12 Monitors - Card and Motherboard recommendations

[EliteRetard]

Yes, I want a cookie.

 

[EliteRetard]

Probably the smallest MATX case, will support those 2 GPUs (less than 1 cubic foot)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163222

And a good quality MODULAR PSU to go with (and 160mm/6.25" or shorter):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817256065

You probably don't need much more than 400-450w, but I'm just doing quick work.

 

[ViRGE]

Just found the perfect solution:

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=XFX-677_5D

New not refurb and from a trustworthy seller.
5 mini DP each, put 2 in a basic system for 10 outputs. Using an APU system with VGA/DVI on the MOBO should give you 12 outputs. Something like this:

Case/500w PSU $63.75-$15 rebate = 48.75
Asus FM1 MOBO 2x PCI-E X16 $72.5-$15 rebate = $57.5
AMD A4-3400 2.7GHz dualcore retail = $50
4GB DDR3 1600MHz = $17
128GB SSD (good quality) = $70
2x 1GB 6770 5 DP for 10 monitor out $140x2 = $280
10x mini DP to VGA $10x10 = $100
Win OS (XP, 7, 8) = $100

Should come out to around $725 with just a simple MOBO and 2 GPUs.
If your budget was $1000 you could spend a little extra for a smaller MATX form factor case and better PSU.

Wouldn't he be short by 1 display? I don't believe Llano can drive 2 VGA displays natively, and I've yet to see a FM1 board with VGA + DisplayPort.

 

[EliteRetard]

He asked for 10-12...the 2 GPUs give 10 and I'm pretty sure you can still use the 2 from the APU/MOBO for a total of 12 if he needs it.

I also mentioned a card with 6 display outs, and a build that with 2 of them would still meet his $1K budget. Originally I didn't think to look for 5 output cards...but when somebody mentioned it it seems that it would indeed be enough. Especially if you can use the IGP.

Edit:
I actually really do want a cookie...Last time I had food was 11:00 yesterday (8oz can of veggie soup cold/raw mixed with a packet of banana flavored instant oatmeal). Its 5:30 now and I'm hungry. I have a can of beans and a near empty jar of marshmallow fluff I found, gotta last until Monday. Actually I might have another packet of that oatmeal stuff.

Oh I'm not poor, just fat and frugal (I blame Japan for my fatness, they don't have real food). I figure if I keep myself distracted so I don't eat I can loose some weight and save money.

 

[ViRGE]

He asked for 10-12

Aha, so he did. I've always been going by the thread title. If he doesn't mind 11 displays, that's a pretty good solution.

 

[RobbTronics]

can you upgrade the ram on the machine? that might be the cheapest solution . . .

alternatively, this motherboard supports 6 PCI slots, allowing you to port your current cards over

No, the machine is maxed out on RAM, however the motherboard you suggest would be an AWESOME solution. I still have 3 more of the Matrox G450 PCI cards so I wouldn't have to buy much more than the CPU, RAM, case, and SSD! And at this price, it would be an acceptable loss if it didn't work out because the only money lost would be the motherboard and CPU. The NewEgg link suggests a Core i3-2100 proc but I'm wondering how much of a performance increase I would get with an i5. What do you think? According to the motherboard specs the onboard video is supported by the CPU. Would the i5 assist the onboard video performance considering all the other video silliness going on elsewhere in the computer? What CPU would you suggest? and RAM? I'm not exactly sure which one to pick. I can build a 256 channel quad bus lighting lighting controller with RS-422 support using serial shift registers from the printed circuit board up but I can't pick a CPU for a motherboard.... go figure. I guess everyone has their weakness.... ha ha What would are your thoughts? (on the motherboard, not my weaknesses...)

 

[RobbTronics]

Just found the perfect solution:

http://www.superbiiz.com/detail.php?name=XFX-677_5D

New not refurb and from a trustworthy seller.
5 mini DP each, put 2 in a basic system for 10 outputs. Using an APU system with VGA/DVI on the MOBO should give you 12 outputs.

AWESOME find! I was looking for 4 or 6 ports, never thought to look for 5. I believe you have found the solution, however, it's #2 on my list. A very, very close #2 but please see my reply to Tynopik earlier in this post. He found a motherboard with 5 PCI slots for $55. And I still have 3 more of the G450 dual head cards. That's a very tempting, cheap alternative to buying all new video cards.... and worth testing. If that doesn't work out I'll only be out about $150 and I WILL come back to this 5 port card you found. Thanks!!! And if I could send you a cookie, I would! If it's any consolation, I just realized I've been wearing my slippers on the wrong feet for the last 6 hours.....

 

[EliteRetard]

AWESOME find! I was looking for 4 or 6 ports, never thought to look for 5. I believe you have found the solution, however, it's #2 on my list. A very, very close #2 but please see my reply to Tynopik earlier in this post. He found a motherboard with 5 PCI slots for $55. And I still have 3 more of the G450 dual head cards. That's a very tempting, cheap alternative to buying all new video cards.... and worth testing. If that doesn't work out I'll only be out about $150 and I WILL come back to this 5 port card you found. Thanks!!! And if I could send you a cookie, I would! If it's any consolation, I just realized I've been wearing my slippers on the wrong feet for the last 6 hours.....

Its good to rotate your shoes so they wear evenly...right?

Scrounging around the house I actually found an old burned wheat free cookie (I think it was made out of cornmeal, or maybe it wasn't a cookie, or just really bad) along with four old dried out ego waffles. I don't think these were mine, but its been several months so who knows. I ate them anyway. Pretty soon there will really be nothing left to eat except the toilet paper. I'm gonna pull the fridge and stove forward, food almost always ends up under there.

 

[RobbTronics]

Here's the case I think I want. I have an old 4U ATA flight case that would work great to carry the thing around in. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811147154

 

[tynopik]

The NewEgg link suggests a Core i3-2100 proc but I'm wondering how much of a performance increase I would get with an i5. What do you think?

Are you going to be using the system JUST for running/developing the game or is it going to be your daily system too?

If it's just for the game, you've already indicated the P4 runs it adequately and the limiting factor is Visual Studio, which is probably limited by ram.

In that case I would stick with the Celeron G540 which will be more than adequate.

According to the motherboard specs the onboard video is supported by the CPU. Would the i5 assist the onboard video performance considering all the other video silliness going on elsewhere in the computer?

no

besides it could only drive a couple of your monitors.

are you limited by your video performance in some way?

What CPU would you suggest? and RAM? I'm not exactly sure which one to pick.

$19 - 4GB RAM - www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820147094

$50 - Celeron G540 - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819116408

again, assuming this computer is solely for the game . . .

 

[EliteRetard]

What a beast lol...you could accidentally kill somebody with that.
Almost 4 times the size and double the weight of the system/case you could get with 2x5 output cards. Which is part of why I was looking for such a solution. Having a whole bunch of cards may work, but it sure does take up a lot of room. If your not moving it much though, it may not matter.

 

[EliteRetard]

For RAM any single 4GB stick of 1600MHz 1.5v or less would be a good option.
4GB should be plenty, but using 1x4GB allows for a simple upgrade to 8GB should the need arise.

That Samsung RAM is nice...low stock voltage for basic systems or it can overvolt/overclock decent. But you can save a dollar or two with more standard 1.5v RAM.

 

[Digital Savior]

Look for cards that have dual DMS-59 outputs on them. They're usually cheap and will give you 4 outputs, VGA with adapters.

My .02