Dell Inspiron 3880 needing more than 2 displays

[brandonkick]

So I have a use case where I need to connect multiple (in this case, expanding to 3 monitors from the existing 2) displays to a pre built Dell desktop.


I know there are all sorts of weird combinations of what works and what doesn't work in terms of using integrated display outputs with add on GPU cards. This client is over an hour away, prefers me to do the work in house, and I don't want to make more than one trip.

I'm thinking instead of trying to hope and pray that this Inspiron 3880 will support using both the integrated display outputs AND some from an add in GPU.... that I can find a GPU that will support at least 3 (hopefully 4) displays all from that one card?

I would be fine doing the 2+2 (2 integrated, 2 GPU) option if anyone can confirm for me that this will work with that machine. I've done a fair bit of googling, nothing definitive. Otherwise, can anyone recommend a good (smaller / lower power) GPU that would support 4 displays (HDMI should be fine) on one card? Right now they are using a combination of DisplayPort and HDMI. This new (what would be the 3rd monitor) is HDMI. So two HDMI, one DisplayPort (though I think it supports HDMI too...).


Thank you in advance!

 

[nlinecomputers]

Most any 4 port card is going to be Mini DisplayPort. The crap PSU really isn’t going to power a 4 port card. The guy needs to buy a real computer.

 

[Diggs]

Most any 4 port card is going to be Mini DisplayPort. The crap PSU really isn’t going to power a 4 port card. The guy needs to buy a real computer.

True, but there are many low power 3-port cards that don't need extra power that will work fine. Combined with the two ports on the MB he should be able to run up to 5 monitors. If no gaming or advanced graphics (just office stuff) were required I used to throw in an old/cheap HD6450 (3-port) but I don't know how well that holds up today (maybe a GT730 or the like today). A GT1030 works with no extra power required but usually only come with two ports. (Still gives a total of four ports.) Finding an external GPU with four ports is very limited if not working with Display Port (daisy chain) or HDMI. You should be able to run both onboard and external GPU together without an issue.

 

[NviGate Systems]

If you want something easy that will work with limitations if he insists on staying with current hardware, you will need a DisplayLink Dock, that will get you a third display over USB 3, but with certain caveats.

 

[HCHTech]

Many motherboards disable integrated graphics when using an add-in card (hence @Diggs suggestion to use an external card). Just another possible roadblock to think about. I think the dock idea is probably the one most-likely to succeed. It will have its own power, you just need to get the connections right based on what the monitors will support. A good dock is going to set you back a few bucks, though.

 

[Diggs]

Many motherboards disable integrated graphics when using an add-in card

That's what I thought but I haven't seen one yet that did.

 

[brandonkick]

Many motherboards disable integrated graphics when using an add-in card (hence @Diggs suggestion to use an external card). Just another possible roadblock to think about. I think the dock idea is probably the one most-likely to succeed. It will have its own power, you just need to get the connections right based on what the monitors will support. A good dock is going to set you back a few bucks, though.

This is what I'm worried about.

I'm fine to buy a cheap lower power 2 port GPU, but I don't know if the onboard will work in conjunction....

 

[mikeroq]

Get a Quadro P400. Triple Mini DP card. Low profile capable. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08463LPY3/
Sips power, like 30w. Should be no problem even in that dell.

Need 4 ports? Get a P600. 40w consumption.

Comes with Mini DP to DP adapters. For HDMI just get Mini DP to HDMI adapters.

 

[nlinecomputers]

That PC only has a 200w PSU. So even 30-40w could be pushing it. They are notorious for popping PSUs anyway without the extra load.

 

[timeshifter]

Recently went through a similar exercise with a Dell OptiPlex 9030 All in One. I'll spare the details, but the end solution involved getting help from Startech.com tech support. They recommended a product that got the job done. Client needed two external monitors, along with the internal display. This product was the answer for us

Amazon.com

The key here was Startech.com 's tech support involvement. They didn't have an immediate answer about the first product of theirs I tried, but did some research while on phone with them, then they followed up by email the next day as promised with a solution.

 

[brandonkick]

I ended up ordering a quadro P600 (4 mini display ports) and 4 mini display port to HDMI cables.

I also ordered two SSD's, so swapping the spinner out for an SSD should (among other things) reduce current draw to make up for the GPU card.

Out the door, it was about $160 for the parts ($75 for SSD's and video cables). The client is also having me do an OS upgrade on a 9 year old dell AIO PC they just picked up used.

The upgrade in speed should be well worth the time to do the swap. And likely prevent me from having to go back out there on site when one or both of those spinning drives dies. I think they'll be happy with the solution.

Per @nlinecomputers point, i'll take a PSU with me.

 

[mikeroq]

Per @nlinecomputers point, i'll take a PSU with me.

FYI That computer doesn't have a full size ATX power supply.

 

[brandonkick]

FYI That computer doesn't have a full size ATX power supply.

I've noticed, and doing some research on that it seems to be a REAL hassle to upgrade it. The "best" solution being a full ATX sized power supply with some sort of adapter harness as that little bugger doesn't even conform to normal ATX connectors. Dell being dell, having to do their own proprietary thing. Oh well.

From what I've read, folks were running much more "power hungry" GPU's than what I'm intending to install.

I'm hoping stepping down from a spinner to an SSD should mitigate most of the "gap" in increased power consumption.

 

[mikeroq]

That model has a 260w option so they might already have the 260w psu.

I would think someone who wants 3 monitors would want a higher spec computer or at least already have an SSD.

 

[brandonkick]

That model has a 260w option so they might already have the 260w psu.

I would think someone who wants 3 monitors would want a higher spec computer or at least already have an SSD.

It's a very low requirement use case. Essentially, they are big into stocks and following stock tickers. They basically just want to be able to have 4 full screen browser windows open doing nothing much more than an "email" type workload on each.

While I would agree this machine / these machines are getting long in the tooth, there is zero reason to believe they can't get a few more years out of it. The GPU and SSD(s) would both be transferable to anything "new" they may move on to in the future.


The AIO they bought, they thought it was just a monitor. Come to find out... it's an entire computer. So, they intend to use it. I know it's got a 5-7+ year old spinner in there. They wanted it configured, and upgraded from windows 7. No better time to jump to the SSD IMO.


For what it's worth.... this "client" is a family member. Though they are paying me (very discounted compared to what I'd charge if I were willing to do this type of a job for non friends / family). These days, my time is just too scarce and valuable. I turn down 95% of this that isn't for family. The 5% I don't are those who don't care the cost. Not that I price gouge, but I charge what my time is worth with the "I'm using the very tiny, very precious amount of free time I have on this" modifier. That comes out to a pretty steep hourly rate. Most don't want to pay it and that's a little bit by design.

 

[brandonkick]

For anyone following this, here is the resolution.

For this particular Dell Inspiron 3880, you can indeed combine an add on PCI-E GPU and the internal onboard HDMI output. Nice to know.

The Quadro P600 worked wonderfully. It has 4 mini display ports. I installed the card, hooked up all the cables, installed the driver and windows 11 was happy as mud to display to all 4 screens. But again, it also worked well with 3 screens hooked up to the P600 and one to the integrated HDMI port.


Customer (family member, but they did pay albeit a discounted rate) was happy as can be.


I also upgraded a Dell Inspiron 2330 ONE for them. Removed the old spinner HDD, installed 240GB SSD, loaded windows 10 and again they are as happy as can be with it. It runs surprisingly well. It even has HDMI IN (as well as composite IN via RCA jacks) so they could techinically also use this as a 5th monitor but they were happy to keep it as a stand alone setup and use the 4 screen setup they have with their desktop now.


Main user of the machine is bigger into day trading stocks, and she's thrilled that she can now have so much more open at once with greater visibility.