Quick check on a workstation

get some more ram. and make sure you are running x64

no doubt a 64bit OS is necessary so windows doesnt chew 2 gigs for the Vid cards...

hes a radiologist.....he views high resolution x-rays, ct's, stuff like that.....

The problem with 64-bit is it might be incompatible with the software (some of it is pretty old)....their builds at work run xp pro and thats what i added (forgot to mention that)

The problem with the x2 is that i need 3 monitors and the simplest way was just 2 4870s. I guess 4850s would be fine
but then again higher cost means more for labor jk
I just wasnt sure if the 50's could easily handle 24's

At first I thought you were just being a jerk and building a gaming comp with dad's money

After living with the build for a few minutes, I saw your points... but I agree that the cards are overkill.

2 9600GTs would do just as well. Or two 3870s if it makes you happy.

Also, this would be one of those rare instances where DDR3 might actually be worthwhile. I have seen some comparisons that show good performance on memory intensive apps, with high end x48 boards and DDR3.

If you didn't go that route, then it would work out better to get a good P45 board, with eSATA, firewire, lots of USB ports, etc. The PCI-E 2.0 slots at x8 would handle 2D just as well or possibly better than x48.

Good choices on the monitors!

See the problem I have with the twin 4850s in this build is the heat. Granted it's not much more cash over a 3870, but there is the cooling solution to consider. I think given the use it's better to just have cards venting out the back.

Then there is the case, with little airflow. Those 4850s will heat that case up too much.

Do you want a real conservative style case with great air?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811163091
One look at that and dad will put you back in the will for sure

Add a couple high end fans and the cards would be cool enough in that, provided the PSU is cool.

Antec signature 650W should be a great choice. Signature series is Antec's top of the line.

Ya I like the HPs as well... just the fact that you got the rotating displays, that's what he'll like most.

No I use an Acer, that was bought back when they cost more and was all I could afford.

I think HP is more likely to arrive in good shape.

I have always thought ATI handled 2D better than nVidia, but maybe someone else will chime in on that.

You are right about the 9800GTX+ being similar and better cooled.

I have an idle speculation here... the total amount of available memory in an MS 32-bit OS with 4Gb in the system is determined by a combination of things. One of those, if I understand correctly, is the amount of video memory used. On Crossfire or SLI I think only one card's memory is directly addressed, and so only 512megs is lost.

However, when running two separate 512 cards, I'm thinking you loose a whopping 1Gb of memory addresses to just the video. Add in the other reserved addresses and you MIGHT be down to around 2.5Gb of available system memory.

I'm not 100% sure on that, but thought it would be worth bringing up. If that were true, it might be better to have 256meg cards.

you know you could get 2600pro for the viewing images. This one can be passively cooled. Its too strong for viewing images anyway, but its a lot cheaper and wont add to the heat much if at all.

I think that going with hd 3870 as the main card is the better idea if you dont plan on playing too many 3d games. 3870 really is super fast with direct3d and all professional programs that support it. Its actually noticeably faster than 9800gtx+ for this. If the application is OpenGL bound, I'd prefer nvidia card pushing it. You can also get 8600gt for the image viewing in this scenario.

I like the P5Q Deluxe for this build because of the ports and the money saved.

Yep sure does