Opinions on dual monitor build

[imported_zippo]

Hello,

I'm looking to build a budget system for a dual monitor rig. The purpose of this system is primarily to play online poker. I do some very light video editing light photoshop work but no games will be played on this rig. I have an xbox360 and this is just fine for games. Anyhow getting back on point I'm undecided about what would provide better performance, or if there would be any noticable performance difference.

I currently have a Samsung 204b Syncmaster and have been using it with the vga cable and I'm satisfied with it's performance. I want to purchase another one so I can have a dual monitor display but my computer is sorely outdated so I'm going to build a budget rig.

I was planning on purchasing an AM2 socket motherboard (with AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+) coupled with a dual dvi video card such as X1650PRO. But when looking through some reviews I came across the 690G chipset motherboards that have integrated graphics onboard with DVI + D-Sub video ports, such as the GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H. Since I don't have any plans to play games I'm curious if there is going to be any obvious advantage to going with the video card rig versus the integrated graphics option?

I wonder if there is any performance advantage when connecting via dual DVI versus using the Vga and dvi link instead?

Since I use the 204b via VGA currently I haven't had any issues as noted by many people when using the DVI input. That really has me concerned since I have had to replace my monitor once when I experienced several rows of dead pixels. My local Best Buy has a LG L246WP-BN for 479.99 plus tax, which is considerably more than the 309.99 (289.99 after rebates) of the Samsung from NewEgg. But it offers a bigger desktop and widescreen if I decide to use it for the Xbox360 when unwinding after a long 8 hour multi-tabling poker session. I know every LCD has pros and cons but maybe the LG would be a better choice?

Hopefully someone can help clarify my concerns ...

Worthwhile to purchase the video card + mobo instead of the mobo with integrated graphics to save a few bucks if I'm not doing any games or 3d rendering?

Also any advantage to using dual dvi with the samsungs versus a mobo with dvi + d-sub video port?

Do the concerns about using the Samsung 204b with dvi concern you enough to consider an alternative (1600x1200 or greater resolution preferred) even if it means paying another $100-150 for a larger 24" screen?

Thanks.

 

[Dadofamunky]

You will ***generally*** get a better display with DVI outputs than VGA. In my case, I have two Dell 20.1" 2001FP displays (see sig) and both are running DVI as their VGA output sucks beyond belief. Your Samsung is a very good monitor (I have the exact same one at work) but I also had one go to lunch on me and I had to replace it.

That Gigabyte board looks interesting. Now, are you proposing using both the DVI port and the VGA port at once? Not sure how well that would work; the board may not support simultaneous output. It probably does, though.

I think you'd be better served going with the 5600+/X1650PRO setup you're talking about to achieve better HD output.

 

[imported_zippo]

Dadofamunky,

Thanks for the quick response. Yes I'm planning on using two video ports at once, to be able to use two monitors at once. I looked at the manual for the Gigabyte board and according to it the Surround Feature enables the usage of dual monitors. Though the DVI-D port is just that, DVI-D and can't be used to fit a D-SUB device with the aid of an adaper. For people considering a budget dual monitor rig using this motherboard (or a similar 690G chipset such as the ASUS M2A-VM) the following information from the GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H manual might be helpful ...

Dual Display Configurations: This motherboard provides three ports for video output: DVI-D, HDMI and D-Sub. Via the use of the TV out bracket, the motherboard can support S-Video, AV composite and YPbPr component. The table below shows the supported dual display configurations.

Dual Display Combination (Supported or Not)
----------------------------------------------------
DVI-D + D-Sub (Yes)
DVI-D + TV (Yes)
DVI-D + HDMI (No)
HDMI + D-Sub (Yes)
HDMI + TV (Yes)
D-Sub + TV (No)
(Note: TV can be S-Video, AV composite, or YPbPr component)

ATI SURROUNDVIEW allows the onboard graphics to be active when one external graphics card is installed, supporting up to four monitors to display at the same time. For example, 1 onboard D-Sub connection + 1 onboard HDMI connection + 2 external DVI connections from 1 ATI graphics card.

Taking the above into account I shouldn't have any problems with the onboard video with a dual Samsung 204b setup considering I'm not going to be doing any 3d-rendering or gaming. I plan on using 4GB of memory (to handle pokertrack, pahud, 8 poker tables across 1 or 2 sites, etc) so again I wouldn't think there should be any bottle necks here. I just really haven't come across any discussions about the advantages of using a separate video card for 2d applications, such as daytrading, cad work or multitabling online poker versus an onboard integrated graphics processor.

One of my concerns with the Samsung 204b is in regards to its using it via DVI. According to several topics across the net, such as this ONE, there are issues with screen blanking. In that same thread there are some possible fixes to the problem. Of course I'd prefer to just use a monitor that was capable of 1600x1200+ without such a work around.

Maybe if there is no major advantage in using the video card route I could put the $65 towards the purchase of the LG L246WP-BN. But now that I'm looking at that monitor I'm not sure if it will be totally compatible with my xbox 360 at 1080p. Also the video connections might be an issue. Argggh!

 

[Dadofamunky]

A 24" LG (is the LG L246WP a 24" display? If so, you're golden - I'm too lazy to look it up right now) or Samsung monitor will be 1080P compatible. The Samsung 204b won't be, as you know. It's remotely possible that I'll be trading in my dual 20s for two 24s not too long from now, just so I can support Full HD.

For any 2-D apps, the integrated video should be just fine. I have a PC at work with integrated video and NO PCI-E slot, which is pathetic) and it basically is OK, although I would like my graphics layouts to display faster than they do. My Asus board (below) also supports dual display throught he VGA and HDMI ports. But I went for a mondo video card because I want to play Oblivion in high-res on dual screens, and so far it looks like the new rig will handle it with aplomb.

Gigabyte makes good boards. Hmmm, that's interesting about the 204b's DVI output.

 

[imported_zippo]

Yes, if I decide to go with a 1920x1200 resolution capable LCD I'm looking to purchase the LG L246WP-BN. The monitor is at my local Best Buy on clearance for $479.99 compared to $629.99 at NewEgg. Yes it is new in box and not a display model. Also according to the salesperson today I spoke with today, he said that I had 30 days to return the monitor if I wasn't satisfied with no restocking fee (thought it was 14 days).

I'm going to pickup the monitor tomorrow morning and order the above mentioned Gigabyte motherboard. I'm planning my dual monitor setup as follows. Samsung 204b connected to the D-Sub port on the mobo and the LG L246WP-BN connected to the DVI-D port using the HDMI to DVI cable included with the monitor. The monitor will also double as an xbox 360 display using the D-Sub output on the LG L246WP-BN via the VGA HD AV cable for the xbox 360. I just really how that when using the HDMI to DVI cable included with the monitor that it communicates properly through the DVI-D port on the mobo. The cable converts the HDMI signal to another digital signal via DVI so I imagine it should still qualify as DVI-D.

I guess I'll find out for sure when I pick up the monitor and the parts arrive from newegg. I'll post any problems I run into because there are always problems, always.

 

[Dadofamunky]

DAMN! where is that Best Buy located? Can I get one?

Your Gigabyte board has an HDMI port? Cool. So does mine. My Asus is running like a tank.

***EDIT*** Oh, I get it. the LG has a native HDMI port. I finally checked out the Egg. Man, that looks like a sweet display.