Card(s) for dual monitors...(to be upgraded later)

[rktek]

Initally, I had no inclination towards dual monitor setup until I saw a friend using it and it made great sense to be able to do things across dual monitors - though my only interest is not just for dual screen gaming, but multi-tasking (video editing, gaming, netflix, etc) across dual monitors.

Unfortunately, I cannot afford another monitor at this time.
However, since I want to be able to use dual monitors later, I dont want to get struck with a card which cannot be tag-teamed later for optimal setting

What is the best route to approach this scenario...which is bascially...
get a not expensive card now to be able to do stuff decently,
later when I can afford it, get another card and the addtional monitor to attain the optimal setting

What are the best set of cards for this scenario?

Thanks

 

[henydiah]

ATI Radeon HD 5870 eyevinity
for setup here : http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/amd-eyefinity-technology/Pages/eyefinity.aspx

 

[rktek]

ATI Radeon HD 5870 eyevinity
for setup here : http://www.amd.com/us/products/technologies/amd-eyefinity-technology/Pages/eyefinity.aspx

for the little bit I kept reading about Eyefinity...most of it talks about 3 or more monitors (which I get .... you want 1 main monitor and other for peripheral vision). What I'm looking for is not for that sort of gaming (not in near future) but just 2 so that I can do gaming or movie on one and other for work... does Eyefinity support that?

thanks

 

[henydiah]

yes.. ! and you need VGA splitter or adapter dvi to pc
http://www.highdisplay.com/two-monitors-one-computer/

like this ..?

JUST ADAPTER

VGA SPLITTER

Dual monitor different software in 1 PC

 

[Supermuncher85]

Pretty much all modern cards support 2 monitors. Pick one and enjoy.

 

[rktek]

yes.. ! and you need VGA splitter or adapter dvi to pc
http://www.highdisplay.com/two-monitors-one-computer/

like this ..?

JUST ADAPTER
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff496/BOSDOT/conns500.jpg

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff496/BOSDOT/dvi.jpg

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff496/BOSDOT/enable-dual-monitors.jpg


VGA SPLITTER

http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff496/BOSDOT/dualmonitor.jpg


Dual monitor different software in 1 PC
http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff496/BOSDOT/SS4.jpg

Interesting....

question mate.. does this mean that Eyefinity setup too need this sort of adapter?

 

[henydiah]

Yes eyevinity setup need spliter vga like pict in above
And for dual monitor generaly if you buy new card this adapter include in the box. I have old card radeon HD 4850 have it.

 

[rktek]

okay... so it doesn't matter which modern graphics card you get, they all support dual monitor setup for both clone, Span or extended modes (not interested in the Hybrid Span mode).

So this setup works I guess,
for now -- monitor (1), 1 graphics card
for later -- monitor (2), to do dual monitor thingy

Now.. onto the future proofing part...

1. on nvidia site it says "All displays must have a common resolution, refresh rate, and sync polarity" -- does this sort of restriction apply to ati as well? (for regular non-3D monitors)
2. ( as the current trend ) if I get a 3D monitor for monitor (2), would any graphics card(s) support dual monitor setup, i.e., regular, 3D ?

 

[henydiah]

yes .. and you need adapter like this , for dual 3Dmonitor
and setup guide here