Dual monitor video card?

[byronkincaid]

I know this has been done a million times I'm sorry, but i'm a total idiot as far as computers are concerned. I had my second dell 2001FP delivered yesterday. I need a new video card which will let me play 8 tables with a little bit of 2+2 surfing as well.

The dells each come with 2 connecting cables, I believe the blue connector is anologue and the white one digital. On my current one monitor set up I have used the blue connector as I couldn't find anywhere to plug the white one in. This is fine for what I do. I believe most dual monitor video cards have two outputs-one for the blue connector and one for the white connector.

I have searched and read what other people are using but when I try to buy what they recommend it;s either 4 weeks delivery or out dated and not availiable anymore. Could someone recommend a video card which is readily avaliable (I live in the UK) that I can simply plug in 2 dells-presumably one blue and one white connector and that gives me the 1600/1200 resolution I need on both monitors. I can afford up to about £130/$250.

Thank you very much for any help.

[Al P]

If you game - ATI 9800 Pro ($200ish)

If you don't game - nVidia TI-4200 ($50?) http://search.ebay.co.uk/TI-4200_W0QQfltZ9QQsatitleZTIQ2d4200

[jar]

[ QUOTE ]
If you game - ATI 9800 Pro ($200ish)

If you don't game - nVidia TI-4200 ($50?) http://search.ebay.co.uk/TI-4200_W0QQfltZ9QQsatitleZTIQ2d4200

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd say the XFX/Nvidia 6600GT is a better buy than the 9800 pro. It outperforms it significantly, has dual DVI, and only costs like $25 more.

[byronkincaid]

Dual DVI means i can plug in both white connectors right? I'm not a gamer just need this for 8 tabling.

[Brainwalter]

[ QUOTE ]
Dual DVI means i can plug in both white connectors right? I'm not a gamer just need this for 8 tabling.

[/ QUOTE ]

yes

[Eratosthenes]

[ QUOTE ]
Dual DVI means i can plug in both white connectors right? I'm not a gamer just need this for 8 tabling.

[/ QUOTE ]

Right, the white cables are DVI. Graphics boards with 2 DVI ports are pretty expensive right now, I have not seen one for less than $200 (I haven't looked really hard, yet). As mentioned above you can use a $50 card that has DVI and VGA and plug one monitor into each.

You need to make sure the card handles a resolution of 1600x1200.

You need to make sure you get the card for the right bus. You probably need an AGP card (most modern computers). Though PCI-express (new, high end PC) or PCI (old POS PC). (Actually a PCI graphics board can be used in about any desktop PC, but is less efficient.)

[TylerD]

Where did you get the 2001FPS from? I've been thinking of getting a second one myself. Thanks.

[byronkincaid]

Got it direct from dell £460ish. My first one was about £100 more. I got an email saying last 2 days of sale blah blah blah they'll probably be £360 next week.

[byronkincaid]

[ QUOTE ]
You need to make sure you get the card for the right bus. You probably need an AGP card (most modern computers). Though PCI-express (new, high end PC) or PCI (old POS PC). (Actually a PCI graphics board can be used in about any desktop PC, but is less efficient.)



[/ QUOTE ]

This is the sort of thing i don't understand. My computer was built around 2 years ago it has a AMD athlon XP 1800+ 1.53 GHz with 256 MB RAM. My current video card is a NVIDIA GeForce MX 440. Can i tell from this what will work?

[Sheriff Fatman]

Been looking at that offer too! Its been extended twice so far!

Did you find any coupons anywhere to knock down the price any further (like the Americans seem to be able to do)?

Sheriff

PS: As for the cards, I've been looking to spec up a new PC so have been looking at this. The Dual-DVI cards are very expensive, and there's been debate on here before as to whether anyone would be able to tell the difference anyway compared to a DVI/VGA card.

I think I'm going to settle for a 6600GT PCI Express card on my system which, as far as I can see from the pics, is only single DVI. However, adding a dual-DVI card to the system I've specced puts the price up by about another £175!

[Sheriff Fatman]

[ QUOTE ]
This is the sort of thing i don't understand. My computer was built around 2 years ago it has a AMD athlon XP 1800+ 1.53 GHz with 256 MB RAM. My current video card is a NVIDIA GeForce MX 440. Can i tell from this what will work?

[/ QUOTE ]

The AGP / PCI / PCI-E thing refers to the size of the slots which fit the cards.

I've just Googled your card and it looks to be an AGP 8x card so you should be OK with any that are described as AGP 8x. The PCI-E cards fit a different slot and would probably need an upgrade of motherboard. Its fairly new technology and is well OTT for a poker-only computer.

If I'm wrong in this, no doubt someone will correct me!

Sheriff

[byronkincaid]

Thanks Sheriff, no I didn't bother looking for any coupons, didn't even think about it thicko that I am.

[Muisyle]

XFX GeForce 6600GT, has dual DVI, will outperform a Radeon 9800 pro and is under $200 after rebate.

http://www.buy.com/retail/Product_jump.asp?sku=10387999&dcaid=1688&dcaid=168 8

[fundmyhabit]

no one has suggested it, but you could also just buy a cheap PCI card with DVI (if a cheap one exists) and have 2 video cards in your machine.

[byronkincaid]

Is the blue connector called "S video out" ie if the spec says it has DVI and S-video out, that will work ok?

[Lurker4]

[ QUOTE ]
Is the blue connector called "S video out" ie if the spec says it has DVI and S-video out, that will work ok?

[/ QUOTE ]

the blue connector between your monitor and your video card is VGA. I think S-video out is for TV-out. If a card has just DVI and S-video out, I believe that means that it can only have one monitor connection, but can be hooked up to your TV.

[Lurker4]

assuming you have an AGP slot, the cheapest dual DVI card that I've seen is the Asus FX5200 (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-121-151&depa=1). About half the price of the 6600GT. 6600GT is better of course, but if you don't do any kind of heavy gaming, then you could go with FX5200 if price is an issue.

[byronkincaid]

Thanks for everyones help, I really appreciate it. With my new found video card knowledge I have found this one (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000E2Y8M/qid=1107474488/sr=2-3/ref=sr_2_3_3/202-0664778-0875823) from amazon with 24 hour dispatch. Looks Ok? Will the white conector fit this DVI-I - 29 pin combined DVI (see full technical detail)? I only count 19 pins on it but obviously I haven't got a clue about these things.

[BusterStacks]

The DVI with less pins is a digital only connection. The 2 extra pins allow for conversion to analog. I second the motion for the XFX 6600GT. Excellent card.

[Al P]

That's wasting money. A TI-4200 will work fine. In fact I used to play Everquest II and World of Warcraft on it with decent framerates.

Since he isn't gaming he doesn't need to spend more than $50.

[BusterStacks]

It would be worth it for the Dual DVI. And btw, the TI-4200 is old, try playing a DX9 title. I have my doubts about your EQ2 claim in the first place.