4 replies to this topic

[Ekezial]

I'm using a Small Form Factor PC(i5-2400,8GB,Win7 HP x64) and i want to try out a 3 monitor setup. The problem with SFF motherbords is that it has only 1x16 slot for GFX card and i'm thinking of Upgrading my Current GT530-2GB(LP) to either a HD7750-1GB(LP) or a GT640-2GB(LP), since those 2 are the best i could find which are Low Profile and supports 3 monitors on 1 card.

I dont expect it to get good fps with a 3 monitor setup with these 2 budget spec cards but has anyone tried using Eyeinifinity/Surround on lowest res possible(3840x720?) and low settings with those cards in MWO?

Thanks!

[silentD11]

In order to get good surround frame rates you're typically talking about SLI or crossfire with high end cards. In some cases with games that aren't all that demanding you can get away with a single high end card (usually playing older games and just powering through it).

In general don't bother with multi monitor unless you're willing to shell out for a good multi gpu configuration.

[Catamount]

Yep, Silent is right.

If you're going to go with that kind of resolution, neither of those cards is suitable. The only way you'd be able to play it on 3 monitors is if you abandon the small form factor and buy a real case (hardly a big expense compared to the GPUs and screens), and then get a much more powerful GPU.

That's a good CPU, and the 7750 is an alright card, so you should be in good for single-monitor gaming, but that's going to be about what you can do. If you want to get a 7970 (on up) and buy at least a decent mid tower case to house it, then you can start thinking about eyefinity.

[Ekezial]

i'm actually getting 24-30fps@(1280x720) with my current GT530 on medium settings and i'm happy with it, so i'll stick with it and wait until the game is out of beta with most of the gfx features in then i'll check again to see what's on the Low Profile market.

Thanks again for your feedback guys!

[Catamount]

The low profile market isn't going to change anytime soon. Low profile cards aren't bound by some kind of manufacturer laziness, where they make the cards they feel like; low profile cards have to fit into a VERY narrow thermal profile, and we're just not shrinking transistors the way we used to. There just isn't likely to ever be a low profile card that will push 3 monitors in newer games.

Honestly dude, if you're serious about this, it's going to entail at least getting a cheap case (an NZXT Gamma is $35, maybe $45 with two more fans; A Zalman Z11 is $55 for a better case), and probably a new PSU (Corsair CX 430 is $45; Rosewill Green series 530 is $50). So you're going to be out an extra 80 or 90 bucks for all that, but you'll also need a GPU that's probably something like 660TI/7950 level to do three monitors anyways (and let's not forget the screens themselves), so an extra $80 is a modest increase over the $500 or so you'd have to spend for screens and GPUs.

If that's not in the budget, and it isn't for a lot of people, then honestly, when you can afford a better GPU, just get yourself one big monitor. 1080P screens, 24-27 inches, are cheap. Anyways, just stuff to consider down the road. Good luck.

Edited by Catamount, 06 December 2012 - 09:45 PM.