Need advice on a multi-function, multi-screen build..

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Firstly, hello :) I'm a long time reader, first time writer.

So here's my situation:

I use my computer heavy-duty for work and fun, lots of video-rendering, heavy video recording, presentation running etc.

I've built computers before so I'm leaning towards that direction although I'm very happy with a ibuypower purchase I recently made so I'd consider that road again, cost isn't much of an issue, although I'd obviously not like to spend more than I need to, less than $1,000 would be nice.

I will be occasionally gaming on 1-3 1080p monitors depending on my location, mostly games like Civ V, Age of Empires, Battefield 4, Total War, Skyrim etc. I just need "OK"-"Good" frame rates on 3 monitors, i.e. easily playable but it doesn't have to be 70+.

For work, I will often have a main display with 4 other displays that are identical to each other but different from the main display, and here lies where I need the help. For gaming I understand eyefinity etc, but when it comes to keeping one monitor a desktop and having a presentation/display on 4 other monitors I'm in way above my head. What is best? My knowledge on display ports is very limited but I think this might be what I need to learn about. I need hd video presentations to be able to run very smoothly on the other 4 monitors in different rooms while controlling it from the main display. Can any graphics cards natively support 5 different monitors? Should I use two graphics cards? Can I link the displays after exiting the graphics card to mirror the image?

I'm leaning towards the i5-4690k for a processor but if I need more power I'd happily jump to the i7. I'd like it upgrade-able so the FX line is probably a no-go unless there's a good reason to go to AMD.

What say you? Any advice is greatly appreciated.

-TJ
 
Solution
Miyconst
You don't need to worry that much.

Back to gtx 5XX series, they supported only 2 monitors per setup.
Back to HD 5XXX/6XXX (I may be wrong here) they had four connectors DVI, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort. To connect three monitors you had to use DisplayPort, because DVI, DVI and HDMI used the same output or something like this.

But this is not an issue any more.
Both amd r9 xxx and gtx 7xx cards supports at least four monitors.
Look here:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1805576
http://www.namtaru.com/uploads/2013/670_4monitors_01.jpg
http://www.namtaru.com/uploads/2013/670_4monitors_02.jpg
A guy is running four monitors with a single gtx 670.
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Miyconst

Miyconst

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As far as I know, nvidia gtx gpus support up to 4 monitors. http://www.geforce.com/hardware/desktop-gpus/geforce-gtx-780/specifications
You need sli to use more than 4 monitors.

AMD gpus support up to 6 monitors. http://www.amd.com/en-us/products/graphics/desktop/r9

But there is another option.

If you need the same image on three monitors, you may just use a dvi splitter. Something like this: http://www.videk.co.uk/section.php/1319/1/dvi-monitor-splitter-cables

Also I would suggest an i7, not an i5.
 
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So nvidia is out of the question unless I go with multiple graphics cards.

I like the r9 series graphics cards so that's my leading possibility, but I'm very intrigued by the dvi solution. My understanding was I could only connect 3 monitors due to some sort of graphics card restrictions? If I had say this r7 260 http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8883737&CatId=1558 laying around would I be able to plug my main monitor up to the hdmi then out of the dvi connection run a dvi splitter which connects to 2 dvi splitters and then gives me 4 dvi connections which I could connect to the other monitors?
 
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Miyconst

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If you need 5 separate monitors and run different window on each, then you can not do that with a single gtx card.
But if you want to show the same image on 2 or 3 monitors then you can easily do that with nvidia cards.

DVI splitter just sends the same video signal to two monitors.
You cannot run different program on each of them.

And yes, you can do that with the r7 260 you specified.
 
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Ah I see! Thank you for clarifying, so the nvidia cards would be ok as long as I used a splitter/repeater for the alternate monitors, I just can't connect them all separately.

So with that being the case I just need to find a graphics card with an hdmi out and two dvi outs(3 outputs so I can still game). Do you know if I would be able to use the dvi for my main monitor and run an hdmi splitter like that out to the other monitors? And what is the deal with graphics cards and Digital to Analog converters? How do you know what you need if you can't use all the ports in some of the backs of the graphics cards at the same time?

 
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Miyconst

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What you have to do is:

1. Plug in all of your monitors to the gpu.
2. Log in to Windows.
3. Go to screen resolution settings window.
4. Choose which of the screens is main. It doesn't matter how it is connected.

I run three monitors with a single gtx 770.
Two of them directly connected to dvi ports.
And the third one connected through DisplayPort to DVI adapter.

I have not used any other adapters, but I saw a lot of different adapters.
Such as VGA -> DVI, DVI -> VGA, HDMI -> DVI, DisplayPort -> DVI and others.

That means you may plug DVI monitor to any port on the gpu.

Also I used USB to DVI external graphic card. It is terrible. USB speed is not enough to refresh FHD screen properly.
 
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Ok awesome! That seems easy enough.

In my searching on the internet about how to do the multiple monitors, I read many accounts of people unable to connect 4 monitors natively so that really through me for a loop. Is there a connection with graphics cards only being able to output a certain type of signal? I don't understand the difference between digital/analog signals and their requirements or effects. Would that impact me at all if I potentially wanted to connect 4 different monitors to a graphics card to game? I've been reading all over about how graphics cards can only output to certain types of devices at the same time so that's what has me confused.
 
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Miyconst

Miyconst

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You don't need to worry that much.

Back to gtx 5XX series, they supported only 2 monitors per setup.
Back to HD 5XXX/6XXX (I may be wrong here) they had four connectors DVI, DVI, HDMI, DisplayPort. To connect three monitors you had to use DisplayPort, because DVI, DVI and HDMI used the same output or something like this.

But this is not an issue any more.
Both amd r9 xxx and gtx 7xx cards supports at least four monitors.
Look here:
http://hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1805576
http://www.namtaru.com/uploads/2013/670_4monitors_01.jpg
http://www.namtaru.com/uploads/2013/670_4monitors_02.jpg
A guy is running four monitors with a single gtx 670.
 
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T

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Thanks very much, I greatly appreciate that information. Which card would you recommend for my needs?
I'm debating between these two:
I love the quiet, cool nature of this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814487024&cm_re=gtx_750_ti-_-14-487-024-_-Product but I'm not sure it's strong enough

Whereas this one seems to have the necessary power at a higher energy cost: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=8687260&CatId=7387

Or is there a better option? I don't have a preference or bias towards any brand, I just want the best I can get in the build for a reasonable price without hitting diminishing returns in cost/performance.
 
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I am aiming for mid-level gpu, I thought the r9 270 was pretty solid but we could take it up a notch or two. I'd like to keep the total build under $1k but I don't have a firm budget, no psu in place yet.

 
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Miyconst

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I would say that you need 1.5 k.usd to build a decent pc for video/audio editing.

1 k.usd for entire build? You mean without monitors? Five monitors will cost you no less than 1 k.usd.

r9 270/gtx 750 ti - low level
r9 270x/280x/gtx 760/770 - mid level
r9 290/290x/gtx 780/780ti - high level
r9 295x/gtx titan - enthusiast level

This is my personal opinion ))

 
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Thanks again, that's a great breakdown for me. And yes, I was hoping to do under $1k for all internals+case. The reason being I recently bought 3 monitors for the one setup, 5 monitors for the other setup, repaired my old computer, and am getting ready to do my first custom pc mod build too so my fun money is quickly running low. That being said, if I need to do $1.5K or even $2K I can, this is by far the most important build to me and $500 one way or the other isn't that big of a deal if it makes a significant difference.
 
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Miyconst

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Now the question is "what is significant difference" for you?

If you are going to play any modern FPS games,
then mid level card would make huge difference compare to low level.

I am not that familiar with those video/audio editing software,
but if you give me some names of software you use, I may look for the benchmarks.

Anyway, buying an i7 and a 750 ti is just ridiculous.

If you need a "working horse",
don't mind to play at mid-high (no way ultra) settings with only one monitor,
ready to wait a little longer while it converts your videos,
then go for gtx 760 or r9 270x.
 
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