Dual Monitors: what do I need?

bholland · Jul 4, 2014

Hi all,

We are looking to set up dual monitors on Dell Optiplex 380 desktops and have been told that we need to get a "dual head video card" to make this work. It appears that the card needs to be PCIe x16 from the expansion ports.

The specifications for the machines is available here: http://www.dell.com/ie/business/p/optiplex-380/pd

Could anyone suggest a basic card that would meet the specs? There will be no gaming as they're both work PCs only usually handling documents and a browser window for intranet calendars, etc.

Someone Somewhere · Jul 4, 2014

Do you know what monitors you're going to be using? Most newer GPUs don't have dual VGA outputs, so you'd need to be using fairly modern LCDs with DVI, DP, or HDMI.

A Radeon HD 5450 should do it.

bholland · Jul 4, 2014

Someone Somewhere :

Hi, at present we have Dell 1910F which we want to use with a Dell E2009. We also have an LG 22M35A which is VGA only. So if possible we want to keep them all on VGA as it's the easiest between the three Optiplex machines we have. Any of our new machines are on DP.

Hope this makes sense. Or if you could suggest a better system of managing the variety, we'd be open to suggestions.

Someone Somewhere · Jul 4, 2014

Unfortunately there's not much by way of GPUs with two analog outputs, even using DVI-I to VGA adapters.

I'm finding it hard to get the specs on those displays you mentioned, but do they support DVI? If so, that's usually the easiest way to go about it.

nukemaster · Jul 4, 2014

You would have to go several generations back to get multiple VGA ports on a single card.

If this is not for games or too much media, you can get a USB - > VGA box(DisplayLink) that will allow a second screen. It uses the main video card to to the work and the performance is not perfect but for general office work it may be just what you need.

If your board allows both onboard and dedicated the second card can run just the second(or primary) screen over VGA.

Remember VGA lacks the HDCP needed for playback of some videos types like bluray moves, so do not use anything VGA for that or you may run into issues.

bholland · Jul 4, 2014

All both monitors support DVI. One is currently set up using a DVI to VGA adapter. I will check what make and model of card is in that existing dual screen machine.

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Dual Monitors: what do I need?

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