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[Truean]

So my old monitor on my new computer is old, and running 30 firefox tabs for research sucks. I've hit a productivity bottleneck.

I'm considering using two monitors for my desktop to solve this. I could keep a full word document open or multiple sources. I was thinking about maybe buying two of these, because two 20 inch monitors sound fine. I understand the easy software side of getting windows 7 to recognize dual monitors (WinKey +P and then select "extend"). There are some other areas I'm not entirely versed in: video card compatibility, hardware connectivity, and possible upgrades.

video card compatibility: Does it support dual monitors?

I think it does, but I'm not sure. I just wanna know before I drop money on this, please.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

 
Did I find the graphics card I have,, because I because I thought I knew how to find it? When I run DirectX's Diagnostic tool it gives me:

Name: Intel(R) HD Graphics
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip Type: Intel(R) HD Graphics (Pentium)
DAC Type: Internal
Approx Total Memory: 1696 MB

I'm not sure if I have information for the right graphics card. If I do not, then please could someone kindly point me towards it so I can figure out if it supports dual monitors?

hardware connectivity, and possible upgrades. (I hope no upgrades)
Simply, There seems to be only one place to plug in a monitor in the back of my desktop (DVI). I find this odd, given the computer is less than a year old, and apparently supports dual monitors. This of course leads to the question of where I plug in the other monitor. I really hope I don't have to try and install a second graphics card, or buy some sort of splitting device, but if I have to....

Does anyone have any insight on this they would be willing to give?

Thank you for your time and consideration,
Truean

[olemars]

If there is only one display port / DVI on the back of your case then that's all you have (not uncommon for integrated chipsets). I'm afraid you'll have to get a regular graphics card with dual DVI. A splitter won't help you since that'll just split the one output signal you have across two monitors.

As for monitor choice, for work purposes like reading a lot of documents and stuff I'd actually recommend getting two 4:3 monitors instead of widescreen ones. Widescreen monitors have lackluster vertical resolution.

Edit: Guess I can also mention that I have a dual monitor setup at work, and it's indeed worth it. I don't think I could function if I had to go back to just one again.

[Truean]

Thanks.

I'm never one to open up the back of my computer, but guess I might grab a screw driver after researching it thoroughly....

One thing though:

A splitter won't help you since that'll just split the one output signal you have across two monitors.

Huh? I sort of thought that was what I wanted. Isn't it? Does this mean I couldn't have a word document and firefox (or two instances of firefox at once) open? Does it mean It would just sort of stretch out one monitor's worth of stuff into two and somehow not be useful space? Hum, off to research more....

I'm not doubting you, but I wonder why they make "splitters" at all if they're no good.

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/organization/twomonitors.aspx
Also it appears I have a VGA port instead of DVI.
Also might just consider one monitor to dual screen with the laptop....

[forsaken1111]

Huh? I sort of thought that was what I wanted. Isn't it?

To be more specific, using a 'splitter' will just mirror the same image on both monitors. You will have two monitors, but they will both be getting the same signal and will display the same thing. What you need is a video card with dual output which can drive two displays at once. The video card renders and tracks two separate displays, letting you show two different things on your monitors.

Important question: What is your budget for this project.

[Truean]

Option 3: The solution was staring me right in the face, but I didn't recognize it at all.

It's been so long since I was really into computer hardware that I only really knew about VGA and DVI. I was totally unaware of HDMI.
My computer has an HDMI female plug, and even though the monitor I wanted doesn't, there is an adapter. This means I can plug the HDMI into the DVI on the second monitor! I did that.

Olmars is probably right about 4:3 aspect ratios being better but this really does work for what I want. With these widescreen monitors, I can have tons of reference materials open and my life is so much better. It is, without exaggeration almost 3x more workspace than the old monitor I was working with.

It works on full expansion mode instead of just duplicate, so I guess graphics card can handle it after all.

Important question: What is your budget for this project.

I found those monitors on sale and managed the whole thing for a little over $200 (all inclusive cost). God my job is so much easier now.


Thank you all so very much. That helped me and made it easier to work stuff out.

[Stargrasper]

Interestingly enough, there actually is scientific evidence that having two or three monitors actually does make you more productive  Lets hope it works for you, too.

[Truean]

Yes, very yes. I can have so much stuff open and get so much done!

Seriously, I alt tabbing so damn much I sounded like a telegraph operator. I got LOST in the firefox tabs between different reference materials. (Shit, was that case the 7th tab on the third firefox instance.... Which tab was the statute...? *whimper*)

Although, I have to confess, I did see if I could stretch DF across the entirety of my monitor screens. I can. I can see forever!

[forsaken1111]

Although, I have to confess, I did see if I could stretch DF across the entirety of my monitor screens. I can. I can see forever!

Wait until you get 3 triple-head video cards in there and build a 3x3 wall of monitors to run DF on. O.O

[eerr]

Are four monitors possible with two graphics cards?

[forsaken1111]

Are four monitors possible with two graphics cards?

If the cards each have two heads, yes.

[Truean]

Are four monitors possible with two graphics cards?

If the cards each have two heads, yes.

Oh.... So... Would you set them up in a row or could you manage to get them in a 2x2 monitor block...?

[forsaken1111]

Are four monitors possible with two graphics cards?

If the cards each have two heads, yes.

Oh.... So... Would you set them up in a row or could you manage to get them in a 2x2 monitor block...?

The answer to that is purely personal preference in how you set the monitors up.