Cheapest dual GPU setup (only motherboard and GPU cards)

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CdTDroiD

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# 80849 5-Apr-2011 08:49

Hi guys,

I need some opinions on some setups for dual graphics cards, client wants to run 3 screens expanded desktop.

Havnt done alot of low end dual GPU card systems, whats the best combo (price wise)

1x Motherboard
2x Graphics cards

Thanks

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# 455404 5-Apr-2011 09:07

Something like a HD5450, which will give you 2 outputs and are cheap. This added with a reasonable motherboard and you will have your 3 screens. You need to make sure that the motherboard is capable though, some motherboards will switch there iGPU off if it detects a external GPU.
Gigabyte boards are good and have surround vision which does what you want.

vinnieg

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# 455407 5-Apr-2011 09:15

Yeah as Garvani says, look for any motherboards with Crossfire X aka Hybrid crossfire

Enables 3 outputs(2 from graphics card, 1 from motherboard) although it'd have to be a similar rated external card, something like the MSI 880GMA-E45 from pricespy for $117 and then a 5450 for around 60-80

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CdTDroiD

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# 455441 5-Apr-2011 11:12

Thanks guys, going with...

GIGABYTE 880GMA-UD2H AM3 1800+ Six-core Processor Ready 880G - $185.15

Asus HD 5450 512MB GDDR2 PCI-E SILENT VGA - $64.40 x2

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Ragnor

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# 455554 5-Apr-2011 15:09

A single 5450 can run 3 monitors, is just depends what connectors the brand you are buying has and what connectors your monitor has.

I think the Asus 5450 has DVI, VGA and DisplayPort, pretty sure there is another brand/model that is DVI x2 and DisplayPort on the back of the card.

If your monitors only have DVI connections, you'll need an active DisplayPort to DVI adpater to use the DisplayPort, this should be cheaper than buying a 2nd video card (but don't hold me to that!).

Bottom line is, what connections do the monitors you plan use have?

vinnieg

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# 455580 5-Apr-2011 15:39

CdTDroiD: Thanks guys, going with...

GIGABYTE 880GMA-UD2H AM3 1800+ Six-core Processor Ready 880G - $185.15

Asus HD 5450 512MB GDDR2 PCI-E SILENT VGA - $64.40 x2

Oh i thought you were going to use them in hybrid mode? Meaning you actually only require one external graphics card, ie 1x 5450 and the motherboard above

Ragnor is right too, you can run 3x monitors off one 5450, with a display port(or Display port to DVI adapter)
So that'd save your client a bit of money too! You could even switch to an Intel board if you wanted too, no specific requirement to use the AMD based boards

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

CdTDroiD

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# 455581 5-Apr-2011 15:43

I thought you had to have 2x GPU cards to be able to run 3 or more screens, in extended desktop mode i am meaning not just a copy of one of the others if you know what i mean lol.

I dont think you can run 3 monitors by using 1 GPU card with 2 out puts (VGA and DVI) and then use the motherboard out put... is that what you guys are meaning?

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garvani

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# 455584 5-Apr-2011 15:46

That is what we mean CdTDroiD, and it is entirely possible, i have one client that has 6 of these machines doing just that in his call centre.
As stated you only need 1 5450 and that motherboard.

CdTDroiD

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# 455586 5-Apr-2011 15:48

garvani: That is what we mean CdTDroiD, and it is entirely possible, i have one client that has 6 of these machines doing just that in his call centre.
As stated you only need 1 5450 and that motherboard.

Ah ok, well maybe ill try that then lol. and you say that 880 motherboard should do it fine? i assume the drivers and software needed would be in the motherboard driver disk?

EDIT: the monitors are 22" BENQ with 1x VGA and 1x DVI inputs

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garvani

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# 455587 5-Apr-2011 15:51

Its actually done in the bios, just set surround view option (under integrated peripherals i believe) to on and your away, then goto display properties in windows, enable all three monitors and your done.

CdTDroiD

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# 455589 5-Apr-2011 15:56

garvani: Its actually done in the bios, just set surround view option (under integrated peripherals i believe) to on and your away, then goto display properties in windows, enable all three monitors and your done.

Ok awesome, thought i would have known that one lol

Surround vision is only on Gigabyte boards? I just cant find that name on any of the specs

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garvani

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# 455591 5-Apr-2011 16:00

Its not surround vision that was my mistake, its surround view..

Go here.. search the page for surround view and it briefly mentions it

CdTDroiD

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# 455593 5-Apr-2011 16:03

garvani: Its not surround vision that was my mistake, its surround view..

Go here.. search the page for surround view and it briefly mentions it

Great thanks for your help mate, much appreciated. should be a little cheaper than running 2 GPU cards :)

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CdTDroiD

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# 455787 6-Apr-2011 08:39

Hey again one more thing,

This motherboard should run 3 monitors with the HD5450 GPU also as it says CrossfireX support?

Asus M4A78LT-M LE

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Ragnor

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# 455849 6-Apr-2011 11:32

Yes that board supports hybrid crossfire (crossfire between onboard gpu + PCI-E card). So it's should just be a matter of enabling the SurroundView feature in the mobo bios.

In the worst case if you can't get onboard gpu + PCI-E cardworking with 3 monitors like you want you can just buy an Active DisplayPort to DVI adapter and use the 3 monitors off the PCI-E card.

RealityClash

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# 456076 6-Apr-2011 19:42

http://www.amd.com/US/PRODUCTS/TECHNOLOGIES/AMD-EYEFINITY-TECHNOLOGY/Pages/eyefinity.aspx

Thought you might find this link interesting if you decided to run all 3 monitors off a single gpu in extended mode. You can do this with most Radeon HD 6000/5000 series cards.
I currently have 3 monitors all running off my HD 5750 in extended (2 monitors connected to DVI outputs and 1 connected to the displayport output using a VGA to DP adaptor)

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