I'd quite like to convince my boss to buy me the parts I need to run 4 screens on my work machine. It should be quite easy to do so, but I'd like to have a price to aid with the negotiation.
This is what I have available:
4x screens (2 are mine and the other 2 are just sitting around begging for an owner)
2x AMD RV630 [Radeon HD 2600XT]s (Technically 1x but I have a dead machine I can loot)
1x Corsair 550W VX Series GPU (Mine, from my first build and currently being 'used' as a trip hazard)
1x Intel Core2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz
2x Samsung M3 78T2863QZS-CE6 [B]DDR2[/B](!) Synchronous 667 MHz (1.5 ns) 1GB RAMs (And probably a couple more of the same that I can loot along with the second GFXcard)
2x Hynix Semiconductor (Hyundai Electronics) HYMP164U64CP6-Y5DDR2 Synchronous 667 MHz (1.5 ns) 512MB RAMs (yes, mixed in with the 1GBs. Thanks Dell!)
1x Mobo with 1 PCI-E x16 and 1 PCI-E x8
This is what I assume I'll need:
1x Mobo with two PCI-E x16 slots
1x multi monitor stand to put this stuff on
However I have no idea where to start looking. I had a brief scout around Amazon and EBuyer but I wasn't sure what would be compatible with these "top of the range" "business class" components.
Thanks!
(Oh, and I'm in the UK & would like to spend < £200)
1x Mobo with 1 PCI-E x16 and 1 PCI-E x8
what motherboard is this? and what socket? if it works with the q6600 then all you need is a GPU capable of running 4 screens, like any amd GPU, or two of just about any other GPU. It might just be cheaper and easier to get two cheap GPU since the active displayport converters can cost a bit and sometimes don't always work.
What kind of work do you do? I'm assuming you don't need a powerful GPU since you have a 2600XT.
I've got no idea tbh. I know the machine works w/ it's 2600XT and it's got something comparable with the Q6600 in it, but it suffered a HD crash last month and has just been sort of sitting there since.
The 2600XTs have 2 DVIs on 'em and I know one on it's own can drive 2 screens, so I was just going to put 2 next to each other and use that for 4?
I do web backend work, so all I need to run is a couple of web browsers, vim and Ubuntu's Unity w/ all the movie level special effects it forces on you. (the open source drivers ubuntu come with seem to be struggling with some of the more flashy transitions)
Assuming one of your current GPU's can output to two monitors at once, and at least one of your monitors supports native DVI, you could get a new board and nice IVB processor for under £200, and use two of the GPU outputs on the motherboard, and two on your current GPU.
You'd get quad monitor support and a nice new CPU in your budget.
Ideally I'd like to spend the absolute bare minimum possible (this is coming out of the tech budget so think Scrooge levels of minimum) and those ivy bridge thingers are pretty expensive.
Is my idea of just getting a core2 mobo with more slots a bad one or ...?
Well if you have two PCI-e ports you can just throw the two gpu in it and it'll work (most of the time, some OEM motherboards might be odd). The one you listed will work, assuming the q6600 works with it and the RAM too, you're already good to go. Just look at the motherboard and give us the model #
You could even just buy a PCI gpu.
Hell I have a spare PCI GPU with two outputs, I'll send it you for £5
[QUOTE=Shadaez;39098449]Well if you have two PCI-e ports you can just throw the two gpu in it and it'll work (most of the time, some OEM motherboards might be odd). The one you listed will work, assuming the q6600 works with it and the RAM too, you're already good to go. Just look at the motherboard and give us the model #[/QUOTE]
But one of the PCI-e slots is half the size of the other one. The card won't fit?
I'll try to find out what model of Dell it is from google now, but I won't be able to physically check until Monday
[QUOTE=rhx123;39098591]You could even just buy a PCI gpu.
Hell I have a spare PCI GPU with two outputs, I'll send it you for £5[/QUOTE]
Is it an AMD one or does that not matter when it's on a separate interface?
[editline]5th January 2013[/editline]
I [i]think[/i] [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001J0TEPW]this[/url] is the one in my machine:
[code]
Genuine Dell Motherboard G679R FM586 G33M03 For Inspiron 530
Chipset: Intel G33 Express
Memory: Up to 4GB Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM / Video: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 3100 / Audio: Integrated 7.1 Channel Audio
Expansion Capabilities: PCI: 2 Slots PCIe x1: 1 Slot PCIe x16 (Graphics): 1 Slots / Motherboard Compatible Part Numbers: G679R, RY007, FM586, CU409, RN474, K216C, GN723, G33M02
Peripheral Interfaces: 1 DVI, VGA and 1 S-Video (with add-in PCI-Express video card), IEEE 1394 (optional): 1 - 6-pin serial connector, 10 USB ports (4 Front, 4 back) + 2 internal, 6 back-panel connectors for line-in, line-out, microphone, rear surround, side surround, two front-panel connectors for headphones/microphone, integrated 7.1 channel sound, Integrated 10/100 network interface,
[/code]
Still trying to work out what Dell model the other computer is.
[editline]5th January 2013[/editline]
The other one looks like this:
[img]http://i.imgur.com/qClEa.jpg[/img]
But I can't find any spec sheets that match what I remember from looking at it, so I'm guessing it's been customized. I guess we'll have to wait until Monday.
Found the part, it's seems to be a [url=http://amzn.com/B002N7S1A4]Dell Special[/url], so ofc the x8 socket is only x4 long.
So the boss has bought an new i7 ivybridge because why not and is very kindly offering this to me when it arrives:
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Pxyhm.jpg[/IMG]
(not my screenshot)
Any improvement? [url=http://www.asrock.com/mb/intel/g31m-gs/]The mobo[/url] still only has one x16 socket on it but the case is a proper case and not a welded-together Dell monstrosity so that's good.
[QUOTE=Lexic;39103485]But one of the PCI-e slots is half the size of the other one. The card won't fit?
I'll try to find out what model of Dell it is from google now, but I won't be able to physically check until Monday[/QUOTE]
sorry when someone says x8 pci-e it's usually a x16 slot with less data lanes, it's not open on the end so a x16 card would fit? I don't think I've ever seen a x8 card of any kind. If it's not, you could always open it up...
[editline]9th January 2013[/editline]
yeah it doesn't appear to be open
I've asked my boss to get me [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003EAXPD2]this graphics card[/url] (yes vga) and [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0047GF0WG]this mounting arm[/url].
He's started speaking in riddles so he's going to do something unpredictable again but those two should work right?
[QUOTE=Lexic;39157757]I've asked my boss to get me [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B003EAXPD2]this graphics card[/url] (yes vga) and [url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0047GF0WG]this mounting arm[/url].
He's started speaking in riddles so he's going to do something unpredictable again but those two should work right?[/QUOTE]
According to amazon page the gpu doesn't support anything newer than XP
Incase you want something a bit more expensive but kinda better ( usb instead pci, no need to open pc ) get this: [url]http://www.mindfactory.de/product_info.php/info/p804570_EVGA-UV-39-USB-3-0.html[/url]
[QUOTE=Darkimmortal;39161285]According to amazon page the gpu doesn't support anything newer than XP[/QUOTE]
I'm using Ubuntu, the RadeonDriver wiki page says they support it.
If you're going to use it for gaming, you'll need to upgrade the CPU. Dual core won't do you too much good there, but if it's for office work, it should be fine.
[QUOTE=AllegiantFS;39167449]If you're going to use it for gaming, you'll need to upgrade the CPU. Dual core won't do you too much good there, but if it's for office work, it should be fine.[/QUOTE]
Considering he's asking his boss and he found a graphics card that only has VGA ports because it's that old, it's obiviously not for gaming.
They've arrived and I've set everything up, now I just need to bully Ubuntu into not being a knob.
Well, I had to switch computers, get the boss to buy me a [url=http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121041411713]Quadro NVS440[/url], install a bunch of video drivers from the text terminal, tinker with my xorg.conf, curse the Unity devs a bit, install KDE from the text terminal and then spend an entire day setting it up, but I can now finally say:
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Nomufsml.jpg[/IMG]
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