Dual Monitor Setup

[natedogg799]

I have a gateway sx2801-07e desktop. I want to run 2 monitors. My wife uses this computer for work. I don't need a crazy graphics card just want the most affordable option to make it dual monitor compatible.

[Power5]

Any cheap card with 2 ports that work on your monitors. So just about any at newegg.com

[Shawn O]

Like he said or you can get a $30 USB to DVI or HDMI adapter for 2nd display.

[dvlish09]

Cheap and it works as I used it for my parents home computer - http://www.bestbuy.com/site/EVGA+-+G...&skuId=1700586

[Minker17]

You'll need a half height card I think. Unless they offered that PC in 2 sizes.

[izzo]

Any cheap card with 2 ports that work on your monitors. So just about any at newegg.com

Not necessarily.



Just an example.

[Power5]

True, didnt even think of that for some reason. Hell you may just be able to plug one monitor into the hdmi and one into the VGA on back and not need anything else. Not sure if the intel 4500 IGP can support both ports or not. Plug in and find out. You can take your computer to your tv and plug it into the hdmi and then plug your monitor into the vga and see if it works. If it does you will just need adapters to work with your monitors.

[ROCKnRLR]

Not necessarily.



Just an example.

Isn't this adapter to duplicate the image in two monitors? In my case, this adapter won't work for me.

[SpiffyGTI]

I had that adapter on my old workstation at work. I used it for dual monitors where I had monitor 1 on the left and extended the desktop to monitor 2 to the right. It didn't duplicate the desktop.

[Minker17]

In that case, you just have to be sure it's a dual link DVI port, no?

[SpiffyGTI]

I believe so.

[twerked]

if your video card doesn't support it, you could get something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ls_o01_s00_i00

i'm using it on my laptop to run a 3rd monitor it works pretty darn well. sometimes it struggles with video, but it really depends on what else i'm doing on the computer and the quality of the video. streamed video playback (if it's all that you're watching) is nearly perfect..even fullscreen vimeo/youtube hd. raw avchd 1080p/24fps files...not so great. there is an 'optimize for video' option, but it seems to just cut the resolution and makes it look like crap.

[Power5]

I used a cheap USB to VGA adapter from microcenter ($19) and returned it the same day. Just moving my mouse around was jumpy. When I grabbed a window to move it around the blinking was extremely obvious. Maybe newer ones using USB3.0 are better or maybe more expensive ones work better but my experience with a USB video adapter was terrible.

[BRealistic]

Any cheap card with 2 ports that work on your monitors. So just about any at newegg.com

Yes. This one has the low profile bracket included, is fan-less, and is just 35 bucks with free shipping. Definitely better than all the older onboard graphics. And this card consumes only 25 watts at full load, so it shouldn't work the oem psu significantly harder than the over-taxed onboard.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814127613

Why pay 30 for just an adapter when you can get a performance boosted multi-monitor output GPU for 5 bucks more?

[BRealistic]

What happens to the other plugs when you change to the low profile bracket?

[Power5]

The VGA is unplugged from the card and it looks like you get DVI and HDMI.

[twerked]

The VGA is unplugged from the card and it looks like you get DVI and HDMI.

if it's anything like a low profile card i used to have, you can then run the vga to another empty slot if you need it

[Minker17]

The VGA is unplugged from the card and it looks like you get DVI and HDMI.

if it's anything like a low profile card i used to have, you can then run the vga to another empty slot if you need it

Both are true.

[thescirocco.com]

DEid you get this sorted out yet?

I'm not sure if it has the ur PCI-e X16, or the 2.0/2.1...

Here's a pretty good deal on a PCI-e X16, $27.50:

"DUAL MONITOR VIDEO CARD HP ATI RADEON HD 2400 256MB PCI-e x16 ATX DELL"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DUAL-MONITOR...item2314f769fe

[morbs_gt]

Not necessarily.



Just an example.

Some collegues use that at work. I'm glad I don't, I need the extra power of a second isht workstation in the morning. But it is a really nice option.

[Power5]

DEid you get this sorted out yet?

I'm not sure if it has the ur PCI-e X16, or the 2.0/2.1...

Here's a pretty good deal on a PCI-e X16, $27.50:

"DUAL MONITOR VIDEO CARD HP ATI RADEON HD 2400 256MB PCI-e x16 ATX DELL"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/DUAL-MONITOR...item2314f769fe

Post #14 has a much better deal for $8 more. Lower power and better performance and BNIB. Also has low profile brackets.