Simple(?) quesiton regarding multiple monitors and single vid card

[SirFelixCat]

So a buddy of mine is asking about help regarding parts for a new build to play poker on. He's not going to game, but does need to run multiple monitors.

He asked if he can run a 30" Dell and a 22" other monitor w/ one video card. I told him that I really wasn't sure, seeing as the Dell is such a hoss, regarding resolution.

So, does he need 1 or 2 video cards to run multiple monitors, w/ one of them being a 30" Dell?

And since he's not gaming, what vid card(s) would you fellas recommend?

TIA

 

[Rhoxed]

if he is not gaming it can easily be done, i use a 56inch 1080P toshiba and a 22inch with a 8600GTS and it works perfectly. You can have it several different ways, including clone (same image on both displays) dual view (windows desktop on one display "primary" and blank screen on the other that any program/movie/game can be loaded/moved to without disrupting the desktop) and a couple other things you can do with it.

About the resolution, on the 8600GTS i have max resolution is 2560 x 1600 so i believe your friend will be just fine to do whatever he wants. (the GT version goes for around 100$, and i would think other member can recommend different choices)

 

[SirFelixCat]

Originally posted by: Rhoxed
if he is not gaming it can easily be done, i use a 56inch 1080P toshiba and a 22inch with a 8600GTS and it works perfectly. You can have it several different ways, including clone (same image on both displays) dual view (windows desktop on one display "primary" and blank screen on the other that any program/movie/game can be loaded/moved to without disrupting the desktop) and a couple other things you can do with it.

About the resolution, on the 8600GTS i have max resolution is 2560 x 1600 so i believe your friend will be just fine to do whatever he wants. (the GT version goes for around 100$, and i would think other member can recommend different choices)

Thanks for the response, but I think I may not have been clear in what I was asking.


Can my buddy run a 30" monitor at 2560x1600 AND another monitor off of one video card or will he need a second video card to run multiple monitors.

The reason I'm not sure on this is that I'm not sure if the 30" monitors use BOTH DVI outputs on a video card.


Now, assuming he does need a 2nd card to run another monitor or two, what do you guys suggest then, both for the 30" monitor video card and the secondary one? Would two 8600GT's be overkill for a non-gamer?

 

[DRavisher]

The 30" needs one dual-link DVI port, so as long as he chooses a GFX-card with two DVI ports, and at least one of them is dual-link he will be fine.

 

[SirFelixCat]

Originally posted by: DRavisher
The 30" needs one dual-link DVI port, so as long as he chooses a GFX-card with two DVI ports, and at least one of them is dual-link he will be fine.

So, to make sure I'm clear, he really only need one video card then, say, an 8600GT which has two DVI ports, one for the 30" monitor and one for the smaller one, right?


Why did I think that the high res of a 30" monitor (2560x1600) need both ports then?!?

Weird. Nonetheless, can you guys confirm what I just said and I'll shut my ignorant butt up

 

[vhx]

Correct only 2 DVI ports. Most newer cards like 8600GTS and such have two Dual-Link DVI.

Maybe thought that because you thought it used two ports was because of the term dual-link. Just think of Dual Link as a name for extra pins for higher resolution support. ;P

 

[Peter]

Originally posted by: SirFelixCat
Why did I think that the high res of a 30" monitor (2560x1600) need both ports then?!?

Because you didn't figure the difference between dual DVI ports and a dual-link DVI port? A dual-link port still is just one port, only with twice as wide a datapath on it.

The 30" Dell needs /one/ such port - and if your card has another DVI port, you'll be free to plug another monitor there.

 

[SirFelixCat]

Cool, thanks guys.


So in that case, an 8600GT should be plenty then for him.


Much appreciated fellas!