RLemon

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I know it's been a while, but I finally got a passive DisplayPort adapter, and can confirm that the 4th display runs games at full speed, unlike the situation where I was plugged into the onboard HDMI port. The display port adapter does not allow the PC to detect the displays state (on/off), however that doesn't matter because I can just plug the HDMI monitor into the adapter, and then into the GTX 680's DisplayPort, and plug the TV into the GTX 680's HDMI port. After some testing with this setup, I have found the following: The GTX 680 detects the TV turning on via the HDMI port The Intel on-board GPU detects the TV turning on via the HDMI port The GTX680 does NOT detect when I turn the TV off via the HDMI port (Unless I unplug the TV from the wall) The Intel on-board DOES detect when I turn the TV off via the HDMI port (Don't have to unplug the TV from the wall) In the end, the best setup I could come up with, is to have the monitors plugged into DVI+DVI+HDMI and the TV on the DisplayPort adapter (This way the Windows sees everything that is plugged in). Now, by switching projector modes with Win+P I went through and set up the monitors in Control Panel>Display>Screen Resolution (Windows remembers the configurations for each projector mode) Switch to "PC Screen Only" and disable all displays except the middle monitor Switch to "Duplicate" and choose to duplicate the middle monitor to the TV, while disabling everything else (This is important) Switch to "Extend" and enable all 3 monitors, the middle one is main, and the TV is off Switch to "Second Screen Only", and this is the cool part, because we set up the TV to duplicate the middle monitor in Step 2, it considers the TV to be the "Second Screen" even if the TV isn't display #2 (Mine is Display #3)

Situation I have 3 monitors connected to this GTX 680, which is fine, I can use NVidia surround and everything works without any issues (The monitors are connected via the 2 DVI ports and the HDMI port). I would like to connect an HDMI TV as well. Goal When the TV is turned on, the monitors should switch off and the TV will be the main (and only) display. Options Connect the TV to the onboard hdmi port Unplug the HDMI monitor and plug the TV in each time I want to use it Get a Display Port to HDMI adapter and connect it to the GTX 680 Results so far - Connect the TV to the onboard hdmi port: Pros: This works, when the TV is turned on, the computer detects the extra display it switches profiles, disabling the monitors and switching to the TV. Cons: When on the TV, everything is processed by the CPU(Intel 3570k), so any thing GPU intensive, like gaming, is no longer feasible. - Unplug the HDMI monitor and plug the TV in each time I want to use it Pros: This works, when the TV is turned on, the computer detects the extra display it switches profiles, disabling the monitors and switching to the TV. Cons: Changing the HDMI cable can be awkward when your computer is in a cabnet Questions Would I be able to use a 4th display on the GTX 680 via a passive Display port to HDMI adapter and have normal performance (with the other 3 displays disabled)? Would the computer recognize when the TV is turned on and off when it's plugged into Display Port adapter, like when it's plugged straight into an HDMI port?

Good point, and that was my initial plan, however over here the prices can be a little different, I can get the following: GTX 680: $681NZD GTX 770: $770NZD (But I haven't found any blower-style cards yet, which for this case could be a problem) GTX 780: $1,137NZD I also have the option of getting a GTX 680 (2 months old) for ~$550NZD, which I will probably take up.

Part 1 - Planning Intro You may want to take a look at the parts list before reading After seeing this build, I would like to try my hand at something similar, but using the new Haswell CPU's that have come out instead. My main concern is obviously spacing, but if I can get my hands on the SilverStone Strider Short Cable Kit, I may be O.K. After comparing the ASRock z77e-ITX used in the build above, with the GA-Z87N-WIFI, I have only noticed these changes: -24 pin connector is at the top of the motheboard instead of on the right -Ram and CPU have been moved slightly to the right I don't see any of those causing issues if I only use 1 of the HDD mounts, but if you want to see the differences in the boards for yourself, open the photoshop file below and toggle the GA-Z87N-WIFI layer. (You may need to download it and open with Photoshop) Node 304 Planning - 1.psd (3.64MB) Parts list Case: Node 304 PSU: Silverstone Strider ST65F-G + Silverstone PP05 Short Cable Kit MB: GA-Z87N-WIFI CPU: Intel 4670k + Corsair Hydro H90 (140mm liquid cooler) RAM: G.Skill NT DDR3 PC10600/1333MHz CL9 2x8GB GPU: EVGA GeForce GTX 680 *I have left prices off as I am in New Zealand, for anyone wanting to see NZ prices and stores, check out my PriceSpy list here: http://pricespy.co.nz/list.php?l=89685&view=m

Thanks for your input, that's good to hear about the h100i. I don't think I will have anything left over after adding the price of the monitors, however I could buy the 3770k and use the stock cooler until I can afford the h100i. Another option would be to wait until the Haswell chips are released, by then I should be able to get the h100i comfortably. Do the prices on the current gen CPU's even come down upon the release of new chips?

1. Budget $3300NZD ($2800USD) 2. Aim From most important to least important, this is what I hope for this system to do: -2D image editing (to a pretty heavy multi-tasking extent) -Gaming -3D rendering -Video editing 3. Monitors Alright, so I am pretty set on having 3 1080p monitors for productivity, and I am in love with the Bitfenix Prodigy, so I am hoping to utilize the GTX 680. Most gaming will be done on one monitor at LAN parties etc. so it is not important at all to be gaming on the 3 monitors, however it would be nice if I could play some games with the setup. 4. Parts CPU: Intel Core i7 3770k RAM: Corsair XMS3 Vengeance DDR3 PC12800/1600MHz CL10 2x8GB Motherboard: Asus P8Z77-I Deluxe Graphics Card: EVGA GeForce GTX 680 HDMI DisplayPort Dual-DVI 2GB Cooling: Corsair Hydro H100i PSU: FSP Group Aurum 750W (easier to get hold of than the 650W for me) SSD: Samsung 840 Pro 128GB HDD: Seagate Barracuda 3TB Chassis: BitFenix Prodigy Monitors: LG IPS334V Any feedback/recommendations will be greatly appreciated (^_^)

Pretty cool. I rewrite my stuff so often I might even call it a hobby :P

I like having my computer ready for me as soon as I want to use it, so I leave it on all day, the only reason I don't leave it on overnight is because it keeps me awake. I like the look of your software though :)

I was wondering what you guys have done with programming/scripting to make your everyday life easier? For example, I always forget to turn my computer off before I go to bed, so I set up a php script that will shut it down. Now I just browse to /shutdown/ from my phone and I no longer have to get out of bed to turn it off.

13 seconds, unless I have my external HDD's plugged in, then it's like 13 years.

Well, your portfolio is supposed to show what you are currently capable of creating, correct? I would then advise you to create something in flash, as it is what you are currently capable of creating. What you could do afterwards is learn HTML5 and create something new, showing that you are not only capable of creating impressive visual websites, but also able to apply your skill set to new technologies. If you were creating a website for any other purpose though, I personally think HTML5 would be the way to go.

The only one in that list I use is Photoshop, which runs fine.

Nice find, I was using QTTabBar but this is much nicer. It also works with Windows 8 perfectly (as far as I can tell). Edit: would be nice if one of these tab programs would allow a split-screen view of the window, much like Xtrafinder provides on OSX.

The worst part is that it's really good advice.