Noob Question - Need Help

[avalanche165]

Sorry this is quite noobish, but i seriously cant find the info i am looking for on google and its frustrating.

 

im rebuilding my system and want to get 2 monitors, and output the same picture to each one. meaning, i want one desktop, using both screens.

 

how do i do it

[ir_cow]

depends whats video card you have, if it has a vga-dvi vga-vga or just one vga or dvi(cheap cards)

[airman]

if you want the same screen on two monitors...just get a vga splitter. all you gotta do

[Agallion]

any card with 2 vga outs will do it by default. special settings allow for a continued screen

[avalanche165]

CONTINUED SCREEN! thats the phrase i was looking for.

 

yea i know i can just split the signal into two seperate monitors. But i want 2 monitors, side by side, displaying ONE continued image.

 

so i can get this with any vid card with 2 outputs? no other special hardware needed?

 

Ive been looking at the ATI x800 series and the nvidia geforce 6800 series, both which have dual outputs.

 

what would i need to do to have one continued image using both screens?

should i look for anything specific when purchasing monitors?

[guzzidom]

Boot up and put your drivers on - restart, plug in your second monitor power it up then go into your drivers (right click on desktop - properties - advanced - smart gart (I think) - monitor properties and choose the picture of two monitors side by side, boom you are away, it's been a while since I've done it, but it is pretty easy as I recall and there's no chance of breaking anything so just get on with it, very handy for photoshop etc.

 

Talking out of my rear actually I just went in and tried it! and it is actually much easier just right click on desktop then monitors and click on the picture of monitor 2, set the resolutions you want and you are away. most non budget cards have dual outputs these days so you should be fine with the ones you list, just ask before you purchase to make sure.

Edited February 15, 2005 by guzzidom

[mantonr]

i should think that those two cards that you mentioned would be capable of controlling two monitors and producing a continued image on them.

[guzzidom]

Even the radeon 9100 is listed as dual monitor support , so if you are doing 2d / photo /cad design etc you need not spend a fortune on a gaming card (gaming doesn't work too well on 2 monitors, or at least shoot em up games don't)

[avalanche165]

thanks peeps, appreciate all the help.

 

once i get all my parts in, i'll be sure to take step by step pics, maybe put up a tutorial or something. i know its simple but, im sure it'll help someone along the line.

 

thanks again, peace.

[henbenley]

Even the radeon 9100 is listed as dual monitor support , so if you are doing 2d / photo /cad design etc you need not spend a fortune on a gaming card (gaming doesn't work too well on 2 monitors, or at least shoot em up games don't)

419733[/snapback]

 

You could just have your games set up to use the one screen and then just have nothing (or any random thing) on the other screen. I'm pretty sure that it will work like that, but I dont have dual monitors.