Dual Monitors?

[Bidhere23]

How do I set up my desktop to use two monitors? What hardware do I need?

[Agent Plissken]

You need a video card with 2 outputs (vga and dvi, or dual vga), OR you need a second video card (PCI). If your main video card has a DVI out and you need VGA, it is a simple adapter hookup.
When you have the hardware, right click your desktop and go to PROPERTIES... SETTINGS... and then click the second monitor and click "Extend my desktop to this monitor"

[QuestorJones]

You need a video card with 2 outputs (vga and dvi, or dual vga), OR you need a second video card (PCI). If your main video card has a DVI out and you need VGA, it is a simple adapter hookup.
When you have the hardware, right click your desktop and go to PROPERTIES... SETTINGS... and then click the second monitor and click "Extend my desktop to this monitor"


How many monitors can you add under windows XP (ie: how many additional cards?)

Also, if you have a dual monitor card and want to add a third, can this be done using the above? (I noticed that my one card with dual monitors has it's own device driver for the dual display...wondering if this conflicts with windows if I add a third?)

Lastly, can the monitors (using windows and multiple cards) use different resolutions ?

Thanks !

[bbrian]

How many monitors can you add under windows XP (ie: how many additional cards?)
As many cards as you can fit. We have some quad output cards (I think from Matrox).

Also, if you have a dual monitor card and want to add a third, can this be done using the above? (I noticed that my one card with dual monitors has it's own device driver for the dual display...wondering if this conflicts with windows if I add a third?)
nope.. add as many as you want/can. Your computer configuration is the limiting factor.

Lastly, can the monitors (using windows and multiple cards) use different resolutions ?
yes again.. although this might depend on the video card. The cards I am familiar with all support different resolutions on the individual monitors.

[gear02]

Hmm...i have a geforce 6800 and already have dual screens. If I stick a PCI card in, I can have 3 monitors? Does the PCI have to be nvidia?

[bbrian]

It can be any kind of PCI video card. Although I would buy a decent one for decent drivers support (nvidia or ati)

[gear02]

woohoo! I have a sony trinitron 19inch and a 17inch pos. I'm getting a Dell 2005FPW so i get to have some fun :)

[gear02]

wait...quick question...if I get a crapatuclar PCI card (MX4000) and I try to run a game, how will it know to use my good card over my crap PCI card?

[bbrian]

Most games have some sort of a video config app where you select which Direct3D capable card or OpenGL capabale card to use.