Would like to run a dual monitor setup (both using DVI), but I dunno what I should be looking for.

No gaming (unless I get really bored), mostly applications and video.

I have a ATI vid card as my primary, so should I get something made by ATI for the secondary?

or does it not matter?

I was thinking Radeon 9250 128MB PCI would be ok? I'm thinking PCI is so old tech that it doesn't matter what I pick since it's all the same anyway?

Does it matter if one supports DX8 or 9? Should I go with a brand I recognize or not?

11/8/2007 1:32:45 PM

why not just get a single dual head video card and run both monitors on it?

11/8/2007 1:48:38 PM

i would, but only if my current card shit the bed.

11/8/2007 2:52:13 PM

CHAINTECH GSP5200T2 GeForce FX 5200 128MB 64-bit DDR PCI Video Card - Retail
* 3 Business Day Shipping $4.99 Core clock: 250MHz
* Your Price:$52.99

EVGA 128-P1-N309-LX GeForce FX 5200 128MB 64-bit DDR PCI Video Card - Retail
* 3 Business Day Shipping $4.99 Core clock: 250MHz
* Your Price:$44.99

EVGA 128-P1-N298-LX GeForce FX 5200 128MB 64-bit DDR PCI Low Profile Video Card - Retail
* 3 Business Day Shipping $4.99 Core clock: 250MHz
* Your Price:$35.99
(This particular model only comes in Dsub, but should that really matter?)

FANLESS - EVGA 128-P1-N320-LX GeForce FX 5500 128MB 64-bit DDR PCI Low Profile Video Card - Retail
* 3 Business Day Shipping $4.99 Core clock: 270MHz
* Your Price:$49.99

My particular case is well cooled, should I really be worried about fans? I'd prefer a fanless, but dunno if that would cook the card faster.

11/8/2007 4:56:05 PM

If you aren't doing gaming is there a particular reason why you want to spend $50 on a gfx card? Seems like you could pick one up much cheaper than that if all you are looking for is an additional DVI out.

11/9/2007 9:55:10 AM

^^at those speeds, no fan is required

you should though probably look at ATI as the mix of ATI & Nvidia drivers still don't mesh well

11/9/2007 10:17:12 AM

^
thanks those posts are exactly what i was looking for.

yeah i didn't want to spend $50, but i was willing to.

and i was going to do a little video editing, but dunno how well a cheaper card would handle it.

11/9/2007 1:26:37 PM

i'd look at something like this:

HIS Hightech H925H128E1TOPN Radeon 9250 128MB 64-bit DDR PCI Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161010

depending on what your 2nd monitor is, you'll need something more than an old ATI 7000 to power the larger resolutions out there now... but probably isn't needed for 1600x1200 or under

[Edited on November 9, 2007 at 1:45 PM. Reason : .]

11/9/2007 1:39:30 PM

just a 19" lcd 1280x1024

[Edited on November 9, 2007 at 5:54 PM. Reason : ^ that's exactly what card i was looking at]

11/9/2007 5:53:44 PM

I own a Volari V3 that is a surprisingly decent card

11/10/2007 10:58:53 AM

^One available AGP compliant slot.

11/10/2007 6:58:07 PM