Hello, Ive been wanting to set up dual monitors but I have a few questions. My motherboard is just the basic board you get with a Dell computer, I bought it dec 2005 if that helps. I also have 2 video cards, the base one that came with the computer and a GeForce 5200 (the best pci card i could get for under 200$). Would 2 monitors run on the two seperate cards? or is this upgrade going to cost more than just the monitor?

 

 

 

If more detail is needed, I can give it once I get home. Im at work now with nothing better to do except think about (hopefully) getting my second monitor tonight.

To awnser simply, yes. This should work. As long as you have 2 dvi/vga ports total on your graphics card(s) it should be fine. BTW how much did you pay for the geforce 5200? I didnt know they even made pci cards for over 200$.

Honestly, I dont remember. At the time I could only find one PCI card (I only have PCI slots) better than the 5200, and it was out of my price range. I think I payed like 80 bucks, maybe more or less, I dont really remember.

How do I go about finding out if I have 2 DVI/VGA ports? Those are just the monitor hookups right? I do have 2 of those, the one that comes with the computer, just the base card, and the one Im using now, the geforce 5200

DVI is a white square connector. VGA is blue and shaped like a trapezoid with round corners. As long as you have the ports on the monitors to hook to the computer (and cables) it should work fine.

Thank you all very much. You made my week.

Like they said, you'll be running it off of one card. Most (pretty much all) newer cards have them, and some older models do too.

 

 

 

You might have to buy a VGA -> DVI adapter however if both of your monitors are VGA. They are like $2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PS:I use dual monitors and they work great. :) 22" widescreen + 19" flat.