Triplehead2Go or 5870 or Next NVidia Card?

[tineras]

I am currently running a triple monitor setup. I traded my TH2Go analog and am borrowing a TH2Go digital in the interim. I have been patiently waiting for CES to roll around so that I could hear any potential news about new ATI/NVidia products coming out before I took the plunge and bought my own TH2Go digital. While I can probably hang on to the TH2Go digital a little while longer, I'm getting to the point where I need to consider returning it to its owner. I'm looking at one of the following situations:

Options:
1. Just buy the Digital TH2Go and keep my current setup
2. Get a 5870 or 5970 and go with Eyefinity
3. Wait for NVidia to announce new cards and hold out for them

Concerns:
1. (TH2Go) I don't like running non-native resolutions (1680x1050 instead of 1920x1080)
2. (TH2Go) I hate fighting through these stupid driver/DX10/57Hz/etc. issues
3. (ATI) Need a DP>DVI adapter
4. (ATI) No bezel managment (yet)
5. (ATI) Potential compatibility issues - All my games currently work now with my NVidia card
6. *retracted* (ATI) No CrossfireX Support (yet, if ever)
7. (NVidia) May not offer an Eyefinity-like multi-monitor solution
8. (NVidia) May be waiting around a long time

Just wondering what your thoughts were on this issue. System specs in signature if that is a factor. I have $400+ right now burning a hole in my pocket and could sell my GTX 275s if I chose to go the ATI route. Thanks all! :)

[StingingVelvet]

The ATI compatability issue thing is a factor in my similar decision as well, I just can't ignore the large amount of comments I read on forums about older games not working with ATI cards.

That said ATI has the momentum right now and I am pretty sure I am going with a 5870. I'll probably test as much as I can in the first weeks and return it if there are serious issues with older games.

[fatlazyhomer]

What games are you playing? If ppl have successfully used them with eyefinity, then you are in the clear for that.

ATI is supposedly releasing their own adapter for 20-30$ according to a thread in the eyefinity forum, it should be out in 2 weeks if the OP is correct.

Bezel management is supposedly in the works. It shouldnt be a deal-breaker if you are willing to wait for Nv to get their act together, or willing to spend way more on TH2Go.

[direwolf]

6. (ATI) No CrossfireX Support (yet, if ever)

CrossfireX works in Eyefinity since the last driver hotfix

[tineras]

[quote]
6. (ATI) No CrossfireX Support (yet, if ever)

CrossfireX works in Eyefinity since the last driver hotfix

That's great news. Thanks!

[tineras]

Is it possible to have a 5870 (with Eyefinity) and GTX 275 (With TripleHead2Go) installed and switch between them at will? I certainly don't want to be doing card swapping just to play one game or another.

Thanks

[Anprionsa]

I believe that is a possible solution.

[fatlazyhomer]

Seems a bit excessive. Why not just plug th2go into your 5870 when you need it?

[tineras]

Seems a bit excessive. Why not just plug th2go into your 5870 when you need it?

This is very true. After hearing the CES news about the NVidia 3D Surround features, I am going to try and hold out for the new NVidia drivers that include those features. I'm hoping they will release the drivers before the GF100 series cards. *fingers crossed*

[suiken_2mieu]

The new Nvidea card may have surround support and 3D, but it lack DX11, which is a pretty great step up.

[Butch_N]

Based on your system, I would probably get the TH2Go DE for now and later worry about either AMD or NV's offerings.
You already have the cards to run TH2Go.
AMD is still beta, in a way.
nVidia will certainly do everything they can to offer more features, more power, etc. once they release their new one.

Grab a DE and use it for another year or so. By then both AMD and NV should be putting out some fantastic cards.

[suiken_2mieu]

You have 2x275's, just wait for the drivers to come out to use nVidea's solution for surround.

[BHawthorne]

You have 2x275's, just wait for the drivers to come out to use nVidea's solution for surround.

+1. You're all set with 2 GTX275. Just need the driver release. My suggestion is see how it is with your 2 GTX275 and then decide.

[tineras]

[quote]You have 2x275's, just wait for the drivers to come out to use nVidea's solution for surround.

+1. You're all set with 2 GTX275. Just need the driver release.

Yea, I am definitely going to hold off for a little now that I know there will be incoming drivers.

( :nudgenudge C'mon NVidia, just go ahead and release the beta drivers! You know you want to)

[lordgort]

is it possible to use this new feat with 2 x 8800 ultra, too?

[tineras]

is it possible to use this new feat with 2 x 8800 ultra, too?

Not sure. I think it may be exclusive to the 200 series cards.

[Deke]

Actually Nvidia's card is the GF100 and to be able to do 3 monitors, you will have to buy 2 cards that run in sli. (That's gotta cost)

It will have DX11 too and it will also be able to do 3D at 3 monitors. (Faster headaches)

I totally doubt that they would offer surround capability on older cards, I would think this would only be for there new card.

Just think they're gonna have to bring there price way down too, if they want to be competitive with ATI Eyefinity, as you can see from the links that they may not have Bezel Management yet either, as they only show it via a triple projector setup.

http://hothardware.com/Articles/CES-NVIDIA-Demos-GF100-With-3D-Vision-MultiPanel-Gaming-/

Deke

[Mystic5hadow]

The 3D Surround and standard Surround will be supported on the 200 series cards as well as the new DX11 Capable GF100.
You will need Two cards in SLI though, as already stated.

Also, nVidia stated they'll have Bezel Management right out the door as they made it a priority to get it in there and get it done properly, which is nice.

[geniv2]

Also, nVidia stated they'll have Bezel Management right out the door as they made it a priority to get it in there and get it done properly, which is nice.

that sounds nice. as ATI have yet to have bezel managment after nearly 4 months of release.

but then again I will have to see if nvidia really deliver first..

IMHO to the OP..
unless you really care about the 3D aspect along with surround. your best solution now is to get a Radeon 5870 series card.

because:
1) TH2G matrox don't do native resolution like 1200p or 1080p and it's no as flexiable with the displays as eyefinity. and you would need $200+ on top of the video card purchase just for the th2g device.
2) with Nvidia. supposely you need SLI that would push your budget to get 2 cards and new mobo if yours don't already have dual pcie x16 slots.
3) nvidia is not out yet and we don't really know when it comes how it will work and any kinks on release. I don't trust PR announcements and promises. at least with ATI it's out for a while and some kinks are worked out and theres a good community of people that have tested the cards that u can check for info/advice if u have any problems

the only downside to ATI is that you might need a DP adapter if you monitor doesn't have a DP port. theres the $100 DVI one or the $20-$30 analog VGA one.