Video card for 4 monitor display

[imported_KuJaX]

Right now I have 9500 Pro AGP and 9200se PCI. I am currently running two monitors and each, and it has been working pretty well. OTHER THAN FIREFOX, THUNDERBIRD and microsoft OFFICE products give me an illegal operation every once in awhile (if i am browsing or typing a word document, atleast every 10 minutes). This obviously is a problem. It has only been happening since running two video cards. I would much rather run ONE VIDEO CARD for all four monitors, if that is possible. any suggestions? price? thanks

 

[imported_michaelpatrick33]

I don't believe there is a single graphics card that runs 4 monitors. The Matrox Parahelia(sp?) I believe can run 3 monitors at once but you better not play games or due 3d work on that card. I believe it would as slow if not slower than the 9200se PCI you have now.

 

[tungtung]

Matrox has several cards actually that will be able to run 4 displays at once.
1. Matrox G200 MMS
2. Matrox G450 MMS
3. Matrox QID
4. Matrox QID Pro

These cards are darn expensive though ... well except the G200 ... I think I saw a couple sold pretty cheap on eBay a few months ago ... also the it seems that the QID and QID Pro are not yet available.

Edit: Correction ... these cards are all expensive ... the G200 goes around $100 USD ... the G450 around $350 USD ... both sold as used cards on eBay (new cards could be twice more expensive) ... I just can't guess how much the QID would be ... just for reference ... the G200 is a PCI card with 8 MB video memory per display ... the G450 is a PCI/AGP card with 32 MB video memory per display ... these cards uses two splitter cables to enable the quad display (they seem to have DVI connectors by default) ...

 

[Squally Leonharty]

Another possibility, I think, is to use SLI. Wait for nForce4, get two graphics cards with two monitor outputs and connect two monitors on each card.

Dunno if it works, though.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Yes, if you wait and you are on a bidget, get 2 geforce 6200's or even 6600's and SLI them. Voila 4 monitor capability. However the Matrox will have better IQ.

-Kevin

 

[imported_KuJaX]

What exactly is SLI?

I am currently running 4 monitors successfully, but again, normal browsing and microsoft office makes me want to throw 2 of my monitors! hehe

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Get to sniping.

You can also just get a pair of G2+ (Dual G200s) and use them.

- M4H

 

[tungtung]

SLI = Scalable Link Interface
for more information check this article.

Correct me if I'm wrong but contrary to Squally Leonharty and Gamingphreek, SLI will mean that you only have two output max ... since the two card will become merged as one ... therefore the output(s) of one of the cards will be unusable.

However I would guess if you do not use the SLI and just install two video cards then their output would be useful.

In the end ... since what KuJaX wanted is just a single video card for driving 4 monitors then Matrox would be his best choice ... especially considering SLI will mean a complete upgrade (CPU + motherboard) as well as complete reinstall of the entire OS ... not to mention the programs ... and again, there would be no guarantee of his current problem of not occuring again with the new set up ... I do admit that the G200 and even the G450 is not good at all for gaming.

 

[imported_KuJaX]

my only heartburn is if i get one of these G200 cards, is that my problem may still arise. Although I do think it may be with ATI drivers.

hrmmm.

 

[tungtung]

KuJaX well ... you might be right about ATI's driver though ... cause I did once emailed ATI tech support about adding another ATI graphic card along my older ATI card, and I was told by the tech support that they do not recommend running two ATI (either PCI & AGP or PCI and PCI) at the same time ... so my suggestion would be, if you can borrow another graphic card from one of your friend which does not use ATI chip (either PCI or AGP) along side one of your ATI card (either the PCI or AGP one) ... and see if the problem still exist ... who knows ... maybe all you need is just a graphic card that does not use ATI chip, which will be a lot cheaper than getting the Matrox cards ...

 

[Gamingphreek]

Well that was the old SLI. The new just bridges them so they share the work, IE one renders one half of the screen whereas the other renders the other half. 4 Monitors should work but im not 100% positive.

-Kevin