I am considering building my next computer (never done it before). I am looking at an Intel Core i7-3770K processor with an Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS ATX LGA1155 and probably 16GB of memory. Will I be able to use the onboard graphics to run a couple of monitors and then use a couple of discrete video cards to run additional monitors (probably two cards running two monitors each)? I can't tell if I can use the onboard graphics to run two monitors while using discrete cards to run additional monitors. Thanks for the help.
The onboard graphics will run two monitors, but if you put video cards in then the onboard graphics are disabled (you can't run them together). If two monitors is enough then the onboard graphics on that is great but if you need more there are some great cards out there.
I found this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8nMShuSfgI But I know most onboard graphics are disabled when you use a card.
Thanks for the input Bathrobe. That is what I am confused about - whether I can get them to work well together or not. My end goal is to have 6 or 8 monitors, so I am just trying to save a video card (and slot) if I can. Maybe it isn't worth the hassle?
It looks like "Asus P8Z77-V LE PLUS ATX LGA1155" motherboard has only 2 PCIe slots. If you plan to run 6 to 8 monitors, you need to plan ahead a little bit. With only 2 PCIe slots, you can only use the more expensive 4-mon cards.
You may want to look into the NVS 450 or NVS 420. they are made for financial applications like trading and each supports up to 4 monitors. The NVS 450 has passive cooling and the NVS 420 has built in fans. Also, take a look at ebay for deals on these or any cards, when I bought my 2 cards I saved over $350 by going to ebay for them. NVS 450 http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_quadro_nvs_450_us.html NVS 420 http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_quadro_nvs_420_us.html
IF memory is not an issue and DVI resolutions are OK NVS440 is another ebay possible. 450 uses displayport - can be problematic
Yes. I am defenitely in the planning stages now. I guess I am a little confused by the PCIe number. Here is what ASUS says: 2 x PCIe 3.0/2.0 x16 (x16 or dual x8, blue) *3 1 x PCIe 2.0 x16 (x4 mode, black) *4 2 x PCIe 2.0 x1 2 x PCI I'm not sure what that really means. At this point, I am a little confused by the various PCIe variable. Seems like you have "either/or" situation, and I'm not sure what the bottom line is.
Mokwit and Bathrobe, Thanks for the tips on the cards. I would like to use failry simple cards, so I guess I better make sure I get a MOBO with plenty of slots.
Okay. I missed the third PCIe x16 because its color is black (just blended into the motherboard color or shadow, LOL). So you have 3 PCIe X16 slots. Forget about PCI. Those are legacy interfaces. You won't find new video cards for PCI these days. PCIe x1 and x16: you can see the big difference in size. I think you don't have as many choices on video cards for PCIe x1. So focus on the PCIe x16. The standard of 2.0 versus 3.0: for business graphics, not a big deal. If you buy dual video cards (less expensive), you can support 3 x 2 = 6 monitors. If you buy quad video cards (more expensive), you can support 3 x 4 (max) = 12 monitors. or 2 x 4 = 8 monitors. Make sure the manufacturer supports it (multiple cards running at the same time), because your need their driver software to make it work.