dual monitor support

[Steve Richter]

I am upgrading the hardware of my Vista PC. Would like to know the
prefered Vista way to have two flat panel monitors.

since my graphics needs are business apps and programming would be
great if I can get away with a motherboard with built in video
support. Is on board video a non starter if I want dual monitors?

this motherboard has onboard video "nvidia geforce 6100" and a "d-sub"
video port. Would it support dual monitors?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128034&Tpk=ga-m61p-s3

d-sub is the standard db25 or whatever port of an analog video
monitor, correct?

this video card has a d-sub port and a dvi port. It also has "dual
link dvi support".
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102079

Using this video card would I have an analog d-sub connect to one
monitor and a digital dvi connect to another?

thanks,

 

[Richard G. Harper]

Most onboard display chips will support dual monitors since they're also
used in laptops that almost must support dual monitor use. If you have
questions about specific cards I'd go to the manufacturer's web site and
browse the online manuals and documentation before buying since these
documents will tell you what is and is not supported.

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Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] (e-mail address removed)
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[Spirit]

I have used Matrox Dual Monitor cards with great success with
98SE and 2000 for many years. With my Toshiba laptop I am
using a GXM (Graphics Expansion Module) and have the 17"
laptop screen working with a 19" LCD and a 22" Widescreen
LCD. Currently I am using the DualHead2Go Analog Edition.

http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/corpo/products/home.php#gxm
The GXM's work with desktops or laptops

 

[Sumer Yamaner]

Yes DSub is the analog VGA connector, you are right.
As far as I know, onboard graphics systems on desktop motherboards rarely
(if ever) support dual monitor setups. They simply don't have the second VGA
connector. Some motherboards have additional HDMI outputs but as far as I
know they are not "dual head" that means no real dual monitor setup is
possible.
On the other hand almost all current VGA cards support dula monitor setup.
They have an analog and a digital connector or two digital connectors at the
rear panel.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102079

Using this video card would I have an analog d-sub connect to one
monitor and a digital dvi connect to another?

That's right.

Please let me remind you on another possibility. If you purchase a Crossfire
or SLI type motherboard you can use two VGA cards which means you can use
four monitors!

Sumer Yamaner