Multi-Display Help

[ed_daniels]

I planning to set up a range of screens around a store I'm helping set up. I have not yet got any parts nor a budget, its just hypethetical to get a price estimate to take to the manager.

 

I would like to run atleast 4 displays off one pc(or server) with room to expand in the future, I don't mind how I run these to the monitors which are over 10m away but I presume hdmi is a fairly expensive option. The other issue with this is that I would like to view all the displays on a seperate monitor at the same time next to the pc instead of running back and forth from each monitor when I set up the displays so I figure extended desktop isn't an option here.

 

There might be a simple option such as multiple graphics cards but please can someone help!

 

Ed

[Muffinmaddness]

do you want them all to display the same thing from the computer (clone) or all independent so asif they were client PC's? 

[ed_daniels]

do you want them all to display the same thing from the computer (clone) or all independent so asif they were client PC's? 

I'd like them all to have seperate displays, not so much as client pc's but able for example to have 4 movies/powerpoints running (one on each)

[Muffinmaddness]

you could get an AMD card with multi monitor support, i believe you can get them up to 8 displays off one card, i know the HD7990 can do loads but you'll need adapters from display port/mini hdmi or monitors that all have that input, you could get 2 of them and just use them as single cards rather then Xfire and then you can add more, the bulk of your money will be adapters though, you could even get a budget card from AMD just look for ones with alot of outputs, you may run into problems depending on if your running VGA monitors you will need powered adapters, it can be done its just a case of what the cost will be, hdmi will actually be your cheapest option, due to the price of the cables, although the price will increase because of the distance. but yea Im not 100% sure of a low budget card but i know that a hd7990 will do what you want and will have the power to run all the displays with lots of room for expansion and you can run a game or 2 one the monitors aswell as a movie, power point etc.,i'll look when i have time, unless someone more knowledgeable then me (so anyone really ) comes in and specs a card and things for you.

[ed_daniels]

Ah okay this sounds a great idea, unfortunately the hd7990 is unavailable on amazon but I think its price is way too high, this is the sort of thing that I could see working is there any cheaper options?