Widescreen Gaming Forum

Just purchased a fairly new system. Crossfire x38 board currently has only a 3870 on it and E8400 4 gigs ram and loading up vista ultimate 64. Currently only one 22" widescreen.

I was hoping to add a 17 or 19' standard monitor to each side to run at 1400x1050 each giving 4480x1050?? Can't find anyone doing this however and I am not sure if affordable monitors will run well at this non native res.

And as far as my video card, I am debating whether to add a 3870 for crossfire or just go 4850-4870 and use the 3870 as the second card. Its rather confusing about using crossfire and if there is a way to utilize it with softTh? Also if I go with 3 22 monitors and the 4870 card will I be happy with the performance? I only have a 500 watt Antec PSU on there right now, I assume I will probably have to upgrade this also.

Just looking to do this right without spending a fortune. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Mixed screens isn't ideal as the TH2Go can only send the same resolution to each screen. 1440x1050 isn't on the mode list either.

A 4850/4870 is significantly quicker than a 3870 (though don't expect miracles), and I suspect competitive with 3870 crossfire (google some reviews to check, 3870 crossfire is similar performance to a 3870X2). The 3870 cannot be run in crossfire with a 4-series card. Whether you'll be happy with the performance depends on what games you run.

Check the ATI thread, you might wish to switch to nVidia if you're considering changing card anyway.

Thanks mud. I read thru that link. It seems like it might be a wiser decision to use softTH and put my money into the best video card I can afford. The big choice for me now is what kind of side monitors to get to support a 22 inch center monitor at 1680x1050. 3 widescreens seem maybe overkill for rpg or shooters but new the prices are similar, just thinking my performance will be better with less resolution to pump out.

Thanks mud. I read thru that link. It seems like it might be a wiser decision to use softTH and put my money into the best video card I can afford. The big choice for me now is what kind of side monitors to get to support a 22 inch center monitor at 1680x1050. 3 widescreens seem maybe overkill for rpg or shooters but new the prices are similar, just thinking my performance will be better with less resolution to pump out.

I would go with 3x22" if only to have the option of going to TH2G available to you in the future.

I also vote for three 22" inch widescreen monitors. That's what I have and I'm happy. In RPGs it is nice to open all the windows (inventory, character, etc.) and leave them open all the time on side monitors.

And you probably don't need the TripleHead2Go, SoftTH is fine. Once I figured out SoftTH I stopped using my TH2Go (partly because it was analog and doesn't support 5040x1050).

Sounds unanimous. Thanks for the help. Guess I will be hounding craigslist for 2 more widescreens.