Three graphics cards, three monitors and ditch x-fire?

[noremacyug]

I'm planning on getting a third 6950 for my setup but wanted to ask a few questions before going through with it. Currently I have 2 x 6950's in x-fire pushing 3 monitors in portrait. Since I'm using a mini display port -> DVI I'm getting the screen tear issue on one of the monitors. I'm thinking of going to 3 GPU's and have them hooked up one monitor per card and ditch x-fire. This would eliminate the mini dp port adapter and hopefully remove the screen tear. I was also hoping that it would remove any x-fire issues from games. I know that the issues are generally addressed, but removing that from the equation all together seems a good idea to me. My only concern is, without x-fire, how does windows and games handle 3 GPU's? Will they all work fine or will windows or the game only see my primary GPU and use only it? I just want to make sure this will work before I drop another $250 on a card.

[BHawthorne]

Eyefinity 100% of the time requires all displays out of a single card. Only NVIDIA Surround bridges ports on other cards. It's simply not an option for Eyefinity.

[noremacyug]

Well, that's mega gay. Thanks for the clarification though. What are my options to get rid of the annoying screen tear issues?

[suiken_2mieu]

Your only option is to get a card with at least 3 identical parts. Eyefinity 6 cards or direct cu ii would be your best bet. Then run them in tri fire.

[shevermin]

I do not think that the 6 series ATI cards supported Trifire...?? That doesn't mean you can't plug three in and run extra monitors off the extra card. I just think that you can't make a eyefinity group without all the plugs comming off one card.

[noremacyug]

really, the 6xxx series doesn't support trifire? i'd look into nvidia alternatives, but my mobo only supports crossfire, not sli. would a flex model card work for me? i've almost considered waiting for the 7xxx series..... which should be a performance upgrade, but i don't know if the 7xxx series will have issues with screen tear or not.

recommendations?

[Abram]

The 6xxx series does support Crossfire, and 3 and 4-card setups. Yes, all displays have to be connected to one card.