Multiple Monitors with odd resolutions.. what gpus would work best!?!?

[newmember27]

[not looking for best gaming setup or Nvida surround. General pc use on 5-6 monitors at once]

I can't find a clear answer to multi gpu setups...

I've got a couple of monitors lying around. One 1280x1080, another 1368x 768. I might buy a 1920x 1200 monitor and a standard 1080p monitor. Then on top of that one of those Korean 1400p monitors.

Looking for a good combinations of GPUs to handle the different resolutions. My cpu I decided on is a i7-3930k (6 core processor) so it shouldn't be too much a bottleneck.

I've read that with a gtx 680 the temps increase a lot if you're running a couple of different monitors at different resolutions... Considering I want to run with 5 or more monitors, should I:

A) buy 2 gtx 680s/gtx 670 in SLI
B) save some money buy one gtx 670/680 and then a gt 640/620


How many monitors can 2 gtx 670s/680s run?

How well would a gt 640/620 work alongside a gtx 670/680?

Would you recommend a different gpu for the other monitors (besides a gt 640/gt 620)?

Would love to hear from someone running different resolutions monitors in a similar setup

 

[newmember27]

also, I should have room on my motherboard to have 3 gpu(s) if that would be more effective for managing multiple screens

 

[djscribbles]

You only really need one card unless you plan on doing an eyefinity type setup (gaming on them all). Most GPUs can easily render desktop space on 2 extra monitors while gaming on the primary without breaking a sweat. The primary concern is having all the right connectors (keep in mind DVI-D cannot convert to vga).

If you do want to eyefinity, you'll likely need some display port monitors to use, I think. However I'm not entirely sure you can even use multiple resolutions in an eyefinity array (I would expect it to need to form a rectangle, if you have gaps missing, you may lose pieces of the game image).

 

[newmember27]

You only really need one card unless you plan on doing an eyefinity type setup (gaming on them all). Most GPUs can easily render desktop space on 2 extra monitors while gaming on the primary without breaking a sweat. The primary concern is having all the right connectors (keep in mind DVI-D cannot convert to vga).

If you do want to eyefinity, you'll likely need some display port monitors to use, I think. However I'm not entirely sure you can even use multiple resolutions in an eyefinity array (I would expect it to need to form a rectangle, if you have gaps missing, you may lose pieces of the game image).

Can't go with eyefinity...

I need cuda cores for primary gpu. Limited to Nvida for primary GPU.

Not for gaming, but other applications (photoshop, internet browser, dvd, premiere, excel, matlab, word ----all open at same time..)

Looking to create a system with at least 5 monitors. Not to important if applications can't stench across entire setup. I've used different cables and adapters before, so that's not too much of a concern.

Would a gtx 680 and a gt 640 work well for 5-6 monitor setup?

 

[newmember27]

Could a gtx 680 support a 1400p monitor, a 1280x1080, a 1368x768, and a 1080p monitor at one time? Would these resolutions result in a massive performance decrease and high temps?

 

[claysm]

Having more monitors plugged into a single card will increase the idle temps of that card. Yes, a single GTX 680 can run up to four monitors. As far as the resolutions, yes, one card can support different monitors on different resolution, but you will be limited in your ability to extend the desktop.

 

[newmember27]

But how well can a gtx 680 run four different resolutions?

My guess is not very well.

 

[claysm]

A GTX 680 can handle gaming at 1080p on three monitors while running a fourth in the background. So standard use of them, meaning no gaming, would work just fine.

 

[newmember27]

I'll also be running some programs that tax the gpu (like premiere pro, maybe a game on one monitor, idk)

Sure the gtx 680 could handle these 4 resolutions at one time well?

2560x1400
1280x1080
1368x768
1920x1080

I do know that if the resolutions are different it's more taxing than 4 1080p monitors (which I know the gtx 680 can handle effectively).

 

[claysm]

Yes, it'll all work fine. I would recommend the GTX 670 however. It performs almost identically to the 680 for $100 less. And if you find that performance isn't where you want it to be, which I can almost guarantee that you won't, you can always plug in another 670.

 

[newmember27]

Okay.

Would plugging in a gt 640/620 work well for an additional one/two monitors?

 

[claysm]

It would work, but obviously those cards are fairly weak, so make sure that you run anything taxing off of the 670.

 

[newmember27]

So there shouldn't be any problems running a gtx 670 and a gt 640 at the same time?

 

[claysm]

Not that I know of. Using two different model cards in the same system should work fine.

 

[newmember27]

Could you run two video games at once?

One game on the gtx 670 and another on the gt 640?

 

[claysm]

That I'm not sure of. Although why run games on a GT 640 when you have a 670?
I can guess that maybe simply fullscreening the current game on a screen that is using the 640 and then the other game on a 670 screen might work, but I've never tried anything like that, so don't quote me .

 

[newmember27]

will this GeForce 8400 GS work for two extra monitors? it's only $10 after mail in rebate...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127674

 

[newmember27]

The promotion deals ends at tonight.

Would a Geforce 8400 GS work as a second gpu to sheer some additional monitors?

For $10, I wouldn't expect that much..

 

[claysm]

The 8400 GS is pretty old. It's actually only slightly weaker than a GT 430 though, for a reference. It will power a couple of monitors, but don't expect much from it.

 

[newmember27]

okay. I think I'm going to get it. if it doesn't work out, I'm only out $10 after the rebate.

 

[claysm]

Agreed.

 

[newmember27]

Best answer selected by newmember27.