I've been doing a bit of reading of threads on various related subjects but still have a few questions. I am thinking of getting another two 27" 1080P monitors along with a GTX 680 but I'm curious if anyone here can comment on triple monitor performance more in-depth. Specifically, I would like to know if anyone has VRAM usage numbers for a "worst case" scenario (say ORBX + NGX) @ 5760x1080 + AA. I want to get a 2GB 680 but if it's not going to be enough then I either need two of them or to wait for the 4GB models. Also, if anyone could comment on FPS numbers compared to single monitor that would be helpful.

 

Thanks in advance

I can't help you because my experience with multimonitor setup is zero, but getting two wouldn't solve lack of VRAM issues because in SLI VRAM is mirrored across the cards, so two GTX680 in SLI are still only a total of 2GB of VRAM

I can't help you because my experience with multimonitor setup is zero, but getting two wouldn't solve lack of VRAM issues because in SLI VRAM is mirrored across the cards, so two GTX680 in SLI are still only a total of 2GB of VRAM

 

I am aware of the limitations of multi-GPU rasterization techniques such as alternate frame rendering. However, where one GPU may only be able to output say 15 frames due to a VRAM limitation, a second GPU may boost FPS by enough to make up for it.

Hi Techguy,

 

I'm running 3 X 30in ASUS screens using an OC 2600k @ 4.8 and a GTX590 at 6044 X 1080 NVsurround. In all it manages FSX well with all slides maxed out and I usually fly the NGX/MD11 around all the FSDT scenery with UT2 & UT. I've locked the frames at 30 as per Word Not Allowed's tweak and most of the time it will hold 30fps until taxiing around the heavy airports to/from the gates. As a result I've not been able to use the 1/2 vert sync tweak as it gets too painful around big airports as the frame rates drop too much with the 1/2 VS set, so I've settled with leaving the NI VS setting to forced ON with FPS only dipping to 17 - 20 at the airports like FSDT KLAX & UT2.

 

I'm still trying to workout (need help there) if buying another 590 in SLI with the above settings might allow me to use the 1/2 VS tweak setting without straying from the magic 30FPS.

 

Sorry it dosnt anwer your VRAM question.

 

IM

Hi Techguy,

 

I'm running 3 X 30in ASUS screens using an OC 2600k @ 4.8 and a GTX590 at 6044 X 1080 NVsurround. In all it manages FSX well with all slides maxed out and I usually fly the NGX/MD11 around all the FSDT scenery with UT2 & UT. I've locked the frames at 30 as per Word Not Allowed's tweak and most of the time it will hold 30fps until taxiing around the heavy airports to/from the gates. As a result I've not been able to use the 1/2 vert sync tweak as it gets too painful around big airports as the frame rates drop too much with the 1/2 VS set, so I've settled with leaving the NI VS setting to forced ON with FPS only dipping to 17 - 20 at the airports like FSDT KLAX & UT2.

 

I'm still trying to workout (need help there) if buying another 590 in SLI with the above settings might allow me to use the 1/2 VS tweak setting without straying from the magic 30FPS.

 

Sorry it dosnt anwer your VRAM question.

 

IM

 

Thanks for sharing your experience, Iceman. I expect in a best-case scenario your hardware would be faster than mine (i.e. when SLI works in FSX), while in a worst-case scenario the roles would reverse. That is helpful because I'm not planning on running such high resolution monitors, I'm just thinking 3x27" 1080P Samsung LED displays. If the 1.5GB VRAM per GPU on your 590 is enough then 2GB for the 680 ought to do just fine. I'll find out soon enough!

 

Thanks!

I can tell you that you will love it and never go back to a single screen altho the fisheye effect takes a bit to get use to, but the overall effect is worth it.

 

BTW if you are running FSX with a LOD RADIUS in the CFG higher than 6.5 you may get an OOM crash, but that was with all my FSX slides maxed out except the water. Also all your runway lights etc. will appear too large so there is a FIX to download in the AVSIM files for widescreen users and requires a slight CFG entry and all will be good. I forget the name of the file but I can look it up if you get stuck.

 

 

IM

I can tell you that you will love it and never go back to a single screen altho the fisheye effect takes a bit to get use to, but the overall effect is worth it.

 

BTW if you are running FSX with a LOD RADIUS in the CFG higher than 6.5 you may get an OOM crash, but that was with all my FSX slides maxed out except the water. Also all your runway lights etc. will appear too large so there is a FIX to download in the AVSIM files for widescreen users and requires a slight CFG entry and all will be good. I forget the name of the file but I can look it up if you get stuck.

 

 

IM

 

Thanks for the tips!