Hi All, I am considering to setup a multi monitor system which can run right now two 30 inch monitors (2560 by 1600 resolution) and upto four 30 inch monitors in future if need be. I am a little familiar with graphics cards options, but not an expert though and appreciate your comments. Among graphics cards, will this work: EVGA 512-P3-N868-AR GeForce 9600 GT SSC Edition 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130371 It is coming with two DVI-I ports, so can I connect one 30 inch monitor to each DVI-I port, so that I can connect two 30 inch monitors to one graphics card. And in future if need to expand to four monitor setup, I can get one more same graphics card and install in a x16 slot which can drive 2 additional 30 inch monitors? I always hear quadro cards , which are expensive. How much difference does it make driving multimonitor setups using quadro cards verus nvidia geforce 9600gt or 8600 gt cards. All this assuming my motherboard has atleast two x16 slots. I am hoping I can get a t3400 dell or build my own system with a motherboard (which has multiple x16 slots) from newegg. Thanks DisciplineTrader
And assuming 1) they will fit. Some of the newegg comments are that the card is very deep (long) and can be a challenge to get in there. 2) you have enough capacity in your power supply. there are plenty of online calculators out there to tell you what power supply is necessary for a given configuration 3) you have proper connectors and in sufficient quantity from your power supply to connect to the card. Looks like a real nice card. FYI: it is shown as discontinued, but there are many more very similar to the one you identified.
There doesn't seem to be any great soutions for setting up four 30" monitors. It seems intuitive that the modern gaming cards would work when two are installed, particularly if they are SLI ready, then they are designed to be installed as pairs. But you may need to just try it and see. Sometimes it's a good idea to do a search for setups that people have already got working and just copy them. But I suspect that any four 30" monitor setups that you would find, would be using two of the expensive Quadro FX cards for graphics professionals. The Quadro NVS cards are fine for multiple monitors, as that's what they're designed for, but they only go up to 1920 X 1200. Many of the Quadro FX cards drive 2560 X 1600, but they can get very pricy. The 9600 card that you've selected is a fairly high end gaming card, which means it draws more power, and is more expensive than what you need. If you don't want to do any gaming, a lower range card such as a 8600 would be better - although only some of that range have the desired resolution and two dvi ports. You may want to take advantage of a supplier's return policy by buying two of the cards you choose, testing them out, and if they don't work together, send them back and keep trying.
to run at 2560x1600 resolution, you will need a video card that supports a special connection/cable called DVI Dual-Link. (don't be confused with dual connector, which means 2 video outlet.) <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fb/DVI_Connector_Types.svg/277px-DVI_Connector_Types.svg.png"> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_Visual_Interface
Thanks mgookin for your comments. yes, looks like newegg changed it to discontinued status, but as you say there are many that are similar. Disciplinetrader
BigFunky, thanks for your reply. So, comparing 8600gt or 9600gt with Quadro FX cards(which drive 2560 x 1600.), the drawback of the 8600gt/9600gt is that it draws more power. Also it is easier to find the 8600gt in a nice deal,when compared to quadro FX card. Other than the power, do you know if there would be any noticeable performance differences between the two? And the power difference, would there be significant difference between the two or is it something not to worry about? DisciplineTrader
Thanks Tums for the DVI-I dual-link images, it makes them very clear. This is the common confusion point for many,thanks for clarifying it. DisciplineTrader
For trading, there will be no performance difference. If you want a fanless card for low noise, there is such a thing in the 8600... ASUS, I think.
Graphics Power comes from Electric power. The more graphics power you demand, the more electricity the video card consumes. Unless newer technology is implemented, there is no way out of this equation. (CPU works the similar way... ) That being said, the video card will only draw more power during complex graphics operations. e.g. watch a video, do 3D rendering, play video games, etc. Some people don't like video cards with fans. I would say get over it. Thousands of people use fanned video cards with no complaints. Which card you choose depends on how you use your monitors. I like to watch a video clip now and then... maybe a CNN news video, or a MarketWatch report. I like to go on Google Earth and zoom around the World in 3D... I hop on my Flight Sim to buzz NYC after the market. I like the newest and most powerful tools at my finger tip... Quadro is yesterday's solution. I would not touch it today with a 10 foot pole.
p.s. read the fine prints. Some video card may have 2 DVI connectors and supports DVI Dual Link. But at the highest resolution, it can only support ONE monitor.