HELP needed for DUAL MONITORS

Hi all,

I want to buy my dad a second monitor for his PC for his birthday but have some doubts.

Basically, I can see that there is the normal VGA socket from the Motherboard to which the current monitor is connected. Then further down I see there is a separate card with a single DVI socket.

So my question is, if i get that monitor (which has both a DVI and VGA connection), can i simply plug it into the DVI and am good to go?

Any feedback or comments are VERY appreciated as I am pressed for time!

Thanks

 

no u can either use your integrated gfx or your dedicated one. you'll need some sort of splitter if you wish to use 2 monitors.... something like this:
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/59847...yword=DVI-D+Male+To+Twin+Female+Splitter+Lead

 

That's not true... it depends on the motherboard but I've done triple monitors on a computer using onboard for one and a video card for the other two. Additionally, the dongle you just linked to is not universal and will only work on certain cards with the proper type of DVI output.


What I would suggest to the OP would be to first determine if you are able to switch the monitor between the two ports (get a DVI->VGA adapter in the meantime for testing, should be like 3 dollars) WHILE THE SYSTEM IS ON. If you can, then both are enabled. Seeing as you're using the onboard with a card installed, it seems likely to me that you can. From there, it would be all configuration in Windows.

If you give more information about the system we will be able to help you more. (Motherboard, Video card)

 

You could also get your dad a cheap graphics card with 2 monitor out ports. You can get these for little to no money after rebates now days.

 

Yes sorry it does depend on the motherboard, and the mobo i'm currently using does not allow this... i'm pretty sure alot of mobos disable the integrated output when using a dedicated gfx card

Yes I know hence why i said:

the OP has however not given enough detail for us to give a foolproof recommendation,
he/she needs to provide information on the mobo, as well as what type of dvi connector his dedicated card has, as well as what type of dvi connector the monitor he wants to buy has

cheers,
Josh D.

 

Graphics card 20 bucks:

Newegg has the eVGA GeForce 8400GS 256MB PCI-Express Video Card for for $40 - $10 Rebate - $15 Code VGA01015 = $15 with free shipping. Thanks SP33DFR34K.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...lickDeals-_-NA-_-NA-_-NA&Item=N82E16814130288

 

We don't even know that he has PCI-E. He could have AGP. Or he could have no graphics port at all, and be restricted to PCI.

And yes jisaac, I agree with everything you said.