Quad Monitor Video Cards

[bouyakasha]

Hi folks, I haven't been in this game for awhile, and want to put together a quad monitor setup. I also don't care a inch about gaming... so - can anyone else me come up with a inexpensive video card setup?

Thank you!

[redterror]

ATI has single video cards w/4 DVI outputs. Seen 3850s and 4850s in this setup. not cheap though. otherwise u need a SLI / X-fire motherboard & 2 video cards. the cheapest route is to simply add a PCI (not PCI-e) video card w/2 vid outs to your existing PC (assuming your PC already has a vid card w/2 vid outs).

[bouyakasha]

ATI has single video cards w/4 DVI outputs. Seen 3850s and 4850s in this setup. not cheap though. otherwise u need a SLI / X-fire motherboard & 2 video cards. the cheapest route is to simply add a PCI (not PCI-e) video card w/2 vid outs to your existing PC (assuming your PC already has a vid card w/2 vid outs).

Okay sweet.

So - I don't know what SLI /X-fire motherboard is, but I have a new dell that's on it's way. So... I think that rules that out.

It's a mini-tower so I'd be surprised if it didn't have available PCI-e and PCI slots - making the last option you mentioned feasible. Basically then, I need to find two identical video cards that work with PCI slots? Can you help me find an example of these?

Thank you!

[bouyakasha]

Okay sweet.

So - I don't know what SLI /X-fire motherboard is, but I have a new dell that's on it's way. So... I think that rules that out.

It's a mini-tower so I'd be surprised if it didn't have available PCI-e and PCI slots - making the last option you mentioned feasible. Basically then, I need to find two identical video cards that work with PCI slots? Can you help me find an example of these?

Thank you!

Okay I found the ATI FireMV (128mb seems low though...)

http://fxvideocards.com/ATI-FireMV-2400-128MB-PCI-100-505131-QUAD-PORT-DVI-OEM--p-69.html

Is this what I want?

It seems to me that performance might be lacking... one thing I'd like to consider it to buy one of the two video cards I'll need now and just do dual displays for awhile, and I guess what I need is recommendations on what cards would be best to pair!

[bzhayes]

I could be wrong, but I am pretty sure you do not need the exact same card. The idea is, the computer you bought will have a video card in the PCI-E and it should be capable of dual output. You the buy a PCI video card with dual output and stick it in your box. There you go, off and running.

You may want to run buy the tech support forum for advice on this... they are very good.

[redterror]

much better deal:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102813

Okay I found the ATI FireMV (128mb seems low though...)

http://fxvideocards.com/ATI-FireMV-2400-128MB-PCI-100-505131-QUAD-PORT-DVI-OEM--p-69.html

Is this what I want?

It seems to me that performance might be lacking... one thing I'd like to consider it to buy one of the two video cards I'll need now and just do dual displays for awhile, and I guess what I need is recommendations on what cards would be best to pair!

[bouyakasha]

much better deal:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102813

Very cool. $250 still hurts my wallet at the moment, any other idea? I can't afford all the monitors right now, but have dual displays that are ready to go. So my thought was I'd buy one of the two cards I need now, and run dual until I can afford two more monitors and the other video card.

BUT... if two video cards isn't the best way to do this, and one that supports quad monitors is the best option, I guess it makes sense to invest in the card now... wish I could do it for less than a quarter grand though...

[bouyakasha]

Very cool. $250 still hurts my wallet at the moment, any other idea? I can't afford all the monitors right now, but have dual displays that are ready to go. So my thought was I'd buy one of the two cards I need now, and run dual until I can afford two more monitors and the other video card.

BUT... if two video cards isn't the best way to do this, and one that supports quad monitors is the best option, I guess it makes sense to invest in the card now... wish I could do it for less than a quarter grand though...

Any other ideas? I could really use a good solution. How about that 25% off Dell S/B coupon, any good ones on Dell?

Thank you!

[bouyakasha]

Any other ideas? I could really use a good solution. How about that 25% off Dell S/B coupon, any good ones on Dell?

Thank you!

Still searching for a good card here... anyone?

thank you.