How can I tell if my video card can do dual CRTs?

[BaboonGuy]

I've got an 8500 LE and have been told that some of them can do dual display. Is there a way to tell for sure by looking at the back of my computer or something?

Thanks for helping out a newbie

 

[Outrager]

Look at the back of the video card. If you have 2 ports for 2 monitors then you can use 2 monitors. Usually, it's a VGA and DVI port and you need a DVI->VGA adaptor to use 2 CRTs.

 

[BaboonGuy]

okay i definetly have the DVI port, where can I get a DVI-VGI cable and how much is it?

 

[rbV5]

Look at the back of the video card. If you have 2 ports for 2 monitors then you can use 2 monitors

Maybe not, the 8500 uses an internal and an external RAMDAC. Plenty of OEM 8500le cards were produced with the secondary DVI port, but omitted the external RAMDAC required to power a CRT monitor. You could still use 2 monitors, just not 2 CRT monitors.