Desktop that can run 4 monitors

[Chiuy]

Hi guys,

I have a friend that wants to build a custom desktop that can run games and do bunch of multitasking stuff for under a budget of $1000.
His special needs would be running 4 monitors at once. (For slideshows and stuff for some open house or whatever he's doing, he won't be gaming while running 4 monitors though)

I was wondering what are the best specs for his needs and whether or not he needs a duo video card?
I'm an owner of ATI 7870 2GB and I think it's an amazing graphic card, but if he does need a duo video card, I don't think 2 ATI 7870 would fit in his budget. Maybe a cheaper graphic card or even NVIDIA?
Any recommendations?

 

[tiny voices]

For 4 monitors you will need a second GPU. Because he isn't going to game on more than 1, he can just get a cheap GPU to run the 4th monitor.

 

[Chiuy]

My friend asked me if he can use the built in intel video card and a dedicated graphic card to run 4 monitors. Is that possible?

 

[MOMOJOJO-1302146]

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($26.85 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($26.85 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda Green 1.5TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($293.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Full (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Other: ASRock Fatal1ty Z77 ATX Professional-M ($120.00)
Other: Radeon 5450 ($30.00)
Total: $1010.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-28 18:41 EDT-0400)

I wanted to add an ssd, but then you would have to shave some off of the rest of the build.

link to the motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157300

NOTE: Price of mobo and 2nd video card are included in total.

 

[g-unit1111]

Hi guys,

I have a friend that wants to build a custom desktop that can run games and do bunch of multitasking stuff for under a budget of $1000.
His special needs would be running 4 monitors at once. (For slideshows and stuff for some open house or whatever he's doing, he won't be gaming while running 4 monitors though)

I was wondering what are the best specs for his needs and whether or not he needs a duo video card?
I'm an owner of ATI 7870 2GB and I think it's an amazing graphic card, but if he does need a duo video card, I don't think 2 ATI 7870 would fit in his budget. Maybe a cheaper graphic card or even NVIDIA?
Any recommendations?

A single 7870 or GTX 660 will support up to four monitors without issue.

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K 3.4GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Microcenter)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($26.85 @ NCIX US)
Memory: Crucial Ballistix 4GB (1 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($26.85 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda Green 1.5TB 3.5" 5900RPM Internal Hard Drive ($79.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Video Card: XFX Radeon HD 7950 3GB Video Card ($293.98 @ Newegg)
Case: Cooler Master Elite 430 ATX Mid Tower Case ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair Builder 600W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($64.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 8 Full (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Other: ASRock Fatal1ty Z77 ATX Professional-M ($120.00)
Other: Radeon 5450 ($30.00)
Total: $1010.00
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-28 18:41 EDT-0400)

I wanted to add an ssd, but then you would have to shave some off of the rest of the build.

No offense but this is an unbelievably mismatched build. A Radeon 5450 will not support four displays and will bog down the system. Really onboard video is better than a 5450. That green hard drive will be a massive bottleneck.

Maybe try something like this:

PCPartPicker part list / Price breakdown by merchant / Benchmarks

CPU: Intel Core i5-3350P 3.1GHz Quad-Core Processor ($169.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock H77 Pro4/MVP ATX LGA1155 Motherboard ($82.55 @ Newegg)
Memory: Mushkin Blackline 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($63.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: OCZ Vertex 4 128GB 2.5" Solid State Disk ($134.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 1TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($74.99 @ Newegg)
Video Card: PowerColor Radeon HD 7870 XT 2GB Video Card ($235.66 @ Newegg)
Case: Corsair 200R ATX Mid Tower Case ($59.99 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic S12II 520W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($70.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($17.99 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($99.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $1011.12
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-28 22:38 EDT-0400)

 

[Chiuy]

So, a 7870 is strong enough to run 4 monitors at once and don't I need an adapter for it?

 

[tiny voices]

So, a 7870 is strong enough to run 4 monitors at once and don't I need an adapter for it?

It will run them as long as there is no gaming involved. It will game fine on one monitor.

 

[MOMOJOJO-1302146]

I can't believe I just did that. I forgot that the 7870 supported 4 monitors, my bad. I put in the 5450 just for extra video outputs. And I didn't even look at the rpm of the hdd. Sorry for that poor advice, as you can see I didn't pay close attention.