Author Topic: Graphics / Monitor Question (Read 1986 times)

Ash · « **on:** March 03, 2009, 03:11:27 pm »

Okay so I'm planning on expanding my system to support 3 monitors (3rd should arrive in the next day or so) but I'm still not sure how the best way to set them up would be.

Here's the list of related equipment:

a) Nvidia GeForce 256MB 6800 (w/ one DVI & one VGA output)
b) Sony 19" SDM-HS94P Monitor (quantity = 1, main monitor)
c) Dell 19" UltraSharp 1908FP (quantity = 2)

*If you need to know about any other components just say so and I'll let you know what they are*

So I guess my main questions are:

1) Would it be best to upgrade my Graphics card and if so are there any that natively support 3 DVI outputs?
2) Do I need to buy 2 new Graphics cards (one with 2 DVI outputs and another w/ one DVI output?
3) Do I just upgrade my Graphics card with a single DVI output and then use the Matrox "TripleHead2Go" device to span all 3 monitors?
4) Finally, any recommendations on specific cards? (I'd like to stay with Nvidia)

I'm going with the 3 monitor setup for mainly for productivity but would love to be able to span all 3 monitors while gaming without worry about stretching the display. I'm not worried about budget for now because I want to first see what all of my options are; later I'll start to narrow down the field.

Thanks in advance Angels, your help is greatly appreciated.

Anonymous · « **Reply #1 on:** March 03, 2009, 04:52:54 pm »

The first question to ask I guess, is Does your motherboard have an onboard video output, If you have, then You should be able to run two monitors from your Main Graphics card, and one from the onboard. If not, you will have to look at getting a second graphics card you can plug in via pci (as the mobo is likely to only have one pci-e/agp slot). There are some cards that have 3 or 4 video outputs, but they are just not worth it if you do any gaming, as they arent made for it. I would say get a pci card in addition to your main one. As far as what cards to go for, I would actually recommend an 8800 GTS 512. It is not the absolute latest range, but has the g92 core, meaning its a lot quicker than the other 8800 cards, and my one eats anything i throw at it. The outputs are dual DVI, and i love the thing.

Lastly, here is a guide to miulti monitor setups, incase it helps.

http://www.epinions.com/content_4436697220

the second card i would recommend is a pci 6200. Doesnt need to be anything fast as it is just throwing out a video signal. the 6200 seems to be what most people use when using 3 or 4 monitors. (Yes it will allow you to do 4 if you REALLY want to)

Ash · « **Reply #2 on:** March 04, 2009, 03:31:52 pm »

My motherboard does not have any video outputs...

Does anyone know about or have any experience using the Matrox "Triple Head2Go" device? I'm wonderwhich would do a better job of rendering graphics; would it be the 2nd graphics card or the Matrox device?

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/products/gxm/th2go/

Thanks again.

Anonymous · « **Reply #3 on:** March 04, 2009, 03:58:06 pm »

It looks like the Matrox doesnt render anything itself, just splits the signal from your Graphics card, so you dont have to worry so much about whether it can handle things. The problem is, that it mentions games, but it mentions "supported games", and you have very little way of knowing what is or isnt supported.