New desktop for 3x27"?

[CrazyBlue]

Hi all! Currently using the existing rig on my right sig with 2*27" shimians (2560x1440). Can play just fine on games on 1 screen at max resolution (typically high settings still), the other screen is desktop screen.

New house/home office coming, looking to get a new rig for 3*27". (monitors still undecided, probably U2713HMs)

It's been some time since i followed the scene for hardware, so I'm not sure what gfx can support 3*27" for gaming. Other stuff I do are photo editing, and well, web based work.

nvidia titan? 780ti? is SLI necessary for 3*27"? wait for the new cards?

probably 4790K Asus combo, 16GB ram, 256gb SSD. Off loading all my existing data into a 1813+ NAS, so I'm not sure if I should still add some internal HDD. probably just 1 for temporary data/scratch disk.

-w/c options? or aircooling D14 again?
-casing option open. The Lancool I have is a really easy case to work with. but it's outdated and doesn't have usb3. not sure what's new too.
-audio card/DAC (for the first time, setting aside budget for this)

Anyone has recommendations for a Rig? thanks in advance!

 

[Felfirez]

Forgot to mention the most important thing. What's your total budget?

 

[shadow84]

I think you need like 2x 295x2....

 

[Alternative X]

1) List down all games and editing software that you want to use with the new rig.

2) Depending on games played, even SLI/Crossfired GPU setups may have trouble playing games at max settings on a triple 1440p monitor setup.

3) Budget?

4) Got OC?

5) Can always buy 5.25'' USB front panel/card reader/fan controller to add USB 3.0 to your rig, such as this:

6) On board sound are usually good enough for general purposes, not sure why you still need a sound card/DAC?

 

[CrazyBlue]

Budget:
4k+ but flexible. (does not include the triple monitors, already budgeted for that, nor the 1813+)

1)lightroom
2)photoshop
3)ptgui (panorama stitching)

4)games...currently only dota 2, random odd-games like MMOs but when fps comes out I play finish then stop playing already (ie, crysis 3 those type). play lesser now, more like play to try out and then move on.

5)triple 1440p 27" monitor setup is that badass to run? I'm not even sure if I will like it for gaming, but I could always try. I'm quite okay with -not- running at max settings. Like high instead of ultra. at 1440p things still look really good even without AA, imo (my current setup). and...don't know if will get motion sickness from triple monitor gaming hahaha . But I could use the extra screen for work.

6)OC yes, but marginally. I'm pushing only 4ghz on my current chip for marginal improvements, not like 4.5ghz on air or something. I think same for the new desktop?

7)I actually bought one of those from PCThemes for my current lancool but it's quite ugly.

8)wanted some improved audio. planning to upgrade my current speakers to the JBL LSR305. add subwoofer only if lacking. also I always found my mic to have static, thought it was bad grounding but I got the Lancool still same problem.

 

[royfrosty]

The pricing to play all 3 monitors at 1440p gaming will be a bit expensive.

Unless you do not mind at a mere 60fps rate. A dual r9 290 should be able to perform at playable frame rate.

 

[CrazyBlue]

Hmm..if it's a 60fps minimum I'll be okay haha. big flashes, things explosing and spins etc.

to be honest no real experience with triple monitors, just 2. and I don't use both for gaming (weird). Was planning to just buy 2 monitors and then thought, YOLO~ let's get 3.

don't mind not running at max settings. Ultra with a few things turned down or off for example. Unless the difference is..obvious? Been doing that for awhile now, quite okay. What's the thing to look out for? Vram? Have to look out for more user reviews. Just saw a youtube comment that this guy is running 3-monitors with 780ti, 70fps average on ultra for BF4.

 

[Alternative X]

CPU+ Mobo: GIGABYTE Z87X-D3H + i5 4670K (534)
RAM: 2X CRUCIAL PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 VALUE RAM (8GB) (202)
GPU: 2X LEADTEK GTX 780 3GB DDR5 O.C (1376)
SSD: 2X SAMSUNG EVO 250GB SSD (358)
PSU: SEASONIC X SERIES 1050W (288)
Case: CORSAIR 300R MID-TOWER CASE (119)
OS: WINDOWS 7 HOME PREM (120)

Total cost: $2997

Buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, go to PC Care & Solution at #02-32 and ask Nigel to help you assemble for a fee.

1) This is a SLI setup with 2X GTX780. (R9 290 GPUs are OOS for a few months and the R9 290X is quite 'heaty' and crossfiring R9 290X cards are a bad idea unless you have custom WC loop. GTX 780Ti are like $300+ more expensive per card and not worth it.) Can use the GPUs to play games and speed up rendering.

2) Reuse your Noctua DH-14 as it is good enough for OC purposes. (The cooling properties of the DH-14 is noted by some review sites to be better than some cheap 120mm AIO coolers.)

3) There are 2X SSD in the build. One for OS, one as scratch disk.

4) As there is no 900W+ PSU, a 1000W PSU is included into the build. Now you can OC both CPU and GPU for better gaming performance.

5) There may be a chance that this rig will be unable to play your games smoothly at ultra settings as 3X 1440p monitors are quite demanding to drive.

6) I am not sure about sound cards/DACs. Might want to ask the audiophiles about this. I do know that cheap soundcards will make little difference whan compared to onboard sound and hence not worth buying.

 

[shadow84]

Change the case to fractal design arc midi r2. The carbide series from corsair aint worth it with its build quality. Arc midi r2 is a better case at that price point.

 

[FlyingNuggets]

Why not just wait for GTX 980? then sli it? Since it is coming out like in a weeks time?

 

[CrazyBlue]

Why not just wait for GTX 980? then sli it? Since it is coming out like in a weeks time?

I would wait, maybe..not sure when it will be available to SG though?

 

[royfrosty]

Hmmm i would recommend something with higher horsepower with no problems with Vrams running out and capable to run all 3 1440p monitors smoothly. This is an eyefinity setup with WC graphics card.

MSI Z97 Gaming 7 + i5-4690k ~ $590
Gskills Ripjaws 1600mhz 2x8gb kit Red ~ $223
WD Blue 1tb ~ $67
Crucial mx100 256gb ~ $155
Powercolor r9 295x2 8gb ~ $2285
Seasonic X1050 1050w 80+ Gold Fully Modular PSU ~ $278
Fractal Design Arc Midi ~ $129
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM ~ $115
Corsair H100i Hydro Cooler ~ $150

Total ~ $3992. Buy at tradepac. DIY

Something more bang for bucks

MSI Z97S SLI Plus + i5-4690k ~ $481
GSkills Ripjaws 1600mhz 2x8gb kit Blue ~ $223
WD Blue 1tb ~ $67
Crucial mx100 256gb ~ $155
MSI GTX780 6gb Twin Frozr Gaming x2 SLI ~ $1598
Seasonic X850 850w 80+ Gold Fully Modular PSU ~ $219
Fractal Design Arc Midi ~ $129
Windows 7 home Premium 64bit OEM ~ $115
Corsair H100i Hydro Cooler ~ $150

Total ~ $3137. Buy at tradepac, DIY

 

[CrazyBlue]

Thanks Alternative X for taking time for the build. yup I can DIY no problem, but got alot of other renovation things to do could use that rig as a benchmark, thanks!

Hmm, I have a bias against AMD gfx anyway, 3 or 4 generations of computers ago I had an AMD card and I think it spoilt due to overheating issues. Nvidia on the other hand have "seem" to have lower failure rates.

don't flame me haha, it's an old mindset that got stuck. like how I trust Asus cus their mobo and stuff never failed on me.

 

[CrazyBlue]

royfrosty: thanks!

wow, 2 votes for the Fractal Design Arc Midi, must be nice!
pardon me but, the last time when I was setting up my current com, I didn't consider SLI/crossfire cause I heard of stories like micro-stuttering in some softwares/games. Has the SLI infrastructure matured way pass that already?

ur first rig looks awesome. radeons were off my radar last time maybe I shld go read up more on them

 

[FlyingNuggets]

Hmmm i would recommend something with higher horsepower with no problems with Vrams running out and capable to run all 3 1440p monitors smoothly. This is an eyefinity setup with WC graphics card.

MSI Z97 Gaming 7 + i5-4690k ~ $590
Gskills Ripjaws 1600mhz 2x8gb kit Red ~ $223
WD Blue 1tb ~ $67
Crucial mx100 256gb ~ $155
Powercolor r9 295x2 8gb ~ $2285
Seasonic X1050 1050w 80+ Gold Fully Modular PSU ~ $278
Fractal Design Arc Midi ~ $129
Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit OEM ~ $115
Corsair H100i Hydro Cooler ~ $150

Total ~ $3992. Buy at tradepac. DIY

Something more bang for bucks

MSI Z97S SLI Plus + i5-4690k ~ $481
GSkills Ripjaws 1600mhz 2x8gb kit Blue ~ $223
WD Blue 1tb ~ $67
Crucial mx100 256gb ~ $155
MSI GTX780 6gb Twin Frozr Gaming x2 SLI ~ $1598
Seasonic X850 850w 80+ Gold Fully Modular PSU ~ $219
Fractal Design Arc Midi ~ $129
Windows 7 home Premium 64bit OEM ~ $115
Corsair H100i Hydro Cooler ~ $150

Total ~ $3137. Buy at tradepac, DIY

why not just go for 2 titan blacks? or 2 780ti?

 

[royfrosty]

why not just go for 2 titan blacks? or 2 780ti?

2x 780ti at 3gb Vram is not gonna be enough to power all 3 screens. Not unless it is 1080p tri display

Titan Black at 6gb Vram then is capable to run 3 screens.

With 2 of it at the price of $2900 in total. I rather buy the r9 295x2 at 8gb vram and also being water cooled.

 

[Felfirez]

CPU+ Mobo: GIGABYTE Z87X-D3H + i5 4670K (534)
RAM: 2X CRUCIAL PC 12800/1600MHZ DDR3 VALUE RAM (8GB) (202)
GPU: 2X LEADTEK GTX 780 3GB DDR5 O.C (1376)
SSD: 2X SAMSUNG EVO 250GB SSD (358)
PSU: SEASONIC X SERIES 1050W (288)
Case: CORSAIR 300R MID-TOWER CASE (119)
OS: WINDOWS 7 HOME PREM (120)

Total cost: $2997

Buy at PC Themes, #04-15, and ask for discounts. DIY yourself. If you can't into DIY, go to PC Care & Solution at #02-32 and ask Nigel to help you assemble for a fee.

1) This is a SLI setup with 2X GTX780. (R9 290 GPUs are OOS for a few months and the R9 290X is quite 'heaty' and crossfiring R9 290X cards are a bad idea unless you have custom WC loop. GTX 780Ti are like $300+ more expensive per card and not worth it.) Can use the GPUs to play games and speed up rendering.

2) Reuse your Noctua DH-14 as it is good enough for OC purposes. (The cooling properties of the DH-14 is noted by some review sites to be better than some cheap 120mm AIO coolers.)

3) There are 2X SSD in the build. One for OS, one as scratch disk.

4) As there is no 900W+ PSU, a 1000W PSU is included into the build. Now you can OC both CPU and GPU for better gaming performance.

5) There may be a chance that this rig will be unable to play your games smoothly at ultra settings as 3X 1440p monitors are quite demanding to drive.

6) I am not sure about sound cards/DACs. Might want to ask the audiophiles about this. I do know that cheap soundcards will make little difference whan compared to onboard sound and hence not worth buying.

Ssd for scratch disk is a no no and a waste of money. Get 16gb ram and dedicate 2-4gb as ram disk.

As for onboard sound and dedicated card, i suggest having a listen and comparison.

 

[CrazyBlue]

Looks like the next gen cards are out!

1x 970
2x 970

or
1x 980
2x 980

I'm still unsure about SLI. are SLI inherent problems from years ago still present in today's games? microstuttering? weird low fps in some games? heat/power draw?
Also read something about vram in SLI..3GB+3GB=3GB.

 

[Alternative X]

Looks like the next gen cards are out!

1x 970
2x 970

or
1x 980
2x 980

I'm still unsure about SLI. are SLI inherent problems from years ago still present in today's games? microstuttering? weird low fps in some games? heat/power draw?
Also read something about vram in SLI..3GB+3GB=3GB.

1) Not the GTX 980, their prices are stupidly expensive. (Gigabyte reference GTX 980 are sold at a price of $888, not joking.) The prices of the GTX 970 are much cheaper at $509-$615.

2) SLI performance varies with the level of support of SLI in games, so no guarantee that you won't get microstuttering in any games. Can always disable one of the cards in a SLI configuration if problems comes up. You will still get the power draw and heating problems of 2 cards in SLI/Crossfire though.

3) Yes, no matter if you Crossfire or SLI, the max VRAM avaliable is limited to the amount of VRAM in one card.

 

[simon45op]

Looks like the next gen cards are out!

1x 970
2x 970

or
1x 980
2x 980

I'm still unsure about SLI. are SLI inherent problems from years ago still present in today's games? microstuttering? weird low fps in some games? heat/power draw?
Also read something about vram in SLI..3GB+3GB=3GB.

i used to run 2xgtx780 on my 3x1440p. currently running 2x r9-290x . Going to return to nvidia side since they got 4gb vram now. Using nvidia sli for multiple monitor give mi less problems.


u need 2 graphic card to run 3x1440p, 2x980 or 2 x970 is up to ur budget.
As for microstuttering my personal opinion is radeon graphic card is more noticable .Nvidia have but not so noticable.
Low fps? some game might not be optimised for multi gpu gaming.
nvidia card tend to use less power.
radeon tend to produce more heat, but i watercool it so its still ok to me

sometimes when u run crossfire(radeon) , if your comp hang, they forgot the eyefinity setup and u have to setup again. quite irritating if u running 3 monitor in portrait mode. based on my personal experience after using both for multiple monitor (radeon and nvidia), nvidia give me less problem.

PS: not a fanboy i have used a mix bag of radeon/nvidia graphic card since 2000.