Three workstation video cards on a X16, x8, x4 board?

[georgetok]

I am putting together a desktop with 12 ( Dell U2412M ) 24 inch monitors for watching stock market charts.

I have bought three ATI FirePro 2460 Cards, each supporting 4 monitors. According to AMD, these cards are designed to do just that.

http://www.amd.com/us/products/workstation/graphics/ati-firemv-2d/2460-mv/Pages/2460-firemv.aspx

I need help choosing a motherboard for three ATI FirePro 2460 running in non-crossfire mode.

I am limited to what is available in following two websites because of my location. ( You just might get surprised )

http://www.theitwares.com/computer-hardware-motherboards-c-101_29.html?main_catid=101

http://www.theitdepot.com/products-Motherboards_C13.html

I can't afford to make a mistake because of no return & no refund policy.

I would appreciate all the help.

Thank You.

 

[Proximon]

So it's not just me, it's a tough question

The slot is physically an x16 slot, I think. I believe all three slots are X16 in electrical and size terms.

Apparently, it's just a question of bandwidth available? Anyone?

 

[georgetok]

So it's not just me, it's a tough question

The slot is physically an x16 slot, I think. I believe all three slots are X16 in electrical and size terms.

Apparently, it's just a question of bandwidth available? Anyone?

I hope some experts coming back from weekend would chime in.

 

[Maziar]

I agree with Proximon.Any motherboard with 3 PCI-E x16 slots should work fine with the cards

 

[georgetok]

I agree with Proximon.Any motherboard with 3 PCI-E x16 slots should work fine with the cards

Yep, with actual three PCIe x16 slots.

But with two boards in question he made following argument :


" The problem is actually a bit more technical. The third PCI-E slot on these boards does not even go through the same controller.

The first two slots are controlled by the CPU directly. The third slot is controlled by the chipset, P67 or Z68 depending on the board."

That raises lots of doubts about Asus P8P67 Pro & P8Z68 V Pro actually having 3 PCIe x16 slots.

 

[Proximon]

It's definitely safer to go with a more expensive board that has the NF200 controller I think. That also gives you a 4th slot for another card and the slight speed edge the high end boards provide.

 

[Maziar]

Agreed^

 

[jaquith]

For what your needs are (NOT GAMING aka 2D) an x16/x8/x4 has no bearing any bandwidth is fine. You need a NF200 MOBO like a hole in the head.

Start here - http://sites.amd.com/us/business/products/pro-graphics/eyefinity/Pages/eyefinity-for-professionals.aspx

Regarding a MOBO/CPU - "watching stock market charts" is low CPU/GPU usage so any current CPU and MOBO with 3 PCIe full slots will work with AMD.

Example - 12 monitor system -> http://www.naplestech.com/shopcart/quadstation_12.asp
Example of GPU's used -> http://www.naplestech.com/shopcart/products.asp?cat=10

As long as the GPU outputs can connect to the monitor you're good.

Example:
ASUS P8Z68-V
i5-2500
2x4GB DDR3-1333
(3) FirePro 2460 DVI ONLY or FirePro 2450 DVI & VGA
(12) Monitors
(2) 6 Monitor stands
IMO (2) HDD in RAID 1
850W PSU ; I like Corsair
Mid-Tower Case ; I ; I like the Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced
Window 7 Professional
DVD
Keyboard & Mouse
Luck in Trading

 

[Proximon]

The 2460s pull a very small amount of power, so I doubt the 850W PSU is needed.

The descriptions of these cards also states "PCI Express x16 slot required."

 

[jaquith]

My calculations came to 650W to 750W - I deliberately left room. The PRO GPUs often pull a little more than the HD's. So IMO better too big than too small i.e. Return Policy.

 

[Proximon]

Not sure where I got my figures now... Nothing specific here but similar cards seem to pull 20-50W
http://forums.atomicmpc.com.au/index.php?showtopic=264

"Low maximum power, less than 20 watts"
http://www.amd.com/us/products/workstation/graphics/ati-firemv-2d/2460-mv/Pages/2460-firemv.aspx

But you have to wonder how that would be. I'd like to see actual draws once you are feeding 4 monitors with one. Maybe a slightly larger PSU would be in order.

 

[jaquith]

You're harping on PSU, then "My calculations came to 650W to 750W" one of those. I spent 3 seconds of thought on the PSU.

The OP could put a 1500W and it would work, BUT too small and havoc.

SAME PRICE ($4) -> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Productcompare.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007657%2050001459&IsNodeId=1&bop=And&CompareItemList=58|17-139-011^17-139-011-TS%2C17-139-010^17-139-010-TS which one would you get??

 

[Proximon]

Yep, that wasn't the point of the post, you are right. OP is in India though, and I'm not seeing many Corsair PSUs there.

I was just concerned that the third x4 slot on the board would not support a third card. I can't find any reference to anyone using it for video. If the first two PCI-E slots function at x8 and the controller onboard the CPU has 16 lanes, where does the other x4 come from?

If the PCI-E lanes get too overloaded will it effect the SATA 6GB/s and USB 3.0 performance? I know the NF200 chip will effectively split the load from the lanes, and I was thinking that might result in smoother performance all around.

These cards don't NEED a lot of bandwidth. I get that. My concern is how much bandwidth they will tie up.

The pre-built you linked is on an X58 platform. Way more PCI-E bandwidth available there.

 

[jaquith]

I am putting together a desktop with 12 ( Dell U2412M ) 24 inch monitors for watching stock market charts.

I need help choosing a motherboard for three ATI FirePro 2460 running in non-crossfire mode.

I am limited to what is available in following two websites because of my location. ( You just might get surprised )
http://www.theitwares.com/computer-hardware-motherboards-c-101_29.html?main_catid=101
http://www.theitdepot.com/products-Motherboards_C13.html

I can't afford to make a mistake because of no return & no refund policy.

I answered the question regarding a MOBO, and looked at the OP's site to confirm availability.

The India site has Corsair and Seasonic both are excellent PSU's
(CMPSU-750TXV2) INR 5915 ($121 USD)
(CMPSU850TXV2) INR 6660 ($136 USD)

This isn't a 3D build it's a 2D and slow at that for market ticker, graphs and charts.

If the OP was wanting to watch 6 movies, play some games, and otherwise an 'off-use' then sure I'd start thinking about more PCIe lanes and saturation. I seriously doubt each FirePro 2460 will saturate more than x1 PCIe lane much less x4 and you're kidding x8.

Scaling -> http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GTX_480_PCI-Express_Scaling/1.html even on 'gaming' note some of the x4 vs x8 vs x16.

Next, the OP will NOT be using 12 x Resolution as you do in 'gaming' instead each screen is it own thing aka independent. Otherwise if the OP maximized a screen (Window) it would go across ALL 12 monitors.

 

[jaquith]

Corsair HX750W INR 7750 ($158 USD)
Corsair CMPSU-850HXUK INR 8840 ($180 USD)

Hopefully Corsair honors their rebates Globally.

 

[georgetok]

Would Intel Motherboard DX58S0 & 3 FirePro 2460 work ?


And are there more than one versions of DX58S0 ? I mean some with only 2 PCIe x16 slots & other with 3 PCIe x16 slots ?

 

[Proximon]

That's an X58 board, not compatible with the CPU.

 

[jaquith]

Would Intel Motherboard DX58S0 & 3 FirePro 2460 work ?


And are there more than one versions of DX58S0 ? I mean some with only 2 PCIe x16 slots & other with 3 PCIe x16 slots ?

I don't like that MOBO because it has too many problematic issues, nor do I recommend Intel MOBOs in general though I know they're making a point to build more aggressive ones for LGA 2011 so the verdict is still out. Sure you can use an X58, thought you might be thinking about it after the 12 monitor links. I looked and I didn't see that you purchased anything more than the GPUs and perhaps a slue of Dell monitors.

I have 11 ASUS P6X58D-E for my office, love them - work flawlessly. link - http://www.theitdepot.com/details-Asus+P6X58D-E+24GB+DDR3+USB+3.0+Intel+Motherboard_C13P8855.html Many will argue performance to price LGA 1155 vs LGA 1366, but the performance differences are negligible, though the i7-970/980 are indeed expensive so it might be worth waiting a few weeks until mid-November for both an LGA 2011 MOBO and LGA 2011 CPU (Core I7-3930K / 6 core) and Quad Channel memory 4x4GB DDR3-1333.

ASUS P6X58D-E PCIe 2.0 (x16, x8, x8) - http://usa.asus.com/Motherboards/Intel_Socket_1366/P6X58DE/#specifications
Intel Core i7-960 (4 core) - http://ark.intel.com/products/37151/Intel-Core-i7-960-Processor-(8M-Cache-3_20-GHz-4_80-GTs-Intel-QPI)
Intel Core i7-980 (6 core) - http://ark.intel.com/products/58664/Intel-Core-i7-980-Processor-(12M-Cache-3_33-GHz-4_8-GTs-Intel-QPI)

ASUS P6X58D-E
Intel Core i7-960 (4 core) <or> Intel Core i7-970 (6 core) <or> Intel Core i7-980 (6 core)
3x4GB DDR3-1333
(3) FirePro 2460 DVI ONLY or FirePro 2450 DVI & VGA
(12) Monitors
(2) 6 Monitor stands
IMO (2) HDD in RAID 1
850W PSU ; I like Corsair
Mid-Tower Case ; I ; I like the Cooler Master CM690 II Advanced
Window 7 Professional
DVD
Keyboard & Mouse

 

[georgetok]

How much difference would LGA 2011 MOBO and LGA 2011 CPU would make for my application ?

Approximately how much a price difference would be ?

Is it certain that it would come out in Mid November & be available in plenty at retail stores ?

Thanks

 

[jaquith]

See for yourself -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Bridge#Desktop_processors

November 14, 2011 - http://vr-zone.com/articles/sandy-bridge-e-will-launch-on-the-14th-of-november-not-the-15th/13652.html

I would look at the i7-3930K, 6-core and $583 est USD.

Both the Prices and Release date have remained CONSTANT since the Intel 'B2' recall, otherwise that SB-E / LGA 2011 would have been for sale already for a month or two...

 

[EXT64]

I second the P6X58D-E for X58. I have it and love it so far.

 

[georgetok]

See for yourself -> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandy_Bridge#Desktop_processors

November 14, 2011 - http://vr-zone.com/articles/sandy-bridge-e-will-launch-on-the-14th-of-november-not-the-15th/13652.html

I would look at the i7-3930K, 6-core and $583 est USD.

Both the Prices and Release date have remained CONSTANT since the Intel 'B2' recall, otherwise that SB-E / LGA 2011 would have been for sale already for a month or two...

Thank You.

Any idea of what percentage performance difference it would make ?

 

[EXT64]

Watching stock market charts, right? No noticeable difference I'd bet.

 

[georgetok]

Watching stock market charts, right? No noticeable difference I'd bet.

It is not just the charts most non technical people are used to seeing it.

Depending on the chart application you use it could be quite intensive.

In my case I will be watching 12 charts on 12 Monitors. Each chart has 14 indicators that has to be recalculated for each new data point that comes in every mili second.

I don't know how that compares to some other complicated applications.

 

[EXT64]

Sorry, what I mean is it is likely that both the current Intel 6 core and SB-E 6 core will do close to the same in it, or neither will be sufficient. I'd expect the former.