What's the current best deal on Dell 2001FP monitors?

[doublesnapper]

Can I connect 4 of these using two separate dual video cards?. What's the approximate cost of the cards?.

Thanks.

[housenuts]

video cards are cheap. u can get dual output ones for probably under $50. mind u they won't be for gaming, but they'll work. i'm still running a dual output 32mb card, i'm sure it's cheap nowadays

[froggy527]

Check out this post for monitor faq faq

Fatwallet is a good place to keep an eye out for the
sales. I think Dell just had a sale so we may be between
sales right now. I have one I think I may wait till a after
the first of the year to get another.

[ghostface]

The best deal now is 20% off reg price. Not worth it as you can get it for around 425.

Coupon is 4KMJLBJSP$XB44 if you really want it.

[ QUOTE ]
Can I connect 4 of these using two separate dual video cards?. What's the approximate cost of the cards?.

Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just bought a new computer capable of quad-monitor support and had it set up exactly this way -- 2 video cards with each supporting 2 monitors. It's currently being built and should be ready to go on Monday.

To do this, your motherboard needs to have two video card slots. The newest video card slots are called PCI Express and I am having my computer built using a motherboard that has 2 PCI Express slots. Most motherboards will not have 2 PCI Express slots, so you will have to specifically request one if you want to run high-quality video on four monitors. However, you may be able to insert a video card in a plain old PCI slot, of which your current motherboard probably has quite a few.

From what I hear, nVidia makes a pretty good card. My computer is coming with 2 nVidia 256MB 6600 dual-monitor video cards. I think each card cost around $170 or so. The next level up is the 6800, but I was advised that this card is only necessary if you are doing 3-D modeling or something. If you are just going to be playing poker, I'm sure you can get an adequate video card for under $100.

I also looked into cards that support four monitors, but I believe the starting price on these is around $500. If you are having a new computer built, it's cheaper to buy a motherboard with 2 PCI Express slots (added about $50 to the cost of my system) and then go with 2 video cards. However, if you want to keep using your current system and only have one video card slot, you could buy one of the quad-monitor cards to run 4 monitors off of your current system.

If you are planning on buying a new system, I would recommend going to a local shop and having them build a computer configured to your exact specifications. It'll be cheaper than going to Dell and your local shop will likely allow you to configure your system exactly the way you want it. I'm not sure if you can do that with Dell.

Edit: When I was looking at systems through Dell, I noticed some that came with a free 17" monitor that were upgradable to the 2001FP for $310. The best deal I've ever seen for 2001FPs was $250 (as a stand-alone buy), but that was some time ago.

Also, it might be a good idea to find out what motherboard your system currently has. Once you figure out what kind of motherboard you have, go to Best Buy and ask them if your motherboard will support 2 dual-monitor video cards. They might be able to help.

Where do I go to get a New 2001FP for around $425?

Please tell me as I am about to buy 1!

Thx.,

[d10]

[ QUOTE ]
Where do I go to get a New 2001FP for around $425?

Please tell me as I am about to buy 1!

Thx.,

[/ QUOTE ]

You'll have to wait. Occasionally Dell offers multiple discounts that can be applied to the 2001fp that brings the price down to $425, sometimes less than $400.

Thanks, I saw the other day that they had it for about $543. or something...(on the Dell website)
Then you are talking about applying a coupon to that?
what coupon and where do you get one! lol