Dual GTX 550 TIs to get 3 monitor config?

[muddude]

I have an older Dell Precision T3400 (http://www.dell.com/us/dfb/p/precision-t3400/pd) which has a single NVIDIA Quadro FX 3700 card. I have it connected to two monitors but now need to add HDMI TV for movies but dont want to give up on one monitor.

So my target config is 2xDVI + 1xHDMI.

The Quadro FX 3700 is no longer available and I noticed it sells on ebay for close to $300...

So I thought I would sell it and get two GTX 550 TIs which sell for $140 ea.

The specs on Dell web site say this machine is capable of "Support for Dual PCI Express x16 graphics cards up to 300 watts and with up to 768MB discrete graphics memory. "

So my question is:

"If I get two GTX 550 TIs will I be able to run them PCIe x16 x2 (SLI?) and will I be able to achieve 3 monitor configuration?"

Many thanks and let me know if you need more details

BTW - I do not play games. Its mostly for business, video watching and video / photo editing

 

[browsingtheworld]

Get a HD 5770/6770 for $100. The single card can do 3 displays.

 

[muddude]

Thanks - I looked at it but it means I need to run one monitor in VGA...?

 

[muddude]

Also I believe those cards are PCIe v2.0. Will I be able to run it in my Dell which I think is PCIe 1.0? (I guess that would apply to GTX 550 TI as well)

 

[browsingtheworld]

There should be 5770s with 3 digital outputs like 2 DVI + DP/HDMI. 2.1 cards generally aren't compatible with PCIe 1.0 boards. If you have the expansion slots, you're probably best off going with GT 430 x 2 since nvidia cards do not support 3 monitors and AMD cards are all PCIe 2.1

 

[r3xx3r]

yes, a 5770 with pci-e 2.1 will work on a motherboard with pci-e 1.0 (pci express is fully backwards compatible). and yes, the are 6770s with 2 dvi and 1 hdmi and 1 display port

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102941&cm_re=6770-_-14-102-941-_-Product

as proof. go with the 6770

 

[yummerzzz]

No, just get a single HD 5770/6770 that is PCI-E 2.0,not 2.1, which AMD do make.

Such as the :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-Radeon-HD-5770-DisplayPort/dp/tech-data/B002SP113K/ref=de_a_smtd

Or the :
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-gigabyte-hd-5770-pci-e-20-(x16)-4800mhz-gddr5-gpu-850mhz-800-cores-dl-dvi-hdmi-dp

Bear in mind this is the UK, and you can find them for cheaper prices, these are just 2 I pulled up from google.

 

[wikiwikiwhat]

Get this, Sapphire is the only one to do this. With their FLEX series, 3 DVIs can be used , and they have multiple AMD cards but for you I suggest:

SAPPHIRE Flex 100328FLEX Radeon HD 6770 1GB GDDR5($139.00)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102938

 

[browsingtheworld]

No, just get a single HD 5770/6770 that is PCI-E 2.0,not 2.1, which AMD do make.

Such as the :
http://www.amazon.co.uk/XFX-Radeon-HD-5770-DisplayPort/dp/tech-data/B002SP113K/ref=de_a_smtd

Or the :
http://www.scan.co.uk/products/1gb-gigabyte-hd-5770-pci-e-20-(x16)-4800mhz-gddr5-gpu-850mhz-800-cores-dl-dvi-hdmi-dp

Bear in mind this is the UK, and you can find them for cheaper prices, these are just 2 I pulled up from google.

Go with this.

yes, a 5770 with pci-e 2.1 will work on a motherboard with pci-e 1.0 (pci express is fully backwards compatible). and yes, the are 6770s with 2 dvi and 1 hdmi and 1 display port

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] -_-Product

as proof. go with the 6770

No, PCIe 2.1 rarely works with PCIe 1.0.

 

[browsingtheworld]

Get this, Sapphire is the only one to do this. With their FLEX series, 3 DVIs can be used , and they have multiple AMD cards but for you I suggest:

SAPPHIRE Flex 100328FLEX Radeon HD 6770 1GB GDDR5($139.00)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102938

2.1...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129150&cm_re=hd_5770-_-14-129-150-_-Product

and

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&Description=hd%205750&bop=And&Order=PRICE&PageSize=20

would work.

 

[rwpritchett]

FWIW, I'm running a PCIe 2.1 card in a PCIe 1.0 slot just fine... no problems here.

 

[wikiwikiwhat]

Honestly, that card I said... the BEST DEAL THAT WORKS FOR YOU.

A review of someone who owns it running 3 monitors: " I have only had the card a short time, but wow. This card can run the three games I have at high settings in eyefinity. (Hot pursuit, BF BC2, Dirt 3). If you are seeking to do an eyefinity setup with one card and without adapters this is the card for you."

 

[browsingtheworld]

FWIW, I'm running a PCIe 2.1 card in a PCIe 1.0 slot just fine... no problems here.

All PCIe 1.1 and higher boards are fully compatible with 2.1. Many of the 1.0/a boards need a BIOS update.

 

[browsingtheworld]

Honestly, that card I said... the BEST DEAL THAT WORKS FOR YOU.

A review of someone who owns it running 3 monitors: " I have only had the card a short time, but wow. This card can run the three games I have at high settings in eyefinity. (Hot pursuit, BF BC2, Dirt 3). If you are seeking to do an eyefinity setup with one card and without adapters this is the card for you."

He doesn't game so he just wants a cheap solution that works.