Which graphics card do I need to add to allow me to use 4 monitors?

[b4063r]

I am looking for a second graphics card so that I can use 4 monitors at once. I am currently using a 2 monitor setup.

My PC is a Dell Precision Workstation 490

Current Graphics card is a Nvidia Quad FX 1500

Motherboard is a Dell 0GU083 version A00

Ideally I'd like to get the same graphics card again, but I'm not sure if it will fit on the motherboard. I've had a look inside the case, but can't tell if any of the spare slots are suitable.

I have uploaded a text file of my system, as produced by Sandra Lite, here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/aw5dqs5l6xaxjbi/PC%20Specs.txt?dl=0

The graphics cards are used for office work, so do NOT need to be high spec for gaming. I mentioned getting the same card again as the current card works well and I can get a used card pretty cheaply if it will work.

 

[wildfire707]

Well, you don't need more than one video card if you are just trying to have a big desktop. Do you need a Quadro or FirePro card for CAD / CAM?

If you get a more modern card you can span your desktop to three monitors on NVIDIA cards and have a separate fourth monitor as well.

Modern AMD cards can run up to 6 monitors (on the high end cards) as a spanned desktop in multiple ways (a single row or double rows are most common).

NVIDIA's page on this is at:

http://www.geforce.com/hardware/technology/3dvision-surround/system-requirements

AMD's Page on this is at:

http://support.amd.com/en-us/search/faq/151

 

[b4063r]

Well, you don't need more than one video card if you are just trying to have a big desktop. Do you need a Quadro or FirePro card for CAD / CAM? .....

Hi Wildfire707,

I'm using the monitors for charting and other financial applications, so it's useful to have each on its own monitor, rather than expanding them across. If I can get a cheap second card that can run another 2 monitors, that would be my preferred solution. The monitors themselves are costing a fair whack, so I'd rather not have to splash out on an expensive graphics card.

 

[legend001523]

a gtx 750ti will do

 

[wildfire707]

Well, you don't need more than one video card if you are just trying to have a big desktop. Do you need a Quadro or FirePro card for CAD / CAM? .....

Hi Wildfire707,

I'm using the monitors for charting and other financial applications, so it's useful to have each on its own monitor, rather than expanding them across. If I can get a cheap second card that can run another 2 monitors, that would be my preferred solution. The monitors themselves are costing a fair whack, so I'd rather not have to splash out on an expensive graphics card.

In that case, you may want to use USB video adapters like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812158004

That way you do not have to open the case on the computer at all and the power draw for them is not a problem for the computer either. They normally work fine for 2D applications and support resolutions up to 1080p (1920 x 1080). If you use them, they should be plugged directly into the computer for best results.

If you need a higher resolution then that, then an internal card is usually your best option - unfortunately, that workstation is a compact design and is not intended for more than one video card. There is only one PCIE x16 slot on the motherboard. If you want to stick with workstation style video cards, the AMD FirePro 2460 is the least expensive option to do this at $240:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814195100

The CAD / CAM performance of this card is not as good as what you are currently running, and changing brands from NVIDIA to AMD on the GPU does require careful implementation (the first video driver needs to be uninstalled, a driver cleaner should be run, etc). The 2460 does natively support up to four DisplayPort monitors - but that is another problem as you are currently using DVI to connect to your existing monitors and DisplayPort to DVI adapters would be needed and have a limited compatibility when using more than two adapters.

Even if a workstation style card is not a requirement, running four monitors from the same video card would require a desktop graphics card that is similar in price on the AMD front to the FirePro 2460.

In short, I hope that the USB display adapters will do what you want - because you are likely better off replacing the computer and monitors otherwise. I can hope that someone else has a different experience with this sort of thing than I do, but that is my take on it.

 

[b4063r]

In that case, you may want to use USB video adapters like:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812158004

That way you do not have to open the case on the computer at all and the power draw for them is not a problem for the computer either. They normally work fine for 2D applications and support resolutions up to 1080p (1920 x 1080). If you use them, they should be plugged directly into the computer for best results.....

That is probably going to be the easiest way of doing it. I've had a look around and found that they also make USB to DVI, so those are probably going to be what I go for.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plugable-UGA-2K-A-2048x1152-1920x1080-DisplayLink/dp/B0038P1TP4

I've used one of these in the past for an old PC, but to be honest had completely forgot about them! Thanks for the reminder.

 

[wildfire707]

No problem, good luck

 

[beeper212]

I use the Plugable USB3 Display Links everyday for 6 monitors on my laptop. 2 Monitors run from my laptops video card. 4 monitors run (via Display Link) from my USB ports on my docking station. Works great!

Here's the Amazon link for US customers: http://www.amazon.com/Plugable-Graphics-2048x1152-1920x1080-DisplayLink/dp/B00A2E1MQA/ref=sr_1_10?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1411043960&sr=1-10