Upgrading workstation to 4x22 LCD system.

[BlueWeasel]

The current setup in question is a 939 4200+ with a 7300GS running 2x19 LCD monitors.

From a CPU/video standpoint, the system is still adequate and the 7300GS runs 2 monitors just fine. We're a small engineering company who runs basic AutoCAD 2D, lightweight design programs, Word, Excel. etc. Certainly nothing that requires high-end graphics.

However, we're looking to upgrade the monitors to 4x22" LCDs each running native at 1650x1080. This would require an additional PCI-e 1x or PCI video card. The MB is a Neo-F platinum and has a PCI-e 16x, 4x, and 1x slot.

Looking at PCI-e 1x cards, all I'm seeing is the Quadro series. Ultimately, I'll probably upgrade the primary 16x card to the Quadro FX370 and use the NVS290 in the 1x slot as the secondary card. Probably somewhat overkill and it's an additional $300 cost.

However, would it be possible to power monitors 3 and 4 at 1650x1080 with a PCI card?

Secondly, I've read the possibility of plugging in a 16x card into the 4x slot or using a converter that lets me use a 16x card in the 4x. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Liberator21]

Replace your 7300 with this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16814139037R

Don't know whats up with the pics, but it has 4x D-sub.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: Liberator21
Replace your 7300 with this:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...?Item=N82E16814139037R

Don't know whats up with the pics, but it has 4x D-sub.

I don't know -- I'm a little reluctant to order an open box card for a discontinued item. Any other one card solutions that don't break the bank?

 

[SickBeast]

I'm pretty sure your best bet is going to be a motherboard with integrated graphics paired with a couple of cheap AMD cards. That would actually give you 5 outputs.

I'm not sure if NV cards in SLI can output to multiple monitors yet.

 

[BlueWeasel]

Originally posted by: SickBeast
I'm pretty sure your best bet is going to be a motherboard with integrated graphics paired with a couple of cheap AMD cards. That would actually give you 5 outputs.

I'm not sure if NV cards in SLI can output to multiple monitors yet.

Really? Because I was thinking of getting 2 x 9400GT cards.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814127396

Searching the net, it looks like the PCI-e 4x slot is open ended, and others have been able to run 16x cards in the slot. Sure, I know bandwidth would be greatly reduced, but it should still be fast enough for what is needed.

Generally speaking, 1 card in the 16x and another in the 4x wouldn't work at all?

 

[SickBeast]

Originally posted by: BlueWeasel
Generally speaking, 1 card in the 16x and another in the 4x wouldn't work at all?

That would work fine for 2D stuff. The 4X slot would hinder things in 3D is all.

Make sure that the NV cards can do multimonitor. I'm pretty sure they can't.

So long as the cards will physically fit in the slot it should work. You have to be careful because some of the slots are shorter (perhaps the 4X ones as well).

 

[SickBeast]

OP if you're doing this you might as well get cards that you can softmod for CAD.

I have a feeling that the 4830 can do this.