True, but not a limiting factor in trading... with the graphics demands being so low. Biggest problem.... what slots are on the mobo and what BIOS will support. That's why getting a budget mobo with only 1, x16 slot is potentially problematical for running >2 monitors.
Thanks guys...Open to assembling a PC if that's necessary. Monitor res of 1920 x 1080 is fine. Maximum number without jumping through hoops. Quadro NVS 295? http://www.nvidia.com/object/IO_14605.html
295s at that ares are fine... use them myself. Presuming you have a mobo now with 1, x16 and 1, x1 slot.... you could get a 295 x16 and a 295 x1 to run 4 monitors. If you mobo doesn't support both video cards and you end up with a different computer, (1) get one with at least 2, x16 slots for better quality/capability, and (2) you'd be able to use both of your 295s to run 4 monitors on the new mobo... and likely be able to add more video cards/monitors if desired. As for computers... I prefer Dell Precision workstations. Used T3500s running W7 are good for trading.
Are you trying to retrofit it to a low-end PC which you already have? Or you are going to buy a new low-end PC to do this? (Sounds like the latter case?)
From a blank slate I'm casting about for what's involved with sticking a bunch of monitors on the wall. The fool tax involved with first time pc build makes the T3500s look simpler from here.
For T3500, you might be able to get one with warranty remaining. Before purchasing, ask seller for the Service Tag number and check Dell's website... could be original warranty or could be extended warranty. The warranty can be transferred to new owner. If not T3500, any computer with at least 2, x16 slots will suffice.
I checked eBay... LOTS of T3500s available. Some "manufacturer refurbished" and may have 90-day warranty. $300-$400 gets you something decent.
Intel has made a co-processor for their Xeon CPU's. The first versions were built on a PCI bus, eats one slot. It's called the "Xeon Phi", 61 core, 241 hyper threads. Parallel processing, even at lower speeds, can be faster than many networked PC's. The price is comming down. Carl
Thanks Scataphagos - Didn't even think of ebay, just checked the Dell Outlet. $300-$400, who could complain? Dell's Outlet start high sixes. Didn't a Commodore 64 cost $800? We need to get that kind of price perf out of our pols and bureaucrats, lol. Are all T3500s created equal PCI slot-wise? For some reason I thought those 295 vidcards would work in a PCIe x1 . I need to !read the directions? and look at the PCI slot specs for T3500s. I'd like option for >4 monitors with 295 cards and a scotch neat.