Cheepest Videocard to drive 4 monitors

[MadHacker]

I have seen some new video cards coming out that would drive 4 monitors...
I was wondering what are the cheapest ones to drive multiple monitors at different resolutions,
So any Matrox solutions just won't cut it...
I'm not a gamer so having high frame rates in games isn't important...

 

[IH8U]

Either: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161194
$50 each, you will need 2, then set up for dualview on all monitors (extend desktop)

or get a: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129104
$360 for a much more expensive single card solution (runs hotter too)

(note, you can do the same with 2 nVidia cards as well)(easier with GF cards, as the Control panel is better)

 

[nukemaster]

any 2 video cards should do it. does your board have dual x16 pci-e(hell even a x4 with open end will work) slots?

I had dual screens with 2 cards way back, but never tried 4.....but it should be ok

Ohh yeah if you dont mind one analog screen onboard video + cheap card works too, but thats a new computer too
http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/03/04/amd_780g_chipset/

 

[IH8U]

I can attest to the simplicity of connecting 4 monitors. (we have 6 at work, soon to be 30+) 5 of which are to be displaying to 5 monitors (4 monitors, and 1 plasma) GF cards as I said are easier, just be sure to use non-SLI and load the drivers (Forceware)

(we use older Quadro FX3600's here + a FX5200 PCI for 5 monitors)

 

[jay2tall]

Since you have a Asus P5K Deluxe mobo and it has 2 PCI-E slots I'd grab (2) of these HD3450's. It's $112 for 2 + mail-in rebate. I would think you'd prefer an all DVI connection solution, not mixing digital connections and analog.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102731

 

[MadHacker]

Unfortunately I already have 8Chan Highpoint RocketRaid 2320 so that takes my other slot.
I'm looking at a single card solution, double wide isn't not a problem and running hot is not a problem, I watercool, so I'll keep it cold.
VisionTek 900198 Radeon HD 2600XT for $359.99
almost to pricey for my blood at the moment...

Also I'm partial to nVidia. for the sole reason that every video card i have had inn the past has been nvidia. works out well when you have 5 machines in house and there is no guess work as to where to get the video drivers.

 

[TeraMedia]

Are you cloning any displays or do you need different images? You wrote "different resolutions"... but even if that's the case a cloned display will be the same resolution, just scaled by the displays themselves. So you could use a VGA splitter or amplifier in that scenario.

If you need different images, then what about PCI cards? Not high-performance, but if you aren't gaming then you probably don't care. And that saves your PCIe slots for your RAID card, etc.

 

[MadHacker]

PCI is an option, but I hear Vista doesn't like mixed cards. duno.
I'm a software developer working from home, and would like to go to 4 monitor setup, and just need more screen space. So a splitter isn't an option.
the VisionTek card would be perfect... if was cheaper.
now where to find one in Canada

 

[ainarssems]

If You are not after framerates in games and want to keep it cheap Your best option is to go for older second hand Nvidia Quadro card on E-Bay.

 

[jay2tall]

You could get (2) nVidia Quatro NVS 290 cards. They use PCI-E x1 slots and you coudl get 2 of them. Each has 1 connector but can split to 2 DVI connections.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814133211

Why did you get a board with a x4 PCI-E for that freaking Raid card? haha. It would be easier with 2 x16 slots avaliable.

 

[MadHacker]

From what i can gather VisionTek 900198 Radeon HD 2600XT for $359.99 is my best option.
Fits my needs... just have to fork or the $ for it.
Any reviews of the card or similar type different brand?

 

[hcforde]

Nvidia NVS 440 OR Asus 3870x2 TOP

Nvidia is a single card 4 port solution Analog OR Digital. The ASUS card is about to be or has just been released. Both are about the same price. The Nvidia is a workstation card and is available now ATI also makes some 4 port cards in thier workstation line. I am assuming you do not need 3D for your line of work. I would also recommend ASUS P5W64 motherboards with 4 PCI-E slots that work at x8 when all 4 are in use. I have 4 video cards hooked in to one of these MB's and it works without a hitch.

 

[geofelt]

Nvidia uses the same driver for a wide range of cards from the 6000 series to the newest. That makes things simple. You can get two monitors with the basic pci-e card, then add a second pci card such as this evga 6200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130289
In your bios, you will have to select which card is primary for boot.

 

[MadHacker]

just to clarify... I'm looking for a 4 DVI output on a single video card.
I keep seeing talk of multiple video cards...

also I'm looking for cheeper not more expensive..
the Nvidia NVS 440 is $449.99 not a cheaper solution.
Asus 3870x2 TOP? if it is new then it probavbly won't be cheeper.. but i will keep my eye open for it as well

PCI is cheeper... but not a single card solution.

so $359.99 is the cheepest... hmmm

 

[geofelt]

What's wrong with using a vga to dvi adapter for the second monitor on a pci card?

 

[MadHacker]

PCI is an option, but I hear Vista doesn't like mixed cards. duno.

What's wrong with using a vga to dvi adapter for the second monitor on a pci card?

See above

 

[ainarssems]

Check this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NVIDIA-Quadro-NVS-440-256-MB-PCIE-Graphics-Card_W0QQitemZ110234155759QQihZ001QQcategoryZ3762QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It can drive 4 DVI monitors.

Here is Nvidia link for it:

http://www.nvidia.com/page/quadronvs.html

If You do little research on Nvidia site and on Ebay You will be able to find something.

 

[geofelt]

I think the problem is with the need for two different drivers, either Vista or XP. Two 6200 series cards, a pci and pci-e should be fine. At least there is a minimal investment.