Desktops with 2x 4k outputs

[steveg]

Our whiteboard computers are coming up to 7 years old - they we high spec when we brought them, but failures are now becoming more frequent so it's time to replace them.

 

They were all in one pc's, but we want to go to separate computers and monitors now to save on upgrade costs next time. We are starting to replace our whiteboards with ones which are 4k resolution, so it makes sense to get 4k displays for the teachers desk too, to allow for cloned displays. (I know you can extend at different resolutions, but most prefer it cloned) We are a primary school so the teachers desk is also where they do most of their work, so a good monitor is a sensible investment.

 

What I'm struggling with is sensibly priced small form factor (doesn't need to be usff) desktop that will cope comfortably with 2 4k displays. Will intel integrated graphics be ok with this? It looks like a Ryzen cpu with integrated graphics would cope fine, but I can't find a supplier that makes small form factor pc's with AMD cpus that have a display port and HDMI out - only one I've had quotes for has DVI and HDMI, no not 2 x 4k

[Steve21]

I mean, despite having a whole disagreement with the principle of 2x 4K in a classroom being needed, what about any of the Dells? Pretty much everyone comes with 2x DisplayPort as standard on the Micros

 

https://www.dell.com/en-uk/work/shop/desktop-computers-for-businesses/optiplex-7080-micro-desktop/spd/optiplex-7080-micro

2 DisplayPort 1.4 ports (rear)

 

You can also configure most the Dells non-USFF with HDMI+DP, Most the HPs can have HDMI+DP too on the business range.

 

You can chainlink DP through some monitors too

 

Guess it depends what your screens connect with by default and whether you wanted adapters etc?

 

Steve

[steveg]

Will that cope fine graphics processing wise though, all fine having 2 outputs that can do 4k, but if you play a video full screen and it doesn't run at full frame rate, then would be better off at hd. I guess integrated gpu's have come on a huge way in recent years

[Steve21]

"Officially" 7th gen+ can run 3 simultaneously @ 4096x2304 @ 60 Hz on DP: https://www.intel.co.uk/content/www/uk/en/support/articles/000025675/graphics.html

 

But as with everything it depends If you're talking 4k videos etc, or is it upscaling? Is it doing copyright decoding? etc etc There's so many more questions to that really depending on what you're expecting out of it

 

Maybe hit up one of your suppliers and ask for a test model to try it and see if it's ok for what your teachers would normally be doing

 

Steve

[dhicks]

What I'm struggling with is sensibly priced small form factor (doesn't need to be usff) desktop that will cope comfortably with 2 4k displays

 

We've tended to use VeryPC desktops, specifying devices that were capable of handling 4K external screens 5 to 7 years ago, and most of those devices are still running today. Their Flex PC, basically a desktop PC you can stick a monitor on the front of, makes for a pretty good all-in-one like setup that you can use with your choice of monitor - we have a couple with 27" 4K monitors on the front. I think the Intel NUC has models that will drive 2 (or 3) external 4K monitors, which might be worth a check, too.