Upgrading stock video card to something capable of running 3 monitors

[strider978]

Hey all I'm looking to upgrade my stock video card from my aging system to something with a bit more kick in it. Primarily, I'd like to find something that is able to run 3 monitors of it at once as my school tends to do the majority of it's teaching online I seem to have a lot of windows that I'm working out of all at the same time.

I'm thinking my stock power supply is going to be a bit of restriction at only 300w so I'm open to replacing that as well but it needs to fit into my budget. My wife would like me to keep the price on the lower end so if we can take that into mind that'd be great.

I'm fairly happy with my current card for the little gaming that I currently do so I don't need a beast in that regard but am always happy for an upgrade in the quality of what I do play. By that I mean that if there's a good $100 card that would suit me well I don't really want to pay $100 just to get those extra 3 fps.

I'm located Canada so there are a few websites doing our big boxing week sale so I'm hoping to take advantage of that if I can.

Thanks for your help!

******

APPROXIMATE PURCHASE DATE: Soon

BUDGET RANGE: $100 - $200 CND

USAGE FROM MOST TO LEAST IMPORTANT: Day to Day computer usage; Coding; Gaming; Photoshop

CURRENT GPU AND POWER SUPPLY: ATI Radeon HD 5570 1TB; Stock 300W power supply

OTHER RELEVANT SYSTEM SPECS: Intel Core i5 750; 8 GB DDR3 memory

PREFERRED WEBSITE(S) FOR PARTS: tigerdirect.ca; newegg.ca; (any other decently priced ships-to-canada website

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada

PARTS PREFERENCES: None

OVERCLOCKING: No

MONITOR RESOLUTION: 2x 1920 x 1080; 1x 1680 x 1050

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Mostly focusing on being able to run 3 monitors at the same time anything else is just the cherry on top.

 

[COLGeek]

What kind of ports on on your displays (VGA, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort)?

Also, to see what cards support X number of displays, go here:

http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/amd-eyefinity-technology/for-consumers/Pages/what-is-eyefinity.aspx

Given your power supply, you could try one of these:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121442

It will drive 3 displays and shouldn't tax your PSU too hard (I use one in a HTPC with only a 220w PSU). Just don't overclock your CPU or GPU.

 

[strider978]

Monitor 1: HDMI, VGA, DMI
Monitor 2: HDMI, VGA
Monitor 3: VGA; DMI

Thanks for your reply!

 

[COLGeek]

With the recommended GPU, you could connect M1 via a DP adapter to HDMI, M2 via HDMI, and M3 via DVI. You will need to get a DP to HDMI adapter like this as well:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812816154

 

[strider978]

Wow that looks like it's exactly what I'm looking for. I'll probably put it the order later tonight, if anybody has any other killer deals that I should check out before then let me know.

Thanks so much!

 

[bamanec]

@COLGeek would he not want to try and grab at least a video card with 2gb of ram? 3 monitors use a lot of the ram on cards or am I mistaken?

 

[bamanec]

I did just notice that most 2gb video cards require a 400watt or up power supply at minimum. Which isn't a big deal if you want to spend a few extra bucks, but we are trying to keep your budget down haha

 

[Lokordd]

You could grab any nvidia 600 series or AMD 7000 series and they will all run 3 monitors, i believe.

 

[COLGeek]

The issue of going to a higher class of GPU is one of needing additional power. Adding more memory to the GPU also consumes more power (minimal).

If strider978 also wants to upgrade the PSU, then I would agree.

For a $200 budget, you could do something like this:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127709

However, for the uses listed previously, I am not sure much difference would really be noticed with a 1GB vs 2GB GPU.

 

[strider978]

Two questions have arisen from the previous discussion:

Where would the difference between a 1GB and a 2GB card be noticed?

If I put the recommended 1GB card in, am I running the risk of overtaxing my small PSU?

Thanks

 

[bamanec]

Thats what I was wondering I wasn't quite sure, I was thinking about surround 3d gaming I think. I was in a whole other place COLGeek.

 

[Lokordd]

The issue of going to a higher class of GPU is one of needing additional power. Adding more memory to the GPU also consumes more power (minimal).

If strider978 also wants to upgrade the PSU, then I would agree.

For a $200 budget, you could do something like this:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127709

However, for the uses listed previously, I am not sure much difference would really be noticed with a 1GB vs 2GB GPU.

What he said.

 

[COLGeek]

Two questions have arisen from the previous discussion:

Where would the difference between a 1GB and a 2GB card be noticed?

If I put the recommended 1GB card in, am I running the risk of overtaxing my small PSU?

Thanks

As long as you don't overclock either your CPU or your GPU, the 1GB HD6670 will be fine.

Unless you are working with multiple, detailed, images across multiple displays, the difference between the 1GB and 2GB GPUs is a moot point.

 

[strider978]

Excellent. Another question, sorry for the multitude of them, I'm doing a bit more research and have found that my motherboard is a Gateway H57M01 (I know, I know gross prebuilts) with specifications found here - http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/Intel2/2521789/2521789sp27.shtml

Am I going to have problems running the recommended 6670 in my PCI Express slot?

 

[COLGeek]

Will work just fine in that motherboard. Not a problem.

 

[strider978]

The issue of going to a higher class of GPU is one of needing additional power. Adding more memory to the GPU also consumes more power (minimal).

If strider978 also wants to upgrade the PSU, then I would agree.

For a $200 budget, you could do something like this:

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139028

http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127709

However, for the uses listed previously, I am not sure much difference would really be noticed with a 1GB vs 2GB GPU.

My wife's given me the go ahead to spend a bit more money on the GPU/PSU combo. Is this pretty much what I should be looking at for about $200 or does this new price ceiling open up other better routes?

Will the these work with my motherboard or will I need to be looking at something else?

With PSU what makes a $30 unit better than a $75?

Thanks for the replies they've been incredibly helpful.

 

[COLGeek]

With PSUs, you get what you pay for. That isn't to say you need to spend a fortune to get a solid PSU. The one I recommended earlier is a good choice without costing too much.

What was previously recommended will also work well with your motherboard and other system components. No issues there.

 

[strider978]

Thanks for all the help I ended up putting in an order for the new powers supply and the 7750.

You've all made this process so much easier!

Thanks so much.

 

[COLGeek]

Good luck and have fun!