Best Practice To Achieve Multiple Monitor Support?

[d0ndela]

Hi

Say I want to build computer which will run multiple monitors which all should show different content. (See attached picture for example).

Most of the new graphics cards have two DVI outputs, so would the easiest way be to just put two graphics cards in to support 4 monitors?

Example setup:

[garyh]

If you want 2 GPU's you will need a motherboard that supports SLI (for Nvidia Cards) or Cross fire (for ATI Cards) If you want good performance make sure that the motherboard has 2 seperate PCIEX16 slots as some divide the 16 between 2 slots whle others give the full the 16 on both slots. Also keep in mind the power supply will need to be able to do the job and have enough connectors for the GPU's.

[d0ndela]

I'm going to build a powerhouse, so thinking to use this motherboard: http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=QtpK...&templete=2

That should do the job I hope. And going for a 1100W PSU to power it.

[garyh]

I'm going to build a powerhouse, so thinking to use this motherboard: http://www.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=QtpK...&templete=2

That should do the job I hope. And going for a 1100W PSU to power it.

Mother board seems to have the right specs, however nothing against Asus but I prefer Gigabyte http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Products/Mother...?ProductID=2957

[Tywais]

If you want 2 GPU's you will need a motherboard that supports SLI (for Nvidia Cards) or Cross fire (for ATI Cards)

You don't need SLI/Crossfire to run two cards with dual DVI outputs giving 4 monitor capability. Actually, SLI had to be disabled previously to run two cards independently due to what SLI does and that is to use the two GPU's (dual processor mode) to boost performance on a single channel output. In other words, SLI is used to scale performance not to enable multiple monitors. Two PCI-E dual output cards will give 4 monitor outputs directly without SLI.

"When in multi-GPU mode, SLI currently supports one monitor. When in single-GPU mode, users have the ability to use all of the connectors on their GPUs to connect to monitors using NVIDIA® nView® multi-display technology and Windows built-in multiple display support."

Source: Nvida SLI FAQ

[Nagatus]

Barring FPS gaming use PCI-E 4x connection if perfectly adequate for regular desktop use, including 3d software

[Tywais]

Some information here > multiple monitors and here and Microsoft Dual View information

There are also 4 head (4 video output) video cards available.

[d0ndela]

Excellent guys! I will have a look. Thanks a lot.

[surface]

AMD also has Eyefinity on their new line of cards. While it doesn't appear you have the need to run 6 monitors with a single 3d app/game, the ability to connect 6 monitors to a single card (via mini-DisplayPort) is pretty cool.

http://hardocp.com/article/2009/09/28/amds...chnology_review

http://gizmodo.com/5356822/amds-eyefinity-...onitors-at-once

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=3635&cp=6

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/amd-ati-e...nitor,8637.html

Edited September 29, 2009 by surface

[dave_boo]

Want to echo that you don't need to run SLI/Crossfire to acheive four monitors. That card linked to by Mr. Tywais is definitely not going to win any speed records (that's a PCI-E 4x interface so I can only guess as to the actual processing power it has!). Another thing to consider is the Sapphire 4850x2. 4 DVI ports and dual 4850 processors equals a seriously fast videocard. Cossfire two of them and you're able to run up to 8 monitors when not gaming.

[Tywais]

That card linked to by Mr. Tywais is definitely not going to win any speed records (that's a PCI-E 4x interface so I can only guess as to the actual processing power it has!).

Just to be clear, I wasn't recommending a card, just showing an example photo of a quad card. As for recommending, your choice of the 4850 would be on my short list also.

An example of multi-display hardware > Multimonitors.com

[kayo]

I wanna play here too... but my GF says I can't afford it.... (yet... mhuahahahahahaha)

[seancbk]

Not sure if its available in Thailand yet, but this would help - http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/ati-rad...e-ca/#continued

Hi

Say I want to build computer which will run multiple monitors which all should show different content. (See attached picture for example).

Most of the new graphics cards have two DVI outputs, so would the easiest way be to just put two graphics cards in to support 4 monitors?

Example setup:

[mokwit]

Some Points:

1) If you have the slots use 2 x double rather than a quad as it will be cheaper and if one fails you still have one

2) Use same brand if not same model other wise drivers will clash. Best are NVIDIA, ATI, MATROX for simple 2D such as stock charts programs. For 3D, Video and gaming don't know.

3) If you are thinking of using the Ergotron quad stand pictureed DON'T. The current models no longer have the capability to adjust tilt of monitors making them near unuseable - good value amongts otherwise suspiciously priced stands at tykesupply.com but importing is probably an invitation to Customs hel_l.

More info on running multiple monitors in hardware sector at thiis traders website: elitetrader.com.

Edited October 4, 2009 by mokwit

[quiksilva]

The new 5000 series graphics cards from ATI support up to six displays.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/270372-3...lay-5000-series

[traderjm]

Some Points:

good value amongts otherwise suspiciously priced stands at tykesupply.com but importing is probably an invitation to Customs hel_l.

Just FYI, I purchased the stand in question from Tykesupply and had NO issue with customs when it showed up, I don't know if having it delivered my Thai wife's name had anything to do with it, but they did not charge me a single baht for it.. and just dropped me the slip in our mailbox saying to come pick it up. They (the company) charged me 155 US to ship it.

Very happy with the stand, the price and the Thai post office relating to this transaction.