The best GPU for my PCI-E 2.0 system.

gothokaos · Nov 12, 2013

Here are my system specs:

Phenom II X6 1055T CPU
Gigabyte GA-890GPA-UD3H
8 gigs of XMS Corsair DDR3
Corsair TX750W PSU
PNY GTX 480
SSD and Regular HD

I am drooling over 5760x1080 3 monitor gaming.
I mostly play older MMORPGs (EQ2,Vanguard) and some RPG's like Skyrim.
I have done some researching and realize I can install a 3.0 card on my 2.0 system.
Which card would give me the most benefits without my CPU bottlenecking my system?
Is 5760x1080 out of my realm?

I am asking this because I have been out of the loop for a few years... Hardware changes so fast these days!

Thanks in advance all!

Kingbob · Nov 12, 2013

For the best bang for your buck, i'd go with the AMD 290x or the GTX 780. Both of those cards are made for 3 monitor setups. Or you can always run a two card set up with cheaper cards (which I would not recommend in this case).

BlankInsanity · Nov 12, 2013

Pretty much any card out there, even the pci 3.0 ones since they're backwards compatible.

Not even today's top end cards have maxed out pci 2.0 so no need to worry

btw what's your GPU budget?

BlankInsanity · Nov 12, 2013

Kingbob :

Honestly imo it's best to get the best single card you can get rather than two cheaper ones just my opinion though

Kingbob · Nov 12, 2013

BlankInsanity :

Yep that's what I said

And actually its the CPU that cant max out PCI-E 3.0. Only the 6-core i7's can utilize 3.0.

gothokaos · Nov 12, 2013

Thanks for all your help! I didn't want to "over upgrade" my system since it is 3 years old.
I've been reading the reviews and it seems that the R9 280x seems to be the best value...
I would REALLY like to try the 5760x1080 but with a single card.

Not sure I can justify 500+ for a new GPU and 329 for a 32" HDTV to sit in the middle of my 2 P2270's.... I already have to extend my comp desk by 8" on each side!
My wife is telling me Merry Xmas early!

Kingbob · Nov 12, 2013

Haha yep that card should be able to run 5760x1080 (as long as the game isnt on super ultra settings)

That's a great Christmas present!

gothokaos · Nov 12, 2013

Thanks all! Now for my next question.... HDTV's as a monitor!
Sorry just answered my own question... have to run in SLI for Surround...

keithblack62 · Nov 12, 2013

get a NVidia gtx 680. I run three monitors on it, one hdmi and two dvi. Its not too pricey and you can run it on one card. with this card alone I run all my games on ultra. I think personally the 780s overkill.

gothokaos · Nov 12, 2013

Do you run it in Surround?

keithblack62 · Nov 12, 2013

yup, and it still handles everything on ultra. its a great card

keithblack62 · Nov 12, 2013

I do have the 4gb overclocked version though but its still a lot cheaper than a lot of the cards mentioned

gothokaos · Nov 13, 2013

Thanks for all the responses.
What 280X's have the least amount of coil whine? I watched some videos and that noise would drive my wife crazy!

a1blaster · Nov 13, 2013

280x's noise is actually negligible

BlankInsanity · Nov 13, 2013

maybe the MSI 280x is best for you. It has great cooling while still being quite. The Gigabyte 3x is very great at cooling but ofc is noisy because of it's three fans. The Asus R9 280X is also a good deal same price as the MSI one, though the asus version has a higher clock the MSI is better at cooling I belive.

They are ofc better R9 280X than this such as the Sapphire Toxic but they come at a higher price and are louder.

My conclusion.. get the MSI R9 280x for a nice clock, real quiet and great cooling. The Asus R9 280X is almost as good.

MSI R9 280X:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127759
Asus R9 280x:http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121803

Yet why not get the Nvidia equivelant? the GTX 770? sure its about 20 bucks more expensive but! You get three of the newest games while AMD only offers some free game voucher which gives you games from 2011. Plus I'm told Nvidia drivers are better than AMDs but I could be wrong on that. The Evga, Asus or MSI variation seems to have the best rating on newegg.com

gothokaos · Nov 13, 2013

Is the 770 single card Surround?

Which is more polished, Eyefinity or Surround? I've read pros and cons for both!

BlankInsanity · Nov 13, 2013

gothokaos :

Eyfinity is for AMD, surround is for Nvidia.

The 770 is more than capable of surround and still have good fps in games at ultra.

I'd suggest the erm.. MSI, Asus or Gigabyte 770

The best GPU for my PCI-E 2.0 system.

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