is this possible? 2 video cards, 1 with monitor/tv and the other with just monitor

[Vesper8]

Just wondering if this is possible. I have a X48 mobo with 2 pci-e 16x slots.

I'm purchasing a 4870x2 this week and I plan on using the DVI-to-HDMI adapter to output to my HD projector. The 2nd DVI output will be used for a monitor.

Here's the tricky part. I'm used to using two monitors and would like to continue using dual monitors without having to alternate between the projector/2nd monitor by unplugging/plugging those in.

So I'm wondering if I could put an old nvidia 6600GT in the 2nd pci-e slot and use that for my 2nd monitor.

So in the end, I'd have 2 monitors (once on each video card) + the dvi-to-hdmi output displaying on the projector.

Would this work? Would this cause headaches in vista 64?

thanks in advance for your feedback

 

[mpilchfamily]

Yes it can be doen. Back in the old days of AGP cards only came with a single VGA output. So if you wanted dual displays you had to go out and by a PCI video card. If you wanted to run 4 monitors you could. Heck you can even get some PCI video cards and run as many monitors as your motherboard will hold. But by that point you'd be better off getting a card with 4 or more vidio outputs on them. Yes they do exist and are pretty exspencive.

 

[Seggybop]

Under XP, that configuration would work fine. However, because of vistaids, the system will be very unhappy with using cards made by both ATI and nvidia at the same time. It would probably be easiest to find a super cheap ATI card for the extra monitor outputs.

 

[mpilchfamily]

If the projector is going to be dispalying the same thing as the primary monitor you can get a splitter and run both the projector and the LCD on the same connector. As long as they both support the same resolution. Then you don't have to worry about any possible issues with drivers from the different cards. Plus you won't have to buy a new card.

EDIT: Here is a link to the splitter cable you'll need.
http://www.cablesunlimited.com...3.aspx?groupcode=I3581

Google search term: DVI Splitter

 

[Vesper8]

i dunno about the splitter... i'm already running a 50 foot cable to the projector after using the dvi-to-hdmi adapter... add a splitter in the loop and what are the odds the signal will still get through all that!

i think i'll read up about the ati/nvidia compatibility issue in vista... i mean i wouldn't even have to install forceware for the nvidia card.. the default display driver windows would assign to it would probably do the trick.

 

[Vesper8]

i guess i'll try one of these instead (even better).. all i've got to lose is.. 9 bucks!

http://www.monoprice.com/produ...id=2518&seq=1&format=2

btw.. don't buy from cablesunlimited ... monoprice is the #1 cable site.. and it's 3x cheaper for that item!

 

[mpilchfamily]

Well there are powered splitters that are made to support cable runs going longer then 50ft. But then your spending the same as the price of a new mid range video card.

 

[taltamir]

lat i checked video cards come with two DVI ports... plug one to the TV, one to the monitor. There should also be an HD-out... which looks like an S-video plug with extra pins, that you can connect a dongle to split it into component + s-video. especially for TVs.

If you want to mirror the output, there should be an option in the driver to mirror on both monitors, instead of having them as separate entities.