Is a Graphics Card Necessary?

[DaveV]

... I am trying to avoid using a graphics card so that I can make this computer as small as possible. Without a graphics card, I think I can get it down to 8"x11"x2.5" or a little less which would make it real easy to transport with 3 portable monitors. That way I can use the same computer at home/office/and travel - I don't care for notebooks.

I continue to recommend DellOutlet. If you want a very small desktop, check out the Optiplex 7000 line. At 7.2" x 6.9" x 1.5" (74 cubic inches) it is 1/3 the size of your goal (220 cubic inches)l. I bought one last year with i7-7700 CPU, 16GB ram, 512GB PCI M.2 SSD, Windows 10 Pro and 3-year warranty for $800. The only problem is that it supports only 2 monitors, so one of mine is a 32-inch. It also supports an additional internal SSD drive. Here is the link, inventory changes almost daily: https://tinyurl.com/yaerxwtr

 

[Scataphagos]

I continue to recommend DellOutlet. If you want a very small desktop, check out the Optiplex 7000 line. At 7.2" x 6.9" x 1.5" (74 cubic inches) it is 1/3 the size of your goal (220 cubic inches)l. I bought one last year with i7-7700 CPU, 16GB ram, 512GB PCI M.2 SSD, Windows 10 Pro and 3-year warranty for $800. The only problem is that it supports only 2 monitors, so one of mine is a 32-inch. It also supports an additional internal SSD drive. Here is the link, inventory changes almost daily: https://tinyurl.com/yaerxwtr

This from Dell's website...

"... Multi-monitor support: Up to 3 monitors can be connected to the 7050 Micro with the purchase of an additional video port..."

I believe there are also "USB monitors" one might work into the mix. In some cases, you can "daisy chain" USB monitors and have a whole bunch of them.

 

[rb7]

Thanks for the suggestion Mark. I am trying to avoid using a graphics card so that I can make this computer as small as possible. Without a graphics card, I think I can get it down to 8"x11"x2.5" or a little less which would make it real easy to transport with 3 portable monitors. That way I can use the same computer at home/office/and travel - I don't care for notebooks.

You want it to be portable with 3 monitors!!!!!!!!
How this can be possible?

Why not buy a laptop instead?

 

[JSOP]

Assuming your case and onboard graphics support 3 monitors, no you won't need a graphics card just for trading and MS Office.

BTW, before going to the trouble of building your own system, I would check out DellOutlet.com ; You will be hard pressed to beat their prices, and they come with a 3 year warranty.

Never ever buy a Dell! The components that they put in are not always compatible with their motherboard and you can have them fried. I went through 2 Dells, one dell laptop, 1 year and its CPU is gone, my 2nd Dell desktop (thinking their flagship desktop would be better), sound card fried after just 5 years. Dell used to make quality computers but not anymore. It's very disappointing. Maybe this is prob. the reason why the company is dropped from S&P 500.

Build your own computer is always cheaper especially if you can get deals on the components.

 

[JSOP]

running these for many years so maybe cheap now. i like 1900x1200 display because it matches my backup laptop resolution.

PA248 on NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960

powering

ASUS PA248Q 24" ProArt Professional

ASUS PA248Q is an awesome monitor!! The best monitor for the biggest bang for the buck. Except a few sudden flickering, the monitor works great!

 

[DaveV]

Never ever buy a Dell! The components that they put in are not always compatible with their motherboard and you can have them fried. I went through 2 Dells, one dell laptop, 1 year and its CPU is gone, my 2nd Dell desktop (thinking their flagship desktop would be better), sound card fried after just 5 years. Dell used to make quality computers but not anymore. It's very disappointing. Maybe this is prob. the reason why the company is dropped from S&P 500.

Build your own computer is always cheaper especially if you can get deals on the components.

I doubt that you can build your own computer for less than DellOutlet charges. Other than that I agree with just about everything else that you stated. However, I rarely plan to keep a computer much longer than their 3 year warranty, so I shop by price.

 

[JSOP]

I doubt that you can build your own computer for less than DellOutlet charges. Other than that I agree with just about everything else that you stated. However, I rarely plan to keep a computer much longer than their 3 year warranty, so I shop by price.

Then you end up paying more in the long run. If you spend let's say $500 every 3 years, after 9 years, you would've spent $1500. But if I can buy a better quality computer or build my own for $1100, I spent more initially but if it lasts me for 10 years which i s usually the longevity of a quality computer, then I would've saved $400 in the long run and still outlasted you for 1 year. This is how some countries make money, make things cheap and only lasts you a short amount of time to force you to keep spending and they make all the money. It's very disappointing to see Dell is copying those countries' business model.

 

[Eldredge]

I continue to recommend DellOutlet. If you want a very small desktop, check out the Optiplex 7000 line. At 7.2" x 6.9" x 1.5" (74 cubic inches) it is 1/3 the size of your goal (220 cubic inches)l. I bought one last year with i7-7700 CPU, 16GB ram, 512GB PCI M.2 SSD, Windows 10 Pro and 3-year warranty for $800. The only problem is that it supports only 2 monitors, so one of mine is a 32-inch. It also supports an additional internal SSD drive. Here is the link, inventory changes almost daily: https://tinyurl.com/yaerxwtr

Thanks Dave. I didn't realize that they have desktops that small. I will check it out.

 

[Eldredge]

You want it to be portable with 3 monitors!!!!!!!!
How this can be possible?

Why not buy a laptop instead?

I have monitors and peripherals in my home office and at my work office, so I only have to transport the computer. I am looking at getting three of the ASUS portable monitors that are only 1/2" thick for when I travel so I can put everything in a reasonably sized case.

I really like having everything I do on one computer (not a desktop and separate laptop), and I don't care for laptops' keyboards and small screens. I can also make a little more powerful computer for the price building a desktop. A notebook would be convenient though.

 

[EvanDM]

Also check out the any of the Lenovo Tiny computers. I have a m92p right now and it works flawsly. I’m about to get a 710 that can run 3 monitors. They are about 1.5x7x7.5. You can find them new or refurbished for $300 to $700