6 monitor gaming setup

Scooby dude

Reputable
Sep 2, 2014
18
0
4,510
I am building a gaming PC and want to play it on 6 monitors. I would like information on the easy way to do this and the most reliable way. I have been looking at graphics card forums and most people that do multi screen gaming seem to go ski or cross fire routes however I've read about those routes encountering loads of driver problems. I really want to be able to max out graphics on a 6 monitor setup so I've been looking at a titan black for my GPU . would I need more ram for this as well? How about the processor would I need an acceptionally more powerful one to do this? Would I need a mono mobo with literally 6 HDMI ports in order to plug in and play on all 6 screens? Also is there any limitations on games that can be played on multi screen or is just if you can power it you can play?

Any info is greatly appreciated a d I apologize for my spelling I am on a messed up phone which is bugged when backspacing.
 
Solution
Your build could look like -

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($389.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme6 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($286.13 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($479.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Plextor M6e 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($419.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($219.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 295X2 8GB Video Card ($1499.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 1050W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($167.04 @ Newegg)
Optical...
Maybe you should invest in a new phone ;) Haha anyways, no dont you a titan black that GPU is for CUDA designers not gamers. And you never plug you monitors into your motherboard you plug them into the graphics cards themselves. You will need an insane set up for graphics cards.. Like two 780s with 6gb of VRAM. Normally cards support 3 monitors each so if you got two cards I believe you can run 6 monitors..
Two of these would be good:

http://pcpartpicker.com/part/asus-video-card-strixgtx780oc6gd5

But if you can afford it a couple of these wouldnt hurt:
http://pcpartpicker.com/part/diamond-video-card-r9295x2d58g

Also, you need a Z series motherboard for SLI.
 

Scooby dude

Reputable
Sep 2, 2014
18
0
4,510
Thanks for the reply. What about CPU? Will that come into play when attempting to play on this many monitors? What about ram as well? I am very limited on knowledge so these are probably nub questions but I have been mainly a console gamer for years and its just gotten quite dull and PC gaming just brings what I want to the table.
 

Scooby dude

Reputable
Sep 2, 2014
18
0
4,510
Also I've read that a lot of people go with the and eyefinity cards due to there being difficulties with nvidia cards playing on more than three monitors. I've read that you also have to disable sli because ski only allows like 4 monitors or so. Is this correct?
 
With 2-3 monitors CPU usually is not effected but with 6 I really am not sure.. If you have a budget for a 6 monitor setup and SLI 780s then you will have a budget for a 4790k and 5820k so there is no worry there.. With memory just get 16gb and you will be fine.
 
This is straight off of Nvidias website:

MULTI-MONITOR
How many monitors are supported when running in SLI mode?

With GeForce R180 drivers (or later), standard SLI configurations for 2-way, 3-Way, and quad SLI support a maximum of two monitors. Additional monitors (up to 6 monitors total enabled) may be enabled by using either a motherboard GPU and/or a PhysX capable graphics card (GeForce 8 series or higher with at least 256MB of memory) that does not have the same GPU as those that are SLI enabled.
Can I use SLI multi-monitor in all SLI configurations?

Yes. SLI Multi-monitor is supported in 2-way, 3-way, and Quad SLI configurations and is enabled automatically when SLI technology is enabled in the 'NVIDIA Control Panel' (right-click on your desktop to open).
Can I add a 3rd graphics card in my 2-way SLI enabled PC to connect more monitors?

Yes, you can add an additional graphics card to your PC to connect two additional monitors. The additional graphics card must have a GPU that is different from your SLI GPUs and must be NVIDIA PhysX capable (GeForce 8 series and higher with at least 256MB of memory). For example, two GeForce GTX 2XX GPUs in SLI and a GeForce 9XXX GT is a supported configuration.
Can I run my 3-way SLI configuration as 2-way SLI, connect two monitors, and then use the third graphics card that is not in SLI to connect two additional monitors?

No. A PC containing three graphics cards with the same GPU can only be run in 3-way SLI.
What is the SLI focus display and what does it do?

The SLI focus display allows you to select which monitor will receive the maximum SLI 3D acceleration for full screen 3D applications. In SLI multi-monitor mode, all monitors have 3D acceleration but only one monitor has maximum SLI 3D acceleration.
How do I change the SLI focus display?

The SLI focus display can be configured in three ways: 1) Assigning the primary monitor from the Windows Vista Display Properties Control Panel, 2) assigning the primary monitor from the NVIDIA Control Panel > Set up multiple displays page, or 3) selecting the SLI focus display for the NVIDIA Control Panel > Set SLI configuration page.
Are the SLI visual indicators going to change with SLI multi-monitor enabled?

Yes, the SLI visual indicator will change, but only for the SLI focus display. There will be a small green square that appears to indicate the SLI focus display. It will not change on any other modes or monitors.
Does SLI multi-monitor now support Clone mode?

Yes, clone mode is supported, but the 3D performance on both monitors will be less than the SLI focus display's performance when in Dual View mode.
When you are running a full screen 3D application with the SLI focus display, what happens to the second monitor?

When running a full screen 3D application, the operating system and the application determine what happens to the second screen. The screen may go black or change resolutions to match the primary monitor. In addition, full screen applications prevent you from moving using your mouse and keyboard on the second monitor.
Can I render my 3D game full screen on more than one monitor?

Yes, a 3D game can be rendered full screen on more than one monitor if it is a multi-monitor aware game, such as Flight Simulator X. However, SLI multi-monitor will not let you render standard single monitor applications across multiple monitors.
Does SLI multi-monitor support GeForce 6 and 7 series?

No, currently SLI multi-monitor mode is only available for GeForce 8 series GPUs and above on Windows Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.
 

Scooby dude

Reputable
Sep 2, 2014
18
0
4,510
I kind of understand but it seems to me like I will need more than 2 GPUs , also most of them only have one HDMI port so how do I get six monitors running ? Sorry I know I must seem retarded .
 
G

Guest

Guest
PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant

CPU: Intel Core i7-4790K 4.0GHz Quad-Core Processor ($279.99 @ Micro Center)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.98 @ OutletPC)
Motherboard: Asus Z97-WS ATX LGA1150 Motherboard ($275.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 16GB (2 x 8GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($148.50 @ Newegg)
Storage: Samsung 840 Pro Series 256GB 2.5" Solid State Drive ($149.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($114.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB DirectCU II Video Card (4-Way SLI) ($558.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB DirectCU II Video Card (4-Way SLI) ($558.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB DirectCU II Video Card (4-Way SLI) ($558.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: Asus GeForce GTX 780 Ti 3GB DirectCU II Video Card (4-Way SLI) ($558.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 500R Black ATX Mid Tower Case ($114.99 @ NCIX US)
Power Supply: Corsair AX1500i 1500W 80+ Titanium Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($449.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: LG GH24NSB0 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 (32/64-bit) ($94.99 @ B&H)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($187.58 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($187.58 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($187.58 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($187.58 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($187.58 @ Newegg)
Monitor: Asus VN248H 23.8" Monitor ($187.58 @ Newegg)
Total: $5100.84
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2014-09-03 03:53 EDT-0400

Are you willing to spend THAT much?

I prefer gaming on a large, high res monitor to looking at 6 screens at the same time xD

Seriously, there is a huge price diffrence one monitor vs six.
 

Scooby dude

Reputable
Sep 2, 2014
18
0
4,510
Well I am leaning more towards the amd eyefinity route now since the nvidias just don't seem to support the multi monitors like amd does. Also as a single guy with a good job hell why not right?
 


If you want eyefinity, you need to make sure all 6 monitors are same size and preferably the same resolution, you will want a crossfired r9 290x, do you want to game on all 6 ?
 

Scooby dude

Reputable
Sep 2, 2014
18
0
4,510
No specific budget ATM but I was looking at two of the Asus r9 290x at around 629 each and then doing exactly that, plugging the monitors in via hubs. My only concern is does quality of the picture go down when spreading all of the monitors out through hubs and would two of the r9's be able to max out across six monitors? I really appreciate all the help.
 


Nah I don't think r9 290x will handle ultra on all six, even one will struggle to get high on 3
 

Scooby dude

Reputable
Sep 2, 2014
18
0
4,510
So basically the 6 monitors them selves would use up nearly all of one GPUs juice leaving just the GPU to produce all of the actual gaming video and such? In other word a triple cross fired system would prove to be the best for a 6 monitor system.
 
Your build could look like -

CPU: Intel Core i7-5820K 3.3GHz 6-Core Processor ($389.99 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Corsair H100i 77.0 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock X99 Extreme6 ATX LGA2011-3 Motherboard ($286.13 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws Series 32GB (4 x 8GB) DDR4-2133 Memory ($479.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Plextor M6e 512GB M.2-2280 Solid State Drive ($419.99 @ Amazon)
Storage: Seagate 4TB 3.5" 5900RPM Hybrid Internal Hard Drive ($219.99 @ Amazon)
Video Card: Asus Radeon R9 295X2 8GB Video Card ($1499.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Corsair 750D ATX Full Tower Case ($119.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic X Series 1050W 80+ Gold Certified Fully-Modular ATX Power Supply ($167.04 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On IHBS312-98 Blu-Ray/DVD/CD Writer
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8.1 Professional (32/64-bit) ($170.99 @ Adorama)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus PCE-N53 802.11a/b/g/n PCI-Express x1 Wi-Fi Adapter ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $3869.08

plus your monitors
 
Solution

Scooby dude

Reputable
Sep 2, 2014
18
0
4,510
Question is though what do you think that rig could run say bf4 at across 6 monitors? I do not plan on playing a lot of fps on it but I used to play them a lot so I for see my self playing the occasionally in the future.