Need Advice on mutipurpose rig

[Hellatha]

So, where to start. I am looking to build a multipurpose computer that will allow me to display and run more than one program at a time. Nothing fancy just excel, word, and access at the same time. I will also be using this to game some and will be using a 32" TV for this. I have at my disposal 4 19" monitors as well that I would like to use for the data processing side of the house. I do not want to run two computers for this but will if I have to. I would like to use a AMD processor for this build as I have always been a fan of them. Need to know what to use as far as video goes so I can figure out the rest of the computer. I have around 1000 to spend on this.

[David M]

You can run four monitors with an Eyefinity setup which can be done with a single AMD graphics card with four or more video ports.

Since you don't want to have to buy an expensive card, you can lower the resolution for gaming so the card is not bogged down by trying to play a game on four monitors. All your other applications will work fine with an inexpensive Eyefinity capable card.

[Hellatha]

thanks I will look in to that.

[glc]

Four monitors *AND* a TV? You need a "Eyefinity 5" or "Eyefinity 6" card. They will probably all have MDP (mini display port) only, and you will need adapters.

The other option is multiple cards.

I *HATE* to recommend XFX, but they are the only Eyefinity 5 game in town:

Newegg.com - XFX HD-577X-Z5F3 Radeon HD 5770 1GB 128-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Eyefinity 5 Edition Video Card

This is considerably more expensive, but a considerably better gaming card too:

Newegg.com - VisionTek 900373 Radeon HD 6870 2GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.1 x16 CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity

You will need to look for MDP to VGA, MDP to DVI, and MDP to HDMI adapters, and one or more MAY have to be "active" adapters. I would contact the card manufacturer's support to determine your exact needs.

[rwest]

GLC wouldn't something like this in crossfire do the trick?

Newegg.com - SAPPHIRE 100287L Radeon HD 5670 (Redwood) 512MB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card w/ATI Eyefinity

[glc]

No, in Crossfire you are still limited to 3 monitors with standard Eyefinity. You could run more with 2 of them NOT in Crossfire. A 5670 is an excellent card for the price, but it's not that strong a gamer.