[ANSWERED] Hardware for 3+ 4K displays

4thandgoal

The group I support is thinking of either upgrading our computers (2014 Mac minis) or using Microsoft Windows hardware for Isadora/three (3) separate displays needs. The minimum ask is to use 3 separate, 4K displays and run video on all 3 concurrently.

Does anyone have any recommendations for M1 Apple minis or Windows-based desktops that are small form factor? Specifically, does anyone have something that works with this setup and has used it >1 time so that kinks are worked out?

Thanks in advance,

-Allen

DusX

@4thandgoalI don't know offhand which machines will support this, but I will say, you are going to want a GPU with as much memory as possible. 3x 4K screens use a lot of video ram. When looking at PC's the video card really will decide the range of displays that can be supported.

Nvidia GTX video cards support a total of 4 displays. AMD may support 6.

Keep in mind the Max Resolution of the GPU. For example, an Nvidia 3070 has a Max Resolution of 7680 x 4320 @60Hz (https://www.itpro.co.uk/hardwa...)
A 4K display is 3840 x 2160, so a GTX 3070 can support 4x 4k displays. This is the type of GPU I would look for to support this type of output.

Note: the GTX 3060 also supports 3840 x 2160, but has 6Gb of memory rather than the 8Gb the 3070 offers. The GTX 3080 offers the same memory as the 3070, but with more processing power.

CitizenJoe

It's worth noting that some Nvidia Quadro cards support more outputs, as do Matrox cards.

Cheers,

Hugh

fubbi

Or if you don't mind waiting a bit and splashing out:

Mac Studio supports five displays in total—four displays with resolutions up to 6K at 60 Hz connected to the Thunderbolt ports and one HDMI display up to 4K resolution connected to the HDMI port.

https://support.apple.com/en-a...

4thandgoal

@fubbi I like the idea of the Mac Studio - probably the lower end model. I have the 4 ideas listed below and have been able to test #1 and #4 though only to ensure the desktop was extended across 3 separate (external) displays. Costs are roughly then same out of pocket dollars but, when the warranty is factored in, everything seems a wash and the Studio is my most promising option.

A used, non-Apple silica computer with Thunderbolt 3 ports (2020 MacBook Pro, 2020 MacBook Air) and an external graphics card that has “3+ DisplayPort/miniDisplayPort/HDMI/USB-C” outputs for $2,000 (includes 90day warranty). Probably supported for 4yrs max. Tested with a 2018 Mac mini, Sonnet eGPU and miniDisplayPort-to-HDMI cables.
A new Apple Studio with four (4) Thunderbolt 4 ports and one (1) HDMI port for $2,600 (includes 4yr warranty). Will be supported for several years.
A new Apple Mac mini, the last of the Intel-powered minis, for $2,500 (includes 4yr warranty). Probably supported for 4yrs max.
A used, iMac Pro (2017) for $2,300. Probably supported for 3-4 years max. Tested with iMac Pro and Thunderbolt 3-to-HDMI and Thunderbolt-to-DisplayPort cables.