Upgrade/Build questions (not really sure where to post this)

[cgleckman]

So I have a computer that I built about 2 years ago with the help of people on this forums. Since then I have been active off and on so a lot of you know me.

Anyway this is the spec:

CPU: I7 860 2.8 GHz
Mobo: Asus P7P55D PRO P55
GPU: NVIDIA GTX 275 1gb
Ram: GSKILL F3-12800CL7D-4GBRH 4GB 1600(12800)
PSU: antec 650w
HDD: 500gb SAMSUNG f3
Case: antec 900

Anyway, I am looking to build a new computer and I want to do 1 of 2 things with this comp:

1) sell it for 400-500 (? not sure on a good price)
2) keep it and convert it into my workstation for my finance trading.

The second is what I am considering the most and I need to know:

1) What is the cheapest way to setup this build to handle 3 monitors
2) Is it worth it to just sell it and build a new ~400 machine for a workstation on top of my new gaming comp.

Lastly if anyone knows a good monitor that looks professional when there are 3 of them next to each other (or if there is some kind of trading monitor setup that's sold somewhere that I don't know about.

 

[AdrianPerry]

I presume one of the easiest ways to allow a triple monitor set up would be to go for a mid range ATI card, something like the 6870? That can handle all 3 from a single card.

(not sure which the best/cheapest ATI card is that can do this, but its a good place to start).

 

[lbugg2]

I have a his radeon hd 5670 iceq card that has two dvi and one hdmi outputs and will support the monitors u can always get adapters if u want to run vga monitors bc of the price, and the card was $85 last I checked on tigerdirect.com

 

[cgleckman]

I presume one of the easiest ways to allow a triple monitor set up would be to go for a mid range ATI card, something like the 6870? That can handle all 3 from a single card.

(not sure which the best/cheapest ATI card is that can do this, but its a good place to start).

Alright thank youi, I will look into that. Would a better option be to buy another GTX 275 for about $130 and just run SLI?

 

[AdrianPerry]

If your motherboard and PSU can handle SLI thats probably a good option aswell im presuming a GTX 275 supports 2 monitors per card?

 

[cgleckman]

If your motherboard and PSU can handle SLI thats probably a good option aswell im presuming a GTX 275 supports 2 monitors per card?

Ya it has 3 monitor connectors, however only 2 can work at once

 

[cgleckman]

It was suggested to me to get a 6870 for $180 and I can sell my 275 for $100 to a friend so I think I am going to take that option. Since then 1 card which uses less power can power 3 monitors at once

 

[guavasauce]

yeah, i would keep that set up, its not really outdated per se. but, i would trust a 6870 to run 3 1080 monitors for gaming. just doesnt sound good to me. 6970 sounds better.

then drop a few bucks on the workstation.

 

[cgleckman]

Best answer selected by cgleckman.