Multiple Monitors?

[GIJersey]

I could use some help. I want to setup 2 monitors on my rig. I have a Herc Prophet GeForce 2 Ultra 64 with the latest 27.42 drivers and Win98SE. This card has an DVI and SVHS output on it in addition to the VGA out. My question is:

1. How can I hook up my second monitor to the card? Do I use the DVI output? Do I need a special adapter to go from DVI to VGA?

2. I know that there is something called "Twinview" and "nview" that are supposed to be built into the drivers. How do I activate them?


Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[sohcrates]

i don't believe that's a multiple monitor video card. twinview is for nvidia's dual monitor cards

the only way you could use two monitors would be to install a second video card and then enable multiple monitor support in windows display properties

 

[GIJersey]

Thanks for the fast reply sohcrates! I thought there was still a way of connecting a 2nd monitor to it with an adapter? I know that some GF cards have two VGA outputs like the pro. But what about the new GF4 cards. I havent seen one with two VGA outs and everyone is stil saying that you can run nview with them?

 

[sohcrates]

good questions! can't say i have all the answers regarding geforce's though.....we'll have to see if anyone else pops in this thread with some more advice

 

[rbV5]

sohcrates is right, its either or, not both.

The GF4 has hardware SUPPORT for dual heads, but it has to be implemented.

 

[GIJersey]

I really forgot how AWESOME these forums were with forum veterans like yourselves helping out with mega fast answers to our questions! I'm sorry I haven't been a regular but I intend to now become one. I am building a new rig in a few months and I can see that the wealth of information and help here is a must!

"GF4 has hardware SUPPORT for dual heads, but it has to be implemented."
rb, what exactly does that mean, implimented?

And again to restate I wont be able to run a 2nd Mon with just my GF2 with an adapter for the DVI? I have heard of using a VGA splitter, have you ever had any experience with them? I assume it is a cable that comes out of your VGA from the card and then has two head branching off?

I wonder if I put in a PCI card like say the geforce3 mx400 for the second monitor? Or would that just be overkill? Can I get away with a cheaper card?

 

[tenoc]

Support on the chip does have to be implemented on the card, as noted.
My R8500 (retail) has a VGA and a DVI output plus a DVI to VGA adapter.

Some OEM cards lack the on-card implementation and most don't supply
the adapter.

Different stokes, etc.

 

[GIJersey]

I am still a bit confised what does "Support on the chip does have to be implemented on the card" mean? How do you do it?

 

[bassoprofundo]

It means that the graphics processor has the capability of supporting multiple monitors, but the card manufacturer has to design the PCB with the appropriate traces and connectors to support the 2nd connection. These add cost, so a lot of manufacturers drop them to keep cost down.

 

[GIJersey]

Thanks BASSO!

Would you know if my Hercules Prophet GF2 Ultra 64 would be able to support 2 Mons? Can I do it with just this card?

 

[rbV5]

<< Would you know if my Hercules Prophet GF2 Ultra 64 would be able to support 2 Mons? Can I do it with just this card? >>



Yes, it will support 2 monitors, Just not at the same time.

 

[GIJersey]

Thanks guys for all the help! It's very much appreciated.

Here is another question for you experts:

I currently have a Hercules GeForce2 Ultra 64 in my AGP slot. I want to add another PCI video card so I can then run multiple monitors. I was thinking of adding a VisionTek GeForce3 MX400 64 PCI. Will this work with my other card? I know I could get a cheaper PCI card but is it to my benefit to get a better card like the GeForce3 MX400 64 for the secondary video? I am going to be building a new rig in a few months and I figured that I could always use the GeForce3 PCI in my new rig with a new GeForce4 in the AGP slot.

Considering I am going to be running a New GeForce4 in my new rig with the Geforce3 PCI as my second card, will I be able to then run three monitors from my box with this setup? I have read that the GF4 supports dual RAMDAC that would let it be able to run two seperate monitors. One from the VGA out and the other from the DVI out with an adapter.

Also, With my current setup with the GF2 AGP and adding the new GF3 PCI can I use nVieW? Orr will I just be able to use the default Win98SE multiple monitor support?


Thanks!

 

[sohcrates]

well, out of all your questions, i can answer 2

1) you can have up to around 10 video cards/ monitors with win98 or win2k/xp. so yes, you could run 3 if the hardware is correct, i ran a triple monitor setup a couple years ago

2) remember that with your second video card you DON'T have 3d support...it's not like you're gonna be playing games over 2 monitors. the secondary monitor will click off when you start a game, and it will be played on your primary video card. the only thing the secondary monitor will be used for is all your 2D apps...

so it's really not worth it to drop the cash on a super duper 3d card to be used as a second video card....UNLESS, as you mentioned, you plan to use it as it's own card in a future system

 

[GIJersey]

Why would the second monitor not have 3D support? For instance if I run Flight Simulator 2002 I should be able to either run undocked windows from the sim or another cockpit view window on the second monitor? No?

 

[sohcrates]

<< Why would the second monitor not have 3D support? For instance if I run Flight Simulator 2002 I should be able to either run undocked windows from the sim or another cockpit view window on the second monitor? No? >>



well, sometimes windows just won't let the second card do 3d..seems to vary card by card

also, the game has to be written for dual monitors..most likely, if the software supports it, it will work

the problem is that most games don't support 2 monitors

 

[CStroman]

I run a dual card setup, and I've found that some things work on my secondary monitor. I'm using a voodoo3 2000, so if I set Diablo 2 to use Glide, it would run on my secondary monitor. I can run pj64 on my second monitor, too, but it's slower.

 

[rbV5]

<< GeForce3 MX400 64 PCI >>



Never heard of a GF3MX