Dual Monitor

[finr]

Hi all...

Here's the deal: I'm looking for a new gfx card. What I want to be able to is connect two monitors (one LCD, one CRT, but both with conventional VGA connectors) and display different pictures, i.e. two different desktops when working. Also, the card should be powerful enough for recent games (and, hopefully, mose upcoming ones ). When gaming, output on one (the CRT would be the better choice I guess?) monitor is enough - I guess the second monitor would be turned off then?

Well, now I got a few questions as I'm quite a newbie to this whole gfx card thing:
1. What's the difference between VGA and DVI outputs?
2. Is every card with two video outputs (VGA+VGA or VGA+DVI) capable of habdling my two monitors (both with VGA connectors!) ??
3. I don't want to spend more than ?150 - ?200... Any suggestions which card would be a good choice? I'd preferrably take one with TV out...

Thank you for any answers...
finr

 

[finr]

I just saw this review of the Radeon 9500Pro - it looks kinda fast and seems to support dual CRTs. What makes me wonder is that the review states "Smart modders can turn the card into a 9700 Pro" - how is that done?

Is this card still a good choice - I guess it was superceded by the 9600Pro, which is ?10 less than the (older?) 9500Pro?

 

[finr]

*bump*

Anyone please??

 

[Maddscientist]

Do a search for "9500 to 9700 soft mod" theres your answer for the last question. As for the card great great card for the money. The dual crts question is a good one some cards have dual Cores so you can run 2 monitors at once and some dont. Good rule of thumb is if its too cheap it has the second core removed hence you can not use 2 at the same time. As for the desktop question do you mean 2 diffrent desktops or a clone of the same desktop .....EI 2 diffrent screens up in games surround gaming in otherwords or 2 exact duplicates of the same image?

 

[finr]

As for the desktop question do you mean 2 diffrent desktops or a clone of the same desktop .....EI 2 diffrent screens up in games surround gaming in otherwords or 2 exact duplicates of the same image?

For normal work I'd need two different desktops, for gaming one monitor will be enough, so I wouldn't mind the second either showing the same image or being even turned off.

 

[powerMarkymark]

GeForce ti 4200 128MB 8X was my choice. It can do all that you asked.