OptiPlex 7020

[Jeff Zylstra]

It's interesting to watch SysInternal's process monitor and whatever their hard drive monitor is called, when trying to diagnose software problems.  There are a LOT of read and writes going on in the background when you're working.  A lot of temp files are created that you never think about, but  it all affects performance.   Windows 7 is light years better with roaming profiles than XP was, but you will notice a marked difference between an SSD drive and a mechanical drive.

[Mark]

How about the 1GB AMD RADEON HD 7470?  Anyone using those?  If so, are you using a splitter or display port adapter - or what for dual monitors?

[Billy Welsh]

FWIW I am on an Optiplex 980, 8GB RAM, WIN 7 64-bit, with dual ATI Radeon HD 4550's.

I don't know off the top of my head what on-board RAM the cards have, but I do know I have been victimized by the occasional BSOD, and it's always been related to video.  Updating drivers has not helped.  Most recent one was last week, right after a "tune-up" from the contract techs.

[Mark]

They are pushing me to use a Display Port to VGA adapter off the on-board graphics and a 1GB Radeon card for dual monitors.  why do I need this card if I'm not fully utilizing it?  We have a 7010 here with dual monitors and it does not have an added graphics card.

this Radeon supports up to 4 monitors.  Why are they pushing me this direction?

[Jeff Golas]

Negatory on DP to VGA adapter...I used those on some Vostros I bought and having issues. Every once in a while they go nuts and you get a nice rainbow effect on the screen until you unplug/replug the adapter. Only reason I went that route was these machines are mainly for intern and hotel-ing type use and I had a crapload of 17" VGA monitors still around. Stick with native video or chalk up the dough to get newer monitors. (if anything, just keep the signal digital).

[Jeff Golas]

CORRECTION...

I figured I'd make another post so this makes more sense, but I just realized those Vostros I mentioned are using HDMI to VGA, not Displayport. I don't have any experience with DP>VGA but I'm pretty sure the adapters came in the box with the Opti's.

I just took a look and the set up I used on ours was a vid card with a single DVI output and then used a DP>DVI adapter for the other.

[Mark]

Ok, that's what I was getting at.  Here's my question for Dell:

The ONBOARD video supports dual monitors.  Why did they add a RADEON card which supports 4 monitors just to tell me that I will use the onboard card for one monitor and the RADEON for one monitor.  I don't get that.  why not just use the RADEON for ALL monitrs or don't eveb buy the RADEON.

Make sense?

[Jeff Zylstra]

Makes perfect sense.  I have a couple 7010s that have dual monitors off the MB.  Works fine.  Any time I use a "high performance" video card for dual monitors, I have problems like BSODs.  Not necessarily with that model, but other models.  If you don't need the high performance graphics, stick with on-board video.  I've always found it to be more reliable.

[Mark]

I agree, Jeff.  Thank you, Sir.

[Jeff Zylstra]

You're most welcome.

[Jeff Golas]

If one of those monitors IS VGA that may be why...the better graphics cards still *natively* support analog in some cases whereas the onboard may not anymore.

[Mark]

7010 onboard is VGA.