multidisplay

[coldfire8]

hi, i have simple question. I am planning on adding a second flat panel monitor, in addition to my current one, to my system, for a multidisplay setup. i've done this in the past, but i've always used a sinlge video card for each monitor. currently i have a nvidia geforce fx 5200. it has both the conventional VGA output and also a DVI output (i think that's what it's called). now i know nvidia has been boasting about the multidisplay capabilities on these GPUs, but i'm basically wondering if i can use dual flat panel monitors (both DVI input or VGA equipped) with just the one video card? I've heard some people say you can connect one to the VGA output and the other to the DVI, while others have told me that you can buy a box that will split the DVI signal, although i don't know if that would give me full multidisplay control. anyways, if i could get some info for this, that would be great. if you need more system details, it's all under my computer details...
thanks

[tgpo]

I'm using a computer right now that uses VGA and DVI. It causes no problems at all to use em' both.

[rallynavvie]

nView, what nVidia cards use for multiple displays, isn't a true dual display adapter like some dual-head cards on the market. I'm not sure if this has changed with the FX engine or not though. The downfall is nView isn't as customizeable as those other dual- or triple-head cards, but it's still VERY useful when you've got two monitors. What I did with mine was basically make a very large desktop from the two so with 2x monitors running 1280x1024 I had a 2560x1024 desktop. How well nView works with certain programs is dependant on the application. I only had my dual display for a short time (before I had to return one to work ) but when using Adobe apps it was wonderful for either having a couple open at once windowed to each monitor so I could view changes in InDesign as I make changes in Illustrator or Photoshop, or just to have the massive workspace to have a ton of windows open and at large sizes (such as when using Premiere). However when I tried running Freelancer, BF1942, or Ghost Recon the 2nd monitor went blank (I'm assuming because the game's UI changed the res). I had hoped to have the other still on my desktop to run Winamp, watch my hardware monitor temps during gameplay, and watch the task manager to see how my memory and processors were being utilized while playing. I didn't get a chance to try multiple views with MS Flight Simulator 2002 Pro but I heard you can window your instrument panels to the other monitor and leave the main to your outside view (or set the 2nd display to an alternate view like chase).

The other thing you may want to check is if those LCDs will work with a VGA out. Aren't they DVI plugs? I know you can convert DVI to VGA with a little adapter but I though VGA to DVI was a bit trickier. I'm not entirely certain about this since I can only afford the one Apple LCD I have. Let me know how it goes though, I've been looking at the FX 5200 for my secondary print media workstation.

[coldfire8]

well, the flat panel monitor i have now supports ONLY VGA input. i was planning on buying a second DVI monitor, and i know that many LCD monitors support both types of inputs, so i am also considering selling the one i have currently and purchasing two of the same model that support both inputs.

as for the geforce fx and multidisplay functionality, nvidia states "Dual RAMDACs directly drive dual displays without additional external components". there is a good technical brief that describes the multidisplay features at the following website:
http://www.nvidia.com/page/pg_20030305290921.html

if i get this setup soon, i will tell you how it goes.