Question about new computer setup w/ 3 monitors

[etalns]

Hi, I'm currently planning ot a computer I will be making in the near future. I was hoping to do a 3 monitor setup, 2 plasmas, and one CRT. I was just wondering, if I put in a northwood 2.2 ghz and 1 gig of ram

1) What video card would I need so I could run these 3 monitors
2) Do I have a different keyboard for each, or do I just use a digital switcher or something of that sort to switch between monitors
3) Could I play counterstrike on one, everquest on another, and have aol msn and some web browsers open while still keeping up pretty good speeds?

 

[sohcrates]

<< Hi, I'm currently planning ot a computer I will be making in the near future. I was hoping to do a 3 monitor setup, 2 plasmas, and one CRT. I was just wondering, if I put in a northwood 2.2 ghz and 1 gig of ram

1) What video card would I need so I could run these 3 monitors
2) Do I have a different keyboard for each, or do I just use a digital switcher or something of that sort to switch between monitors
3) Could I play counterstrike on one, everquest on another, and have aol msn and some web browsers open while still keeping up pretty good speeds? >>



1) 90% of video cards have 1 output...a few have dualhead capabilities (i.e. 2 outputs), and VERY few offer more than 2 outputs.

for a consumer level video card, you're best bet is going to be to go with a powerful 3D card (for games) and couple it with something like a matrox g550 dualhead card (great 2D support, and dual monitor support)

therefore, you have 2 video cards capable to hook up to 3 monitors.

2) you only need 1 of everything. the three screens are simply extended desktops...move mouse off one and it goes onto the other. i ran a triple monitor setup for a few years and loved it...only thing is to be aware that *some* video cards don't like to work nicely together...but with most new ones that's not really a problem. win2k and win98 and winxp can support up to 10 monitors or so

3) no, you cannot play a game on one and surf on the others.

when you play a game, it defaults to your main 3D card (usually your agp card) and all other screens are inaccessible (because you're in the game). you most likely can still SEE your other 2 screens...but you are not able to interact with them until you exit the game. and also, in case you were wondering, there's very few games out there with multimonitor support, so you're not gonna be able to spread your games over multiple monitors (for the most part)

 

[etalns]

Darn, I guess I'm going to have to make more then one comp, I've heard of a digi switcher which'll allow me to have one keyboard /mouse, and then I can just switch whichc omputer it's operatin gon. Is this true, or?

 

[sohcrates]

well, what exactly are you trying to do?

you can get a "KVM" switch which will let you have one monitor, keyboard, and mouse for multiple computers

 

[etalns]

Well, I want to have 3 computers setp. I'll use my old 550 mhz for web browsing, aol etc, my 933 mhz for counterstrike, and my 2.2 ghz for everquest

But it'll be too cluttered up too have 3 keyboards

 

[sohcrates]

Ok. then yeah, a KVM switch is exactly what you're looking for.

do a forum search for KVM and you'll find lots of threads about the best one and what not