Could use some advice on graphics card

[ingomania106]

Hi all,

I am attempting to set up a system with 3 screens. In the past I've set up systems with 2 screens allowing me to scroll the mouse over, however this time I want the 3rd screen to show the same as the second.

What I'm asking advice on is, do I shell out for a fancy graphics card with 3 ports on the back, or is there some kind of cable which can split it to two monitors (showing the same on both).

It sounds very confusing but if anyone understands me I'd apprichiate the help

Thanks

[ingomania106]

Just seen this: www .matrox.com/graphics/offhome/th2go/gaming/home.cfm

Anyone used one before?

[pr0p4g4nd4]

I think the cheapest way is to get an oldish PCI (not PCI express) graphics card and use that and your current one in conjunction allowing 3 or 4 displays to be attached. I'm not that sure though, please correct me if I'm wrong

The above solution would be good for general use but if you wanted to do gaming with 3 displays, I think the aforementioned Matrox prduct would definately be better.

[awm]

So what you can do is get a board with 2Xgraphics slots (proabably SLI or X-Fire). Get two graphics cards and set one to mirror its outputs and hook two monitors to that. A second card could then power the unmirrored one.

Splitting VGA signals by a basic electrical fork leaves a cruddy signal with a lot of cross-talk. Any fancier system would be very expensive.

If you would be happier with a lower quality signal for what I assume to be a projector(? or similar) you could use s-video out.

[ingomania106]

Hi, thanks for all the responses!

Im currently using a socket a motherboard with one AGP slot. Theres a cheapish graphics card in there at the moment.

Would it be cheaper to buy a new mobo, and chip with 2 slots on and then do what you've said or to buy something like the matrox and play with it to get the results I want?

The only reason why I dont want a new mobo is because i've just built this system for someone and it might be a problem building another one lol

Thanks btw

[chuckskull]

Buy a cheap PCI graphics card like metioned. (almost all motherboard have a free PCI slot) then get hold of ultramon. It will allow you to do exactly what you want

[charleski]

Go for the matrox adapter. They made their name on image quality and all the reviews I've seen have had a lot of praise for it.

[It will also end up being a lot easier than fiddling with multiple graphics cards.]

[finlay666]

im sure the adapter would be better as the image would be exactly the same, e.g. for gaming it would be the same quality and everything

[ingomania106]

Buy a cheap PCI graphics card like metioned. (almost all motherboard have a free PCI slot) then get hold of ultramon. It will allow you to do exactly what you want

I think i'll try this first as it seems like a cheaper option and it wont be hell if it doesnt work... However I've never seen these before other than PCI express which is completly different (am i right?).

And am i right in thinking that what yoour sayin is I can run a PCI and AGP graphics card at the same time

Thanks

[chuckskull]

I think i'll try this first as it seems like a cheaper option and it wont be hell if it doesnt work... However I've never seen these before other than PCI express which is completly different (am i right?).

And am i right in thinking that what yoour sayin is I can run a PCI and AGP graphics card at the same time

Thanks

Yup PCI and PCI-E are different and yup run PCI with AGP. Any of these will do http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/Produ...Thumbnails=yes

or have a poke around eBay for something cheaper.