Looking to upgrade my GTX 260 for 3-4 monitor support

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fusionrs

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Rig is in the sig.

I do casual gaming and do a lot of Photoshop work.

I'm looking to upgrade the GTX 260 to something with 3-4 monitor support (3x24" to start - 1920x1200).

What are some highly recommended cards at this time? $250-$300 range unless there is a compelling reason to spend more or less.
 
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6950 does 3 screens no problem using a Display port adapter or using a monitor with a built in Display Port.
If the 260 isn't too slow for your current casual games, then you can always add another card, like a GT220-GT240 or something along those lines.

I wanted 3 screens when I had my GTX285 so I added a used 9600GT, then I just upgraded to a 5850 so I could use 1 card as well as try Eyefinity gaming across 3 screens.
 
Zepher said:
6950 does 3 screens no problem using a Display port adapter or using a monitor with a built in Display Port.
If the 260 isn't too slow for your current casual games, then you can always add another card, like a GT220-GT240 or something along those lines.

I wanted 3 screens when I had my GTX285 so I added a used 9600GT, then I just upgraded to a 5850 so I could use 1 card as well as try Eyefinity gaming across 3 screens.
Click to expand...

Ok yeah - I would have a monitor that support DP so that wouldn't be an issue. I use Dell Ultrasharps.

I'd prefer to just have one card and that's why the whole Eyefinity thing really caught by eye.

What brand on the HD6950?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161372
 
From what I read about different brands, XFX is what I chose and what I recommend.
this one is 1GB and is $220 after rebate.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150524

this is the last generation card, a tad slower than the 6950, but is $90 cheaper.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150551
My brother bought this card almost 1 year ago and has been pleased with it. Plays Bad Company 2 and Black Ops with his setup.
He upgraded from a GTX260 to the 6850 and saw a nice improvement in the above games.

this is my setup with the 5850,
screens-2011.jpg
 
Yeah - I've had many a XFX card in my day so I do like their brand.

Looks like a good recommendation for what I do.
 
The one HIS card I linked is 2GB and the XFX is 1GB is it much of a difference practically?
 
For a single monitor no, for eyefinity? absolutely. Don't go anywhere near the 1GB version for using eyefinity, ALWAYS go with the 2GB cards.
 
Also - I have the Antec 300 case - I don't want a HUGE giant card that won't fit.
 
If you want triple screen gaming, getting a used 260 for ~$50-70 is definitely one option you can take. nVidia supports nvsurround on the GTX 2xx series. Sure, it won't run as fast and you can't run like 8x AA on two 260's, and you don't have DX11, but it is definitely an option you could consider taking.

If you want to upgrade to DX11 cards, 6950 2gb is probably your best bang for buck card in that range. With display port adapters/monitors, a 6950 can handle up to 6 screens. It'll be even better if you can unlock it (turn it into essentially a 6970).

Edit: The 6950 is a huge card though, so it may end up not fitting in your 300.
 
Tsumi said:
If you want triple screen gaming, getting a used 260 for ~$50-70 is definitely one option you can take. nVidia supports nvsurround on the GTX 2xx series. Sure, it won't run as fast and you can't run like 8x AA on two 260's, and you don't have DX11, but it is definitely an option you could consider taking.

If you want to upgrade to DX11 cards, 6950 2gb is probably your best bang for buck card in that range. With display port adapters/monitors, a 6950 can handle up to 6 screens. It'll be even better if you can unlock it (turn it into essentially a 6970).

Edit: The 6950 is a huge card though, so it may end up not fitting in your 300.
Click to expand...

I don't want to have two cards. Single card is preferred.
 
Tsumi said:
With display port adapters/monitors, a 6950 can handle up to 6 screens..
Click to expand...

1) The 6950 can handle at most, 4 monitors[ 2 dvi or 1dvi / 1hdmi + 2 minidp). ( The only card that I know of that can do 6 monitors is the 5870 Eyefinity 6 edition) 6990 only supports 5.
2) Just measure the inside of your case. The card is 10 1/2 inches.

source: long time member of widescreengamingforum and 6950 crossfire owner.
 
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Xonim said:
I'd stick with XFX - their warranty and customer service is outstanding compared to the other brands. You may here a few say differently, but generaly speaking, they're one of the best in that department. I'd go with one of the two cards below:

2GB XFX 6950 Factory Overclocked ($259.99 AR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150548

2GB XFX 6950 ($249.99 AR)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150549
Click to expand...

It looks like this will be my choice. What's the difference between the two you posted?

It also appears that the GTX260 is 10.5 inches http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_gtx_260_us.html

and the HD6950 is also 10.5 inches
 
Also the setup will be

1 DVI to 2407WFP
1 DVI to 2407WFP-HC
1 HDMI to 2408WFP

That will work fine correct?
 
fusionrs said:
Also the setup will be

1 DVI to 2407WFP
1 DVI to 2407WFP-HC
1 HDMI to 2408WFP

That will work fine correct?
Click to expand...

Nope, one of them has to use the Display Port.
The HDMI is shared with one of the DVI ports.
 
fusionrs said:
Ended up going with this one - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150549
Click to expand...

Nice choice!! Make sure to also order any adapters you may need, keep in mind one monitor has to be display port.

You don't want to get the card and then start hooking things up only to realize you need a nimi dp to dvi or mini dp to hdmi or something and then be forced to order the adapter and wait another few days to use your system.

Edit: haha! as I was typing you beat me to it. Glad your on the right track.
 
hey.. It may be too late, but you need to buy only from AMD's recommended displayport adapters.. Some of them will cause a number of issues from screen blanking, to artifacts/tearing. It used to be that you needed to buy expensive active adapters for the 59xx series, but the 69xx series doesn't require expensive adapters.

AMD Eyefinity Validated Dongles
http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

p.s. You seriously need to goto widescreengamingforum for eyefinity/th2go/n3dsurround questions.
 
fusionrs said:
Ended up ordering this 10ft Displayport to Mini Displayport cable.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815158233
Click to expand...

daveatx said:
hey.. It may be too late, but you need to buy only from AMD's recommended displayport adapters.. Some of them will cause a number of issues from screen blanking, to artifacts/tearing. It used to be that you needed to buy expensive active adapters for the 59xx series, but the 69xx series doesn't require expensive adapters.

AMD Eyefinity Validated Dongles
http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

p.s. You seriously need to goto widescreengamingforum for eyefinity/th2go/n3dsurround questions.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the one I ordered will suffice. I've never had an issue with Startech cables in the past. The recommendations are only what they guarantee will work. Since it's clear that they can't obviously test every cable and adapter, there are plenty of cables and adapters that will work that they did not test.
 
daveatx said:
hey.. It may be too late, but you need to buy only from AMD's recommended displayport adapters.. Some of them will cause a number of issues from screen blanking, to artifacts/tearing. It used to be that you needed to buy expensive active adapters for the 59xx series, but the 69xx series doesn't require expensive adapters.

AMD Eyefinity Validated Dongles
http://support.amd.com/us/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-dongles.aspx

p.s. You seriously need to goto widescreengamingforum for eyefinity/th2go/n3dsurround questions.
Click to expand...

Great...So it looks like the stupid cable I ordered will not work.

My Dell 2408WFP just says No HDMI Cable...

Great.
 
Even if there was a fault somewhere with connectivity, you'd probably just get no signal, rather than no cable show up. You have presumably checked the 2408WFP's HDMI port works right? Just in case.
 
samuelmorris said:
Even if there was a fault somewhere with connectivity, you'd probably just get no signal, rather than no cable show up. You have presumably checked the 2408WFP's HDMI port works right? Just in case.
Click to expand...

The cable and 2408WFP work fine on my Mac.

Just ordered an "approved" converter and cable from Amazon.com
 
daveatx said:
1) The 6950 can handle at most, 4 monitors[ 2 dvi or 1dvi / 1hdmi + 2 minidp). ( The only card that I know of that can do 6 monitors is the 5870 Eyefinity 6 edition) 6990 only supports 5.
2) Just measure the inside of your case. The card is 10 1/2 inches.

source: long time member of widescreengamingforum and 6950 crossfire owner.
Click to expand...

Wrong. Starting with the 68xx series, each displayport is capable of handling 3 monitors each. With two displayports on each 68xx and 69xx, they're capable of handling 6 monitors on displayport only. Meaning, if you want 6 monitor support, you cannot use the DVI/HDMI ports.

Source: Quick google search will do that for you.
 
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