AMD Eyefinity OR additional NVIDIA?

[lawsonj65]

Just wondering what you guys would do....

I play a lot of FSX and since upgrading my PC, my new motherboard (ASUS P8Z77-V) has an HDMI port and LucidLogix Virtu MVP software. And since my HDTV just happens to be hanging above my two monitors, I had the crazy idea of hooking up all 3 and playing FSX. After enabling both my onboard GPU and my existing GTS 250, it actually worked (although I don't think the LucidLogix had anything to do with it ). The graphics coming out of the GTS 250 was good, but real crappy out of the Intel HD4000 on the board.

So I go to roaming the boards to find an answer to what card supports 3 monitors. My budget is $200-$300. I discovered the newer GTX 500s still only support 3 monitors. The only way to do it is to SLI. Which would be interesting...but it would double the price and majority opinions says SLI is crapshoot with FSX .

An alternative was to just an upgrade GTX 5xx and use that for one monitor and the HDTV and use my existing GTS 250 for the second (smaller/utility) monitor.

But then I found Eyefinity by AMD. Up until now my blinders were on, worshiping at the feet of NVIDIA for the last few years.

I found a good one at my price range: MSI Radeon HD 6950 2GB TWIN FROZR III PE OC. The newer HD 7950s are just barely out of my price range at the moment. But regardless of that, would you guys do?

Go with the Eyefinity or 2 NVidia (non-SLI)?

Thanks!


Current setup: Core i7-3770K (OC: 4.22GHz), 16GB RAM at 1600Mhz, PNY GTS 250 1GB, OCZ Vertex 4 128GB (x2), Seagate Barracuda 1TB (x3/RAID 5), Windows 7 Pro x64.

 

[bryonhowley]

I have been running a Sapphire HD 6950 for almost two years now and I really love Eyefinity on my 3 Asus 27" monitors.

 

[bystander]

The newer 600 series from Nvidia allow for 3 monitors on a single card now, without the need for SLI. This is the first line to offer that.

 

[lawsonj65]

I have been running a Sapphire HD 6950 for almost two years now and I really love Eyefinity on my 3 Asus 27" monitors.

How hot does your GPU run ? Any idea what your power draw is?

 

[lawsonj65]

The newer 600 series from Nvidia allow for 3 monitors on a single card now, without the need for SLI. This is the first line to offer that.

I never even looked at the GTX 600s (mainly because of the $).

FYI - I use this PassMark's GPU benchmark for all my considerations....
http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/high_end_gpus.html

The GTX 660 does fall within my budgeted range and its nearly equal in the aforementioned benchmarking...


Since I settled on a Radeon possibility, what are your thoughts on the best GTX660 for price/performance/overclocking overall?

 

[lawsonj65]

So I guess now the question is, who performs better in your opinion? Radeon's Eyefinity or NVIDIA's Surround?

Thanks :-D

 

[bystander]

The GTX 660's do have a memory bandwidth issue, which is magnified at high resolutions, so in this case, I would likely recommend the Radeon.

 

[mpheng]

On the edge of your budget, I'd suggest a Sapphire Radeon HD 7950. This is a phenomenal card for eyefinity and without the limited memory buffer from the GTX 660.
AMD also has the better reputation for having a better multi monitor setup with eyefinity.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814202006

 

[a little black duck]

So I guess now the question is, who performs better in your opinion? Radeon's Eyefinity or NVIDIA's Surround?

Thanks :-D

Imho, if you're not thinking of 3D and just eyefinty/surround. Radeon is better at eyefinity.

 

[esrever]

Go with a radeon. The 600s does do 3 monitors but has a few more bugs with different games. The 7950 is about $300 these days online so you should be able to get one. The 7870 is also a good card and performs decently, for 3 monitors you should get the 7950 for the extra memory and horsepower.

 

[lawsonj65]

Imho, if you're not thinking of 3D and just eyefinty/surround. Radeon is better at eyefinity.

Yeah, 3D gives me a headache.. maybe I should get those glasses.... Don't suppose you're an Oregon fan too?

 

[lawsonj65]

Thanks everyone!! I found a good deal on Amazon for that MSI Radeon HD 6950 2GB TWIN FROZR III PE OC I mentioned earlier for about $219. From what I read I can OC that to the 6970 equivalent.

I was DEFINITELY attracted to the 7950...but I'm always on the dull edge when it comes to GPUs...and I probably need to start saving for my wedding in a December. My first build a few years ago had a SAPPHIRE Radeon X1600PRO. Just finally replaced the Core 2 Duo Conroe I've used all this time. We've come a long way boys.

 

[lawsonj65]

Best answer selected by lawsonj65.