Alright, so Im currently building a computer for a client who has a 30" center monitor and two 24" on either side. Now, I've built quite a few systems before, but I've never had to build a triple monitor system before and I'm wondering what the best configuration for doing this would be. My budget is around 400 dollars for the video cards.
Option 1
Use two cards total, one to run the 30" and another to run both of the 24"
I was thinking either a GTX260
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4369730&CatId=3585
or a 9800GTX+
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3738445&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs
Also, I remember reading somewhere that if I wanted to run cards like this in non SLI mode on multiple monitors, the cards had to have different chipsets. So would I need one each of the cards above?
Option 2
Use three cards total, two SLI'd, and one additional, in which case Im planning on using
2x GTS 250 in SLI configuration
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5250625&CatId=3670
and a 9800GTX
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3738445&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs
Don't think this matters, but the board will be an EVGA X58 SLI LE
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4694158&sku=E145-2059
with an i7 920. 12gb Triple Channel DDR3
Anyways, my question is, given the cards listed, which is better, option 1 or 2? In addition, within each option, which cards should go on which monitors? Should the more powerful card go on the two 24" or the 1 30"?
If for some reason the configurations I've listed wont work, please let me know. Also, if anyone can think of a better solution for 1 30" and 2 24" for around 400 in cards please let me know!
Option 1
Use two cards total, one to run the 30" and another to run both of the 24"
I was thinking either a GTX260
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4369730&CatId=3585
or a 9800GTX+
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3738445&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs
Also, I remember reading somewhere that if I wanted to run cards like this in non SLI mode on multiple monitors, the cards had to have different chipsets. So would I need one each of the cards above?
Option 2
Use three cards total, two SLI'd, and one additional, in which case Im planning on using
2x GTS 250 in SLI configuration
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5250625&CatId=3670
and a 9800GTX
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3738445&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs
Don't think this matters, but the board will be an EVGA X58 SLI LE
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4694158&sku=E145-2059
with an i7 920. 12gb Triple Channel DDR3
Anyways, my question is, given the cards listed, which is better, option 1 or 2? In addition, within each option, which cards should go on which monitors? Should the more powerful card go on the two 24" or the 1 30"?
If for some reason the configurations I've listed wont work, please let me know. Also, if anyone can think of a better solution for 1 30" and 2 24" for around 400 in cards please let me know!