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[GUIDE] Hardware Mythbusters - An In-Depth Hardware Guide

Started by Vulpesveritas, May 16 2012 08:59 PM


1329 replies to this topic

#561 cipher

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 03:51 PM

View PostWardenWolf, on 06 July 2012 - 03:48 PM, said:


Myth.

Up until the new Kepler architecture (GeForce GTX 670/680/690), nVidia hardware was limited to two display outputs per GPU. Some cards would have multiple GPUs to get around that (GTX 590, Quadro NVS 450) - and a few mounted DisplayPort connections which can be split into multiple screens via some specialized hardware... but there is no way to 'unlock' extra outputs on a GTX 580.


Correct.

But one could always add external hardware (ie: Matrox Dual or TripleHead devices) to get many more monitors connected to the same video card.

#562 Stahlseele

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 03:52 PM

Slightly wrong.
Solely technically speaking, the Fermi Architecture is very well capable of actually adressing more than 2 Screens per GPU.
But nVidia decided to artificially limit the series from doing that to have one selling point for the 600 series over the 500 series.

THAT is why i am asking this question . .
I have a GTX580 and a Single PCI-E Slot Board . .
So i either need a new Mainboard with then new CPU and new RAM or i need a new Graphics Card to adress more than the 2 Screens i have right now . .

#563 WardenWolf

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 03:53 PM

View Postcipher, on 06 July 2012 - 03:51 PM, said:


Correct.

But one could always add external hardware (ie: Matrox Dual or TripleHead devices) to get many more monitors connected to the same video card.

Yes, very true - and that applies to any card, but the resolution once you split an output is pretty limited.

#564 WardenWolf

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 04:00 PM

View PostStahlseele, on 06 July 2012 - 03:52 PM, said:

Slightly wrong.
Solely technically speaking, the Fermi Architecture is very well capable of actually adressing more than 2 Screens per GPU.
But nVidia decided to artificially limit the series from doing that to have one selling point for the 600 series over the 500 series.

Are you certain? It would seem foolish on their part to have artificially limited that with Fermi (GeForce 400/500), since AMD had 3+ monitor support on the Radeon 5000 and 6000 series cards that they competed with.

I should also add that even with AMD video cards, there is a hardware limit of only two DVI / HDMI outputs - all the rest have to be DisplayPort, though they can be adapted back to DVI / HDMI via active (powered) dongles.

#565 Xmador

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 04:09 PM

That was probably really informative, except I don't read greek.

#566 Stahlseele

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 04:37 PM

View PostWardenWolf, on 06 July 2012 - 04:00 PM, said:

Are you certain? It would seem foolish on their part to have artificially limited that with Fermi (GeForce 400/500), since AMD had 3+ monitor support on the Radeon 5000 and 6000 series cards that they competed with.

I should also add that even with AMD video cards, there is a hardware limit of only two DVI / HDMI outputs - all the rest have to be DisplayPort, though they can be adapted back to DVI / HDMI via active (powered) dongles.

There are Flex Models of the ATI Cards, that allow 3 screens without display port too.

And as far as i understood, the 600 series GPUs ain't that much different from the 500 series GPUs

#567 silentD11

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 05:03 PM

View PostWardenWolf, on 06 July 2012 - 04:00 PM, said:

Are you certain? It would seem foolish on their part to have artificially limited that with Fermi (GeForce 400/500), since AMD had 3+ monitor support on the Radeon 5000 and 6000 series cards that they competed with.

I should also add that even with AMD video cards, there is a hardware limit of only two DVI / HDMI outputs - all the rest have to be DisplayPort, though they can be adapted back to DVI / HDMI via active (powered) dongles.



Yes nvidia limited the amount of displays on the 400/500 series, but not all the cards in that series were capable of doing it to start with. Some vendors created unique cards that could power more than 2 displays, but then again some people made unique cards with wifi video signals, or six monitors on AMD.

There is no way to "unlock" an nvidia card to run more than two. Either you bought a card from a vendor that included the extra goodies you need on the card, or you're going to have fun pulling one hell of a solder job, replacing connectors, and flashing the card (and even then it's almost sure it won't work).

It's also not that dumb of them. People with the cash for three monitors aren't going to use ****** 1080p crap, they go MUCH higher. And given how things work one GPU rarely has the oomph to run it, even multiple don't at good frame rates unless they have tons of VRAM. So computers that actually game over three monitors tend to fall into tripple or quad GPU territory.

#568 Fruits Punch Samurai

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 05:33 PM

Theres also LEPA PSU. I was looking for one for my build and it looks like it fufills Vulpe's criteria. Right now Newegg has a 700w modular psu @ $129.99 (price is with $10 discount & $10 rebate http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817194084

Thoughts?

#569 Aznpersuasion89

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 05:44 PM

Anyone have any experience with the rosewill future case? http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811147108

#570 Vulpesveritas

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 05:56 PM

It's a great deal right now.

#571 Vulpesveritas

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 08:08 PM

View PostFruits Punch Samurai, on 06 July 2012 - 05:33 PM, said:

Theres also LEPA PSU. I was looking for one for my build and it looks like it fufills Vulpe's criteria. Right now Newegg has a 700w modular psu @ $129.99 (price is with $10 discount & $10 rebate http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817194084

Thoughts?

According to this: http://www.techpower...G700-MA/10.html
http://www.hardocp.c...supply_review/9

It's a cheapo Enermax knock-off. While okay, it seems to have poor rail regulation and ripple. So I would say go for another power supply.
And unless you're looking at Xfire/SLI, you're only going to be using two rails anyhow, so that third rail would be unused.
And given that for more or less the same price, you can get a Seasonic X-650, I would definitely go with the more stable and reliable Seasonic. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817151088
Or, we have a Superflower based Rosewill capstone for less; http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182073

Edited by Vulpesveritas, 06 July 2012 - 08:42 PM.

#572 Vulpesveritas

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Posted 06 July 2012 - 08:31 PM

View PostsilentD11, on 06 July 2012 - 05:03 PM, said:



Yes nvidia limited the amount of displays on the 400/500 series, but not all the cards in that series were capable of doing it to start with. Some vendors created unique cards that could power more than 2 displays, but then again some people made unique cards with wifi video signals, or six monitors on AMD.

There is no way to "unlock" an nvidia card to run more than two. Either you bought a card from a vendor that included the extra goodies you need on the card, or you're going to have fun pulling one hell of a solder job, replacing connectors, and flashing the card (and even then it's almost sure it won't work).

It's also not that dumb of them. People with the cash for three monitors aren't going to use ****** 1080p crap, they go MUCH higher. And given how things work one GPU rarely has the oomph to run it, even multiple don't at good frame rates unless they have tons of VRAM. So computers that actually game over three monitors tend to fall into tripple or quad GPU territory.

Yet people get three 1080p monitors more often it seems than the 1440/1600p monitors. Multitasking and advantages of Eyefinity/surround and all.

#573 Fruits Punch Samurai

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Posted 07 July 2012 - 07:04 AM

View PostVulpesveritas, on 06 July 2012 - 08:08 PM, said:

According to this: http://www.techpower...G700-MA/10.html
http://www.hardocp.c...supply_review/9

It's a cheapo Enermax knock-off. While okay, it seems to have poor rail regulation and ripple. So I would say go for another power supply.
And unless you're looking at Xfire/SLI, you're only going to be using two rails anyhow, so that third rail would be unused.
And given that for more or less the same price, you can get a Seasonic X-650, I would definitely go with the more stable and reliable Seasonic. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817151088
Or, we have a Superflower based Rosewill capstone for less; http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182073


Interesting article since most of the things I've heard have been postive. Defintaly some great alternatives you've found.

#574 DEADTIME

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Posted 07 July 2012 - 11:03 PM

Use both Intel and AMD rigs, one a high end 600 dollar Intel 6 core the other an AMD 8 core 8150. Both systems run 6990s now and will be updated to 7990s when released. Both have 32 gigs of ddr 1600 ram (mushkin) and a 256 gig ssd for booting and loading games. I really am hard pressed to tell the difference 98% of the time and the AMD system cost me a hell of a lot less.

#575 Shin Ken

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Posted 08 July 2012 - 02:36 AM

If got a question:
Can you lock the twisting function of the thrustmaster T.16000M?
I'm interestet in the joystick, but I don't like the twisting - I would rather use pedals for that.


At the moment I'm using a saitek ST90 - It's very simple (no real throttle, just 3 buttons, that's it) which I actually kinda like. Also it feels quite reliable (but I'm not using it for too long yet) and it's very compact and takes up very little space (because of the layout of the "base") which is a huge plus for me.
Posted Image

Edited by Shin Ken, 08 July 2012 - 02:38 AM.

#576 Vulpesveritas

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Posted 08 July 2012 - 07:41 AM

To help those out there looking for a new computer at various price points, I figured I would post my recommendations with weekly updates for sales. Onward with the Posts then?

All will be in USD based on Newegg sales. Sorry for those of you outside of the USA or Canada, though this should hopefully at least help know what to look for. This is also before shipping fees.

The following are of course my opinions, and feel free to leave feedback. Hope it helps.

Breakdown-

Case:
PSU:
Motherboard:
CPU:
GPU:
RAM:
HDD:
ODD:
OS:
Heatsink:
TIM:

Sale Combos:
Promo Codes:

Onward then?


January 25th, 2012

USA:

$600

Case: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811146061
PSU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182131
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157280
CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819103727
GPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814202011
RAM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820220738
HDD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822145299
ODD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827106289
OS: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116986
Heatsink: stock
TIM: stock

Sale Combos:
Promo Codes: NZXTJAN20 , EMCXWVR43



$900

Case: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811139018
PSU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182131
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813128519
CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819113285
GPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814202024
RAM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233379
HDD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822145299
ODD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827106289
OS: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116986
Heatsink: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835103065
TIM: stock

Sale Combos:
Promo Codes: EMCXWVR43







$1200


Case: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16811139018
PSU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182263
Motherboard: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16813157358
CPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16819113285
GPU: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16814133452
RAM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820233379
SSD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16820148528
HDD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16822236339
ODD: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16827106289
OS: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16832116986
Heatsink: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835103099
TIM: http://www.newegg.co...N82E16835242028

Sale Combos:
Promo Codes: EMCXWVS226 , EMCXWVS22 ,

















Archive of past builds:
Spoiler

Edited by Vulpesveritas, 25 January 2013 - 10:05 AM.

#577 Catamount

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Posted 08 July 2012 - 07:43 AM

Might as well use the M12II instead of the S12II on the $1200 build

It's only 3 bucks more

http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817151095


Also, that Rosewill Capstone unit has been... deactivated (wut?). I wonder if that means a refresh is coming on them?

Edited by Catamount, 08 July 2012 - 07:45 AM.

#578 Vulpesveritas

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Posted 08 July 2012 - 07:52 AM

Shouldn't be, given the 650 and 450 aren't...
And why go for the m12 over the s12 again? Lol
and theres the modular version; http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817182262 but its not supposed to replace the non-modular units.
So weird, will have to edit and put on the s12 or the like when i get home.

Edited by Vulpesveritas, 08 July 2012 - 08:10 AM.

#579 Koshadows

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Posted 08 July 2012 - 08:43 AM

cause the M in m12 is for MODULAR! Which automatically means its part of the cool club :D

#580 Vulpesveritas

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Posted 08 July 2012 - 09:20 AM

Do i want modular or amps... i choose amps. Later tonight. http://www.newegg.co...N82E16817139020
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