Dual Monitor, VGA and DVI

[21stHermit]

I have a friend who has a 1.6GHz P4, Asus MB, AGP video slot, with a 19" CRT monitor. He wants to add a second LCD DVI monitor. The second monitor will be to show images to his customers sitting across from him.

On my laptop, I have dual monitor support. When I bring up Display Properties > Settings, I see the LCD as "1" and "2" is grayed out. When I bring up Display Properties > Settings on his PC, I don't see the grayed out second icon. That tells me his AGP card won't drive a second monitor.

I went to NewEgg and searched for AGP cards with VGA and DVI, I got 85 hits. Will all these cards drive 2 monitors? Or do I need to refine my search? If so what is the magic search term?

Thanks
Hermit

 

[Matthias99]

It would be very difficult to find a card that has two video outputs and can't drive both of them at once these days.

You might want to look for a dual DVI-I card if possible. That way you could run DVI or VGA from either port.

 

[keeleysam]

Just have him get a Dual DVI card for when he decides he hates his CRT.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLi...96%3A9639&PropertyCodeValue=691%3A9631

 

[21stHermit]

Matthias99 and keeleysam,

Thank you both. :beer:

Implicit in your replies is that a DVI output will drive a VGA monitor, I was unaware that a DVI would do this. Is there a special cable?

Thanks
Hermit

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: 21stHermit
Matthias99 and keeleysam,

Thank you both. :beer:

Implicit in your replies is that a DVI output will drive a VGA monitor, I was unaware that a DVI would do this. Is there a special cable?

Thanks
Hermit

DVI-I will -- it has DVI and VGA in one plug. You just need an adapter (which usually comes with the card, or can be bought for a few bucks) to use the VGA output from that port.

DVI-D is DVI only and cannot run VGA. Most videocards with "DVI" output are actually DVI-I. If you look up the detailed specs on the card (either from a retailer or from the manufacturer's website), it should confirm that.

 

[21stHermit]

Originally posted by: Matthias99
DVI-I will -- it has DVI and VGA in one plug. You just need an adapter (which usually comes with the card, or can be bought for a few bucks) to use the VGA output from that port.

DVI-D is DVI only and cannot run VGA. Most videocards with "DVI" output are actually DVI-I. If you look up the detailed specs on the card (either from a retailer or from the manufacturer's website), it should confirm that.

Thank you for that detailed reply. :beer::beer:

Now I know what alphabet soup to look for.

Thanks
Hermit