PCI-e X1 graphics cards? and why...

mact · May 29, 2017

I'm becoming confused with video requirements and termionology.

My systems:

1)Browsing computer, Core2Duo 3 GHz (E6850, I think), 8GM ram, 2 monitors (23" portaitr + 24" landscape) not a gamer nor video editor (except youtube now and then). Mostly browsing (Chrome) and email (various) and Word/Excel now and then, etc. Not a workstation. Video card AMD/ASUS R7 240 2GB.

2) Computer #2, a 2600K i7 w/32GB ram incl 6GB ramdisk, 64-bit W10, work: mostly desktop publishing database publishing. Fairly heavy data manipulation. No games allowed. Overclocked by ASUS mobo to 4.3, liquid cooler. 3 monitors all 23-24" using Radeon HD 6700 series card. System drive a Kingston 240 HHL SSD M2-type drive not Nvme. (these are amazing!)

3) Computer #3, similar to above, but i5 2550K, 24GB ram w/ram drive, running W7 Pro 64 bit, used mostly for Adobe apps which often have a problem with W10. will be, evntually, back up for #2. Running 2 x 21.5" Dell monitors. Video card AMD/ASUS R72409 2GB.

OK. Questions.

1. If we are not alking frame rates, what is the real effect of larger video ram? I mean, can I run the momnitors on computer #2 with a 1GB card instead of the card I am now using? If not, why not? What would be the difference?

I can accept a no if I were running 25 x 12 32" monitor, but I am not.

2. Does ram on the graphics card mean anything, really...for non motion applications?

3. If I were to add a 32" 25x12 monitor to computer 2 (4 monitors), how would that affect my video memory requirement. Or would it? If this were to replace a 19x12 monitor...same answer?

My objective is to free up the X4 slots used by the garaphics cards in 1, 2, 3 above and replace them with pci-e X1 cards (GT710, 1GB, pcie 1x) so I can usew the X4 slot for something else. I'd expoect degradation in some respects, but have no notion of what degree and such. Because my usage is not "typical"

k1114 · May 29, 2017

I think I can answer all 3 questions in 1 statement: you can run 3x 4k monitors on a modern igpu with 0 dedicated vram without issues. Most any use except for gaming would be possible on it. Dedicated vram doesn't matter for most uses and even a weak igpu can have a ton of screen space so gpu doesn't matter too much.

Adobe software is the only one of your uses where a gpu will help but that depends on which app and your work complexity. Graphical apps like ps will actually be fine on an igpu unless you are editing large multi layered raws. Premiere would actually want something more for the preview window for 1080p+ as well as speeding up rendering. Your rare youtube video edit should be fine. Your usage is actually typical.

The physical size of a monitor is irrelevant. A 1" monitor can have the same strain as a 100' display as info is per pixel so only the res matters.

HardwareExtreme · May 29, 2017

Video RAM is what holds textures as well as other information for displaying images on screen. Typically, you want more VRAM for larger displays (Not physical but resolution)

Additionally, if you have PCIe x4 slots, why would you get a x1 card when you can (Carefully!) cut the end off of the slot and use a normal x16 card? Most cards don't saturate much more than 4 or so lanes, so it should have little impact on performance.
The GT 710 is a VERY weak card, and if you want a card for value, you should either get a used higher end card or spend a little more and get a decent card, such as a RX470 (assuming you're spending ~ $90)

I can (Probably) run 4K on my GT 210; it has 1gb VRAM, but it would be practically unusable for most tasks. Basically, my point is that your monitor is only as good as your graphics card; if you have a weak card you won't be able to much without terrible performance issues on a larger monitor. It's kinda like trying to pull a 53' Semi trailer with a 20 HP lawnmower; You won't get very far.

k1114 · May 29, 2017

Don't ever suggest someone to cut their gpu pins. It may seem harmless since we're talking about a cheapo 710 that doesn't matter if it gets trashed, but people see it suggested and try it with their more expensive gpus. Then they end up with a $200 paperweight. I've seen it happen. A riser cable is less than $5. If you really are that cheap, I may even mention just making an open ended pcie slot.

There's absolutely no reason to get a rx470 for his uses. Maybe re-read the post and see what gpus he already has. If he's looking at lower end cards, I think it's safe to say he doesn't have performance issues. You suggesting upgrading defeats the purpose of what he's asking in the thread. Also re-read his uses. #1 is an office pc but only needs a gpu because the igpu from the core 2 era doesn't work well for modern browser gpu acceleration. #2 is database publishing which could actually be fine on the igpu but because it only supports 2 monitors, he needs a gpu. #3 can also just use the igpu depending on the work. But his question about adding a monitor turns into the same issue as #2.

HardwareExtreme · May 29, 2017

Don't ever suggest someone to cut their gpu pins.

That's not what I meant, I meant cutting the end of his PCIE slot, not his GPU. Here is a page that talks about this: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=236846.0

There's absolutely no reason to get a rx470 for his uses. Maybe re-read the post and see what gpus he already has.

All I'm saying is that a GT 710 is a terrible price-performance card, he can get a much better card for the same price.

Maybe re-read the post and see what gpus he already has.

Did you not just misread what I said?

Additionally, if you have PCIe x4 slots, why would you get a x1 card when you can (Carefully!) cut the end off of the slot and use a normal x16 card?

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PCI-e X1 graphics cards? and why...

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