SIX monitor setup - Need new gaming graphics card(s).

[kleach]

I have a ASUS P9X79 WS and have six DELL 1908FP-BLK Monitors which use a DVI-D connection.
I am looking to get MUCH more powerful graphics cards. I currently have NVIDIA Quadro NVS 420 (runs 4 monitors) and a Quadro NVS 290 (which runs 2).

I would like to upgrade the graphics cards so I can work on game programming with Unity and UnReal engines.

I was considering the ASUS STRIX-GTX980-DC2OC-4GD5 but not sure if I can get a 4 DVI-D connections off of it?

I am willing to use two cards if needed as long as they work together.
ALSO.. I am willing to have a four of the monitors with gaming level graphics power and maybe the other two lower specs.. Like I said I am coding and only need 4 for game testing.. the other two are for code etc..
Seems like there should be a better option than what I found out there..
I am HOPING NOT to have to upgrade these old monitors (for now)

Thanks in advance..

 

[Benab3]

What is your budget?

 

[k1114]

You'll need to use adapters on the 980 but it can be done. Why not keep one of the quadros?

 

[kleach]

no budget really.. under 8-- say?
I could keep one of the cards.. but I would still need to power 4 monitors with a DVI connection.. Which card can power 4 monitors.. If I have to buy the adapters that is OK as long as they don't add lag.

 

[Benab3]

If that is $800 then there would be a few things that I would consider.
Dual 980's (may be a little over budget)
Dual 970's ( If 980's are too much)
Or even a single 980

Another option that is possible is a r9 295x, an awesome dual chip gpu, with watercooling loop as standard, great performer but may not be for you ( the card is rated for 500 Watts on its own )

 

[kleach]

Yes that was $800.. how many monitors can the ASUS STRIX-GTX980-DC2OC-4GD5 run at the same time?
Looks like it has :
DVI Output : Yes x 1 (DVI-I)
HDMI Output : Yes x 1 (HDMI 2.0)
Display Port : Yes x 3 (Regular DP)

Does that imply that if I go adapter crazy I can run 5 DVI monitors off of it and still get performance?

 

[Benab3]

According to Nvidia, the 980 can only run 4 monitors at once, so if you use adaptors yes you could run 4, But if you want to run more off of a single gpu thwn I will find something else for you.

Apart from that this is something you can also look into if it is right for you
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM8qquHYMr0

 

[kleach]

I don't really need a single GPU.. I am open to two cards even.
Would it make sense to get a 980 and maybe a lesser card? for the other 2? Or a card that is cheaper and similar performance but run only 3 monitors each?
As long as they work with the ASUS P9X79 WS motherboard and are not noisy I am open to whatever.
SOUND is a factor here.. I have a very quite workstation now and would rather keep it that way.. it does have a sound dampening case...

I made the mistake of calling ASUS... they recommended
hd7970-dc2t-3gd5
Which I think is 3+ years old?
I escalated it to level 2... see what they say...

 

[Woody1999]

Asus Matrix R9 280X has two DVI ports and 4 DisplayPorts. Would that be possible? Might not be strong enough for 6 monitor gaming but still a capable card.

Woody

 

[Benab3]

As far as I can see with the 280x is that is has 3 monitor support and is gaming on it, for multi monitors ( like 6 ) you will want a tad more than 3 gb of vram, i am a bit hesitant on 4

 

[Woody1999]

Oh yeah, oops. You could always go for a 6990 or 7990, but those are HUGE and power hungry cards. Used to have a 6990 myself, an beast of a card but lots of heat and lots of power.

Woody

 

[Benab3]

Yes the hd7970-dc2t-3gd5 is a 6 monitor support card, but it is a bit too low spec a card for quad monitor gaming and an extra 2 for whatever else.

I also had a look at your motherboard, it is an impressive one. up to 4 way sli , so any combination would fit in as long as your psu will take it

 

[Woody1999]

Yes the hd7970-dc2t-3gd5 is a 6 monitor support card, but it is a bit too low spec a card for quad monitor gaming and an extra 2 for whatever else.

You might have misread. The 7990 is two 7970s on a single card. So much awesomeness.

Woody

 

[kleach]

I agree... so what two cards will not dim the lights, work with my motherboard and can power 6 monitors?

 

[Benab3]

From what I know, sli-ing an Nvidia card doesnt let it run more monitors, so I see AMD as the easiest option. I see that you have quadros now so you could also go down the route of professional cards again if you want. or that matrox box I showed above may come to use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM8qquHYMr0

 

[kleach]

I am doing game development with Unity and Unreal engines... so I need quality high performing graphics cards that will allow me to develop in fully rendered views. That is the reason I am upgrading. What I have now works but just does not have the power needed to get a good frame rate and lacks the newer features.
So the matrox will not work for me.
Is there a solid performing card that will support 3 monitors? I could but two.

 

[Benab3]

980 is solid for 3 monitors and an extra one on the side for other junk. And you could keep one of your quadros for the non intensive stuff.

Another route could be professional cards ( if within budget ) or possibly a Titan.

 

[kleach]

I am thinking two
ASUS STRIX-GTX970-DC2OC-4GD5 GeForce GTX 970 4GB 256-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 SLI Support G-SYNC Support Video Cards will do the trick?
I assume I can run THREE monitors off each.. I would have to buy TWO DisplayPort to DVI active adapters... and an SLI cable.. (might as well)


IS THAT CORRECT? WILL that work?

 

[k1114]

Ue4 is not sli friendly and unity does not support it. Sli will only allow 4 total but you'll want sli for a performance gain in anything that supports it. Disabling/enabling sli can be done in the nvidia control panel. I'd say to stick with what I said originally, the 980 with one of your quadros.

 

[kleach]

I may have to use all monitors now for game testing.. (yes this is new info)..
That is why I was going with the two cards.. are you not a fan of the 970?

 

[k1114]

Sorry been busy and haven't been able to post. No, I don't have an issue with the 970 but as explained sli is not helping your needs. Why spend money on 2 when only 1 will do anything besides when playing games. As I understand that's not what the pc is for.

 

[kleach]

I ordered two ASUS Strix GeForce GTX 970 and two pigtail HDMI to DVI converters.. I will run three monitors off each card. I will be replacing the monitors within a year so I will need the power.. I tried to order from B&H Photo...randomly they had the best price.. hope that will not turn out to be a problem.. no guts...