When I configured it as at the top of this page as posted by Bolimomo (Page 8 if you max your posts/page like I do), it was actually $6 less to click on what I did as recommended re: video cards. I'm adding four Nvidia 295 cards in the four available 2.0 16x slots. They're running $30-35 each on ebay. Let me know what you think.
Yes Jack. The amazon page may not mention it. The EVGA site has more details on the specifications on the card: http://www.evga.com/support/specs/default.asp?fam=19 Pick the link for "EVGA-512-P2-N738-LR" I have a mix of 512MB and 1GB onboard memory. The 1GB version costs higher, of course. They are all compatible. Each card offers 1 analog (VGA) outlet and 1 digital (DVI) outlet. You can use one of each to drive 2 monitors. If you have 2 analog monitors, get a DVI-VGA adapter to drive the second analog monitor. If you have a HDMI monitor and not DVI, get a DVI-HDMI adapter. Unfortunately if you have both digital-only monitors this card will not work. I have 4 of these side by side on my Box #3 to drive 8 monitors simultaneously.
I am running an 8400 with dual video in the other build I have no problems along with two 8600 cards supporting a total of six monitors
I have no direct experience with the Quadro NVS 295 cards. I know Scataphagos loves them. I think they are a higher grade product line then the GeForce line. Quadro is designed for graphics design and CAD processing. GeForce is more for gaming and general purpose. To me they don't affect me (2d charts) that much. I had never ventured down that path. Getting Quadro NVS 295 for $35 is a good deal. NVS 295 has 2 DisplayPorts and each can drive a 2560x1600 resolution. (Very high). So if you have a 8 of those big 30-inch Apple monitors you can get them to run very darn well! But I think you have the monitor types that take only DVI input, not DisplayPort. If so you would need the DisplayPort to DVI-D adaptors, 2 for each card. If you buy the cards from eBay, make sure the sellers include the adaptors (were they priced in?)! If you buy these adaptors elsewhere, they would cost more than what you paid for the card!
If you mix and match different models in the same series (e.g. 8400 8600 8800) usually it would work okay. If you mix them in a different series (e.g. 8400 with 6200) then I am not sure. In general it's not a good idea anyway.
I'm not finding the correct cards on ebay. I've found these: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133275 but they're alot more than $35.:eek: This is probably closer: http://cgi.ebay.com/256MB-DELL-NVID...870?pt=PCC_Video_TV_Cards&hash=item27b8f781a6
Yeah. That's why I said if you get NVS 295 for $35 that's a really good deal. You know... for your purpose I think you will do fine with GeForce 8400 GS card ($19.99 new) x 4. Remember: you wanted to buy a Ferrari to drive to get groceries... If a Ferrari comes on a fire sale, sure...
Ok... ran stopwatch on bootup. From pressing the power button on the machine and beginning the stop watch, to the point programs are done loading, it is 36.8 seconds. There is about 3 seconds the machines looks for a Marvell Sata that is not present. I need to disable that search to prevent the " no disk detected " search on bootup. I could trim the 3 seconds off the total time due to that "no disk" search. I have heard of better bootup times, but that is what I have for now. Still fast. I'll take it. Yes the cooler is very quiet and does a nice job at keeping the cpu at good temps. Worth every penny.