[benjjj6]

Hi

I want to add a second monitor to my computer which is a Dell 3100c. I don't use the computer for games so I only need a very basic Graphics Card that will allow me to connect a second monitor.

My Computer uses a compact case and any Graphics card will need to have a half-height (I think thats what they're called) bracket in order to fit into the PCI slot.

As the PC has smaller PCI slots I can't buy a new Graphics Card that has two Monitor outputs as it wouldn't fit so im hoping that I can just add another Graphics Card with a monitor and be able to have twice the screen space I do now. Is using two graphics cards like this normal, will I have any problems?

Could anyone recommend any decent (but fairly cheap) Graphics cards - like I say I only need it to attach a second monitor.

thanks

[Carbon]

This won't work - you can't use two video cards in PCI. If you have a PCI-E slot you can get a low-profile dual-DVI card like the 8500GT, else you'll need a new motherboard.

EDIT: Actually, I've googled a bit and it looks like this is possible, but requires some driver hacks to make it work. You might have more luck with something like this that natively supports dual DVI.

[pete21]

check out ma website on dual monitors to give you an idea how i did it with one graphics card :)
www.myPCbuild.piczo.com

[benjjj6]

Thanks for your replies guys. Although, as I said its a 'small form' PC and will need low profile cards as well as a smaller bracket - is it unrelistic to try and get two monitors working with it without changing the motherboard?

Carbon, I think my PC has a PCI-E slot, is there somewhere to look in my system settings so that I can be certain? I took a look at the 8500GT, I see it has one VGA port, what is the other port on it for?

Pete your case looked like it was a standard size?


What is the simplist way most people add a second monitor if they can not add a second graphics card?

[pete21]

look for a graphics card with DVI output as you can get a connecter that will let you use another monitor on it also using the standerd connecter on the graphics card

like this one

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?...15176&doy=27m3

[Carbon]

Here are a couple PCI-E cards with low-profile dual DVI. I swear there's some GeForce 8s with dual DVI (maybe I was wrong on the 8500 because I'm only seeing one that's dual-DVI), but I can't find any of them that are low profile.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161074
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161079

You can, as stated before, get a card that's compatible with an adapter to drive two screens.

If you tell us the motherboard, model, or the current video card, we can probably tell you if you've got a PCI-E slot.

EDIT 2: Did some research. You have ONE PCI slot and ONE PCI-E x1 slot. So the low profile x1 (this) will be your best bet.

[benjjj6]

Thanks Carbon, I might have the opportunity to get a second screen fairly cheap in the future and if I do I'll likely go for that low profile card you recommended. :)

Thanks guys :)

[redden137]

or you could try this 2 Port VGA Splitter or if you wanted a cheaper option and your graphics can handle it try this one VGA Splitter Cable