triple output vga cards?

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richms

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Topic # 94731 17-Dec-2011 14:54

Now I have 3 1080 monitors connected, one thru VGA (ick) I really need to sort out even a 1/4 decent graphics card so I can go all digital and also resolve the problems with moving video playback between screens. And more memory will mean that aero doesnt keep bailing on me too.

So I specifically want nvidia since ATI/AMD is just really annoying with its constant reenabling of overscan compensation on the digital outputs and they claim that its not a fault with their bios/drivers and treat you like a moron when you complain about it.

I have seen the giant hairdryer dual GPU cards with more than 2 outputs on them, but what other more sane options are there? Not really concerned about 3d stuff as I dont game, just want working aero and working h264 that I can move between screens without it stopping and starting again with a good change that it breaks.

I have a mini atx board and use all the slots so something that covers the next slot over isnt an option, and I cant really afford to upgrade the whole PC at the moment.

Richard rich.ms

MackinNZ

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Reply # 559029 17-Dec-2011 17:20

I have an nVidia Quadro NVS 450 card that has 4 x display port outputs and drives 3 x 1680 x 1050 22 inch monitors through displayport to DVI adapters. I'm not into gaming but I do watch a few movies and find it handles 1080p without a problem.

I bought it from PB Tech

(Edit: fixed the link)

richms

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Reply # 559038 17-Dec-2011 17:55

Thats a lot more than I was planning on spending unfortunatly.

I was hoping that there was a card with like DVI, HDMI and displayport that could all run together and I could get a cheap displayport to HDMI or DVI adapter off it, lots of cards with 3 sockets, but prior testing has shown that the sockets being there means nothing towards using them at the same time.

Richard rich.ms

MackinNZ

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Reply # 559062 17-Dec-2011 18:45

As you've already discovered, most cards with 3 x outputs can only use two of them at a time. That's partly why the NVS 450 is more expensive, it can drive all 4 ports at the same time.

richms

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Reply # 559065 17-Dec-2011 18:53

Yeah, seems that the dual GPU hairdryer cards are the only way to go, and I dont know if 2 GPUs on one card would work any better than 2 seperate cards, which can be done for a lot cheaper therefore paying for a new motherboard. Might go back to 2 screens and drag a dinosaur PC out for the 3rd one since its really just doing youtube 90% of the time, and tweetdeck the rest.

Richard rich.ms