GTX580 + 3 monitors

[Rockliffe 574]

Hey guys, I'm looking at the possibility of running 3 x 24" monitors (1920X1200) off the back of my 1.5gb GTX580. Any opinions and advice gratefully received, cheers.

[Guest firehawk44]

I just set up my 30" monitor with my 24" monitor using the one GTX580 (it has two DVI ports). Works great except that FSX cannot 'see' both monitors in full screen mode, just windowed. I was hoping to put AS2012 and XPAX on the smaller monitor while flying in the large monitor in full screen. I believe I'll have to go SLI to be able to do that. I love the fact that I can put one of my Internet Explorer tabs on one monitor (to watch my stocks) and surf on the other one. Anyway, I will be interested in the responses to your question.Best regards,Jim

[Dicko 3]

Hey guys, I'm looking at the possibility of running 3 x 24" monitors (1920X1200) off the back of my 1.5gb GTX580. Any opinions and advice gratefully received, cheers.

Another interested individual

[KJConlon 16]

My understanding is you would need the TripleHeadToGo or an additional 580 card or a new 590. With 2 580's you can use SLI Surround, and basically the 590 is 2 580's. I am in the same boat and have been looking for the best alternative TH2G or a nice 42" (or larger) led TV. Kevin

[VirginAus737 0]

All nVidia single GPU cards will only support 3 monitors.

[DescendDescend 5]

My understanding is you would need the TripleHeadToGo or an additional 580 card or a new 590. With 2 580's you can use SLI Surround, and basically the 590 is 2 580's.I am in the same boat and have been looking for the best alternative TH2G or a nice 42" (or larger) led TV.Kevin

I dont think 590 is two 580's. http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2011/03/24/nvidia-geforce-gtx-590-3gb-review/2

[VirginAus737 0]

it is two 580 chips slowed down.

[Rockliffe 574]

Another interested individual

I'm assuming your reply was one of sarchasm aimed at my short request for advice. I apologise if it offends and I will ensure in future, all my posts will adhere to your personal expectations.If it was not a sarcastic remark then I apologise for any misinterpretation.As for my OP,Thanks for the replies fellas. This seems to be a real minefile, I had no idea there were going to be so many choices! Maybe if I explain what I want to achieve that may help. I would like to maintain a VC, on 3 monitors, 24" @ 1920x1200. this needs to be in a wraparound configuration, nut simply a bigger, version of what i have at the moment. As i understand it, this is the sticking point. In fact, how do I actually engage the three monitors to give a wraparound view?Correct me if I'm wrong, Nvidia cards, due to Fermi architexture can only support 2 monitors per GPU? So, I would need an addiiotnal GPU to run 3 monitors in SLI mode, preferable I guess to a triple head2go setup? If I maintain the GTX580 with a TH2go setup, am I right in thinking that would simply not be man enough to drive the 3 screens?Ok, so I have an alternative.. to sell the 580 and get the equivalent ATI (6990?) which will drive 3 monitors with 2Gb... is that enough? This is my plan and I don't know if it has any holes in it... although... I could sell the 580 and get 2 x 560tis!!This really is a dilemma and a difficult choice as there seems to be so much conflicting advice around the forum, not to mention options. Sorry for all the questions guys, but if you can bare with me....PS. I must add that I don't want to sacrifice my framerate which is very good with the NGX for three monitors if I'm going to end up with a stuttering mess :Thinking:

[Dicko 3]

If it was not a sarcastic remark then I apologise for any misinterpretation.

Howard, I accept your apology. :Just Kidding:

[kludger 7]

Also at this point Howard the ATI alternative to the 580 is actually the 7970 (not the dual gpu 6990 with was more of a dual gpu 590 competitor), similarly priced but better performing and it does 3 monitors with a single card and has 3GB VRAM. I am considering a similar 2x580s or 1x7970 option myself.I love Eyefinity 3 monitor for iRacing and hope to have a reasonable solution for 3 monitor in FSX with 25-30FPS soon.

[Rockliffe 574]

Also at this point Howard the ATI alternative to the 580 is actually the 7970 (not the dual gpu 6990 with was more of a dual gpu 590 competitor), similarly priced but better performing and it does 3 monitors with a single card and has 3GB VRAM. I am considering a similar 2x580s or 1x7970 option myself.I love Eyefinity 3 monitor for iRacing and hope to have a reasonable solution for 3 monitor in FSX with 25-30FPS soon.

Hi John, sure, I guess you're right about the 7970. It sounds to be the perfect soultion for running 3 x monitors. Do me a favour mate... if you get either setup soon, can you reply with a PM and let me know your thoughts, cheers.

[megs8888 20]

I'd be interested too, this is a good thread, be nice to see what the verdict is? Wayne

[Guest firehawk44]

Howard,Just in case you're not aware of it, there's an excellent multi-monitor website at the following link: http://widescreengamingforum.com/forums/multi-monitor-gaming/multi-monitor-gaming. Might give you more ideas.Best regards,Jim

[Rockliffe 574]

Howard,Just in case you're not aware of it, there's an excellent multi-monitor website at the following link: http://widescreengamingforum.com/forums/multi-monitor-gaming/multi-monitor-gaming. Might give you more ideas.Best regards,Jim

Wow. great find Jim. Cheers mate. This is such an involved subject with so much information to absorb.

[Howell 7]

I would like to throw in my two cents, because I have been trying to get my two monitors to act like one, but my Nvidia 560I GTX will not allow me. I have done some looking around in youtube and found that ATI has software in their GPU that allows you to stretch your desktop resolutions from 1900x.... to some crazy resolutions that makes 3 monitors into one massive monitor. Its been a while, so I can't remember what the software is called, but is there any for Nvidia?

[Rockliffe 574]

I would like to throw in my two cents, because I have been trying to get my two monitors to act like one, but my Nvidia 560I GTX will not allow me. I have done some looking around in youtube and found that ATI has software in their GPU that allows you to stretch your desktop resolutions from 1900x.... to some crazy resolutions that makes 3 monitors into one massive monitor. Its been a while, so I can't remember what the software is called, but is there any for Nvidia?

I guess that's Eyefinity??

[kludger 7]

I guess that's Eyefinity??

Yes indeed ATI Eyefinity and NV Surround both can create multimonitor resolutions which look like one large single monitor to games like FSX.It is pretty great for racing and flying sims to have the extra situational awareness, but comes at a FPS hit for all the extra pixels, but I am hoping this latest generation of video cards will greatly improve that, it seems to from the benchmarks I've seen but just no reports of how it does for FSX. I will be sure to report results compared to my 5870 if I do indeed take the jump into either the 7970 or two 580s.

[Guest jahman]

there any for Nvidia?

Yes, it's called nVidia Surround 3D (works also in 2D).Cheers,- jahman.EDIT: Added link.

[Rockliffe 574]

Mmm, I am now considering my other options, and that is to get my hands on a 32" LCD. Unsure about the quality though, 'cos the only screens that size are effectively lcd tv's running at a non PC resolution. ie 1920 x1080 and not 1920x1200. I have been looking at the 30" Apple screens, but sheesh, I don't have that kind of dosh...