Eyefinity upgrade question (HomeServer/Media PC/Gaming PC)

[elbweb]

So here is my current setup:
GA-X48-DQ6 Gigabyte MB
Intel Q9450
4x2GB Corsair Dominator DDR2
XFX 5870 (normal one - not the eyefinity 6 version) (Pci-e x16)
Intel 160gb SSD
RocketRaid 4320 (Pci-E x8)
8x2TB Seagate drives
18x1.5TB Seagate drives
(Total 43TB + 160GB SSD)

This PC goes to a receiver and then an HDMI splitter that goes to my desk (27"), my main TV (50") and a projector. The receiver runs the audio for all of these places.

My goal:
3x1 + 1 Extended Eyefinity setup

The idea is that the Extended display would share the same video as the current TV and Projector, with the 3 displays in eyefinity. (gaming + movies, etc)

My current system does two things, mainly watch blu-rays (rips) and play games. I bring this up because I use HDMI for all of my audio (bitstreaming DTS-MA/TrueHD).

Right now my current video card can only support 3 monitors, my mother board can only support 2 full speed PCI Express.

So, I have a few options. I am looking for input on them.
A) Build a new PC, take my current 5870, buy an eyefinity 6 5870 and run them in crossfire on a whole new build. Take the existing hardware (minus the 5870 + a low end ATI 6xxx gpu with bluray hardware decoding) and put the hard drives + rocketraid card on that PC as a dedicated HTPC/Server, and use the new pc for gaming + eyefinity setup.

B)Buy a high end dual GPU Single PCI-e x16 eyefinity card and swap out my current one and keep the same system.

C)Maybe be able to swap out the current MB for one with 3 full speed PCI-x slots, but using the same RAM+CPU


Mostly I am looking for thoughts. There is a lot going on here. Ask away if something doesn't make sense. Thanks in advance.


Edit: Let me know if there is a better place to put this. There is so much going on that I figured this would be a good place to start...

 

[Quartz-1]

I think you will be happier in the longer term with two separate systems: one for storage, one for gaming.

 

[elbweb]

I think you will be happier in the longer term with two separate systems: one for storage, one for gaming.

Why? Considering what I have do you think it is worth the extra money? I'm perfectly happy right now with the system I have. I have one machine that can do everything...

So, my question is, why?

 

[Gorankar]

Why? Considering what I have do you think it is worth the extra money? I'm perfectly happy right now with the system I have. I have one machine that can do everything...

So, my question is, why?

Power usage, heat output, maintenance, reliability, and PERFORMANCE. The first time you are gaming, and some one else tries to pull a large file across the network from your gaming rig/server and you will understand what I mean by performance.

I did the same as you once upon a time, but then when I did build an upgrade system, I just used the old one as a server. After under clocking it and putting a low end, low power consumption, video card in it and selling the old card for enough money to buy some more drives of course. Then I found out that a crap router was nearly as bad as using a gaming rig as a server, performance wise.

My server stores several TB worth of TV, movies, home video, pictures, music, backups, and other miscellaneous files, in a household with 5 computer users. So I may be a bit more sensitive to performance than you depending on your situation.

 

[elbweb]

Power usage, heat output, maintenance, reliability, and PERFORMANCE. The first time you are gaming, and some one else tries to pull a large file across the network from your gaming rig/server and you will understand what I mean by performance.

I did the same as you once upon a time, but then when I did build an upgrade system, I just used the old one as a server. After under clocking it and putting a low end, low power consumption, video card in it and selling the old card for enough money to buy some more drives of course. Then I found out that a crap router was nearly as bad as using a gaming rig as a server, performance wise.

My server stores several TB worth of TV, movies, home video, pictures, music, backups, and other miscellaneous files, in a household with 5 computer users. So I may be a bit more sensitive to performance than you depending on your situation.

As far as multiple people using this pc at once, I have that covered. I have dual gigabit NICs and a network that makes use of them. The one NIC is dedicated to serving the local intranet, while the second is for any downloading/gaming/use that the PC itself uses.

The SSD that runs the OS is on the MB controller, where the RocketRaid 4320 controls all of the storage drives. These are split into two Raid 5 Arrays.

I have tested it and it works fine streaming 2 bluray streams (isos over the network, 40-50Mbps streams, as well as the local PC recording/serving HD tv...)

Anyway, long story short, I have that covered. I have heard many times to build a new PC to use as a dedicated server, but when you consider the costs, it takes years and years for the power saving to recoup the hardware costs.

Heat is not an issue as well. I have a separate enclosure for the hard drives that I built myself. They're in open air and well ventilated and there are no heat problems there. The main PC is well cooled and ventilated.

 

[ClearM4]

B) The HD69** support 4 montiors right? (using 2 miniDP-to-DVI adapters) Might want to check on that.

After selling the HD5870, the cost of upgrading to a HD6950 or HD6970 should not be bad.

 

[elbweb]

B) The HD69** support 4 montiors right? (using 2 miniDP-to-DVI adapters) Might want to check on that.

After selling the HD5870, the cost of upgrading to a HD6950 or HD6970 should not be bad.

That's interesting. I thought the 69xx series had the same issues as my current card in that you can only use 3 of the 4 connections. If that isn't the case, this is probably the route I will go.

 

[ClearM4]

That's interesting. I thought the 69xx series had the same issues as my current card in that you can only use 3 of the 4 connections. If that isn't the case, this is probably the route I will go.

Well, the HD69** has the same issue of only being able to run 2 HDMI/DVI connections, but the HD69** has 5 connections (2 miniDP ports instead of 1 regular DP port). So, using the 2 miniDP ports it supports up to 4 monitors.

 

[elbweb]

Well, the HD69** has the same issue of only being able to run 2 HDMI/DVI connections, but the HD69** has 5 connections (2 miniDP ports instead of 1 regular DP port). So, using the 2 miniDP ports it supports up to 4 monitors.

Yup, I saw it over here.

Native support for up to 4 simultaneous displays