Video card/dual monitor setup

jwdcdltg · 06-29-2006, 11:40 PM

Hi, I am not very experienced with video cards and the like, and I've been wanting to set up a dual monitor set-up on my computer. I have an old NVIDIA GeForce FX 5100 card. Will this card support a dual monitor set-up or will I need to upgrade? If so, what video card do you guys think is best without being too expensive?

**TheMatt** · 06-30-2006, 11:51 AM

The GeForce FX5100 supports multiple monitors (multi-display). Configgure it in the GeForce control pannel.

jwdcdltg · 07-01-2006, 02:36 AM

There is only one monitor port coming off the back of my video card. There is another port higher up on the case with the same monitor symbol on it but plugging the monitor into this does nothing. Should there be another monitor port right next to the other one?

whardman · 07-01-2006, 07:39 AM

That particular card will only support one SVGA Monitor. It will allow a second svideo or composite output for TV.

**TheMatt** · 07-01-2006, 12:07 PM

If you want to upgrade to have two monitors, get a GeForce 6200. DVI-I and VGA.

Volt-Schwibe · 07-01-2006, 03:25 PM

as is mentioned, you will find that ALOT of video cards, (including some models of the card you have) will have either twin SVGA, or a single SVGA + a single DVI, or, some have two DVI's. this can be instead, or in addition to s-video, or other inputs/outputs.

more or less, any card that has two outputs, will be able to do what you are trying to do.

also, i might add, you might also be able to put an old PCI vga card in there, it won't have alot of power, but for standard desktop applications, it should do fine.

you should be able to easily find someone willing to just give you one of these, something like an old trident 8 meg PCI.

that's just a second option though.

ebackhus · 07-01-2006, 03:39 PM

I actually HAVE a Trident 8MB PCI card. It's sitting in a P1 motherboard right now that I plan to test soon. Adding something like that makes it easy, but some have low speed RAMDACS which leads to poor refresh rates at higher resolutions.

Volt-Schwibe · 07-01-2006, 04:09 PM

i have handfuls of them.

not just that model, some s3 virge's too.

and the good old sis 6326.

lots of people keep these, they are never really garbage, as there is always a use for them.

i wonder if there is a pc shop local to jwdcdltg that would sell one, shouldn't cost more than 5$.

06-29-2006, 11:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
jwdcdltg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 17 OS: WinXP	Video card/dual monitor setup Hi, I am not very experienced with video cards and the like, and I've been wanting to set up a dual monitor set-up on my computer. I have an old NVIDIA GeForce FX 5100 card. Will this card support a dual monitor set-up or will I need to upgrade? If so, what video card do you guys think is best without being too expensive?

06-30-2006, 11:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	The GeForce FX5100 supports multiple monitors (multi-display). Configgure it in the GeForce control pannel. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

07-01-2006, 12:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	If you want to upgrade to have two monitors, get a GeForce 6200. DVI-I and VGA. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

07-01-2006, 03:25 PM	#6 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	as is mentioned, you will find that ALOT of video cards, (including some models of the card you have) will have either twin SVGA, or a single SVGA + a single DVI, or, some have two DVI's. this can be instead, or in addition to s-video, or other inputs/outputs. more or less, any card that has two outputs, will be able to do what you are trying to do. also, i might add, you might also be able to put an old PCI vga card in there, it won't have alot of power, but for standard desktop applications, it should do fine. you should be able to easily find someone willing to just give you one of these, something like an old trident 8 meg PCI. that's just a second option though. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>

07-01-2006, 03:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,341 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	I actually HAVE a Trident 8MB PCI card. It's sitting in a P1 motherboard right now that I plan to test soon. Adding something like that makes it easy, but some have low speed RAMDACS which leads to poor refresh rates at higher resolutions. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

07-01-2006, 02:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
jwdcdltg Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 17 OS: WinXP	There is only one monitor port coming off the back of my video card. There is another port higher up on the case with the same monitor symbol on it but plugging the monitor into this does nothing. Should there be another monitor port right next to the other one?

07-01-2006, 07:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
whardman Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Cincinnati, Ohio Posts: 617 OS: Windows XP My System	That particular card will only support one SVGA Monitor. It will allow a second svideo or composite output for TV.

07-01-2006, 04:09 PM	#8 (permalink)
Volt-Schwibe Asst. Manager, Automotive Forums; HJT Trainee Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Behind you, watching you as you type. Posts: 7,372 OS: Click "My System" to view details My System	i have handfuls of them. not just that model, some s3 virge's too. and the good old sis 6326. lots of people keep these, they are never really garbage, as there is always a use for them. i wonder if there is a pc shop local to jwdcdltg that would sell one, shouldn't cost more than 5$. __________________ <signature> TSF is funded by our Admin's pocket, care to help? Power Tip: Subscribe to your thread (Thread Tools) to receive an instant email notification when you get a reply. New Members: Creating a single new thread in the correct section is the best way to assure your thread will receive a reply. </signature>