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Dual port or twin graphics cards
StevenB - 18/11/07 at 07:53 PM

Im looking to set up two screens on my PC but the guy in the local shop says im
in diffs cos the motherboard is too old to accept new dual port AGP x8 graphics
cards.
The one I have is AGP x4.

I have empty PCI slots if that helps?

Any suggestions please.

Cheers

steve

Pdlewis - 18/11/07 at 08:36 PM

I run a Nvidia FX5200 in agp x4 with 2 monitors one on a dvi (digital) and one on a d-sub connector (analogue)

McLannahan - 18/11/07 at 09:39 PM

XP and later supports 2 independant graphics cards. If you've just want two displays (with different images on them I presume...Otherwise a cheapo VGA splitter would do) just slot in two cheap PCI graphics cards.
Will take up all upgradibility but hey...It's be cheap!

Mag1caltrev0r - 19/11/07 at 08:52 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Pdlewis
I run a Nvidia FX5200 in agp x4 with 2 monitors one on a dvi (digital) and one on a d-sub connector (analogue)


What he said! IIRC, most graphics cards that are AGP x8 will automagically recognise that the port is only x4 and therefore slow itself down. Again, IIRC most graphics cards don't use the full potential of the connector anyway so you probably wouldn't notice.
Do you have a friend/colleague who can lend you a card to try it as it should work just fine.

Then, if you don't already know, the graphics card will have a VGA & a DVI port, you then have a couple of options:

1) Plug your main monitor into the DVI and your secondary monitor in the VGA
2) Get an DVI to VGA adapter (generally come with the card) and then you can use a non-DVI monitor on the DVI port.

Hope this helps