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APU or CPU and Radeon Card for 3 monitors

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  • CPUs
  • Graphics
  • apu
  • Monitors
Last response: in CPUs
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July 3, 2014 12:43:35 PM

I am working on a new build and have some CPU questions concerning what I am looking for. As a short backstory I am actually downgrading my GPU, because I currently have a GTX480 and it is loud, runs hot and I just don't need the power it offers as I rarely if ever game and I am usually just doing programming and web surfing.

This is my build so far: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/rtfTMp
I am going to be taking the 700W power supply, SSD, and RAM from my existing computer which is why they are not listed in the parts above.

The key things I have yet to decide on are CPU and GPU. I have two requirenments and don't know what the best approach is to meeting them ( going with just plain CPU or going with CPU and GPU).

Req 1: I want the processor to be an upgrade form what I currently have (i3 2100).
Req 2: I want the GPU (or APU? or just CPU?) to be able to drive 3 1080p monitors well. My current setup I am using GTX480 to drive two monitors and onboard to drive the third and occasionally I get artifacting and other weird things so I really want a solution that handles 3 displays well.

I am looking to do this for minimal cost too of course it isn't going to be cheap, but keeping in mind I never game I really am looking for a cheaper solution to reliably drive three monitors while writing code and occasionally watching TV/movies on the screens.

My inital thoughts were get a A8 series APU with R7 graphics, but I don't know if that would handle 3 monitors and I also don't know if that would feel any faster than my current processor.

More about : apu cpu radeon card monitors

a b à CPUs
July 3, 2014 12:53:29 PM

Are you set in the mini itx form factor?
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July 3, 2014 12:55:40 PM

I suppose not, but I really liked the look of the mini ITX cases. I looked at a lot of cases and I just think the cube look is much sleeker than a tower. IMO

However that case is rather large inside too.
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a b à CPUs
July 3, 2014 12:56:16 PM

Can work with that
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a b à CPUs
July 3, 2014 12:59:16 PM

Budget?
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July 3, 2014 1:00:54 PM

I would say my budget for CPU and Card or APU is $150 - $200.

I'm really leaning towards a single APU, I'm just not sure if it's powerful enough to drive 3 1080p monitors
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a b à CPUs
July 3, 2014 1:19:25 PM

http://pcpartpicker.com/p/bFWjGX
I have not seen anyone running 3 displays with an apu.
This set up will out perform your current I3 with the dedicated card to run those monitors. A second GPU down the road would only help this be stress free.
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July 3, 2014 1:33:32 PM

OK I was skeptical of the APU not being adequate, so I think I am just going to go with and FX processor and dedicated card then. I like the processor you posted, but the reviews on that GPU on Newegg mentioned black screens?
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a b à CPUs
July 3, 2014 1:37:06 PM

If you could bump up the budget to the FX-6300 it would be a huge improvement.
http://pcpartpicker.com/p/R2HkJx
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July 3, 2014 1:52:16 PM

I definitely could get the better processor. Thanks for the help!
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