Low cost GPU for dual display - XP workstation

bigdogchris

bigdogchris

Fully [H]
Joined
Feb 19, 2008
Messages
19,108
I'm looking for a low cost PCI-E GPU that is used specifically for dual display setup, to allow each monitor to have it's own full screen window. Absolutely no gaming will be done. It also can not have a 6 pin pci-e power requirement, simply powered through the bus. It will be the primary display adapter.

I'm really only looking for suggestions with a card someone has had experience with in XP because it's not for me.

Thanks.
 
Go with Radeon HD 4350, which regularly goes on sale for $15-$20 after rebate.
 
chklin said:
Go with Radeon HD 4350, which regularly goes on sale for $15-$20 after rebate.
Click to expand...
This. I've done quite a few builds using HD 3450s and HD 4350s. They are perfectly suitable in this case. And they leave you enough power to upgrade to Vista/7 if you want. I wouldn't touch no GeForce 8600 GT :eek:
 
You don't say what size monitors you anticipate using.

I have this setup as "daily driver" with 2 x 1280x1024 19" monitors: No gaming on this box.
Asus P5B-Deluxe motherboard w/4GB ram
Core Duo E6400 (@2928MHz)
2x Viewsonic VP930b LCD paels @ 1280 x 1024
Win XP Pro sp3
ATI 4670 w/512 MB
- I used a dual slot HIS card because it has 2 DVI output connectors and reviews that said it was fairly quiet. I also used an identical card in a Shuttle box that a friend uses daily. I have not overclocked either videocard. I run at 32bit color depth.
I typically keep both monitors full of open screens. Sometimes I play a movie/video on 1 screen while the other screen has more static applications open.
This setup works fine for me.
At the time I changed to this videocard, the 4670 was the fastest card availabe that did not require an external power connection. This may still be true, for all I know.

PS - If you go this route, you might look little utilities called UltraMon and TaskbarShuffle. I have found them useful.
 
/rant/ said:
This. I've done quite a few builds using HD 3450s and HD 4350s. They are perfectly suitable in this case. And they leave you enough power to upgrade to Vista/7 if you want. I wouldn't touch no GeForce 8600 GT :eek:
Click to expand...

While I agree the 4350 would be the better option, you really don't need much GPU power to run the Aero theme in windows 7 or Vista. I just got a laptop 3 months ago with integrated intel graphics has no problems with it. In addition, my 3 year old laptop with and older integrated intel graphics chipset is even powerful enough to run the aero glass theme.
 
tombew said:
You don't say what size monitors you anticipate using.
Click to expand...
They already have 17" monitors they run 1280x1024 and will likely purchase 19" wide screens, anywhere from 1440x900 to 1920x1080. This process is still in the evaluation phase though.

I think the cost on the 4350's is good and I like that they have VGA + DVI since one of the monitors they have is VGA and the new ones will likely be DVI: no adapters needed, since the cards don't come with one anyways. As for acceleration, these should be fine since they have used on board graphics for 3 years now. None of these stations use any 3d programs anyways. In the event we upgrade to Vista or 7, a 4350 should handle AERO quite nicely.
 
tombew said:
You don't say what size monitors you anticipate using.
Click to expand...
Does not really matter much these days. A 4350 comes with a dual-link DVI port (2560x1600), plus either an HDMI (1920x1200) or a VGA port (2048x1536). If the OP needs to drive two 30" monitors, I am sure he or she would have said so.
 
You can get just about any card that has dual outputs and you'll be able to have a dual setup. I personally use a 4550 on one of my setups and have had no problems
 
Homeless said:
You can get just about any card that has dual outputs and you'll be able to have a dual setup. I personally use a 4550 on one of my setups and have had no problems
Click to expand...
Well I've never done it on a desktop before, only Laptop. Just looking for feedback from people who have. Plug in a monitor, fn+f4 a few times and you have 2 displays. The windows extend desktop in the desktop properties work well?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top