running a two monitor setup?

andytaff

andytaff

Messages
71
Edit My Images
Yes
Hi guys,
i'm interested i setting up a dual monitor setup but, i'm pretty new to this computer stuff and could do with a little help.I have a "geforce 6100 sm-m "graphics card in my puta and i'm not sure if this will run two monitors or if i need another or new card to achieve this?
Any advice would be most helpful
TIA
Andy
 
All you need to do is have a look at the back of your PC. If the Geforce 6100 has 2 video ports on it, then you probably can.

If it only has one output, you'll be looking at either replacing it with a card that has more (probably the best option) or adding a second card.
 
If you can get it working, google for Ultramon which lets you get the best use from a dual setup.
 
I tried out Ultramon a couple of years ago, but to be honest I've not really found a "must have" feature to require it. It costs money, eats memory & resources, but doesn't really do anything that useful.
 
I suspect you will find you only have one VGA port, as your graphics are built in to your mainboard, but all you need to do is add another nvidia graphics card (pci express) and plug your second monitor in to that, better still buy a card with two ports built in and disable the onboard card. XP onwards fully support dual monitors setups.
For the first option I say nvidia so as to avoid driver conflicts, though if you go for the second option then ati would work too.
Personally we've got two of our pcs' running dual monitors on nvidia cards and it's a doddle to set up with no added software other than the os and graphics card drivers.

Tara
 
If it's on-board video, then adding a card will almost always disable the on-board graphics anyway with no way to enable the two simultaneously. So just buy one with 2 outputs if that's the case.
 
Kaouthia said:
I tried out Ultramon a couple of years ago, but to be honest I've not really found a "must have" feature to require it. It costs money, eats memory & resources, but doesn't really do anything that useful.
Click to expand...

For me, the ability to tell a program to open in this monitor or that one, to have independent taskbars in each monitor and compatibility options for programs that don't like a dual setup. I've not noticed it having a detrimental effect on my resources.
 
I just drag my windows over from one monitor to another if they're in the wrong place. Most stuff I use remembers its window position, I've not found anything that really has an issue with multiple monitors for a few years (except flash apps that want to run full screen on my primary monitor only).

I'm happy just having my taskbar on a single screen. :)
 
Kaouthia said:
If it's on-board video, then adding a card will almost always disable the on-board graphics anyway with no way to enable the two simultaneously. So just buy one with 2 outputs if that's the case.
Click to expand...

Dont think thats always the case, ive got a built on board graphics card and a seperate card and they work nicely in a dual monitor setup.

I dont use any additional software, one is my main screen and the second is a extension of the first.

If your gonna buy a new card then get one with two outputs anyway.
 
noneforit said:
Dont think thats always the case, ive got a built on board graphics card and a seperate card and they work nicely in a dual monitor setup.
Click to expand...
Interesting, what motherboard do you have? I've been trying to find one that would let me utilise the on-board video (preferably NVidia chipset) along with a dual output Nvidia graphics card for a 3 monitor setup I wanted to try with SoftTH. :)
 
Every machine I've used with onboard video disables by default when you add a dedicated graphics cards. About a dozen different Acer PCs and at least 6 or 7 different Asus motherboards.
 
Thanks to all,
Things seem a bit clearer now, I'll start looking for a second monitor!!
Cheers Andy
 
I had actually looked at the BIOS on one of the Acer machines as it gives me the option of VGA or HDMI ports. I added an Nvidia 8600GT card to the system, but wanted to enable the HDMI (or even the VGA at a push) as a 3rd screen connected to a 32" Sony Bravia for working with Adobe Premiere. Couldn't find an option anywhere in there.
 
I havent read the thread so apologies if this is irrelevant but...

I've just had to setup a two screen machine for someone at work, the PC had only one display port and was a slim form case so adding a video card wasn't an option.

I found a USB VGA adaptor which seems to perform excelently and was comparatively cheap at around £30, I can't remember the brand but google should have some suggestions.
 
Kaouthia said:
I had actually looked at the BIOS on one of the Acer machines as it gives me the option of VGA or HDMI ports. I added an Nvidia 8600GT card to the system, but wanted to enable the HDMI (or even the VGA at a push) as a 3rd screen connected to a 32" Sony Bravia for working with Adobe Premiere. Couldn't find an option anywhere in there.
Click to expand...

ahhh yes HDMI output will probably disable any other outs (if i remember rightly) due to the encryption it uses.

shouldnt be an issue with dvi/vga/both..
 
neil_g said:
just watch your processor overheads with USB devices like this. also supported res and refresh rates.
Click to expand...

I have one if these too which gives me 3 screens - aren't I lucky. Never had a problem with processor speeds, it takes next to no memory
 
neil_g said:
thats fine but just be aware that USB uses more resources than PCI bus.
Click to expand...

don't have a choice on my imac, you only get one video out option. The usb literally takes nothing though my cpu runs the same with or without the usb dongle connected as does my ram and virtual memory.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top