Multiple Monitors

[elite marksman]

I have a few old montiors laying about and was thinking about building a cockpit recently, so I was wondering. How do you set it up so that you can have 4 monitors. Front right, center, front left, and a fourth for the panel? Does it require mulitple graphics cards or can it be done from a single?

Also I'm trying to figure out the best way to set up a 5 or 7.1 sorround sound system, but the rear speakers will be a problem. On the left of the computer theres about 20' of room, with a stairway and door. On the right side of the room I only have 10 feet on the side wall, but there are two doors, one exterior, one bathroom. My dad doesn't want wires in front of doorways or stairways because of the injury risk, nor does he want visible wires. What would the best way to wire the rear speakers, embed and staple the wire in the carpet next to the wall, or wait until the room is remodeled and convince my dad to let me run the wires into the wall behind the computer, then up overhead through the ceiling, and then out under the baseboard on the opposite wall?

[JBaymore]

elite,

Welcome to the Homebuild Forum.

There are a copule of threads further back in this forum on multiple monitors....... donl;t want to reapeat it all here again  ;).  Tak a look for them... they should have obvious titles.

Short answer is that you can do it a number of ways.  The determining factor is the SLOWEST link in the chain.  Two is easy off of one high end graphics card...... three and four get more complicated.  If you use multiple graphics cards...... unless you have multiple AGP slots.... you are limited by the PCI buss speed issues.  

As to the wiring.... run it temporary under the carpet edge... and then in the walls when the remodel happens.  Maybe someone makes a wireless option??

best,

....john