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Originally Posted by branduin
I was wondering if anyone could help me in getting set up with dual monitors?
I am not a gamer so I normally just use the onboard video card but since I won the Messy Desk contest I have 2 extra monitors and I would like to use them. I am thinking that doing all three (is that just called tri-monitors?) would be overkill but if you have opinions on that I would love to hear them.
I mostly do design work (graphic and web), photo editing, and visiting my various forums so I don't need a crazy video card or anything, just something that will work with my current setup and support 2 (or 3) monitors.
Here are my main questions:
If I get a new video card does that disable my current on-board video? So if I got a dual video card would I be able to use that with my on-board or not
Should I get a dual card or is it better to get single cards?
Any brands of cards that are better or that I should avoid?
Should I do dual or tri-monitors? (pros/cons)
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On many PC's you have the option to indicate the DEFAULT video card, and to disable/enable the onboard video. That option is usually "Primary Video PCI/PCI-E (or in some AGP)"
And most cards are Dual output capable now. You can't run Nvidia SLI or ATI Crossfire and use both outputs... but since your're not a gamer, you'll be fine
Quote:
I am using Win2000 (yes, still) and my computer specs are:
Asus P5PE-VM motherboard
Intel 2.8 GHz
2 GB RAM
I have 3 PCI slots available
Thanks a bunch for any advice!
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No AGP or PCI-E slots? Hmm
Not sure if PCI video cards are going to be dual output capable.
You will have several options in the windows video profiles - one of which is "expand my desktop onto this monitor". That makes a seamless "multimonitor" desktop. Unfortunately, the Start Bar and such are stuck to the first / primary monitor.