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Graphics cards display output options

Posted: July 13th, 2005, 15:18
by mrbobbins
Dear Gamesmaster,

As I begin musings on getting a new graphics card (Doom 3 unplayable, BF2 doesn't even run..) the first, and to me most important, question I have remains unanswered. Here is the question:

On a fancy new card with TV output (whatever really doesn't matter) can you use 2 monitors AND the TV out at the same time?

You see I can currently do this with my Matrox Parhelia, which is specifically designed for video editing etc. where you need 2 monitors and a video out running at the same time. I'd really only consider upgrading if this is the case with the more popular ATI/Nvidia cards.

Thanksyou,
Mrbobbins esq.

Posted: July 13th, 2005, 16:36
by deject
as long as the card has two monitor outs and S-Video (or composite if you're lucky) all modern cards can run whatever you can plug into them.

Posted: July 14th, 2005, 11:44
by mrbobbins
deject wrote:as long as the card has two monitor outs and S-Video (or composite if you're lucky) all modern cards can run whatever you can plug into them.
I'm pretty sure they never used to be able to do it, just cos it has 3 outputs on the back doesn't mean it can handle running them all at the same time, anyone done it?

Posted: July 14th, 2005, 11:51
by Dr. kitteny berk
i've not done it, and i'm pretty sure some cards have limitiations like that.

if that's the case, your best option would be a good card, and then a cheapy PCI card (think 5200 or 9200) to run theTV off of.

Posted: July 18th, 2005, 21:24
by mrbobbins
Dr. kitteny berk wrote:i've not done it, and i'm pretty sure some cards have limitiations like that.

if that's the case, your best option would be a good card, and then a cheapy PCI card (think 5200 or 9200) to run theTV off of.

Hmm think i've found a solution along these lines:

http://www.maximopc.org/imagenes/articu ... G_4605.JPG

Just read about this board in PC Format, AGP and PCI-E, can run both simultaneously, it's only £42 so a cheap mobo upgrade then I can choose whichever PCI-E GFX card I can afford, while still using my old one, this could be the winner.