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| Thread ID: 58386 | 2005-05-30 04:52:00 | Dual graphics cards... dual screens? | Edward (31) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 359709 | 2005-05-30 04:52:00 | Hi. I'm looking at getting a second screen for the 'puter, and needa bit of help. What I'm planning it getting a second graphics card (It has a 2mb PCI card, planning on getting another one) and old screen from molten media. Assuming that both the new card and screen are perfect condition, how likely is it to work? Is windows (98se) likely to throw a tizzy? Will the motherboard and it's 10 year old PCI bus handle two cards? If it can, using the same theory, could I buy two cards and screens and have 3 screens running? How ould it slow the computer (233mhz, 96mb SD RAM) down? Thanks, Edward |
Edward (31) | ||
| 359710 | 2005-05-30 05:07:00 | You'll need a card with dual monitor outputs. | Murray P (44) | ||
| 359711 | 2005-05-30 05:26:00 | Yes in theory, you would be able to run 3 screens or monitors on two or three video cards. I know it's possible in Linux, allthough Windows supports dual screens on one card, so I can't see why it won't be able to handle more than one video card. Allthough I wouldn't know how the 233 would handle with three monitors. |
ILikeLinux (1669) | ||
| 359712 | 2005-05-30 05:38:00 | I suspect DOS/W98 might not do be capable of this. ;) | Graham L (2) | ||
| 359713 | 2005-05-30 05:46:00 | W98se does indeed suport 2 pci video cards running 2 seperate screens. 3 maybe pushing it a bit. If you look back a few years you will see that the new SLI technology was already in use, For optimal gaming shred one was able to run 2 Voodoo PCI cards through the same monitor..... |
Metla (12) | ||
| 359714 | 2005-05-30 05:49:00 | Hmm, didnt read that he was only running 98se. Ok then lets put it simply: Don't bother. |
ILikeLinux (1669) | ||
| 359715 | 2005-05-30 06:09:00 | Thanks :) So 2 definetly works, 3 is more of an experiment. The cards cost around $10 from molten media, so I'll test with the other computer's screen. Thanks for the advice everyone :) |
Edward (31) | ||
| 359716 | 2005-05-30 06:09:00 | No no no.... Win98 works FINE. If its a Diamond-based chipset, you WILL run in to issues, as these are known in the Win98 On-CD Documentation not to work, even with driver updates AFAIK thou, every other PCI or AGP card will work. ISA WILL NOT! Win98 works fine with multiple monitors, its precious little more CPU Usage. I ran 5 from 3x PCI Trident v64 2MB cards of varying types, and 2x S3 Trio cards. Thats 5 in total all on a P1 75Mhz with 64mb RAM. Now, you may notice a minor slow-down, but not much. Basically just plug them in and reboot. Win98 will give you a message on each of the secondary screens as it boots to let you know its found them and you can use them by adjusting the Display Settings from within the Control Panel. This is while screen #1 has the Win98 splash screen and is loading up. Each card only need have a single VGA Output, Dual-outputs from a single card is not a requirement. Geez, am I the ONLY one who's ever done this on this forum!?! |
Chilling_Silence (9) | ||
| 359717 | 2005-05-30 06:11:00 | Nah, 3 is no more of a hassle than 2, as 5 is no more hassle than 2 (provided you have enough PCI slots). I guess it could be considered a hassle if you have large hands and have problems plugging them in at the back of your PC?? Otherwise, its great fun, and looks awesome having 2+ monitors on your desk, especially if you setup the Flying Through Space screensaver :D Now THAT looked cool in my room at night with all the lights off ;) |
Chilling_Silence (9) | ||
| 359718 | 2005-05-30 08:56:00 | I've done 2 on a p133 no problem. | wotz (335) | ||
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