Video Card?

[Traxxas_Junkee]

What is a good video card that will allow me to run two monitors? And how would I intall the card? Don't know if it matters but I have a Gateway 827 GM.

Thanks for your help.

[Gforce]

There are a lot of video cards that let you do this. What are your machine specs? What types of slots do you have open? (PCI pci express, agp?) And how crazy do you want to get with it? Are you hooking this up to a tv or another monitor?

I use mine for running karaoke shows. If I remember right the card I have is a ATI RAdeon x1800. But it might have been an off brand using the ATI chipset. Just about any radeon based card will do basic dual screen functions. Nvidia based cards will do it also. In fact just about every aftermarket video card has the capability to do it. The difference is they al have differing amounts of video memory and processor speeds which is why knowing what your application is will best determine which one is best for you.

[Traxxas_Junkee]

AMD Athlon™ 64
3500+
2.19GHz, 384 of RAM.


Is that what you need? How do I find out what slots I have open?

The current card in there is a ATI RADEON Xpress 200 Series.

I don't want to go crazy with it, hoping to be able to stay under $150 with it. I am looking to be able to do both a TV and another monitor. If I had to choose between the two I would go with another monitor though.

[4wheelinrevo]

save money and get a PCI video card, that way you can run 2 monitors,the 1 that is either on your motherboard or AGP slot and then a PCI one.

PCI graphics card cost about $70 if not cheaper, this will allow you to run 2 monitors

[4wheelinrevo]

AMD Athlon™ 64
3500+
2.19GHz, 384 of RAM.


Is that what you need? How do I find out what slots I have open?

The current card in there is a ATI RADEON Xpress 200 Series.

I don't want to go crazy with it, hoping to be able to stay under $150 with it. I am looking to be able to do both a TV and another monitor. If I had to choose between the two I would go with another monitor though.

disregaurd what i just siad above ou will need to do this withthat card you have (since it is proprietry to the MB) you will need a card that has 2 monitors on it.

your mother board will not allow mulitmonitors, well its not reallythe board its BIOS that cant do it, and i dont suggest getting new BIOS firmware, too much to F up.

once you install the card in an open PCI slot you will need to turn on your computer and press F10 real fast to enter BIOS, once there you will go to the advanced screen then scroll down to graphics and select PCI for the monitor card.

BIOS on your board will not allocate different RAm for each monitor so it doesnt even try.

i know this first hand

[Traxxas_Junkee]

So the AGP is what the monitor is running off now right? It is on the motherboard. Then I have another one with an S-Video out and RCA out, but they are dead plugs, they aren't hooked up to anything. The only reason the other one is there is because it is the TV tuner for the Media Center. (I think) Sooo......?

[Traxxas_Junkee]

What about something like this?

http://www.usbgear.com/USB2_SVGA_USB_vid....html#bene

[4wheelinrevo]

i replied to your PM

dont use a usb they are too slow for graphics

[Traxxas_Junkee]

Even for just like internet explorer and stuff like that? If I want to watch video I would use my main screen.

[Gforce]

So your current video card has an s-video and composite out? If that is true, run a cable from one of those outputs to a tv or monitor. Then boot up your computer. The second screen may not work yet. Right click on your desktop and click properties. Click on settings. It should now show 2 monitors in the display but one might be shadowed out. Click on that monitor. Then check the box that reads extends desktop to this monitor. Click apply then ok. The screens should flicker for a second and then both should come back on. My guess is this will work with your current setup.

[Traxxas_Junkee]

Thats what I thought too, but I called Gateway and supposedly it is a "dummy" plug. When I look in there it looks like it is hooked up, but it doesn't recognize the TV.

[Traxxas_Junkee]

How about these? I know that the card I am running now is a PCI Card. It looks like whatever I have now. (ATI Radeon Xpress 200) is right on the mother board. So does that mean I can just get a card like listed below and then still use the original card for my primary and then the new card for my secondary?


http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/...CatId=1558

[Gforce]

No. Once you install a video card, the onboard video is disabled. All video functions are transferred to the installed card.

The card you picked will do the job for basic video and light gaming, but stay away from Tiger Direct and all their "rebates." You'll never get them. Instead go to http://www.newegg.com. If they have rebates they will be instant rebates. Nothing to mail in. Plus their prices are a hell of a lot lower.

[Gforce]

Thats what I thought too, but I called Gateway and supposedly it is a "dummy" plug. When I look in there it looks like it is hooked up, but it doesn't recognize the TV.

Did you try by turning the pc OFF, installing the cables and then rebooting and going through the steps I mentioned above? If the pc is on when you plug them in it won't detect it.

I never did like Gateway...They have gone downhill since they and E-machines merged. Now they are both crap. Dummy plugs? That has got to be the most assinine thing I have ever heard. If they are not meant to work, then why spend the money to put them there? That doesn't make sense to me.

This is why I build my own machines. I would rather put them together myself than have some asian kid (who gets paid 2 dollars a day in taiwan) assemble it.

[Gforce]

Here's a thought...I'll bet Gateway did not make the board with the dummy plugs. Get the model # off the board and search to see if there are any driver updates. Its possible if you use the board manufacturers drivers instead of gateways that you may get those plugs working. It couldn't hurt to try and may save you some cash. I just don't buy that dummy plug bullshit. Those plugs are there for a reason.

[Traxxas_Junkee]

Thats what I thought. I haven't had any problems with the computer, but I'm just surprised it can't handle to multi monitor thing. My moms old compaq laptop could.

What about this one?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/VisionTek...il.do#tabs


I am also kind of confused. My flat screen monitor has the two different types of plugs, it has the digital and then the VGA. My old big monitor that I will be using only has the VGA. I know I'm gonna need a digital cable for it. Why don't they make cards with dual VGA outpouts?

I've never had a problem getting Tiger's rebates before, they usually come about a week after the product.

[Gforce]

Thats what I thought. I haven't had any problems with the computer, but I'm just surprised it can't handle to multi monitor thing. My moms old compaq laptop could.

What about this one?

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/VisionTek...il.do#tabs

The Radeon 9250 is a good solid card that will do the dual monitor for you. It is not a high end gaming card tho and many of the more intensive games won't run on it.

I am also kind of confused. My flat screen monitor has the two different types of plugs, it has the digital and then the VGA. My old big monitor that I will be using only has the VGA. I know I'm gonna need a digital cable for it. Why don't they make cards with dual VGA outpouts?

I've never had a problem getting Tiger's rebates before, they usually come about a week after the product.

They do make them, tho they are hard to find these days. I used to have one in my computer boneyard, but I cleaned things up a few months ago and I think it went out in the trash.

The point I was trying to make with Tiger, is why spend the extra money, and then mail a bunch of stuff out to get some money back 2-8 weeks later when you can go to Newegg and spend less total $$ than you would at tiger without having to deal with all the rebate b.s.

[Traxxas_Junkee]

Yeah, I here you about the rebates, I guess I just never really payed attention to the price difference. Also Tiger is like 45 minutes from me so I can go get it or it can be here the next day with the cheapest shipping.


I guess that the cards come with adapters for the DVI to VGA? Thats what I was told. I don't really want anything fancy, I don't play games on it, I do play one now a little bit, but it's no big deal if I can't play it anymore.

[4wheelinrevo]

Did you try by turning the pc OFF, installing the cables and then rebooting and going through the steps I mentioned above? If the pc is on when you plug them in it won't detect it.

it in his BIOS

and yes his board will allow the use of the onboard and a PCI graphics card for a dual monitor set up, but i wouldnt do it because his mother board has a very difficult time allocating the ram for 2 monitors seperatly, he would have to have tp flash his BIOS to a new formware and also he might have to go to the registry and create some new DLL for the new card.

with that said he should save himself alot of trouble and get a PCI card that has 2 vga outputs and the tv input that he wants all on 1 card, that way the PCI card allocates the RAM.

[Traxxas_Junkee]

OK. So I should just get the card. Is the one from Circuit City OK to get? I'll probably get it Monday or Tuesday.

[4wheelinrevo]

OK. So I should just get the card. Is the one from Circuit City OK to get? I'll probably get it Monday or Tuesday.

got a link to the one you are looking at? (im too lazy to go thru the posts above).

[4wheelinrevo]

i see the link above that one is not what you are wanting, it supports dual monitors but still only has 1 VGA output, you need a dual VGA output on it.

im looking now for one for you

[Traxxas_Junkee]

I was told by someone else that most of the cards come with an adapter for the DVI to VGA, then I can just use the regular VGA port on there. Is that true? I wouldn't think the adapters would be that much.


I'm heading out for the weekend so I won't be back until Sunday night or Monday.

[Gforce]

I found a card that should work nicely for what you are trying to do.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814133007

[4wheelinrevo]

I found a card that should work nicely for what you are trying to do.


http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6814133007

good find that is exactly what he needs