computer geeks question.

[hangingonbyathread]

I have to build a computer for someone .they want to hook up 4 to 6 monitors at the same time and have them on at the same time. what would I need to buy a video card with4-6 ports or some other hardware. Being used for stock trading online. any help would be great.

[yotano211]

Most video cards dont support that many monitors. But to have that many monitors going you will need a dummy plug for the extra monitors hooked up to the video card.

i haven't built a desktop is years....years.....But I would check this website out, they know tons of stuff on desktop hardware. I am laptop person. I am a member on there with a few posts only. Same name like on here.
techPowerUp! Forums

[JamesNorth101]

You will also need a graphics card that can handle either 4 or 6 monitors. Most graphics cards can handle 2. AMD used to, and may well still do, a graphics card called Eyefinity, can handle upto 6. Far from cheap.

This forum may not be the best place to ask. Another point is if you have to ask what you need to do, you may not be the right person to build the computer, no offence.

[yotano211]

Yea what he/she said, its ok if you're going to built it for you, not ok for someone else. But go to the link provided.

[BiN4RY]

Depending on what you need the monitors for. If they're not for gaming or anything graphics intensive, there are special graphics cards that are designed to drive a large number of monitors.

[derbydave]

AMD/ATI Eyefinity will drive 6 monitors, easily. You'll be spending a fair amount on one though (I think they're called "Eyefinity Editions"). Anything from the 5xxx series upwards will do. You could also get 2 cheaper AMD cards and Crossfire them, and use 3 outputs from each card. It looks like it's strictly for 2D work, so you could go for the cheapest possible as you'll not be playing games.

You should also look into Matrox products:

DisplayPort Graphics Card for Eight Monitors – Matrox M9188

That drives 8 monitors

[rsot]

Good old Matrox - back in the day, they were always on top of hardcore graphic needs.

[golden_monkey]

Yeeeeeeep and eyefinity card will do it, it should have a bunch of display ports in the back.

4 monitors is easy, just get 2 cards that have 2 outputs. for six you'll prob want to pick up an eyefinity card and do it all off the same card.

most of the time you can do onboard plus video cards for the oddball combo of 5 but thats purely for DISPLAY only not driving any kinda graphics.


PS if you don't have to crossfire to make 2 cards display video, they'll do that just being active and plugged in... and crossfiring may actually lead to the 2nd crossfired card to not display video at all....which is going against what you actually want.

[GreenBean]

Originally Posted by rsot

Good old Matrox - back in the day, they were always on top of hardcore graphic needs.

The Canadian contribution to great graphics.

Nice docking station for MACS too.

[slapped]

Here man, I LOVE Matrox, this card Drives 8 Monitors:

8 monitor video card

[GreenBean]

ah! Power plus

[rsot]

Friend back in university ended up working for Matrox - lost touch with him but yes, Canadian to the core...

[golden_monkey]

don't forget FireGL cards.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by golden_monkey

don't forget FireGL cards.

For 8 monitors - hmm

[GreenBean]

I sense experimentation time with rsot coming....

An eight monitor workstation.

More hamsters needed for the power

WFM

[rsot]

True - a fun experiment but I dont really have purpose for 8 monitors...yet. Been awhile since I was into any games and am not super active into the trading of stocks online...yet

[GreenBean]

I can find hamsters pending your changeover.

And wheels

[golden_monkey]

MORE THE BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!

im trying to find space to squish 4 on my desk. I don't use them for games or anything but once you have the space you can't live without it.

[rsot]

Originally Posted by GreenBean™

I can find hamsters pending your changeover.

And wheels

Very nice spiders await!