[young707]

We are seeking graphic cards for all new systems for offices use. All systems are i7 LGA1155 Intel motherboard running Windows 7 x 64bits.

We seek graphic cards to drive multiple 1080p HD LCD displays. Prefer 256MB or 512MB. PCI (not PCIe), no fan.

We want stable and solid hardware. Otherwise, any hiccup, support shop always get the blame.

We are debating between Nvidia or Radeon, what is your take?
Thank you.

[coastie65]

Hi and welcome to the forums. The first question that comes to mind is why in the world would you want PCI over PCIe? PCI is OLD techology and inefficient in today's world and a serious downgrade. With what you are running ( socket 1155 ), the motherboard may or may not even have a PCI slot. You are running an Intel Sandy Bridge Processor with that 1155 socket and those things have an integrated GPU ( pretty good one too ). Just make sure you have ample system memory and you should be fine. That having been said, there are a lot of 1155 Motherboards that don't have GPU outputs, so you would need a dedicated card.

[LiveBrianD]

If these are for office use, use the integrated graphics, as the Intel HD 3000 is pretty good for basic use. I see absolutely no reason to go for PCI over PCIe - you'll severely limit your options, and you'll get bad performance.

[coastie65]

LiveBrianD, on 19 January 2012 - 01:29 PM, said:

If these are for office use, use the integrated graphics, as the Intel HD 3000 is pretty good for basic use. I see absolutely no reason to go for PCI over PCIe - you'll severely limit your options, and you'll get bad performance.

Hey Brian, the MOBO may not have any graphics outputs as we determined in another thread, so no provisions for using the integrated GPU.

[LiveBrianD]

If that's the case, and all you're doing is word processing and the like, something like a Radeon 6450 might work. That, and a 2600K, require 230W according to this http://extreme.outer...n.com/PSUEngine (why does AMD say 400W? For a low end card? I highly doubt that...)

[young707]

We are looking at Intel LGA1155 motherboards with i7 CPU. (Bosses love stable Intel mb.) These Intel mb only has one PCIe x16 slots, but most have 3 PCI slots.

Can you recommend any single graphic cards drives 3 display, no fan, with 512MB or 1GB? Then, we can use PCIe x16 single card.

Otherwise, two PCI graphic cards will be needed to drive 3 displays.

[LiveBrianD]

I don't think you can drive 3 monitors off most cards. If I remember correctly, you can run 3 off one ati card as long as one of them is displayport. Look at this: http://www.amd.com/u...roducts-support

(I think you are limited to 2 monitors with one nvidia card)

That said, why do you want 3 monitors anyway? Isn't 2 1920x1080 or so ones enough?

Also, I don't think you can get ANY somewhat recent cards in PCI. However, I have heard of people using an AGP card and a PCI card to run dual-monitors a long time ago, so I guess you could use a PCIe card as the main one and a cheap PCI one as the secondary one. (I also heard of a guy using a PCIe card to run 2 monitors and the integrated graphics to run another.) PCI will limit the bandwidth to the card though, so you don't want to use it for a graphics card unless you have to.

[SnyperTodd]

This is obviously for business use, Brian. There are unlimited situations where 3 (or more) monitors are helpful or even imperative.

[young707]

So far we found Sapphire FleX 100322FLEX Radeon HD6540 1GB PCIe x16, no fan.
Output ports: 1xHDMI, 2xDVI (1 single link, 1 dual link - do not know what this link means?)

http://www.newegg.co...ID=4w3dtwp49qo0

Our concern is this card requires two side by side back slots.
Is there any other graphic cards out there similar to this design? Thank you.

[LiveBrianD]

I think that can only run 2 monitors though. (if 3, it has to be an ati card and one has to be displayport and the card must support eyefinity) Otherwise, that card is ok. It appears that it includes a single-slot bracket (they just show the dual-slot one in most pics), and that's likely why a HDMI>DVI adapter is included, for 2 DVI monitors without having the dual-slot thing.

[young707]

Anyone has experiences with this Sapphire FleX 100322FLEX Radeon HD6540 1GB PCIe x16, no fan graphic card?

Output ports: 1xHDMI, 2xDVI (1 single link, 1 dual link - we think 1080p HD Display only need single link DVI connections, right?)

http://www.newegg.co...ID=4w3dtwp49qo0

Wrote Sapphire, they are in Hong Kong and only distributor in California. Did not get answer on the back slot if single or double?

Is there any other graphic cards out there similar to this design? Thank you.

[young707]

received reply from Sapphire distributor, this card only has dual slot bracket. No single slot bracket is included.

[waldojim]

I am not sure if you are looking to meet specific price limitations, but here is a good option:
Asus 6670

Now that card being what it is, will support 3 displays, only needs one back-plate yet requires two slots total in size. These will also need a fairly decent power supply.

The other option would be the XFX 5770. This guy is a completely single slot solution supporting up to 5 displays. Though it does cost a bit more ($150 each), and will also require a strong power supply.

[young707]

Thank you for your responses.
Your XFX link does not show. Are you talking about this:
http://www.newegg.co...7&SID=u00000687

Both XFX & Asus displayports requires additional adapters.

We are told to use DVI & HDMI cables for the support shop, and avoid different type of "Display Port". Techs can go to different buildings and office floors with minimal standard gears (or in the trucks) and get stations up and running quickly. We are timed and rated for service calls.

[LiveBrianD]

DisplayPort seems to be only used on Macs (well, mini-displayport anyway) and some newer business machines. Generally, consumer machines have DVI, HDMI, and the legacy VGA. For business, DVI, Displayport, legacy VGA.

[waldojim]

young707, on 27 January 2012 - 01:12 PM, said:

Thank you for your responses.
Your XFX link does not show. Are you talking about this:
http://www.newegg.co...7&SID=u00000687

Both XFX & Asus displayports requires additional adapters.

We are told to use DVI & HDMI cables for the support shop, and avoid different type of "Display Port". Techs can go to different buildings and office floors with minimal standard gears (or in the trucks) and get stations up and running quickly. We are timed and rated for service calls.

To run more than 2 displays, you either have to run multiple graphics cards (which create their own problems) or have Display Port. Sadly, that is the current state of technology. The bright side is that DP adapters are readily available, and relatively inexpensive. They are also extremely easy to use.

That said, if you would rather avoid DP, then having two video cards is the only option (only option I can think of anyhow). I have not scoped out PCI cards in some time, and honestly don't know what to recommend there.

This post has been edited by waldojim: 27 January 2012 - 05:42 PM