Triple monitor setup possible using on board plus dual output on dedicated GPU?

[jaybee]

As per title. I need to build someone a PC and it's going to be a Haswell build using an i3 processor and probably a Micro ATX motherboard. They want to do whatever the cheapest option is to run 3 monitors with NO GAMING. Just office apps.

So my questions are:

1: On the motherboards with VGA and HDMI and DVI output, can only one of these be used at once?

2: On Haswell motherboards using i3 procesors, can I use on board video output of any sort whilst SIMULTANEOUSLY having a dedicated PCI-e graphics card enabled and in use with 2 ports linked to two monitors, i.e. giving a total of 3 monitors in use at once?

3: If the above is not possible, does a cheap gfx card exist that can output to 3 monitors via DVI/HDMI/VGA (NOT display port) simultaneously?

4: If the above is not possible what are the two cheapest PCI-e cards I can buy that have dual video putput (not display port).

 

[cmndr_andi]

Hi there,

Hopefully I can help a bit though I can't fully answer the question

1) Motherboards seem to be made so that the built-in DVI-D and HDMI ports share the same video feed. Therefore, only two monitors can be connected to the motherboard at once (one VGA, one HDMI/DVI-D).

2) Possibly, using the Lucid Virtu MVP software (which comes with the motherboard bundle) I think this may be possible - but i'm not sure how you would configure it.

3) The cheapest and best way to do this is to use a cheap graphics card that does have displayport. This will mean you will need an active Displayport to DVI/HDMI/VGA adapter, but these only cost ~£20 and work great (for example the "Startech DP2DVIS"). There are HD 5450 and 6450 graphics cards which come with a display port connection and can support three monitors, however unfortunately OCUK only stocks ones with no displayport.

Also, i'm sure someone on the members market has something which will fit the bill for not too much money -it may be worth starting up a Wanted thread.

4) A HD 5450 (non-displayport) or GT210 can be had for around £20 - so two for around £40.