Dual VGA Display Question

[djjansen]

Hi Everyone

I have a question regarding a graphics card setup and hope you can assist.

I currently have an Acer Emachines EL1200 desktop PC (link for specs below) running a normal VGA monitor (from the onboard VGA). I am wanting to run a dual desktop display (ie, two different images on the two desktops).

The second screen I have can accept VGA, DVI & HDMI inputs (Samsung T240). What is the easiest and most cost-effective way to do this?

I don't need excellent graphics power, just the ability to run dual display. Ideally both in VGA. Is it possible to simply buy a basic graphics card with VGA output and then run the one monitor from on-board and the other from the PCI-E graphics card? Or do I need a dual VGA card... Help!

(http://www.emachines.co.za/em/produ...att1=23&kcond4l.c2att101=58590&CRC=4220161338)

 

[rabbiddog]

Just get a normal graphics card to the specs you want and run one monitor onboard and the second from the graphics card.

 

[gilani777]

When you have a graphics card, the onbaord graphics usually disables itself . What you can do is simply buy a cheap graphics card with two outputs (most have that these days), one may be VGA and the other DVI. Just check if it got two outputs at the back and you should be set

 

[rabbiddog]

When you have a graphics card, the onbaord graphics usually disables itself .

True. Depends on the MoBo. You may still be able to get Windows to see the second graphics card.

 

[psivius]

What gilani777 said above is correct. You would have to check in your bios whether the onboard graphics can be enabled while having a dedicated card installed.

Another option to check is whether you onboard display does support dual display. All you then need is a Y-cable to accept both monitors on the one end and then plug the other end into your onboard display. That should do the trick.

Otherwise a dedicated card with VGA and DVI connections would be fine.

 

[gilani777]

for eg, this 8400 could do the trick
http://www.sybaritic.co.za/store/product_info.php?cPath=74_224&products_id=15230

you can see it has both connectors

 

[LFX]

as mentioned above, it would be simpler to get a very cheap card with dual vga out... when using a dedicate card in conjunction with onboard vga you will have to configure them independently which can be a hassle, then there's also the risk of driver conflicts.

 

[djjansen]

Thank you for all your assistance guys. Much appreciated.