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Simple Dual Monitor card (non gaming)

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Joined
21 May 2004
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323
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At the Ice rink
Hi everyone, I want to add a second monitor to my set up and I am currently using the GPU built into my motherboard (ASRock FM2A75 Pro), which won't handle two monitors, so I need a separate graphics card that can run two monitors.

I don't do any gaming, so this is just for day to day work, it doesn't need to be anything too special. I would prefer passive cooled as well, rather than adding another fan. Any non expensive suggestions?

Thanks
 
TL;DR - This one: MSI GT1030 2Gb with a low-profile, 2-slot, passive cooler, DisplayPort + HDMI output - MSI site - should cost you ~£105.

Long version:

Decide what cabling you want (i.e. what resolutions you're after, therefore do you need DP + HDMI).... I only point this out as a lot of these are HTPC-focussed and will only have HDMI+DVI or possibly HDMI+VGA!

Technically you could get away with a Radeon R5 (230/235).... it'll be v cheap, but driver support is gone... similarly cheap, but there are GT710 and GT730 solutions out there, but also getting very tired and probably only another year or two of driver support and outputs tend to be limited. e.g. GT710/GT730 (careful about output options!) the only thing in their favour is even lower price as ~25W TDP.

In terms of what I'd enthusiastically recommend:

GT1030 should do the job nicely.... probably the best option for you and there are a few low profile, 2-slot passive cooling versions of each of those by Palit, ASUS and MSI, but they're slightly more "specialist" items and unlikely to be stocked at OC - forum rules that we can't recommend where to buy them, even if OC is unlikely to ever stock what you're after. 30W TDP (worth noting as this will determine the extra load on your PSU AND the likely extra heat in the case) e.g. Palit KalmX (great cooling solution, but DVI+HDMI only!) or much better outputs from the MSI version I mentioned at the top (MSI site ) as that does HDMI+DP! Don't worry about the cooling on these - you could probably just unplug the fan on one of the fan-cooled ones, they generate THAT little heat!

or

GTX1050Ti (75W TDP) if you really want to push the boat out... it's probably overkill for your needs, but the 4Gb version is a genuine 1080P gamer and the GPU is over twice as fast the GT1030 or indeed an Xbox One S (not that that's saying much!).e.g. Palit KalmX GTX1050Ti

or

GTX1650 (75W TDP) seems like even more overkill than the GTX1050Ti (very similar specs, but it is at least 20% faster) - but look out for it as it is priced very close to the 4Gb GTX1050Ti and will play most games at 1080P with the detail cranked reasonably high! GTX1650 (same 75W TDP as the GTX1050Ti, three modern digital outputs: dual DP 1.4 and HDMI 2.0)

2 years ago, the GT1030's were £60-£70 and the GTX1050Ti's were £100 for the 2Gb and £120-£150 for the 4Gb versions - I'm not sure what the release price for the GTX1650 was, but the GTX1650super was $160.... expect to pay at least 50% more than that for all of those: £100-£110 for the GT1030 and £200-£240 for the 4Gb GTX1050Ti or GTX1650.
 
In terms of resolution expectations:
  • Avoid VGA - just don't go there, please (analogue + lower resolutions, theoretical 2048x1576, but these ports were build for 1024x768 and should have stopped there, even 1080P will be "murky").
  • Any DVI will just about handle 1200P (common 24" alternative to 1080P), but results will vary with cables over 1.8m.... you may be stuck with short, expensive, high spec cables.
  • HDMI on the GT7xx cards will max out around 1440P and work with any run of the mill HDMI cable (probably up to ~3m).
  • HDMI on the GT1030's is 4K capable with the right cables (I have an HTPC running 4K 60Hz over nearly 10m - with a couple of high spec repeaters!)
  • HDMI on the GTX1050 is easily the same spec as the GT1030 - I have one running at 1080P 100Hz as a console replacement - with an XBox controller on USB :D
  • Expect similar/better results on the DisplayPort options - try to get these, if you monitor has the relevant inputs!
 
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