How to Set up Triple Monitor

[MrDageaux]

I am looking to set up a Triple Monitor system to play ARMAPR on.
I've scoured the internet as well as this forum and have found plenty of information regarding this subject but it's either not geared towards doing exactly what I want or I'm too stupid to understand the techy language.

So, I'm hoping someone can guide me in the right direction and tell me what I need to purchase in order to make this happen.

I have 3 - 20" monitors.
I currently have one vid card - EVGA 01G-P3-1373-AR GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) Superclocked EE 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card
I believe what I need to do is purchase another vid card, put them in SLI and possibly purchase a TripleHead2Go box.

Here is what I'm not sure of:
- If I purchase a new vid card, does it need to be or should it be the same brand/specs/etc?
- How do I put something in SLI?
- Will I be able to stretch the game across three monitors while maintaining three separate desktops when not in game?.....In other words, when I'm not playing, I don't want a stretched desktop, I want them separate.
- Lastly, if I accomplish all of this and make the proper purchases, what settings do I need to change in game?

Thanks in advance for any help provided.

[whatshisname55]

The video card will have to be another GTX 460 but the manufacturer doesn't matter.

You just have to put the second card in another PCI-E slot on your motherboard (preferably a x8 or x16 slot) and use one of the SLI bridges that should have come with your cards to connect them. The connection will be on the side of the card near the exhaust area.

Nvidia's drivers allow you to change the multi-monitor configuration, so you can set it to stretch fullscreen programs across all of the monitors. For separate desktops (like each has it's own taskbar) I believe you will need a third party program.

In games, you should only have to set the resolution. You'll also want to give it a really large FOV if you have the option.

[MrDageaux]

Ok, I'm glad I asked about the video card b/c I thought for sure it wouldn't matter.

Do I need that TripleHead2Go box to do this?


As far as separate desktops, I just meant, one monitor has a task bar and when I maximize a window on a particular monitor, it doesn't automatically stretch across all monitors, just one. I guess it's called extending the desktop.

[MaSSive]

Well if you're going to run on very high resolutions you will need additional GPU to be able to handle that, but you will not need TrippleHead2Go. Simply two monitors go on one card ( 2x DVI ) and third one goes to second. It might make things easier for you but its very expensive.

Make sure your mainboard has additional PCI-Ex slot before you buy another card and that your PSU can handle dual GPU setup.

[LITOralis.nMd]

Your current gtx 460 is THE top of the line gtx 460 on the market.
The model has been updated and this is the current model:
EVGA | Products

Keep in mind that when you SLI two (or more) video cards together, the slowest settings of the slowest video card are the settings used for ALL the cards.

You are in a tricky situation due to market timing, to buy a second one of your same video card will cost about $135 after rebate,

you can however upgrade to a Radeon HD 6870 right now for $141 after rebate.
XFX Double D Radeon HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 Video Card (HD-687A-ZDFC) + Dirt 3 Game Coupon $141 after $30 Rebate + Free shipping - Newegg Deals, Coupons and Promos
XFX Double D Radeon HD 6870 1GB GDDR5 Video Card (HD-687A-ZDFC) + Dirt 3 Game Coupon $141 after $30 Rebate + Free shipping

Or go for a 810 overclocked gtx 460 for $100 after rebate:
Newegg: MSI GeForce GTX 460 OC2 1GB 192-bit w/ NBA2K11 game $99.99 AR ($40) - Slickdeals.net

Make sure you have a large enough PSU, if you do not, you might come out cheaper buying a single newer video card that draws less power and provides better performance, than having to buy another gtx 460 plus a higher wattage "gaming" psu. You probably need a 650W or 700W PSU if you have alot of peripherals and hard drives if you SLI the gtx 460's.

[whatshisname55]

Are your monitors 1920x1080? If you run at that resolution or similar with a single GTX 460 or HD 6870 you will not get very good performance. In order to game at such a large resolution and keep the quality settings high you will need to get a second GTX 460 or spend $500+ for one of the new high end GPU's.

[MrDageaux]

My m-board has 2 open PCIex16 slots and it says something about SLI on it so I'd assume it's capable of doing what I need it to do.
EVGA | Products

Thanks for the link to the 460 GTX card. One question though, that one says it's 192 bit where the one I currently have is 256 bit. Which one is better and do they need to match?

My best monitor, which will be the center one, is 1680 x 1050.
The new ones I bought don't quite go that high.

My power supply is 650w so I suppose I'm on the edge of not having enough power.

[MaSSive]

Your mainboard supports 3 way SLI, meaning you can have up to three 460

Apparently they are producing it now in 192bit versions I cant find your card anymore on EVGA site.

Also found something on their forums that you might want to read before you buy.

GTX 460 too hot?

If you dont have problems with heat then go with it. As for resolution I wouldn't suggest going that high in games. Find a resolution that all of them can handle well and run that in D3D applications.

[MrDageaux]

Yeah, I'm having issues finding my exact card now.
I can find it used on Amazon but they are asking for the same as what I bought it new for.
So I guess the different bit thing isn't that big an issue? Or should I pay the extra cost to get the same exact one? The cost isn't that great a difference but I don't want to spend unnecessary moneys if I don't have to.
What about the fact that my vid card was overclocked? Does that make a difference? Does the new one need to be overclocked too?

I'm not having any issues with heat right now, in fact I think it runs rather cool.
I do have two extra spaces for more fans on the case if I need to add them.

[whatshisname55]

I would suggest not playing games on different sized monitors at all. Even if you set them all to the same resolution the physical size difference and the color differences will make the game look terrible.

As for memory and clocks, no they do not have to be the same. However, when in SLI they will both use as much memory as the card with the lowest amount. I'm not sure if it's the same with clocks, but it's better to run them at the same clocks.

[MrDageaux]

ok, so I should find another card which is overclocked then I suppose.

The monitors are all 20" but the max resolution on 2 of them is less than the max resolution on one.
2 of them are the same.