Advice for PC to run multiple 4K screens with good budget

[Yamahafan22]

Budget (including currency): $5000

Country: USA

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: presentation software for multiple large screens

Other details I'm building a PC for my church. I've been out of the building game for a while so I need some help on picking out the parts. I need to run 2 large screens @4K 60hz (or faster), a 4K monitor, and a 1080P screen. We need something that's going to last for years and be very reliable. We allowed a fairly generous budget for future proofing. Don't really care about RGB or fancy stuff. Preferrably air cooled for reliability as it may run for some time unsupervised and with multiple users. Budget doesn't have to include peripherals, but it would better if we could include it. Thank you guys! Edit: I want to include some extra details. Our presentation software needs about 20gb of memory just for itself plus the OS and other things. We have the top of the line iMac currently with 64gb ram and I've seen it over 90% usage. The processor and graphics can't keep up as it glitches constantly. Our software becomes more and more power hungry with every update so we want to go all out for the future. I9 processor or equivalent. 7200mbs/t ram. Roughly a 4080 graphics card or similar. 

 

[jaslion]

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/9GpHjH

CPU: Intel Core i5-12400 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($153.00 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AG400 75.89 CFM CPU Cooler  ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B660M Pro RS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN580 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($69.00 @ iBUYPOWER)
Video Card: ASRock Intel Arc A380 Challenger ITX Arc A380 6 GB Video Card  ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Asus Prime AP201 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($76.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $648.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-03-19 10:21 EDT-0400

 

I mean you can go even cheaper. But this will do 6x4k monitors if wanted really.

 

But is it just the same video on every screen except the control monitor?

 

If so just get a hdmi matrix to go to every screen and then use the integrated graphics for the matrix input and main monitor.

 

For peripherals just get a logitech k120 combo for 20$.

 

Like basic consumer models are easily available

 

https://www.amazon.com/4x4-HDMI-Extender-Matrix-OREI/dp/B092LCD3MP/ref=sr_1_8?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.l5Lr56rZLRObYfNcNsHGUoPl-hX3nnFbYLXnYmfSDbs52H2nndWyiwYWHlt7nt1SDxHWKPm7DxAxzqEgfr2gFTK8RUqjAXGRC-ZjxPVZcYXRHNiOaywcFCIYYZxTR8Tw8s9de6oE_1Fpq3B7Xd1yPCRGbTeYZT7J0H2hpamTOXp5L5q5yNWNhJd0xRmECKNBFyAvoKzU9CUj-bOiluSW7ovEwUi-M2GAkoS2olifyJU.tgShe4obQcrPqwyE6KEPkmhxMx8d3w6rA7yF0lYXWiM&dib_tag=se&keywords=hdmi%2Bmatrix&qid=1710858179&sr=8-8&th=1

 

 

[OddOod]

10 minutes ago, jaslion said:

Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Newegg)

I'd def steer away from the Focus Gold line and towards any other SS PSU. I've seen some nebulous things on reddit (and I vaguely recall some mention on LTT) about other people having the same problem I had where it just suddenly died. I had this exact model and while the RMA process was spectacularly easy, I did have to RMA. 
Aside from that, looks mint

[jaslion]

1 minute ago, OddOod said:

I'd def steer away from the Focus Gold line and towards any other SS PSU. I've seen some nebulous things on reddit (and I vaguely recall some mention on LTT) about other people having the same problem I had where it just suddenly died. I had this exact model and while the RMA process was spectacularly easy, I did have to RMA. 
Aside from that, looks mint

Oh huh? I clicked add on a Focus gx. Must have misclicked on the wrong one then my bad.

 

Thanks for catching this. Didn't know I added the other gold by accident.

 

Then a normal supernova gt it is

 

https://pcpartpicker.com/product/49VG3C/evga-supernova-650-gt-650-w-80-gold-certified-fully-modular-atx-power-supply-220-gt-0650-y1

 

[Yamahafan22]

23 minutes ago, jaslion said:

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/9GpHjH

CPU: Intel Core i5-12400 2.5 GHz 6-Core Processor  ($153.00 @ Newegg)
CPU Cooler: Deepcool AG400 75.89 CFM CPU Cooler  ($26.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock B660M Pro RS Micro ATX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($94.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Silicon Power GAMING 16 GB (2 x 8 GB) DDR4-3200 CL16 Memory  ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN580 1 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($69.00 @ iBUYPOWER)
Video Card: ASRock Intel Arc A380 Challenger ITX Arc A380 6 GB Video Card  ($109.99 @ Newegg)
Case: Asus Prime AP201 MicroATX Mini Tower Case  ($76.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic FOCUS Gold 550 W 80+ Gold Certified Semi-modular ATX Power Supply  ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Total: $648.93
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-03-19 10:21 EDT-0400

 

I mean you can go even cheaper. But this will do 6x4k monitors if wanted really.

 

But is it just the same video on every screen except the control monitor?

 

If so just get a hdmi matrix to go to every screen and then use the integrated graphics for the matrix input and main monitor.

 

For peripherals just get a logitech k120 combo for 20$.

 

Like basic consumer models are easily available

 

https://www.amazon.com/4x4-HDMI-Extender-Matrix-OREI/dp/B092LCD3MP/ref=sr_1_8?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.l5Lr56rZLRObYfNcNsHGUoPl-hX3nnFbYLXnYmfSDbs52H2nndWyiwYWHlt7nt1SDxHWKPm7DxAxzqEgfr2gFTK8RUqjAXGRC-ZjxPVZcYXRHNiOaywcFCIYYZxTR8Tw8s9de6oE_1Fpq3B7Xd1yPCRGbTeYZT7J0H2hpamTOXp5L5q5yNWNhJd0xRmECKNBFyAvoKzU9CUj-bOiluSW7ovEwUi-M2GAkoS2olifyJU.tgShe4obQcrPqwyE6KEPkmhxMx8d3w6rA7yF0lYXWiM&dib_tag=se&keywords=hdmi%2Bmatrix&qid=1710858179&sr=8-8&th=1

 

 

We'd like to go a little better honestly. I apologize, I forgot to mention some details. Our software itself takes about 20gb of ram to operate, plus the OS and anything else we have open. We have an IMac currently with 64gb ram and I've seen it over 90% usage. It glitches out constantly. We'd like to go I9 processor and high end on everything. Seems like everytime we update our software, it gets more and more power hungry. All screens will be showing different things simultaneously. 

[OddOod]

3 minutes ago, Yamahafan22 said:

Our software itself takes about 20gb of ram to operate,

WAT????
What software is this? 

[jaslion]

6 minutes ago, Yamahafan22 said:

We'd like to go a little better honestly. I apologize, I forgot to mention some details. Our software itself takes about 20gb of ram to operate, plus the OS and anything else we have open. We have an IMac currently with 64gb ram and I've seen it over 90% usage. It glitches out constantly. We'd like to go I9 processor and high end on everything. Seems like everytime we update our software, it gets more and more power hungry. All screens will be showing different things simultaneously. 

What software is this? It may simply not scale AT ALL beyond a set of cores.

 

What are the specs of the imac?

 

1000% do NOT recommend an i9 is literally not coolable without SERIOUSLY going to high end AIO's.

 

Adding ram is easy enough no problem there at all. But there is absolutely more info needed.

[Yamahafan22]

2 minutes ago, OddOod said:

WAT????
What software is this? 

Pro presenter 7. We typically run keynote and do some editing at the same time. They reccomend i7 or i9 and min 16gb of ram for just 1 4K screen. We've seem a lot higher usage than this on our Mac though 

[Yamahafan22]

4 minutes ago, jaslion said:

What software is this? It may simply not scale AT ALL beyond a set of cores.

 

What are the specs of the imac?

 

1000% do NOT recommend an i9 is literally not coolable without SERIOUSLY going to high end AIO's.

 

Adding ram is easy enough no problem there at all. But there is absolutely more info needed.

As best that I can remember, it's a 27' iMac with core i5, 64gb ram, 2tb storage, and the best graphics they offered at the time. 

[jaslion]

7 minutes ago, Yamahafan22 said:

Pro presenter 7.

checks out decent software shit optimization.

 

They are basing it on macs btw for the specs. They have much older chips in them.

 

3 minutes ago, Yamahafan22 said:

As best that I can remember, it's a 27' iMac with core i5, 64gb ram, 2tb storage, and the best graphics they offered at the time. 

So there are a couple options there with decently varying performance levels. Any chance you know how old it is? The best option would be a i5 10500 and the worst would be a quad core i5 from the 6th gen which is pretty weak.

 

Depending on the info you give I can make a better specked system. Even then a arc a380 shatters the best gpu it could have (radeon 5300m).

 

Once you can get back with what the cpu is I can make the adjustments needed because if it's just an old i5 this thing will be like 3x faster already. I will still up the specs a bit tho.

 

Just an fyi but this software doesn't know what to really do past 10-12 threads.

 

[OddOod]

Just now, Yamahafan22 said:

keynote

I assume you are aware that you'll need to use the iCloud web version of keynote if you switch to Windows from Mac.
And I'm *floored* by this software's minimum hardware spec. This is insane. 

Looks like someone else had this same Q a few years ago, but they haven't been on since Dec '22

 

Yeah, I guess just go ham on the build 
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/v9jZdH

[Brooksie359]

27 minutes ago, Yamahafan22 said:

We'd like to go a little better honestly. I apologize, I forgot to mention some details. Our software itself takes about 20gb of ram to operate, plus the OS and anything else we have open. We have an IMac currently with 64gb ram and I've seen it over 90% usage. It glitches out constantly. We'd like to go I9 processor and high end on everything. Seems like everytime we update our software, it gets more and more power hungry. All screens will be showing different things simultaneously. 

Yeah honestly it sounds like a horribly optimized software. From even just reading a little bit the ram requirements go up significantly each time a 4k screen is added so it isn't surprising it takes 20gb when realistically it shouldn't require that much unless it is doing something crazy with those screens. Like I can't imagine what things the software does that requires all the ram. 

[Yamahafan22]

5 minutes ago, OddOod said:

I assume you are aware that you'll need to use the iCloud web version of keynote if you switch to Windows from Mac.
And I'm *floored* by this software's minimum hardware spec. This is insane. 

Looks like someone else had this same Q a few years ago, but they haven't been on since Dec '22

 

Yeah, I guess just go ham on the build 
https://pcpartpicker.com/list/v9jZdH

Yes I'm aware of the icloud thing with keynote. I'm also floored by its requirements. I mentioned earlier that their website shows a requirement of i7 or i9 w/ 16gb ram minimum to run 1 4k screen. Honestly I don't think that would be enough given past experience. 

[Yamahafan22]

10 minutes ago, jaslion said:

checks out decent software shit optimization.

 

They are basing it on macs btw for the specs. They have much older chips in them.

 

So there are a couple options there with decently varying performance levels. Any chance you know how old it is? The best option would be a i5 10500 and the worst would be a quad core i5 from the 6th gen which is pretty weak.

 

Depending on the info you give I can make a better specked system. Even then a arc a380 shatters the best gpu it could have (radeon 5300m).

 

Once you can get back with what the cpu is I can make the adjustments needed because if it's just an old i5 this thing will be like 3x faster already. I will still up the specs a bit tho.

 

Just an fyi but this software doesn't know what to really do past 10-12 threads.

 

Thanks for the info. It's a 2017 or 2018 model iMac. I'd prefer to go with an i9 if we can get the cooling under control or at least an i7. I'm not fully against water cooling if that's what it takes to make the i9 work.

[Linuswasright]

Here’s what I’d reccomend. This should be able to crush any workload. Idk about the quad channel, but it’ll work down the road. 
 

PCPartPicker Part List: https://pcpartpicker.com/list/K6yWdH

CPU: Intel Core i9-14900K 3.2 GHz 24-Core Processor  ($544.99 @ Amazon) 
CPU Cooler: Corsair iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX XT 65.57 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler  ($189.99 @ Amazon) 
Motherboard: ASRock Z790 Pro RS ATX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($169.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Mushkin Redline ST 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory  ($184.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Mushkin Redline ST 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory  ($184.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Western Digital Blue SN580 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive  ($112.99 @ Newegg) 
Storage: Seagate ST6000NM0024 6 TB 3.5" 7200 RPM Internal Hard Drive  ($79.98 @ Amazon) 
Video Card: Gigabyte GAMING OC GeForce RTX 4090 24 GB Video Card  ($1799.99 @ B&H) 
Case: Montech AIR 903 MAX ATX Mid Tower Case  ($69.98 @ Amazon) 
Power Supply: Gigabyte UD1000GM PG5 (rev. 2.0) 1000 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply  ($119.99 @ Amazon) 
Total: $3457.88
Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available
Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-03-19 16:14 EDT-0400

 

did not realize how much power that took, reccomend upgrading to a 1500w and undervolting the 4090

[brob]

PCPartPicker Part List

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-14700 2.1 GHz 20-Core Processor ($399.99 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK620 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 96 GB (2 x 48 GB) DDR5-6400 CL32 Memory ($329.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($170.59 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: Asus ProArt OC GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB Video Card ($364.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.90 @ Newegg Sellers) 

Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Amazon) 

Total: $1750.43

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-03-19 17:49 EDT-0400

[Linuswasright]

2 hours ago, brob said:

PCPartPicker Part List

 

CPU: Intel Core i7-14700 2.1 GHz 20-Core Processor ($399.99 @ Amazon) 

CPU Cooler: Deepcool AK620 68.99 CFM CPU Cooler ($54.99 @ Amazon) 

Motherboard: MSI MAG B760 TOMAHAWK WIFI ATX LGA1700 Motherboard ($179.99 @ Amazon) 

Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws S5 96 GB (2 x 48 GB) DDR5-6400 CL32 Memory ($329.99 @ Amazon) 

Storage: Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME Solid State Drive ($170.59 @ Amazon) 

Video Card: Asus ProArt OC GeForce RTX 4060 8 GB Video Card ($364.99 @ Amazon) 

Case: be quiet! Silent Base 802 ATX Mid Tower Case ($149.90 @ Newegg Sellers) 

Power Supply: ADATA XPG Core Reactor II 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply ($99.99 @ Amazon) 

Total: $1750.43

Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available

Generated by PCPartPicker 2024-03-19 17:49 EDT-0400

Can a 4060 do 2 4K at a decent refresh rate and be stable? If it can that’s good value

[Yamahafan22]

11 minutes ago, Linuswasright said:

Can a 4060 do 2 4K at a decent refresh rate and be stable? If it can that’s good value

I wonder that as well. I promise we're not trying to go cheap here. We want all name brand parts. We'd like this PC to last many years and be future proof for the next couple updates to our software at least

[Linuswasright]

10 minutes ago, Yamahafan22 said:

I wonder that as well. I promise we're not trying to go cheap here. We want all name brand parts. We'd like this PC to last many years and be future proof for the next couple updates to our software at least

I think my recommendation is probs the best (tho it’s a tiny bit overkill lol)

[brob]

2 hours ago, Linuswasright said:

Can a 4060 do 2 4K at a decent refresh rate and be stable? If it can that’s good value

 

I don't see why not. It's not gaming, just video replay.

 

Nvidia specs for the RTX 4060 say up to 4 independent displays of 4K @ 120 hz using DP or HDMI.

[brob]

6 hours ago, Linuswasright said:

Motherboard: ASRock Z790 Pro RS ATX LGA1700 Motherboard  ($169.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Mushkin Redline ST 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory  ($184.99 @ Newegg) 
Memory: Mushkin Redline ST 64 GB (2 x 32 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory  ($184.99 @ Newegg) 

 

See note 1 from motherboard web page.

 

[Linuswasright]

7 hours ago, brob said:

 

See note 1 from motherboard web page.

 

Oh ok

[Linuswasright]

7 hours ago, brob said:

 

I don't see why not. It's not gaming, just video replay.

 

Nvidia specs for the RTX 4060 say up to 4 independent displays of 4K @ 120 hz using DP or HDMI.

But they said they’ll be doing stuff in the background

[brob]

20 minutes ago, Linuswasright said:

But they said they’ll be doing stuff in the background

 

Personally I think an i7-14700 would offer more than enough processing power. It offer 28 concurrent threads after all. I suppose one might opt for an i9-14900 (32 concurrent threads). In either case a locked model with iGPU. Locked to help with thermals and the iGPU for encoding assistance, (presuming the software can leverage Quick Sync).

 

[kuzsuu]

On 3/19/2024 at 7:14 AM, Yamahafan22 said:

Budget (including currency): $5000

Country: USA

Games, programs or workloads that it will be used for: presentation software for multiple large screens

Other details I'm building a PC for my church. I've been out of the building game for a while so I need some help on picking out the parts. I need to run 2 large screens @4K 60hz (or faster), a 4K monitor, and a 1080P screen. We need something that's going to last for years and be very reliable. We allowed a fairly generous budget for future proofing. Don't really care about RGB or fancy stuff. Preferrably air cooled for reliability as it may run for some time unsupervised and with multiple users. Budget doesn't have to include peripherals, but it would better if we could include it. Thank you guys! Edit: I want to include some extra details. Our presentation software needs about 20gb of memory just for itself plus the OS and other things. We have the top of the line iMac currently with 64gb ram and I've seen it over 90% usage. The processor and graphics can't keep up as it glitches constantly. Our software becomes more and more power hungry with every update so we want to go all out for the future. I9 processor or equivalent. 7200mbs/t ram. Roughly a 4080 graphics card or similar. 

 

well, youd need a gpu with a good amount of vram, but your budget is very generious i honestly think you can just get the best of the best https://pcpartpicker.com/list/wjRgxH this will be able to run almost everything and its still under your budget. i added a 2 tb ssd because i bet your doing editing or something of that sort this is an absolutely future proof system hope this helps