Please help with a build

bswootton · 10 Oct 2011 at 20:29

I'm looking to do a PC build or buy but I'm a little out of date on the hardware side of things!

Requirements:

Quad core
8gb RAM with upgrade potential to 16gb
SSD boot drive
Space for 3 x dual link DVI graphics cards

The final one is the one that is causing most problems. It is to power 3 x Apple 30" Cinema Displays.

I have looked at some cards that contain 2 x dual link DVI cards, but 2 of those are expensive and I hear the mini display port to dual link adapter is a little flakey.

Any ideas appreciated!

shadow_boxer · 11 Oct 2011 at 00:06

What will the system be used for? Any gaming? Budget? Windows 7?

SheepBeast · 11 Oct 2011 at 01:23

bswootton said:
but 2 of those are expensive

you have three 30" apple cinema displays. surely cost is not an issue for you??

anyway as shadow boxer said we need a budget and usage details before we can be of much help.

stulid · 11 Oct 2011 at 01:32

Three 30" displays is very selfish.

SheepBeast · 11 Oct 2011 at 02:05

stulid said:
Three 30" displays is very selfish.

lol

Buchanan0204 · 11 Oct 2011 at 05:57

You don't need a high end card to power those. I'm guessing it's for design work? So no gaming card needed. You shouldn't need 2 cards either... one card will power three monitors these days. DVI and perhaps an HDMI to DVI cable for the third monitor.

Buchanan0204 · 11 Oct 2011 at 06:01

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-200-XF&groupid=701&catid=56&subcat=

This will power those three monitors fine. Has two DVI and you can use HDMI on the third. HDMI to DVI cables are easy to come by.

AFAIK you need the adapter for eyefinity if you want to game on them... however for extended desktop use... you wont need that.

If you do plan on gaming on three 30" cinema displays... I need to see that!!! You will need a beast of a setup.

bswootton · 11 Oct 2011 at 08:55

Good morning!

The system will be used for trading.

Even then it will be slightly ridiculous but I figure I will give it a go

The card mentioneed ^

1 Dual-Link DVI-I, 1 HDMI 1.4a & 1x DisplayPort connections

Re the DisplayPort to Dual link DVI adapter - reviews are terrible online.

I also can't find an HDMI to dual link DVI connectors.

These Apple displays are awkward.

bswootton · 11 Oct 2011 at 08:58

No restrictions on the budget but if I can go with the three £40 graphics cards over 2 x £200 graphics cards then that's a result

Promise I will come back and post pictures!

Buchanan0204 · 11 Oct 2011 at 18:18

bswootton said:
Good morning!

The system will be used for trading.

Even then it will be slightly ridiculous but I figure I will give it a go

The card mentioneed ^

1 Dual-Link DVI-I, 1 HDMI 1.4a & 1x DisplayPort connections

Re the DisplayPort to Dual link DVI adapter - reviews are terrible online.

I also can't find an HDMI to dual link DVI connectors.

These Apple displays are awkward.

If the Apple displays use DVI. Then connect two of them with with DVI-DVI cables to the GPU as standard and for the third if you don't want to use the DP then get an HDMI-DVI cable and use that. Plug the DVI end into the monitor and the HDMI end into the graphics card. This will work fine.