dual monitors - yay!
July 2, 2008 2:27 PM Subscribe
Dual monitor video cards for small frame desktops...
I have a Dell XPS210 and would like to have dual monitors but I will need to upgrade the video card. Currently I have a ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro which I thought supported dual monitors but only has one output (plus s-video). Since I have the slim desktop, my video card upgrades are limited. Does anyone have any experience with this and can offer some advice?
Here are some cards I am looking at but I don't know what will work (size fit, compatibility, overheating, etc):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150257
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=PCI+Express+x16+HDCP+Ready+Low+Profile&x=0&y=0
THANKS IN ADVANCE!
I have a Dell XPS210 and would like to have dual monitors but I will need to upgrade the video card. Currently I have a ATI Radeon HD 2400 Pro which I thought supported dual monitors but only has one output (plus s-video). Since I have the slim desktop, my video card upgrades are limited. Does anyone have any experience with this and can offer some advice?
Here are some cards I am looking at but I don't know what will work (size fit, compatibility, overheating, etc):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150257
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=PCI+Express+x16+HDCP+Ready+Low+Profile&x=0&y=0
THANKS IN ADVANCE!
What will you be doing with your computer? If you simply need a dual monitor low-end card (i.e., no gaming or intensive photo work, etc.), those should work just fine.
As I'm sure you know, you'll be looking for something that is PCI-express compatible (not PCI or AGP). Dell's power supply with this machine will be sufficient for pretty much any card you'll be looking at, unless you are thinking about high end gaming (and even then, you are probably okay). But with the price range you are looking at, I'm guessing this isn't your main concern. Also, with the lower end cards you won't have to worry about overheating.
You'll want to check also to see if the cards support two DVI displays, or if one is DVI and the other analog, depending on your monitor setup. You can tell by looking at the end of the video card in the pictures, or reading the description.
Sorry if you knew all this already, just covering the basics.
If you are looking for very basic video cards that run dual displays, the GeForce 8300GS come stock in some Dell machines and sells for cheap on eBay (I've got a brand new one sitting around here that I'd sell you for very cheap... like $25. Feel free to MeFi mail me if you'd like).
posted by SpacemanStix at 3:11 PM on July 2, 2008
As I'm sure you know, you'll be looking for something that is PCI-express compatible (not PCI or AGP). Dell's power supply with this machine will be sufficient for pretty much any card you'll be looking at, unless you are thinking about high end gaming (and even then, you are probably okay). But with the price range you are looking at, I'm guessing this isn't your main concern. Also, with the lower end cards you won't have to worry about overheating.
You'll want to check also to see if the cards support two DVI displays, or if one is DVI and the other analog, depending on your monitor setup. You can tell by looking at the end of the video card in the pictures, or reading the description.
Sorry if you knew all this already, just covering the basics.
If you are looking for very basic video cards that run dual displays, the GeForce 8300GS come stock in some Dell machines and sells for cheap on eBay (I've got a brand new one sitting around here that I'd sell you for very cheap... like $25. Feel free to MeFi mail me if you'd like).
posted by SpacemanStix at 3:11 PM on July 2, 2008
I have a slim Optiplex at work and it came with the same card as you. It does support dual monitors, you just need the dongle (duallink DVI adapter -> 2X DVI) that the PC should have come with. (At least mine did)
posted by wongcorgi at 3:11 PM on July 2, 2008
posted by wongcorgi at 3:11 PM on July 2, 2008
Also, to answer your other question- yes, you need a low profile graphics card. Don't go too high end/powerful, the PSU in the slim Dells are pretty dinky.
posted by wongcorgi at 3:13 PM on July 2, 2008
posted by wongcorgi at 3:13 PM on July 2, 2008
Response by poster: I have a slim Optiplex at work and it came with the same card as you. It does support dual monitors, you just need the dongle (duallink DVI adapter -> 2X DVI) that the PC should have come with. (At least mine did)
posted by wongcorgi at 3:11 PM on July 2 [mark as best answer] [+] [!]
Does it support two monitors? I have read that it does have also read that it doesn't. I tried a splitter dongle whatever and it did not work but i don't think i have a DMS-59 port... i will check.
Thanks all.
posted by rare_g at 3:41 PM on July 2, 2008
posted by wongcorgi at 3:11 PM on July 2 [mark as best answer] [+] [!]
Does it support two monitors? I have read that it does have also read that it doesn't. I tried a splitter dongle whatever and it did not work but i don't think i have a DMS-59 port... i will check.
Thanks all.
posted by rare_g at 3:41 PM on July 2, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by rus at 3:05 PM on July 2, 2008