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PC, blu-ray and 3 displays

828 Views 7 Replies 3 Participants Last post by renethx, Feb 11, 2010

sharpstick

Discussion Starter · Feb 11, 2010

it's time to upgrade. i used to build my own PCs and upgrade one piece at a time for several years, but my current one is a sony vaio(ATA, AGP) that is about 6 years old. i am willing to build one, but it might be just as cheap and easier to buy a complete box this time. (currently unemployed, so cost is a consideration). hopefully in the 500 - 700 range.

i've spent several hours googling and reading the FAQs and my eyes & brain are getting tired.

i am looking for a PC that runs W7, can output to two DVI monitors and a third output to my 1080p tv. i wouldn't mind being able to mirror one signal to the tv, but my current monitor is 1680 x 1050 and i really don't want to swap cables and change res every time i want to watch a movie. one monitor can be less than optimal. i usually use the secondary monitor for email and non video stuff. it's currently a 9 year old 17" flat screen(not wide). i am trying to decide if i can just put in two graphics cards, one with three outputs, or if a mobo with onboard graphics can be used with graphics cards in place.

it also has to be able to play blu-ray(not necessarily immediately. i want to eventually get a blu-ray writer) smoothly and as well as a standalone player. i also want to be able to access bd-live with it.

i don't do any gaming or video rendering. i think HD output is probably the most demanding video job i will need. is 64 bit overkill, is 32 bit adequate?

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renethx

· #2 · Feb 11, 2010

Check this system (DDR2 version). Connect TV and the main monitor to the discrete card and the secondary monitor to onboard video.

You can upgrade the graphics card to a better one such as HD 5670 as in this system (the case needs to be full-height).

For me 32-bit is much easier to configure for video playback.

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sharpstick

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 11, 2010

the graphics cards don't do 3 outputs. most of them only do one DVI with a VGA as second.

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renethx

· #4 · Feb 11, 2010

That's the reason why use a discrete graphics card (DVI and HDMI) + onboard video (DVI). Windows supports as many displays as you like if hardware supports them. Any issue?

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DJWikiera

· #5 · Feb 11, 2010

Unemployed and want to build a new computer!

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sharpstick

Discussion Starter · #6 · Feb 11, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by renethx /forum/post/18115251

That's the reason why use a discrete graphics card (DVI and HDMI) + onboard video (DVI). Windows supports as many displays as you like if hardware supports them. Any issue?

This sort of answers my issue. i will need to make sure the mobo i get is able to enable the onboard video with a card installed. after some searching, it looks like not all of them can.

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sharpstick

Discussion Starter · #7 · Feb 11, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by DJWikiera /forum/post/18115277

Unemployed and want to build a new computer!

we all have our priorities. i didn't say i was homeless, just unemployed! anyone on a geeky forum like this should know what i'm talkin about.

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renethx

· #8 · Feb 11, 2010

Quote:
Originally Posted by sharpstick /forum/post/18115393

i will need to make sure the mobo i get is able to enable the onboard video with a card installed. after some searching, it looks like not all of them can.

Only older Intel chipset mb (G41, G43, G45 or older) lack the support for simultaneous use of IGP and a discrete graphics card (as the PCI Express x16 link is multiplexed with IGP). Every AMD/NVIDIA chipset mb is just fine.

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