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Newbie question about video cards

Post Date: 2009-10-21
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bjasper View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		  Quote bjasper Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Topic: Newbie question about video cards
    Posted: 21 Oct 2009 at 8:58am
Hi,

I'm about to place my order for a DigitalStorm i7 overclocked system and have a question about video cards.

I need the system for 2D applications (trading), so I focused on a fast CPU and lots of RAM in the custom configurator.

My son is into Flight Simulator games, and I thought it would be a nice surprise to enable him to place on a high-end video setup. He currently uses a mid-range laptop.

The question is, if I want to spread MS flight simulator X across three 24-in monitors (1920x1200 each) which video card(s) would I need to get a smooth image. The three monitors are set up in an arc, and it could look like a cockpit if the video is good. I will also order a 6-degree head tracker supported by the game.

Let's assume (for now) that money is not an issue. If I need to upgrade the cooling for the cards, any pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks much, Bryan
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DST4ME View Drop Down
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Posts: 36758 		  Quote DST4ME Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Oct 2009 at 11:43am
you want a cpu speed of 3.7GHz for fsx and it does not support sli so you need a single powerful card, currently that would be the 5870, but I'm not sure on multi monitor how that would work, I'm not experienced with multi monitors.

Nvidia Drivers----AMD Drivers
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justin.kerr View Drop Down
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Posts: 5084 		  Quote justin.kerr Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Oct 2009 at 1:06pm
Yes the ATI card would be great with its eyeinfinity!!
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justin.kerr View Drop Down
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Posts: 5084 		  Quote justin.kerr Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 21 Oct 2009 at 10:32pm
remember the 6 monitor cards should be available very soon... just need 4 of them for 24 screen goodness!LOL
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bjasper View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		  Quote bjasper Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Oct 2009 at 12:40am
Thanks, guys!

 I checked out the ATI 5870 stats online (sells for $399 at TigerDirect), and it is amazing how far video cards have come since 8600GTs were all the rage.

I like the fact that I need only one card for 3+ monitors. The only open questions I have are:
1. I have 4 DVI monitors @ 1920x1200 (3 primary and one used as a dashboard) and the ATI 5870 has 2 DVI outputs plus the DisplayPort. Can I buy a DisplayPort to DVI adapter for the 3rd and 4th monitors and set a gaming configuration that uses 3 monitors seemlessly? If so, can I use a passive adapter or do I need something special to do realtime translation?

2. How noisey are these new video cards? I use the PC primarily for work (trading) and enjoy the quiet. I currently use a gaming case with large fans at low RPMs and HDD soundproof enclosures, so I hardly hear the PC.

Thanks for your advice.
Bryan
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bjasper View Drop Down
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Posts: 3 		  Quote bjasper Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 22 Oct 2009 at 8:11am
Update.
I found a great review of the 5870 at http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=783&type=expert&pid=6.

The 5870 can run 3 monitors in a seemless gaming mode (with huge image formats) BUT one of the monitors must have a DisplayPort input. The other two can be dual link DVI. A DP-to-DVI adapter can be used for the third monitor but the adapter must be active (~$90) because DP signals are not pin compatible with DVI.

If you have monitors with DisplayPort inputs, you can use passive DVI-to-DP adapters to convert the 2 DVI ports.

Also, the Eyefinity technology cannot be use with CrossFire (yet). So some games will need to be scaled back.

The current state of the technology looks transitional to me. I get a sense that DVI is will go the way of the parallel port and DisplayPort will be the "new usb". Justin has it right about the future ATI boards supporting many monitors via DisplayPort. From what I can understand about the technology, DisplayPort scales far better than DVI (more power, less GPU real estate).

I just hope that someone starts selling an inexpensive DP-to-DVI converter so I don't have to junk my monitors.

BTW, the Matrox solution got good reviews but the max resolution is limited.

Thanks to everyone for the advice!
Bryan
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titusmckieus View Drop Down
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Posts: 227 		  Quote titusmckieus Quote  Post ReplyReply bullet Posted: 26 Oct 2009 at 10:53pm
Originally posted by bjasper



2. How noisey are these new video cards? I use the PC primarily for work (trading) and enjoy the quiet. I currently use a gaming case with large fans at low RPMs and HDD soundproof enclosures, so I hardly hear the PC.

Thanks for your advice.
Bryan


I just bought one of these cards and they are not as noisy as my 4870 was. this card seams to run much cooler to.  right now my card is running @ 46% fan speed. and is @ 30c idle . but when you run the fan anything more than 50% the noise does increase rather quickly as with any card.

 I am very impressed with this card so far


Edited by titusmckieus - 26 Oct 2009 at 10:54pm
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