Triple Monitor Setup

[kaboshedx]

Hi Computer Forum,

Just like to say that in the past you guys have been really helpful - helping me pick out a computer and warentee issues. Thank you!

I've got a new problem, I have a Dell Dimension 9200 with a 20" FP screen.

I want to add a 30" widescreen and another 20" FP.

My video card is a 256 MB ATI Radeon X1300 PRO.

I am pretty confident that this card can handle another 20" FP fowever I'm sure I will need another video card to handle the 30" widescreen.

This is where I am confused. Dell tech support told me that my machine can not handle dual Video cards HOWEVER when I ook on the back there are 5 empty slots that look alot like where my current video card resides.

So...can somebody help me figure out whether my machine can handle dual video cards??

And...any suggestions on what this video card should be??

FWIW I had a guy who has the setup I want tell me that if my computer is <5 years old it will be able to handle another video card.

Please HELP!

thax.

[funkyworms]

Your computer can definitely handle two video cards. Some more good news is that your x1300 pro supports dual-link DVI so it can run your 30" monitor and another 20". You can buy any PCIe x1 video card to run your 3rd monitor.

Something like this will work.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814161197

[kaboshedx]

Sounds good thank you.

Is it a good idea for me to instal the video card myself?

[funkyworms]

You should be able to install it yourself. If for some reason you run into problems you can always come back here for advice. Installing cards like this is pretty straightforward, though.

[Ajahn]

Do a google search on how to install PCI cards.

[kaboshedx]

I'm in Canada so I dont think I can order off Newegg.

How do you feel about ATI video cards?

Is Clock speed Memory of the video card a concern or is all that matters that it is a PCIe?

[funkyworms]

The specs for the 2nd video card don't really matter that much. I recommend sticking with ATI since your primary card is ATI. You have 3 PCIe slots on your mother board. One is x16, one is x4, and one is x1. I assume your primary video card is in the x16 slot, so you will need to find a PCIe x1 or x4 video card to go in one of the other PCIe slots.

[kaboshedx]

Ok, I'm going to go to the local electronics store, when describing what I need to the guy I will say this:

ATI PCIe x1/x4 Video card. (what does x1, x4 mean anyway?)

[By-Tor]

what you want to do with the 3 monitors needs to be described before this question can be properly answered.

[funkyworms]

[ QUOTE ]
Ok, I'm going to go to the local electronics store, when describing what I need to the guy I will say this:

ATI PCIe x1/x4 Video card. (what does x1, x4 mean anyway?)

[/ QUOTE ]

If you open up your computer you will see some brownish slots of different sizes on your motherboard, beneath those you will see some white slots. The brown slots are PCIe slots. The biggest one is the x16 slot, the middle size is x4, and the smallest is x1. The x16 slot is capable of transferring the most info...the x1, the least. The white slots are PCI. They are slow compared to PCIe.

Sadly, I doubt your local electronics store will carry any PCIe x1 video cards. You will have to order one online somewhere. You could just get a standard PCI card and see how that works as long as you don't plan on doing anything too intensive.