I don't see any reason why 4 maximum size dual slot GPUs won't fit in the size of case I've suggested,
and if your board has four PCIE x16 slots spaced apart from each other by one slot in between each of
the other slots, you should be able to fit physically and electrically any GPUs you want.
I believe that is all fine based on my recollection of the picture / description of your linked motherboard when
I looked at it the other night.
The 750W PSU on sale I linked to seems like a fine choice for a 4850 + three other lesser power
consumption GPUs like 2600XTs or 3450s or whatever. If you see something similarly powerful or
slightly more powerful for a better cost of course that is fine too. Just get one with around 60A or more on
the +12V rails and four PCIE 6-pin connectors if you need that many for the GPUs you end up buying and
I'm sure it'll be fine. The one I linked is the best cost / performance deal I know about, but there have
been multiple good deals every week or two lately.
I know of no reason why you couldn't use 4850 + 2600XT (three of those) for a multi-head multi-monitor
setup that is NOT running in Crossfire mode.
I have no idea what KIND of multi-monitor setup you're trying to do; obviously having
totally independent displays with different pictures/resolutions is a little different mode than having "clone"
mode displays where they're in the same resolution displaying the same content, and those are both a little
different than having "extended desktop" mode active where the displays all form one windows desktop
that is split among the displays. So check the AMD / Catalyst / Driver documentation to ensure the
multiple displays can all run in the mode you want, in the resolution(s) you want, at the refresh rates you
want, and with the 3D/graphics/video performance you want based on your card mix.
As before I'm pretty sure you can't crossfire a 4xxx series and (either a 3xxx series or 2xxx series).
I'm pretty sure you can't crossfire a 3xxx series and 2xxx series.
AFAIK the 8.7 catalyst release for Vista 32 is the same file containing drivers for most (all?) of the
4xxx series, 3xxx series, and 2xxx series cards we've discussed, and I assume the same is true of
Vista 64 and XP packages. I can't positively tell you if there is a bug / limitation in the driver that would
prevent you using 4 GPUs of any specific type(s) or any specific model combination(s) in *non crossfire*
multi-head independent display modes for 8 displays total.
I think it should be possible, and I've heard of people doing similar things, but I don't have a way to
personally test it with any relevant GPUs. I can say there seems to be no *hardware* reason why
the proposed configurations of 4850 + 2600XT (x3) or 4850 + 3450 (x3) shouldn't work with your
4-slot PCIE x16 motherboard and a good 750W or better PSU. The only main limitations would be
whatever ATIs driver lets you to in terms of video mode / resolution and mode of the displays
(extended desktop, clone, independent), and what you're doing in 2D or 3D in your software, i.e.
do you need hardware video OVERLAY support on each of the screen, do you do 3D graphics, do you
do DX10 graphics, et. al.
People do have various bugs relating to specific display modes and operations even with *one* attached
monitor and one video card that vary from driver release and OS configuration from one month to the next,
so YMMV as to what exactly works. Vista might be more or less supportive of what you want than XP,
but I'd guess Vista ought to be better or equal; YMMV.
The one configuration that is likely to give you the fewest quirks/bugs/limits is if all the GPUs were identical
model 3xxx series or 4xxx series cards just because you wouldn't be depending on the driver to handle
the cards slightly differently though really it SHOULD JUST WORK.
For gaming though I couldn't recommend 4x 3870 or 4x 3850 or anything less; you'd get better performance
and less headaches with 1x 4850 (yes that's the best performance card for the dollar, have a couple for
that reason), or 1x 4870.
For the best performance and features (2D and 3D and high def. video playback and so on) four
identical 4870 / 4850 / 3850 / 3870 are best, but that's not very affordable for modest needs multi-head
uses except gaming, so that's why it's best to look at cheaper cards like HD2400, HD2600XT, HD3450,
or whatever you can get with two DVIs that supports your resolutions / modes / performance needs.
I'd probably give AMD/ATI support an email or call and just ask if they know of any problems mixing
a 4850 + 3x (3xxx or 2xxx) cards in one Windows Vista (or whatever you run) system NOT in
crossfire mode, just to get 8 displays to run in the ways you want. I assume they'll tell you certain
configurations definitely do work, others definitely don't work, and some are just untested but "ought to work".
I'd avoid the 2900 card unless it is REALLY cheap, it does suck a LOT of power. I'd avoid the
4870 for cost and power consumption. Anything else in the 4xxx 3xxx or 24xx or better series is probably
a good candidate to use for 2D multi-head. Your good 750W PSU should handle any combination
you pick, and a good full tower with a few fans will keep them cool enough though if you're going to
run something like folding@home or heavy 3D rendering on them all for hours a day every day I'd
definitely upgrade the cooling fan speed / quantity and be sure to run it in a room that doesn't trap
the heat.
Originally posted by: kcseattle
Ok, you've convinced me that the 4 x 2850 route doesn't make sense since my priority is mostly multi-monitor general use and occasional gaming.
To summarize:
1 x Radeon 4850
- Diamond Multimedia Radeon HD 4850 - seems to offer the best price
3 x Radeon 2600 XT (about $30 each)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814102755 - (about $30 each)
Note: I have 1 Viewsonic 28 inch LCD (primary screen) and the other monitors will be 20" or less.
Any gaming that happens will be on the 28" and obviously the 4850 will connect to the 28" LCD
Will all these cards fit on my board?
Will your recommendation of a 750 watt PSU suffice?
Thoughts on the above video cards? would you recommend alternatives?
Appreciate all the advice here. Thanks.
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