7 overclock.  If you're using one of the easy peasy water coolers from Corsair or cooler master, you can push that 3930k up another 10% or even higher with the same level of risk and heat that you're currently having at 4.2.  Just food for thought, have a read through overclocker BBS's about the 3930k.  It's really an excellent overclocking little chip.
« Last Edit: November 28, 2012, 07:31:46 PM by Gman »

Offline WWhiskey

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #12 on: November 28, 2012, 07:33:38 PM »
After I win tonight's lottery I think I'll go with the triple 40" samsungs on their sides,,   Of course I may never play on it as you will likely never see ma again!   So SALUTE  :rock
Flying since tour 71.

Offline Warmongo

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #13 on: November 30, 2012, 12:50:03 PM »
Thanks for the input Gman. I have a Corsair H100 closed water cooler and yes, I have been conservative in overclocking the processor. I don't know how much heat it can take. Right now the hottest it gets is 98-99 F. I ordered two more LCD monitor stands from 3M so I can put the monitors in portrait mode but I really don't now if it can be done in SLI mode. I will start hooking them up tonight in landscape mode but it's going to be really w-i-d-e....lol.

Offline ebfd11

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Re: Triple Monitor
« Reply #14 on: November 30, 2012, 10:06:38 PM »
War

you want to go with landscape mode due to wide field of view, if you go portrait it is like having a single large screen. 99% of the triple monitor setups go landscape for better FOV.

Portrait pic



Landscape pic



Also if you are using trackir there is less movement needed to see.

Just my 2 cents worth

CrazyLwn

PIGS ON THE WING 3RD WING

InGame id: LawnDart
RIP Skullman Potzie and BentNail