cheapest multiple monitor set-up

[sunama]

I'm looking to buy another monitor and increase the number of desktop space.

My current setup is as follows:
motherboard: Asus p5be plus
video card: PCE Express 7900GS video card (output connectors 2 x dvi + tv out)

1 DVI is connected to my 19" Sony CRT (VGA, using dvi to vga adaptor)
1 DVI is split between my plasma TV (which I output my HD movies to, from the PC) and my projector. I never view the plasma tv AND projector together.

Now, I want to connect a 2nd monitor to my setup, for extra desktop space. This will require a 3rd output.

I was initially thinking about buying an eye finity ATI card, however, it would appear that I need to buy either a display port compatible monitor OR an adaptor. This increases the cost.

My aim is to keep the cost of the full upgrade as low as possible.
I do not play games and if I do, the 7900GS does me fine.

The cheapest upgrade path (I believe) is to buy an extra PCI (not express) Nvidia card - is this correct?

The eye finity route is going to be expensive, as it will mean buying the ATI Radeon HD 5450 for £36 + display port vga adaptor (£19). This will give me 3 DVI/HDMI outputs.

If I bought the Nvidia 5200 (for £35), I will have 4 DVI outputs available.

Question 1: am I write in thinking that the Nvidia 5200 (PCI) is the cheapest option?

Question2: my motherboard has the following pci slots:
1 x PCI-E x16
1 x PCI-E x4
1 x PCI-E x1
3 x PCI 2.2

My 7900GS is occupying the PCI-E slot.
Am I right in thinking that if I bought another PCI-E video card, my motherboard would be unable to handle the additional PCI-E video card and a PCI 2.2 video card is what I actually need?

Thanks

 

[kylew]

Personally, I'd say an ATi 5 series would be better for 3 monitors, and you can get VGA to DP adapters for a lot cheaper than £19 if you look around (ebay for example).

However, if you were to get additional graphics card, you could have 4 outputs and not have to swap between your projector and TV.

One graphics card with 3 outputs would be more "elegant" and better supported than an older set of 2 cards, but it would be more expensive.

I'm not sure how up to scratch a PCI 5200 would be for high resolution screens though, I don't have a clue what res they can handle and how they perform in windows at such a res.

 

[sunama]

My understanding is that older video cards have no problem dealling with 2d at high resolutions. The problems happen on 3d acceleration, which the Nvidia 5200 won't ever have to do (the 7900GS serves me fine in that area).

I have checked up on auction sites for vga to display port adaptors and the cost does seem to be £19. There are cheaper passive adaptors available, but apparently, they don't work. Hence, I have to get an active adaptor, at the higher cost.

nvidia 5200: £35 (4 display outputs, 3d acceleration via 7900GS)
ATI 5450: £35 + £19 (3 display outputs, with very limited 3d acceleration)

If I go the ATI route, it almost seems that I am spending more for a lesser product.