Workstation hardware recommendations?

[Gregg Hill]

Hello!

It has been many years since my last hardware upgrade. I would like to
replace my motherboard, CPU, RAM, and video card.

My goal is to have an Intel-based system that will have 4GB of RAM, support
four LCD flat-panel displays, and be capable of 64-bit OS support. I plan to
install XP Pro 32-bit, XP Pro 64-bit, and Vista 64-bit.

In the old days, one way to support four displays was to buy a quad video
card such as a Matrox. From my understanding, I could have a motherboard
that supports two video cards and have each card support two monitors while
remaining as seamless as a single card supporting four monitors.

I am looking at Seagate Barracuda ES ST3250620NS drives, but I have no idea
what motherboards or video cards are any good. I am not a gamer, but I want
a fast workstation.

Does anyone have recommendations on motherboards and video cards to do what
I want?

Thank you for your time!

Gregg Hill

 

[Guest]

You have to take care of many things. Some information from various
discussions:

Nov 5, 2006 Windows Vista and multiple video cards
If you want to use the full Aero user interface with Windows Vista, and you
have multiple video cards installed, Vista requires that all video cards use
the same driver.

At a minimum, this means that all video cards need to use a chipset from the
same manufacturer, for example all cards have either an ATI or Nvidia chipset.

You can still use video cards with chipsets from different manufacturers,
but you'll be limited to the basic user interface.

More Information:
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/display/multimonVista.mspx

Mar 6, 2006 Nvidia Quadro NVS PCIe x1 card
I don't know if this is news, but I just noticed that the Nvidia Quadro NVS
440, the 4-monitor NVS card, is available in a PCI Express x1 version. This
allows you to install the card in any PCIe slot. See the PNY site for more
information. The NVS 440 is also available in a regular x16 version.

http://www.pny.com/products/quadro/nvs/440x1NvsPciEx.asp
http://www.pny.com/products/quadro/view.asp?prod=440x1nvspcie

Hope this help, let us know!

 

[Gregg Hill]

RajKohli,

Thank you for your input. I currently have an nVidia FX5500 AGP dual-monitor
card and it works well, so their quad offering will most likely be good as
well.

Ouch! That is one expensive card at $450 retail. What would be the
difference between using one of those or two of these
http://www2.pny.com/7600-GS-512MB-PCIe--P1896C14.aspx at $150 retail each?
Would two cards with more RAM be even better?

Since I will be buying a new motherboard as well, I can buy one with
multiple PCIe x1 slots. I have even seen some with dual PCIe x16 slots, too.

Speaking of motherboards, years ago, Gigabyte was a great brand, but I have
no idea of their reputation today. Who makes quality boards today?

Gregg Hill

 

[Guest]

First of all, if you are not a gammer then I will suggest you not to go for
this kind of High-End graphic card. They are especially design for gaming and
graphic applications.

For Windows XP / Vista a normal 256MB or 512MB will be sufficient. In case
of performance, you need to consider about Motherboard, Processor and RAM.
4GB of RAM will be good enough.

For Windows Vista, read this:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/buyorupgrade/capable.mspx

In Windows Vista, there is new function called "Aero Bliss" which will only
be available if your Video Card has minimum of 128MB RAM with Pixel shading
kind of stuff etc. Even the Intel's new D101 and D102 motherboards has
sufficient Video RAM and Pixel Shading etc. to support the Aero Bliss
function. However, they may not suit your requirements as they only have 1
PCIExpress slot. This is about your Video Card requirement. If you are not
Gammer or Professional Designer then waisting a huge amount of money on
garphic cards will not be a good idea.

Last but not the least, especially take care about the motherboard and the
compatibility between Video Cards.

For GigaByte Motherboard, check this:
http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=780&cid=3

Also consider about a good Hard Disk Drive. As the above motherboard can
support many high-end HDDs.

Before purchasing, you must tell the seller about your current requirements
so he may give you a little bit more good advise.

Additional information
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-1035_11-5263875.html

Hope this help, let us know!

 

[Gregg Hill]

Thank you for the additional information!

Gregg Hill

 

[Guest]

You're ALL-WAYS Welcome.

Thank you for the additional information!

Gregg Hill