FAQ FAQ  Forum Search   Register Register  Login Login

General Video Card Questions

Post Date: 2011-11-27
 Post Reply Post Reply
Author
  Topic Search Topic Search  Topic Options Topic Options
BF3Addict View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie

Email address used to purchase matched with forums account email.

Joined: 10 Nov 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 49 		  Quote BF3Addict Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: General Video Card Questions
    Posted: 27 Nov 2011 at 4:23pm
So I've been lurking for some time now trying to soak up as much info as possible before I take the plunge and commit some major funds for my DS dream machine.  I've got a much better sense now about how a usage profile drives component choice (thanks especially to DST4ME).
 
However, I'm still a bit unclear how monitor resolution drives video card selection.  I'm probably going to use a triple 24 in. (5760X1200) setup, but I'm considering stepping up to three 27 in. (7680X1440) monitors.  This will be used for BF3 (ultra settings) mostly so I will be using all three monitors for gaming.
 
Generally speaking, how does vcard memory factor in?  Is the memory related to screen size (i.e. larger screen size demands more vcard memory).  What about number of cards?  Do the number of cards affect your ability to run high vs. ultra settings or is that more related to the chipset (for example the 570 vs. the 580)?
 
Back to my setup, should I consider going to 3 X 580 sli for the 27 in. monitors or will 3 X 570 2.5GB cards do the job?
Back to Top
jmaster299 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 27 Aug 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0 		  Quote jmaster299 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Nov 2011 at 5:36pm
For a big set up like that you will probably want x3 580 3GB SLI for max settings at 7680x1440 and for that you will need an X79 MOBO which means a Sandybrdige-e CPU. It will be an expensive rig but for that big resolution you will need to it max things out.

The extra VRam is important for things like AA and AF, especially for large resolutions like that. You will also want to make sure to go with either Win7 Pro or Ultimate since Home only has a 16GB limit (that includes both system and VRAM).

Back to Top
DST4ME View Drop Down
DS ELITE
DS ELITE

Email address used to purchase matched with forums account email.

Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Nov 2011 at 5:59pm
I will disagree a bit.

for higher res then 1900 x 1200, you want the dual sli 570 2.5GB version with option to tri sli.

to do this you will need the x79 platform the p67/68 can't do tri sli correctly.

difference between the 570 2.5GB and 580 3GB is the same with like maybe 4 fps more depending on the game.

now the extra vram helps above 1900 x 1200 with aa settings as jm299 mentioned.

now if you are going tri monitor tho, I would go ati, nvidia is gonna be a hassle to go tri monitor and game across all 3, I would go cf 6970 2GB with option to go tri fire, its easier with eyefinity and you can add more monitors if you wanted.

now why don't we go tri sli/cf right off the bat? cause the third card makes the least amount of difference, so sometimes you may find you don't need it.

As jm299 said I would go win7 pro for such a setup.

Edited by DST4ME - 28 Nov 2011 at 4:40am

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
Back to Top
jmaster299 View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 27 Aug 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 0 		  Quote jmaster299 Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Nov 2011 at 6:46pm
How is x3 CF, which requires extra hardware from what I understand, easier then x3 SLI?

Back to Top
DST4ME View Drop Down
DS ELITE
DS ELITE

Email address used to purchase matched with forums account email.

Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Nov 2011 at 6:53pm
Not sure what you mean, but eyefinity makes connecting 3 or 6 monitors real easy on one card.

whats the extra hardware? the extra bridge?

Edited by DST4ME - 28 Nov 2011 at 4:37am

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
Back to Top
Mikhailovich View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie


Joined: 27 Nov 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1 		  Quote Mikhailovich Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Nov 2011 at 8:05pm
Since this is a general topic I feel it is safe to ask an ignorant question. DST would going AMD fix the tri sli problem? You obviously lose a lot of performance going this route presently; but if money is a limitation and spending $8-900 for a good 79x setup isn't an option would this be a possible solution?
Back to Top
BF3Addict View Drop Down
Newbie
Newbie

Email address used to purchase matched with forums account email.

Joined: 10 Nov 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 49 		  Quote BF3Addict Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 27 Nov 2011 at 8:42pm
Originally posted by DST4ME

I will disagree a bit.

for higher res then 1900 x 1200, you want the dual sli 570 2.5GB version with option to tri sli.

to do this you will need the x79 platform the p67/68 can't do tri sli correctly.

difference between the 570 2.5GB and 580 3GB is the same with like maybe 4 fps more depending on the game.

now the extra vram helps above 1900 x 1200 with aa settings as jm299 mentioned.

now if you are going tri monitor tho, I would go ati, nvidia is gonna be a hassle to go tri monitor and game across all 3, I would go cf 6970 2GB with option to go tri fire.

now why don't we go tri sli/cf right off the bat? cause the third card makes the least amount of difference, so sometimes you may find you don't need it.

As jm299 said I would go win7 pro for such a setup.


I should have mentioned you configured a system for me a couple of weeks ago based on the x79 mobo with 3X24 in. ultra settings for BF3. The config was 618599 except change the 1.2GB 570's to 2.5 GB.

What is the issue with nvidia tri sli? Is this only an issue with the larger 27 in. monitors or is it a general thing?

I prefer nvidia cards because I've had nothing but bad experience with ATI.


Edited by BF3Addict - 27 Nov 2011 at 8:49pm
Back to Top
DST4ME View Drop Down
DS ELITE
DS ELITE

Email address used to purchase matched with forums account email.

Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 28 Nov 2011 at 4:52am
Let me say my mind was some place else yesterday, when I made that post, I put a strike thru it today to correct it, its easy to do 3 monitors, its more then 3 monitors that tough with sli.

@Mikhailovich, you are not going to lose much performance with cf 6970 vs sli 570/580, the performance is gonna be the same for all 3.

@BF3Addict, you are good to go either way, your comment about going triple 27" made me think you might be the type of person that might add more monitors.

Edited by DST4ME - 28 Nov 2011 at 4:53am

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
Back to Top
Alex View Drop Down
Admin Group
Admin Group

Digital Storm Supervisor


Joined: 04 Jun 2012
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 16314 		  Quote Alex Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Dec 2011 at 12:54pm
Originally posted by jmaster299

You will also want to make sure to go with either Win7 Pro or Ultimate since Home only has a 16GB limit (that includes both system and VRAM).

Windows Home Premium 64-Bit, which is provided on all ODE systems, supports and takes full advantage of 16GB of memory.
 
I had our team take a screen shot of a ODE Level 4 under a LinX stress test just to show you.
 
Back to Top
DST4ME View Drop Down
DS ELITE
DS ELITE

Email address used to purchase matched with forums account email.

Joined: 14 Apr 2008
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 01 Dec 2011 at 1:42pm
Yes we got it Alex no need to post it everywhere, its very nice of ms to be so conflicting on this info from one os to the other.

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
Back to Top
 Post Reply Post Reply

Forum Jump Forum Permissions View Drop Down



This page was generated in 0.0625 seconds.