Very basic dual display question

[dtleahy]

I would like to add a second monitor, to create a dual monitor setup. I have never set up a dual display, so I have some very basic questions, and would appreciate any input. I have a CRT now, and want to make the second monitor an LCD. (At some point, I will take the LCD with me to some trade shows, and re-connect it with the desktop-based system when not at trade shows.) I'm looking for a solution that provides high quality at the lowest cost. No gaming, so no need for extremely high FPS rates. I'm OK with video cards from manufacturers like Sapphire or Rosewill; for example, I would rather not pay extra for the ATI or Matrox name brand, if another card will do just as well. I do some digital photographic work, but I guess that will probably be better handled by the CRT. I mention that because the new LCD and whatever video card I get will need to show high-resolution photos at trade shows, so that may affect a recommendation for a cost-effective video card.

I assume that it is more cost effective to purchase a second video card (it would have to be PCI, because my current card is AGP), rather than purchase a new video card with dual monitor support.

Current motherboard:
Albatron PX845PEVPro

Current video card:
Radeon 9800 based video card (AGP)

Current (CRT) monitor:
Hitachi 751 CRT

OS:
Win 2000

I plan to get a Samsung 940t 19" LCD Monitor (has both Analog RGB and DVI Digital Link inputs, - here's a link to the specs on the proposed new monitor: 940t at NewEgg )

Is this just as simple as buying a PCI slot video card and the monitor, and doing setup in Windows' Display Properties? Or, is there more to it than that? Any recommendations for the new video card?

TIA,

Dennis

 

[Matthias99]

I assume that it is more cost effective to purchase a second video card (it would have to be PCI, because my current card is AGP), rather than purchase a new video card with dual monitor support.

Current video card:
Radeon 9800 based video card (AGP)

Is there something wrong with hooking both monitors up to your existing video card? Unless you have a 9800AIW that only has one output...

 

[dtleahy]

Matthias99, thanks for the quick reply.

The existing card (Sapphire, I think) does have both analog RGB and a DVI connector. However, I didn't think I could drive 2 devices with that one card, I thought it was one or the other. Will it handle both simultaneously?

Dennis

 

[SHENDERS20622]

I always wondered that as well.
Would they be individual desktops or clones if connected this way?
Pls Enlighten us.

 

[Peter]

You're all set then. Plug the LCD into DVI, the CRT into VGA, and there you go.

Edit: Mind that Windows 2000 has its restrictions in dual monitor operation from a single card. It is nowhere near as flexible as XP (or even 98).

 

[dtleahy]

Originally posted by: Peter
You're all set then. Plug the LCD into DVI, the CRT into VGA, and there you go.

Edit: Mind that Windows 2000 has its restrictions in dual monitor operation from a single card. It is nowhere near as flexible as XP (or even 98).

Peter, that's just too damn easy! Way cool...

My main use for the dual monitor setup in the short term is to display exactly the same thing at the same resolution on 2 monitors. I have a client that will be spending 2 full days in my office, while I work with him on upgrades to some custom software I wrote for him. I just can't have this guy sitting one foot away from me for two days, or my head will explode! This will allow me to set him up with his own monitor on the other side of the desk.

Later on, I may play with dual displays to actually enhance my work, and that's when I'll probably discover the limitations imposed by the OS.

Your warning does mention that the restrictions caused by Win2K are for a single card. I see nVidia FX5200-based PCI cards cards for as little as $50 (Rosewill R5200-128PCI, or eVGA 128-P1-N309-LX), which would certainly be within my modest budget. Would that solve any Win2K restrictions?

TIA,

Dennis

 

[Peter]

So that'll be "mirror" or "clone" mode. W2K can do that.

Restrictions only apply in actual dual-headed mode. Try it out and see for yourself whether W2K lets you do what you'd like to do.
Using a PCI card is going to be SLOW. You better think about upgrading to XP (pro).

 

[dtleahy]

Originally posted by: Peter
Using a PCI card is going to be SLOW. You better think about upgrading to XP (pro).

Peter, this will just be static image display (photos, reports, etc.) Again, no gaming at all, and I don't even plan to watch a DVD on this box.

This is my main development box, and I need to work in Win2K on that box. Well, I don't absolutely NEED to, but it sure does cut down on nasty surprises that can happen when you develop in a "higher-level" OS than the lowest common denominator OS the applications are destined for.

Point well taken about the old PCI bus speed though. Not much comparison to the new PCI Express 16.

Thanks again!

Dennis

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: dtleahy
Matthias99, thanks for the quick reply.

The existing card (Sapphire, I think) does have both analog RGB and a DVI connector. However, I didn't think I could drive 2 devices with that one card, I thought it was one or the other. Will it handle both simultaneously?

Dennis

Yes, a 9800 Pro with DVI and VGA ports will handle dual displays perfectly - pretty much on the same level as an X800 series card or a 7xxx series card.

What is probably causing the confusion is I believe the GeForce 2 and 3 series cards couldn't support dual display (except the GF2 MX's), it was one port or the other.

With your setup, it will actually be better to run both monitors on the 9800 Pro then to get a second card in there: no extra drivers to load and no hassles or conflicts.

When you hook up the second screen, hook up the LCD monitor into the DVI port. When you're in windows, right click on the desktop and choose Properties > Settings and then click on the picture of the LCD monitor (it will either be Monitor 1 or Monitor 2) and check off the "extend my windows desktop onto this monitor) and voila - dual monitors.

If the screen is backwards in your display properties (say you installed the LCD on the left but in properties it shows up on the right), all you have to do is drag the picture of the LCD (Monitor 1 or Monitor 2) over to the other side and click "apply" . It may be confusing at first but once you get the hang of it it becomes VERY simple.

Another thing to remember: also in the display properties, there's a checkbox called "Use this device as the primary monitor" - this is how you make one screen or the other your MAIN screen (eg. the one that games load on). So if you want to try gaming on your LCD, once you have it connected, check of "Use this device as the primary minitor", hit Apply and now you will be gaming on that screen. Be sure to adjust the resolution in-game for best results.

 

[the cobbler]

Originally posted by: jiffylube1024

Originally posted by: dtleahy
Matthias99, thanks for the quick reply.

The existing card (Sapphire, I think) does have both analog RGB and a DVI connector. However, I didn't think I could drive 2 devices with that one card, I thought it was one or the other. Will it handle both simultaneously?

Dennis

Yes, a 9800 Pro with DVI and VGA ports will handle dual displays perfectly - pretty much on the same level as an X800 series card or a 7xxx series card.

What is probably causing the confusion is I believe the GeForce 2 and 3 series cards couldn't support dual display (except the GF2 MX's), it was one port or the other.

With your setup, it will actually be better to run both monitors on the 9800 Pro then to get a second card in there: no extra drivers to load and no hassles or conflicts.

When you hook up the second screen, hook up the LCD monitor into the DVI port. When you're in windows, right click on the desktop and choose Properties > Settings and then click on the picture of the LCD monitor (it will either be Monitor 1 or Monitor 2) and check off the "extend my windows desktop onto this monitor) and voila - dual monitors.

If the screen is backwards in your display properties (say you installed the LCD on the left but in properties it shows up on the right), all you have to do is drag the picture of the LCD (Monitor 1 or Monitor 2) over to the other side and click "apply" . It may be confusing at first but once you get the hang of it it becomes VERY simple.

Another thing to remember: also in the display properties, there's a checkbox called "Use this device as the primary monitor" - this is how you make one screen or the other your MAIN screen (eg. the one that games load on). So if you want to try gaming on your LCD, once you have it connected, check of "Use this device as the primary minitor", hit Apply and now you will be gaming on that screen. Be sure to adjust the resolution in-game for best results.

too cool, now I can put my little Samsung LCD to use when I pick up something bigger and prettier. What a good thread, thanks guys.

tiny question...if I have designs on, say, a 2405fpw..and add another 7800GT...

does that change how to set up a second monitor? thx

 

[dtleahy]

Originally posted by: jiffylube1024
Yes, a 9800 Pro with DVI and VGA ports will handle dual displays perfectly ...

...

With your setup, it will actually be better to run both monitors on the 9800 Pro then to get a second card in there: no extra drivers to load and no hassles or conflicts.

...

Another thing to remember: also in the display properties, there's a checkbox called "Use this device as the primary monitor" - this is how you make one screen or the other your MAIN screen (eg. the one that games load on). So if you want to try gaming on your LCD, once you have it connected, check of "Use this device as the primary minitor", hit Apply and now you will be gaming on that screen....

I have the 2 displays set up and working. (Couldn't see how to set it up just using display properties in Windows, but with the setup software that came with the Samsung LCD monitor, I was able to get it to work.)

I am in "clone" mode, both monitors displaying exactly the same thing.

OK, identical static images appear on both monitors, but if I play an AVI file, it only shows on the primary monitor. The secondary monitor just shows a purple rectangle the correct size. So, I'm guessing that this is normal, and I cannot show moving images (AVI's, or a DVD movie, etc.) on both monitors simultaneously unless I have 2 separate video cards. I'm pretty sure that is what jiffylube1024 was saying, but spoke just of "gaming" rather than "motion." Is this correct?

TIA.

Dennis