Best Performance 3D Video Cards

NVIDIA's GeForce GTX 580 is the fastest single chip graphics processor on the market right now. One of the big problems with the initial release of it was the limited 1.5GB of memory that impacted its multitple display support and higher filtering. The eVGA GeForce GTX 580 3072MB version has double of the memory of the original model. This addresses that problem without adding much to the overall cost of the board. Now, this version doesn't have any factory overclock and uses the standard 772MHz core clock speed and 4008MHz memory clock. Still, it should easily be able to handle 2560x1600 resolutions with high filtering no problem. Multiple displays are also quite functional although filtering capabilities will vary depending upon the game. It features two DVI-D and an HDMI connector. A large 600 Watt power supply with a 6 and 8-pinc power connectors are required. Priced around $590.

While the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 580 may be the fastest card available, it carries a high price tag and high power requirements. AMD's Radeon HD 6970 has been on the market for some time now but it is still the company's flagship single chip solution that offers some strong performance without quite as step of power requirements or as loud of cooling solutions. Sapphire's second generation of the card offers up 2GB of memory, wide selection of video connectors and EyeFinity support make this a great card for those looking to use multiple displays. Of course, if you are looking at a single display, it has no problems up to 2560x1600 with filtering. Connectors Include two mini-DisplayPort and two DVI-D. It still requires at least a 550W power supply with 6-pin and 8-pin PCI-Express graphics connectors. Priced around $350.

NVIDIA may hold the top spot for a single graphics processor card but when it comes to two on a single board, AMD's Radeon HD 6990 just does a better overall job. This is especially true for those that are looking to use the EyeFinity feature to span a game across three displays. The 4GB of graphics memory allows full resolutions with some filtering depending upon the game. Sapphire also includes a number of adapters for hooking up the mini-DisplayPort outputs to HDMI and DVI based monitors. The card is based upon two Radeon HD 6970 graphics cores running at slightly lower resolutions effectively creating a CrossFire solution on a single card. Power requirements are a bit step at 750W or more for the power supply with two 8-pin PCI-Express graphics power connectors required. Priced around $800.

NVIDIA's dual graphics processor card offers a lot of performance but falters due to the more limited 3GB of memory. When running at very high resolutions over multiple displays, the memory restricts the ability to use filters and effects. It still does quite well, just not as well or as efficiently as AMD's solution. Still, there are times where the NVIDIA solution does an improved job especially if the game supports PhysX. Power requirements are still quite high with the need of a 700W power supply and two 8-pin PCI-Express graphics power connectors. Priced around $750 to $1000.

AMD's Radeon HD 6870 graphics card offers some surprising value and performance. The graphics card can easily handle most games up to the popular 1920x1080 resolutions without any problems all while being extremely efficient. Put two of these together and it offers a solid performance boost and great EyeFinity support for up to three monitors. The Sapphire FleX version of the Radeon HD 6870 corrects a big issue with the original design that only supported DisplayPort monitors when running a triple monitor setup. This version can hook up to three DVI based monitors with the two DVI ports and the third through a supplied HDMI to DVI adapter. Power requirements are for a 750W or higher power supply with four 6-pin PCI-Express graphics power connectors between the two cards. Priced around $200 per card.

Looking to put together a multiple card solution that offers the performance near that of a GeForce GTX 590? That is exactly what using two GeForce GTX 570 cards can achieve. Using the EVGA GeForce GTX 570 Superclocked makes that even easier with their core clocks pushed to nearly 800MHz. This allows the two cards to drive multiple displays with little trouble or a single high resolution display with full effects and filters without hurting frame rates. Additionally, if a game supports PhysX, one card can be used for graphics while the other for physics. Power supply requirements are pretty steep with roughly 800W or higher and four 6-pin PCI-Express graphics power connectors split between the two cards. Price per card is roughly $350.