Update from 5870 Eyefinity

VirtualVikingX · 05-09-11, 08:08 AM

Specs:

i5@4.2G

4 Gb ram

5870 1Gb

650W PSU

Windows 7 64 bit

5760x1080 Eyefinity Landscape

First of all; thanks for looking. I recently upgraded my computer, and sold off the old parts. I kept my 5870 as it was giving me very good performance. Move 3 months ahead in time: “Cool, I can finally afford and have space for a Eyefinty setup”

Guess you see where I am headed. The once so-good 5870 is now struggling due to having “only” 1 Gb of vram.

I play mostly ArmA 2, FSX, and lately Cliffs of Dover (Il-2).--> What is the best update for my GPU?

I’m open to suggestions and considerations. I also very happy for links to pages with personal experiences in these matters.

Arclight · 05-09-11, 11:03 AM

I don't think any single-GPU card can push 3 displays for gaming. In that regard, it's really false advertising on ATI's part (ie. Eyefinity is useless for gaming unless you have a Crossfire setup).

What you can do is add another 5870. You'll have to hook up all 3 monitors to the "lead" card. Pretty sure the 1GB VRAM would continue to hold it back though, so cards with 1.5-2GB would be preferable, 3-4GB for dual-GPU cards.

Arclight · 05-09-11, 12:42 PM

As for options: 4GB 5970 or 4GB 6990 seem like the most straight-forward solutions.

(sorry for the double. Board keeps logging me out when I try to edit)

Jan Kyster · 05-09-11, 01:08 PM

One vote for adding a 5970 and run Tri-Fire.

It's the most efficient combination and you should be able to pick up a 5970 at a reasonable price...

But don't use Arctic cooler for the 5970 - it'll prevent the use of second PCI-E slot! Like these of mine won't do...

Of course there'll be no problems if you opt for watercooling...

Arclight · 05-09-11, 01:34 PM

Or that, though a third GPU gives absolutely abysmal returns... Say going from 1 to 2 gives you some 85% gain, going from 2 to 3 only yields another 25% or so. But since he already has a 5870 it's an option; no money lost there.

Again though, that 1GB VRAM can't cope with 5760x1080, so I think it would only hold it back.

*and that PSU will fall short

VirtualVikingX · 05-09-11, 02:08 PM

My initial upgrade plan was another 5870. That was something I wasn't too eager on because I also would need a new PSU. Anyway, I soon found out that on such large resolutions its mainly vram holding back performance. Any AA on Arma 2 is proof!

FOr now its off.

So I would like a new card with lots of vram. Enter GTX 580 with 3 Gb. Excellent. The Google tells me Nvidia only supports "Surround" screens with SLI.

Back to scratch.

So for now its looking like the monster 6990 is my main contender. I'm also considering a 2 GB 6970 so I don't have to deal with Xfire troubles.

Thanks for the input guys!

EDIT: Yes, I think you are correct, Arc. And very nice cards, Jan!

05-09-11, 08:08 AM	#1
VirtualVikingX Captain Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 262 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 0	Update from 5870 Eyefinity Specs: i5@4.2G 4 Gb ram 5870 1Gb 650W PSU Windows 7 64 bit 5760x1080 Eyefinity Landscape First of all; thanks for looking. I recently upgraded my computer, and sold off the old parts. I kept my 5870 as it was giving me very good performance. Move 3 months ahead in time: “Cool, I can finally afford and have space for a Eyefinty setup” Guess you see where I am headed. The once so-good 5870 is now struggling due to having “only” 1 Gb of vram. I play mostly ArmA 2, FSX, and lately Cliffs of Dover (Il-2).--> What is the best update for my GPU? I’m open to suggestions and considerations. I also very happy for links to pages with personal experiences in these matters.

05-09-11, 11:03 AM	#2
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	I don't think any single-GPU card can push 3 displays for gaming. In that regard, it's really false advertising on ATI's part (ie. Eyefinity is useless for gaming unless you have a Crossfire setup). What you can do is add another 5870. You'll have to hook up all 3 monitors to the "lead" card. Pretty sure the 1GB VRAM would continue to hold it back though, so cards with 1.5-2GB would be preferable, 3-4GB for dual-GPU cards. __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

05-09-11, 12:42 PM	#3
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	As for options: 4GB 5970 or 4GB 6990 seem like the most straight-forward solutions. (sorry for the double. Board keeps logging me out when I try to edit) __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.

05-09-11, 01:34 PM	#5
Arclight Navy Seal Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Land of windmills, tulips, wooden shoes and cheese. Lots of cheese. Posts: 8,467 Downloads: 53 Uploads: 10	Or that, though a third GPU gives absolutely abysmal returns... Say going from 1 to 2 gives you some 85% gain, going from 2 to 3 only yields another 25% or so. But since he already has a 5870 it's an option; no money lost there. Again though, that 1GB VRAM can't cope with 5760x1080, so I think it would only hold it back. and that PSU will fall short __________________ Contritium praecedit superbia.*

05-09-11, 02:08 PM	#6
VirtualVikingX Captain Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Bergen, Norway Posts: 262 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 0	My initial upgrade plan was another 5870. That was something I wasn't too eager on because I also would need a new PSU. Anyway, I soon found out that on such large resolutions its mainly vram holding back performance. Any AA on Arma 2 is proof! FOr now its off. So I would like a new card with lots of vram. Enter GTX 580 with 3 Gb. Excellent. The Google tells me Nvidia only supports "Surround" screens with SLI. Back to scratch. So for now its looking like the monster 6990 is my main contender. I'm also considering a 2 GB 6970 so I don't have to deal with Xfire troubles. Thanks for the input guys! EDIT: Yes, I think you are correct, Arc. And very nice cards, Jan! Last edited by VirtualVikingX; 05-09-11 at 02:21 PM.

05-09-11, 01:08 PM	#4
Jan Kyster Ace of the Deep Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 1,151 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	One vote for adding a 5970 and run Tri-Fire. It's the most efficient combination and you should be able to pick up a 5970 at a reasonable price... But don't use Arctic cooler for the 5970 - it'll prevent the use of second PCI-E slot! Like these of mine won't do... Of course there'll be no problems if you opt for watercooling...