Multi Monitor Questions

Talbs13

Talbs13

Talbs13

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Howdy,

We are currently trying to set up dual monitors for about 10 employees at work. All employees are using Dell Optiplex GX620 - All use onboard video ( Intel GMA 950 Chipset). I have been thinking of the *cheapest* way to do this.

The Dells we use are Desktop Cases (Small) so they only support Low Profile PCI-E and PCI cards. I have found the following :

ATI Radeon X300SE 128 MB PCI-E Card DVI Low Profile - £24

It has 1 DVI port.

My question is this, Can i use the onboard video & the above card together for dual monitor goodness!? I heard you can but i just wanted to check. Can i use Hydravision?

Your advices would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers!
 
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No mate :( You can only use one display source. Because you have to change the primary video adaptor in the BIOS to PCI Express OR On Board Video

If you just want to use the graphics card for dual monitors and nothing else really ie gaming, this seems a good one.

The one at the top.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/6200_Series.html

That way it has 2 display adaptors and you can connect the 2 monitors to that card :) Instead of the single one like you have seen.

Steve
 
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All though thats true Null - this isnt 2 cards, one is from the BIOS - and i think Steve is right, in the case of a BIOS video Card it needs to be disabled for the PCI-E/AGP/PCI card to work :(
 
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or go for external matrox dual head devices ( possibly too expensive though) but would mean you dont need to touch the inside of the pc's at all and its a small external add on which gets fed with the single inbuilt vga and you can attach two monitors to it and extend desktop that way
 
FrankJH said:
or go for external matrox dual head devices ( possibly too expensive though) but would mean you dont need to touch the inside of the pc's at all and its a small external add on which gets fed with the single inbuilt vga and you can attach two monitors to it and extend desktop that way
Click to expand...

Expensive + too much hassle = no win

The best scenario is where you can use the display properties to manage the displays.

edit: at least in this case, imho

stevechapman said:
No mate :( You can only use one display source. Because you have to change the primary video adaptor in the BIOS to PCI Express OR On Board Video

If you just want to use the graphics card for dual monitors and nothing else really ie gaming, this seems a good one.

The one at the top.

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/6200_Series.html

That way it has 2 display adaptors and you can connect the 2 monitors to that card :) Instead of the single one like you have seen.

Steve
Click to expand...

It depends on the mobo. The onboard video on our work pc's won't allow it. On the other hand I used to use an old k62-450 mhz box and the onboard video sold itself as using AGP architecture. This allowed you to use a PCI card as well as the onboard video for multiple displays. You just had to choose which one initialised first.

In a typical office enviroment I think matrox cards win for multiple displays, but you are looking at a lot more cash than £24.

So all in all I'd advise something from the x1300 range, or if height is a bigger issue than performance and your not willing to compromise then the HIS Excalibur ATI Radeon 9250SE is your only other option if you order from ocuk..

Edit: Actually that's a filthy lie. I forgot about the nividia options, just had a little look here and there are dual display options that meet your half height and price requirements. Concidering the price of the 7300 and that its PCIe it's probably worth thinking about. I don't really know much about Nvidia and ATI equivalents to comment further though.
 
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McDaniel said:
All though thats true Null - this isnt 2 cards, one is from the BIOS - and i think Steve is right, in the case of a BIOS video Card it needs to be disabled for the PCI-E/AGP/PCI card to work :(
Click to expand...
Sorry you're right yes. Didn't read it properly guess. Thinking about it I've also tried getting multi-monitors to work with onboard graphics and remember it didn't work. Note to self - don't post so late at night/early in the morning.

Sorry for any confusion caused, null :)
 
I have just came across the same problem, i have 2 19" tft's i want to use on my machine which has onboard and a cruddy geforce, just realised i cant do it using onboard and the card so am going to have to get a new card. Why do only ATI seem to do dual DVI ports on their cards though, i would just settle for a 7600 GT but its vga and dvi wheras most the ati's are dual dvi.
 
What if i use the onboard as primary and PCI-E as secondary or is it case that in Bios you HAVE TO choose one or the other. Are you all 100% positive? They have already ordered it so .... :P
 
z0mbi3 said:
Expensive + too much hassle = no win[/I]
Click to expand...

There would be LESS hassle, as you wouldnt have to fiddle around with the bios, or open up any chassis and configure in windows - a lot less time wasted imho

Depends how much his time is worth and buying ten you could probably get a decent discount off the £90 pricetag
 
Kreeeee said:
Thanks :)

I tkae it I can install Nvidia and ATi drivers together then?
Click to expand...

Id strongly advise nVidia however, makes life a lot simpler and in past experience nVidia have better support for Dual / Tri / Quad Monitors.

I used my 6800GT with a FX5200 - works a treat, though i now have a 7600GT PCI-E and PCI FX5200
 
Talbs13 said:
What if i use the onboard as primary and PCI-E as secondary or is it case that in Bios you HAVE TO choose one or the other. Are you all 100% positive? They have already ordered it so .... :P
Click to expand...

Dont know if its been answered havent read other posts lol

In the primary video adptor you have to chose on board OR PCI - E

There is no option for a secondary.

But with them nVidia card I recommended, they will have 2 outputs, so you plug your monitors straight into it :)

Steve
 
McDaniel said:
All though thats true Null - this isnt 2 cards, one is from the BIOS - and i think Steve is right, in the case of a BIOS video Card it needs to be disabled for the PCI-E/AGP/PCI card to work :(
Click to expand...

it entirely depends on the motherboard. My ati board has an onboard x300 which played just fine with my old x800gto2 for multi screen goodness. 3 monitors and two tv outputs to choose from lol.

ati_surround.jpg
 
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james.miller said:
it entirely depends on the motherboard. My ati board has an onboard x300 which played just fine with my old x800gto2 for multi screen goodness. 3 monitors and two tv outputs to choose from lol.

ati_surround.jpg
Click to expand...

That looks encouraging.
 
FrankJH said:
There would be LESS hassle, as you wouldnt have to fiddle around with the bios, or open up any chassis and configure in windows - a lot less time wasted imho

Depends how much his time is worth and buying ten you could probably get a decent discount off the £90 pricetag
Click to expand...

For me losing the display properties multi monitor management adds to the hassle. Hence the "imho".
 
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