Looking to upgrade GPU for triple monitor games, dont want GTX 1080 $$$

[TreyFlipAWS]

I've been trying to google the information I need but everything I find has different specs/questions so I figured I would post here with my specific needs and get direct feedback. I recently bought a third matching monitor off ebay. I couldn't, for the life of me, get all 3 monitors working with Ubuntu so I installed Windows 10 Pro where all 3 monitors worked by default on the desktop, but games will not recognise any of the extra monitors.

Current Specs:
MOBO: ASRock Z87 Extreme4
CPU: Intel I5-4570 @ 3.2GHz (quad core)
RAM: 16gb ddr3 (2x8gb)
GPU: GTX 550 TI (2x outputs)
Onboard Video: (integrated graphics from MoBo I can't find the specs)
Monitors: 3x LG Flatron 1440x900 (Total 4320x900) (2 connected to GTX 550 Ti, 1 connected to integrated grapics)
PSU: 750W

I am looking to upgrade the GPU, and I have a GTX 1060 in my amazon cart but I am not sure it will solve the problem. I found a GTX 1060 with 3 displayport outputs but my monitors are very old and will require adapters. Im not looking to play cutting edge games at 3x 1080p with 60fps. I would just like to play Lord of the Rings: Shadow of Mordor at low settings with 3 monitors (4320x900), or Euro Truck Simulator 2 at any settings with 3 monitors. Im not big into gaming lately but I can think of several "oldschool games" that would be awesome with 3 monintors just for the screen real estate. Like I said my 3 monitors are 3x 1440x900 or 1x 4320x900.

Is the problem that I have an old GPU and Nvidia Surround doesnt support onboard graphics?
If I bought the 3x output GTX 1060, would I be able to run my games with 3 monitors (all monitor outputs coming from the GPU and not sharing with integrated graphics) or is the GPU card/integrated graphics combo not even the problem to begin with? BTW the games I play are downloaded from Steam.

Not sure what other questions to ask, or what other information to give you. If you think you can help me, let me know what I can do to help you!

Thanks for reading,
treyflipaws

[Bad 💀 Motha]

For Gaming? No, a single 1060 6GB not gonna cut it for 3x Monitors.
And yea, they should all have DisplayPort. Adapters isn't really a good idea.
You're monitors are way old if they don't have DP on them...

900p? No they are way old and won't even have good picture/brightness.
It's really time to go get some newer gen Displays.

It's better to just do 1x Ultra-Wide 21:9 Monitor and then have a 2nd for accessory display.

[Big Boom Boom]

You can get 34" 3440 X 1440 monitor for $500, but you are going to need at least Vega 56/GTX 1070 to drive that.

[Monk]

While your screens may be old, they seem to suit your needs, the surround settings to be honest I have never messed with, but I am 90% certain it is because of he age of the card and splitting the outputs, I know with my sli setup all displays have to be run off a single card, so the onboard trying to drive 1 will be an issue. As for the 1060, I fear it may struggle at that Res, but if you are happy to use lower settings it should be ok, just make sure you get the 6GB version and not the 3, as Vram will be an issue. If you can stretch to a 1070 it would be a better experience, but a 6GB 1060 should work at lower settings just fine.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

NVIDIA Surround wasn't a "thing" really until GTX 680 if memory serves me correct; none the less, you're not doing that via no GTX 550 Ti, I can assure you of that.

At the very least, you'll need to use all Digital connections; DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort
and have a modern GPU well above your current one. Something like GTX 1060 6GB or 1070 would suffice; all without upgrading anything else in your system. And have all 3x Monitors connect to your NVIDIA GPU, all doing the same Res + Refresh, if you want to use NVIDIA Surround

[TreyFlipAWS]

The monitors are LG L196WTQ 19" 1440x900. They have a VGA and a DVI-D input on them. I'm looking at an EVGA GTX 1060 6Gb with 3 display port outputs for $330 and even that is pushing it price wise. I was planning on getting 3 display port to DVI-D cables along with the card. Links to all below.

EVGA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB SSC GAMING ACX 3.0, 6GB GDDR5, LED, DX12 OSD Support (PXOC) Graphics Card 06G-P4-6267-KR https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYN9KK6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_wfXSzbBY03GGR

AmazonBasics DisplayPort to DVI Cable - 6 Feet https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014RWWURC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_BhXSzbNK3CWH2

http://www.lg.com/ca_en/desktop-monitors/lg-L196WTQ-BF-lcd-monitor

The gtx1080 is out of my price range for sure, 1070 might be doable but I can't justify spending over $500 when the rest of my system was right around there. Even $350 is hard to justify but I was hoping the 1060 would be new enough to drive older monitors at lower resolutions without scaling.

[tacoshy]

i think you should get rid of the monitors and invest in betetr monitors first... nearly no new GPU supports VGA and you need an active HDMI to VGA adapter to even have a chance of getting it to work. And a good GPU is the most expensive part in a system (unless you have 128GB RAM in X299 PC).

The thing is like I said above that new GPU's doesnt support such old graphic connections anymore as nearly nobody tried to do this. why do you think new consoles dont have scart connections or PC motherboard the old printer or mouse and keyboard connctions that look simliar to VGA? All the manufactures thinking that when you buying new up to date stuff that the rest of your system isnt ancient.

[Monk]

Oops wrong card, I meant this one https://www.evga.com/products/product.aspx?pn=06G-P4-6265-KR

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Monitors can't be VGA anymore; not supported by GPUs anymore... cut that from your life; cause it can't work in a multi-Monitor setup.

You need Monitors with DP already on them; adapters will not work; not for doing 3x anyways.

[ハイイロギツネ]

Why not sell the monitors and go for a 21:9 2560x1080 widescreen monitor? I'd definitely recommend it with your 1060. DP is the new standard and unless you are going to invest in new monitors, I think your best bet is to sell them since you are planning to upgrade your GPU.

[Monk]

Buying a new monitor would cost him alot of money compared to a couple of DP to DVI adapter's, as for selling the screens, let's be honest, he might get a tenner for each if he was lucky.

[rezo]

Just get a RX 580 8GB or GTX 1060 6GB (The 580 might be better due to more VRAM so easier to push pixels) I run 5760x1080 with a R9 280X and it runs fine. I play most games at 1920x1080 anyways. The two cards can run 4320*900 just fine maybe at a tad lower settings. Its a little higher than 1440p but the RX 580 and 1060 can run 1440p just fine if you play at slightly lower settings. I mean if you're on a strict budget theres no reason to not go for the best cards you can afford, like seriously what else could you get.

[tacoshy]

Messaggio originale di Monk:

Buying a new monitor would cost him alot of money compared to a couple of DP to DVI adapter's, as for selling the screens, let's be honest, he might get a tenner for each if he was lucky.

That is exactly the issue. He needs an active adapter an most of the time they don't work...

It's not like you buying a 1$ adapter and problem would be solved .

[TreyFlipAWS]

Thanks for all the input. I wasn't planning to use the VGA ports on the monitors, I'll be going from DP on the card to DVI-D on the monitors.

I found a gtx 1070 for $199 but something doesn't seem right about that. The clock speeds were a fair bit slower that the 1060s I was finding for $330.

The bad part is that I JUST bought a third monitor for about $70 off eBay because it matched the other 2 I had. I bought the 2nd one maybe 5 years ago because it matched the monitor that came with a best buy package I bought back in college. That was probably 2008... haha.

I think I'll look further into that "to good to be true" $199 gtx 1070 and only upgrade the graphics card for now. If I went with new monitors I would either have to drop big bucks on an ultra wide or buy 3 brand new matching monitors. Mismatched monitors isn't an option, :P

Edit to add link to $199 gtx 1070. What do you guys think? Is it legit? Or is it an off brand low end 1070?

https://m.newegg.com/products/9SIA73M6CV8230

[Monk]

that link says $687 not 199 ...

[TreyFlipAWS]

Yup, you're right. I had the tab open from last night and it said $199.77. I just reloaded the original tab and the price jumped. I wonder if I can hit the back button and get it for $199.

Edit: I can't get the original price back. Back button, browser history, cached pages, nothing :(
It sounded too good to be true, I'm wishing I had jumped on it last night, or at least kept the original tab open... argh