Need advice on a dual DVI card for 2 monitors

[PascalT]

I currently have a 6600 GT PCI-e with a Samsung 244t hooked through the DVI. Looking to add a NEC 2690, through DVI as well.

I am a graphic designer so 2d quality is the #1 factor in my graphics card decision (does it change anything as long as it's dual-dvi?).

I do not play games at all on my pc.

I read here the Radeon 3540 would be a very good choice? SHould I consider other options as well?

thanks!

 

[n7]

As awesome as that NEC will be, i doubt you'll see any different between your 6600 & a newer ATi card.

But i assume your current 6600 GT isn't dual DVI?

Any cheaper dual DVI card will do for what you want though.

 

[PascalT]

Yes, no dual-DVI on my 6600gt.

So over DVI there is no quality difference at all in 2d/color regardless of the video card?

Thanks

 

[n7]

Originally posted by: PascalT
Yes, no dual-DVI on my 6600gt.

So over DVI there is no quality difference at all in 2d/color regardless of the video card?

Thanks

Eh, that's a rather hotly argued topic...there's a thread on the first page here arguing that, though i think they're arguing 3D quality a bit more.

I personally would lean toward a nice little passively cooled ATi card, as i prefer their multi-monitor management over nV's, but it depends on budget, what you prefer, etc.

Definitely you want nV 8 series or higher, as they were inferior to ATi prior to that.

 

[hans007]

get something like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150257

dual dvi. with dms-59.

or you could go on ebay and get a quadro nvs 285 or something for $30

 

[PascalT]

Thanks for the recommendations.

I see only one DVI port on that card Hans: http://c1.neweggimages.com/New...mage/14-150-257-07.jpg Am I missing something?

Definitely something passively cooled would be GREAT. Any specific ideas for that?

 

[IlllI]

i'm surprised nobody mentioned matrox.

 

[PascalT]

is Matrox still a factor after so long? I would assume the latest ATI or NV options would be much better.

 

[themisfit610]

No, they're not.

Only in certain very specialized situations.

DVI is DVI. When you're just doing 2d, video cards aren't going to look any different with a digital interface.

Some people prefer AMD's multi monitor, some people prefer nVidia's.. it all comes down to preference.

I would go with a passively cooled something.

~MiSfit

 

[PascalT]

Is there any reason to go with this GF 8600 GT: http://www.ncix.com/products/i...H&manufacture=Gigabyte

over this one? http://www.ncix.com/products/i...H&manufacture=Gigabyte

Very similar specs but one has HDCP and the other has GDDR3. Same price.

That's pretty much the only option i saw on NCIX for passive/dual DVI cards.

 

[angry hampster]

What a weird heatsink on those cards. The one with DDR2 memory has 512mb, the DDR3 card has 256. I would go for the 512mb card because you will simply need more VRAM to run dual monitors. The main benefits of DDR3 are power savings and access time, which shouldn't matter that much since you're doing 2D.

 

[PascalT]

Thanks for the info guys!

 

[themisfit610]

I would go for the 512mb card because you will simply need more VRAM to run dual monitors.

ROFL...

Dude, you don't need anything more than 256mb to run even two 30" LCDs. Significantly less I would be willing to wager.

~MiSfit

 

[angry hampster]

Originally posted by: themisfit610

I would go for the 512mb card because you will simply need more VRAM to run dual monitors.

ROFL...

Dude, you don't need anything more than 256mb to run even two 30" LCDs. Significantly less I would be willing to wager.

~MiSfit

Really? Shows how much experience I've got with dual monitor setups :laugh:

Anyway, I figured the extra RAM would help with the added resolution. Since he's just 2D though, i suppose it wouldn't matter that much.

 

[The Mailman]

guys im in the same boat. looking for a video card to run multiple monitors (2 likely, once im done shopping)

i dont do graphic design, just need multiple for my trading platform and all the stock charts i need running

whats good for my situation?

note: i'd much much much prefer passively cooled, also im running vista will all the graphical bells an whistles so keep that in mind

 

[themisfit610]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814125074

Perfect match.

Radeon 2600 pro, dual DVI, passively cooled. Will run Vista Aero Glass on both monitors flawlessly. And it has HDCP compliance and HD-DVD / BluRay acceleration to boot.

~MiSfit