Best Non-Gaming Quad-Monitor System under $500

[bubaseballfan]

I'd like a system that I can build that will support up to four monitors. I don't mind buying 2 lower-end video cards as long as the system will support 4 monitors. Whatever works best.

The system will be used for office type applications. A lot of cumbersome excel spreadsheets, while running many web-based applications. I'm not interested in overclocking, nor do I know how.

Obviously, I have looked at some of the gaming builds, because those machines can handle anything. But I notice that a lot of money goes into the video cards on these systems. If it's reasonable, i'd like to allocate more money towards things like more memory, etc, rather than great video cards.

Maybe just trying to build a budget gaming PC might be my best bet, but I'd figured I'd get everyone's input first.

Thanks ahead of time.

 

[zach538467]

I'm sure there are other, easier solutions, but all you need is a motherboard with two PCIe slots and cards in each slot. You can't run in "SLI/Crossfire" mode for games, but since that isn't your concern it shouldn't be a problem. Just make sure the cards have two video out ports. I have done this with a 5850 and an 8800GT out to two monitors and two tv's with no problems.

Windows 7 allows for multiple video drivers running concurrently, and in my experience it worked just fine.

 

[bubaseballfan]

Thanks Zach,

You brought up a good point that I forgot to mention. I'll be buying Windows 7 from my university at a discount, so that doesn't factor into my build either.

 

[batuchka]

$420AR

Enable ATI Surround View in BIOS for quad display, IGP + Radeon class discrete

 

[bubaseballfan]

Thank you for your post batuchka, but I have a question.

How can I run four monitors off this single video card if there are only 3 outputs on the card?

What are some similar systems that can be built with two video cards?

 

[bavman]

The 5450 has a hdmi/vga/dvi ports. The motherboard has an integrated graphics processor which has a dvi/vga output. So you actually have 5 output together. read batuchka's post on the bottom he tells you how to set it up so you can run both the 5450 and igp at the same time.

 

[bubaseballfan]

Best answer selected by bubaseballfan.

 

[batuchka]

Yep happy shopping/building and cheers ^^