Video Card Recommendation for PLP setup

[Detox11]

I now have the monitors for a PLP setup (Dell 20" - 30" - 20" arrangement).

I am in the process of building a new rig and need to choose a video card. I don not plan to do gaming across the three monitors, my plan is basically to game on the 30" and use the two side monitors for web browsing or watching online TV.

1. Can I run all three monitors on a single card? If yes, what card do you recommend?

2. If two cards are preferred what cards do you recommend?

If it matters, the new rig will more than likely be an i5 ivy bridge or i5 sandy bridge.

Thanks,
Detox

 

[slh28]

1. Can I run all three monitors on a single card? If yes, what card do you recommend?

Yeah, if it's an AMD 5xxx series and above or Nvidia 6xx series (only the GTX 680 has been released atm)

2. If two cards are preferred what cards do you recommend?

Recommendations depend on your budget, but if you want max settings at 2560x1600 then the 7950/7970/680 would be a minimum.

 

[Detox11]

Budget can be up to $800 if required.

I had a look at the specs of the GTX680, I am unsure how you can hook up three monitors at native resolution though.

Both DVIs are required for the 2007FP side momitors

And then what would I use for the U3011 middle monitor. My understanding is HDMI can't support the 2560x 1600 resolution, so display port?

Thoughts, help greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
Detox

 

[slh28]

Yep, DisplayPort supports 2560x1600, so use DP for your U3011 and DVI for the 2 side ones.