Update graphic card (current one GTX 280)

[snoop_44]

So I had 3 monitors running off of SLI GTX 280. One of them died not long ago, so I'm stuck back at one GTX 280 and running just two monitors (so only one for gaming). Basically I'd like to go back to being able to game with 3 monitors again, but figured its time to upgrade from the 280 so I don't want to buy a new one to SLI again. So I do have a few questions...

1) Are there any cards that I could just pick up one of to run 3 monitors?

2) If no to the above, I'd be fine upgrading one card and then grabbing a second to SLI later in the year when I have more cash. In this sense though, what would be a good upgrade from a 280?

Kind of depends on the options, but I'm currently looking at spending 200-300 at this moment. Or do you folks think I won't get enough performance boost between a 280 and a newer card at this moment without going a lot higher than what I'm looking at spending?

 

[Tavo_Nova]

gtx680 and amd 7970 any of them can run 3 monitors alone


if your budget is at 200-300 bucks then a 3 monitor with a single card would not be possible at playable fps, imo get a single card like the 7850/7870 should suffice

 

[psirohi]

you need to give us your budget. loads of cards about that can handle 3 monitors.

Also whats your card usage intended for and are there any particular games you intend to run off them.

 

[snoop_44]

Budget was mentioned. 200-300 is at least what I'm looking at, though I may go a bit higher.

Usage, well I like to game. At least currently I've been playing a lot of Mass Effect 3 and am planning on picking up Diablo 3. I'll play other things too, but those are the main ones at this moment.

 

[psirohi]

Budget was mentioned. 200-300 is at least what I'm looking at, though I may go a bit higher.

Usage, well I like to game. At least currently I've been playing a lot of Mass Effect 3 and am planning on picking up Diablo 3. I'll play other things too, but those are the main ones at this moment.

ah didn't see that . apologies. 300 $ doesn't get you much by way of playable fps as TN said above. You would need to spend 450-500$ (I was thinking a 2 x 6950).

Irrespective you would need loads of video ram (2 GB types minimum)

 

[snoop_44]

Sooo what I'm seeing in searching for prices (and please correct me if I'm far off)...

GTX 680 around $500
Radeon 7970 around $500
Radeon 7870 around $350
Radeon 6950 2gb around $300

Looking over hwcompare.com, the 680 holds up a good deal better than the 7870 and 6950, and even it seems than the 7970. Sadly hwcompare at least doesn't seem to allow me to compare an SLI (you can SLI Radeons, right? I haven't used an ATI for a long while now) 6950 or even 7870 to a single 680 :/

If I were to hold off for a while (may not be till end of summer or early fall though) would it be better to go with one GTX 680 running three monitors, or SLI 6950 or even 7870 (I could grab one Radeon now, and the second in fall too)? And would the dual Radeon even if better be worth the 100-200 more in such a scenario?