How can I set this up?

tom · 16 Apr 2006 at 21:02

Hey

Just ordered a few bits of new equipment- a Samsung 27" LCD HD TV and a Viewsonic VX2025.

Now then, I currently have a Viewsonic 17" TFT which i'm using as my main monitor- I am wanting to use my VX2025 as my main monitor, with my 17" as a secondary monitor alongside. I will be using my 6800 graphics card, which has one DVI and one VGA output.

Here's where it gets a bit more complicated, I will be having my LCD TV mounted adjacent to my computer desk, on a cantilever arm, so that i can swivel it to face the computer desk. I don't know if this is possible which is why I am asking, but I would sometimes like to be able to use my 27" LCD as a third monitor connected to my PC. Not all of the time, just now and again for media playback etc. The rest of the time it will be primarily used for Sky+, Xbox 360 etc.

How would I go about doing this? So that when I choose I can switch on the third monitor and have it there as extra desktop space?

Appreciate any input into this problem.

Thanks
Tom

Mud · 17 Apr 2006 at 02:53

Ultramon lets you setup different display profiles that you can quickly switch between, although if you just had one with 3 screens you can just avoid using the 3rd screen for other usage (although with 2 screens simple things like quick-moving apps to another screen involves less effort since its screen swap, not screen choose)...how you power the 3rd monitor is trickier...I use a PCI 5200FX (stick with nVidia to avoid driver issues). I don't know what inputs your HDTV has, but the 5200FX (an admittedly overpriced and underpowered card) has a DVI and VGA out (as well as S-vid). You may get an ATi PCI card to work alongside your 6800, but its making life difficult for yourself.

If you're using the HDTV for movies (and games) you may want to consider powering the HDTV with the 6800, it'll look nicer (noticeable quality drop moving videos from my 6800GT powered screens onto the 5200FX powered screens).

Moeks · 17 Apr 2006 at 17:06

...or you could power it with a second PCI-E card if you are running a PCI-E system, some higher-end boards have 2 x PCI-E x16 slots ...even if they aren't SLI enabled. I know my own DFI LanParty UT NF4 Ultra-D does.

Just a thought anyway, if may not be applicable to you of course.

Mud · 17 Apr 2006 at 19:34

I assumed the 6800 was AGP, you're right that I could've assumed wrongly though...what little thought of PCI-E I had disappeared with the XBOX360. Not on my mind...