Run three 4k displays (one intended for gaming)

[0sinner]

I wrote this up before signing up and then submitted the thread, but it looks like it disappeared (is that possible?). Just in case I'm retyping this with a portion of it I copied and pasted.

I'm looking for a graphics card to run three 4k displays.

For gaming I plan to only use one display at a time (no cross-display gaming), but I would still like to be able to work smoothly with my other two monitors (eg. have a game playing on my main monitor and a video playing on one of my other monitors, etc).

I saw a similar thread that wanted to game across all three monitors and some people recommended a gfx card per monitor. But I'm wondering if I can get away with only one or possibly two.

My goal is to get the smallest form-factor possible, so if they'll fit into a micro-ATX (or mini-ITX case if it's just one card), that would be best case scenario for me.

 

[rcald2000]

What's funny is that Nvidia claimed on their official blog that the GTX 980 Ti reference cooler can fit into a small form factor case, but I'm suspicious. Still checking.

*** Nvidia blog - GTX 980 Ti ***
http://blogs.nvidia.com/blog/2015/05/31/nvidia-geforce-gtx-980-ti/

 

[Noah Siano]

For multiple monitors, higher VRAM is better. I would highly suggest a 980 Ti, since it can handle 4k gaming and it has a nice 6GB of VRAM. Two would let you run your games at closer to max settings, but one will also do just fine, you'll just have to lower the settings a bit.

Now, the 980 Ti uses the same reference cooler that Nvidia has used for a long time. There are other aftermarket designs that will be coming out in the next few weeks, so I would look for some of those. They will feature better and more silent cooling. But, if you're wanting the reference cooler, it can still fit in a lot of mini-itx cases and most micro-atx cases.
But yeah, there are plenty of mini-itx cases that can support the reference cooler. Here's a video Linus did of a suuuper small cases that he fit a Titan X in. Of course, a micro-atx case will be able to hold two cards, which you may be wanting.

So...980 Ti is definitely gonna be the best choice. One will work well, two will make gaming nicer.

 

[rcald2000]

0sinner, I couldn't find an answer online that I could completely trust, and I don't personally have a Micro ATX case to test it out.

Therefore I just called Nvidia customer support (800-540-1140) which attempted to refer me to Nvidia technical support (800 797 6530 option 2) but they are closed. I noticed that older generation GPU's developed as SFF are usually around 6.7" in length. I will try to squeeze a few minutes into my day tomorrow to call Nvidia and inquire if such a card will work in a micro or mini ATX cases. Sorry that I don't have an immediate answer for you. Perhaps some else on the site might have direct experience with this issue.

*** Nvidia technical support hours ***
5 am - 7 pm EST (mon - fri)
7 am - 4 pm EST (sat - sun)


*** Nvidia GTX 980 Ti dimensions ***
height 4.376 inches
length 10.5 inches

 

[schaft]

Yeah of course we will tell you to get the best gpu (most expensive) that they said can be fitted into SFF case.

GIGABYTE GV-N98TD5-6GD-B GeForce GTX 980 Ti 6GB 384-Bit GDDR5 PCI Express 3.0 ATX Video Card
$649.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125786

Please be mind about other parts such as cpu, ram , psu and SSD. If you didn't balance all together, the gpu will not run its maximum potential. As far as I know of, no standard ready build pc that can balance this gpu. SFF build pc mostly weak in power supply. Just be very careful since this gpu very power hungry.

Please choose best if this answer help

 

[geofelt]

I have a GTX980ti SC and the reference cooler with 4k monitor alongside a 1600P monitor.
The games I have tried seem to be able to do 60fps on high settings.
The side monitor seems to add no load.
In the past, I tried using a cheaper second card to offload the gpu from the main gaming monitor.
I found that it made no difference.
I have this in a smallish M-ATX case, the Silverstone TJ-08E.
The cooling is plenty, even with the fans turned to low. Noise si non existent.
I am using the MaximusVII gene which does have sli capability, but I don't need it.

There are some ITX cases that will do the job such as the lian li Q08.
But, in a smaller case, you probably need liquid cooling for the cpu because of restricted room for an air cooler.
For the very smallest, look at the Ncase M1

 

[0sinner]

A lot of great answers. Consensus seems to be around the GTX980ti. I'm selecting the solution based on the answer that's swayed me the most. It doesn't seem like anyone really gave a definitive "you will be able to play your games seamlessly on one monitor and still have two more 4k displays to work with just this one graphics card/with these two graphics card" answer I was looking for. But I still appreciate giving me that first recommendation.

 

[schaft]

"You will be able to play your games seamlessly on one monitor and still have two more 4k displays to work with just this one graphics card/with these two graphics card"

No one will give that answer since we will never know when the newer game that 980 Ti couldn't run smoothly 4k will come out. Not to mention when suddenly new directx come out and the new game couldn't soec down using directx11.2, then the 980Ti just couldn't run the game at all.

 

[0sinner]

Right, that makes total sense. I appreciate everyone's guidance in these matters.