Dual monitor question

[Donski]

I have a 2nd computer, the motherboard is an MSI K8MM-V with on-board video. I would like to setup dual monitors.

 

My question is,,,

Can you run dual monitors using both the on board video plus a card in the AGP slot, or does the 2nd card have to be PCI. So far, the only way I can get both monitors to work is by using an old PCI video card for the 2nd display.

[KimTjik]

Only the manual for your specific motherboard will tell. Depending on features and connectors dual-monitor could be supported in many different ways: VGA and DVI, DVI and S-Video, on-board VGA or DVI and PCI-e card and so forth. Some support even four monitors, so either check the manual you have or download it from MSI.

[Donski]

I've already checked the manual and it doesn't say anything about dual monitors. In fact, it doesn't say much about anything. A DFI manual goes into far more detail.

 

I'm simply trying to connect two standard svga monitors, no DVI or S-Video. This MB doesn't have PCI-e.

 

When I go into Device Manager, it lists the on board video as AGP. So I was wondering if it's common to over-ride the on board video when you install a card into the AGP slot. There's also nothing in the BIOS I can find. But I take it from your post that it all has to do with the board.

[Guest Lavell]

Most AGP cards support dual monitors by themselves. There's no need for a PCI video card. If you're not a hardcore gamer, then a video card from ATI's 9000 series or nVidia's 6000 series will do the job. If you are a hardcore gamer, then a video card from ATI's X1000 series or nVidia's 7000 series will be required. It all depends on what kind of video power you need.

 

By the look of your signature, the ATI All-In-Wonder 9600 supports dual VGA monitors. I have the same card on a media PC that I currently own.

[Donski]

Yes the ATI 9600 supports dual monitors, and that's how I have my main computer setup. This is also the reason I'm spoiled, I LOVE HAVING DUAL MONITORS.

 

The point is that I have a whole bunch of old parts lying around and thought I'd assemble a computer from them. It's not that bad for a 2nd computer, and there's a lot of benefits to having that other computer.

 

What I uesd for parts are,,,

 

MSI K8MM-V with 1.6 ghz AMD Sempron 2800+

two 512mb Corsair PC3200 DDR

400w power supply

DVD ROM drive, DVD-RW drive

two 17" Gateway monitors

ATI Rage II video card (PCI) for 2nd monitor

 

I have another AGP video card that will fit into the slot on the board, and I'll probably use it anyway seeing as the on board video doesn't have it's own RAM. The 2nd outputs on those video cards are S-Video, not VGA.

 

Since I'm presently unemployed, my main goal is to not spend any money on this project. I'm not about to go out and buy another AGP All-In-Wonder card, I already have two other All-In-Wonder cards that are so old that they're useless and now PCI-e is the new standard. It's bad enough that I don't have any money, but to spend the little that I have on something that will be obsolete in the near future would be throwing good money after bad.

[Guest Lavell]

Ahhhhh, ok. Now I understand. Although I've never used a PCI video card, I do believe that one could be utilize to power up a 2nd monitor. I recommend using the AGP slot to power up the 1st monitor. No need for onboard video to rob what little memory you have.