I have an HP m7760n Multimedia Computer with an MSI Nvidea Geforce 8600 GT Video Card that has dual dvi / vga outputs, (dual monitors running both off dvi).

I was wondering could I use the onboard video output to add a 3rd monitor?

Other than buying a 3rd monitor to test this idea, is there a way to tell if my motherboard would support a 3rd monitor, also how does it work software wise, i know my msi nvidea card currently just shows me my 2 monitors and extends the desktop, if i add a third will it just show 3 screens or will it mess something up? \

Lastly if the onboard video won't work alongside the dual output card i have in there could i possibly add another video card to get that 3rd monitor?

Bill

You need another card preferably identical to your present one.

I am assuming you have 2 PCI_E x 16 slots?

Vista especially requires the same chipset on both cards.

Darn,
I was hoping I could just use the video out of the motherboard to hook up a 3rd monitor, my motherboard in there (im pretty sure) only has the one card slot for pci E which I have that geforce 8600 in, so I couldn't do the 2nd identical card thing but it was worth asking on, maybe once i build a pc ill just make sure the MB has 2 slots, get 2 matching cards then double up and do 4 monitors

Bill

UPDATE I googled my model and confirmed yep only one pci express ughh

altho i do have one pci slot open, if i find even a junker pci card could i squeek one more out or will vista or the pc itself just reject it.

3 PCI slots
1 PCI Express x16 Slot(z)

In general use of the PCI_E slot turns off the motherboard port automatically.

I have seen a few (expensive) 4 port PCI_E cards.

I have seen it reported that Vista requires identical chipsets on every graphics card for multiple monitors and I doubt you will find a PCI card to match your PCI_E.

I am seeing other options I was not aware of such as:

http://www.naplestech.com/shopcart/f..._100505115.asp

This goes in a PCI_E x 1 slot and runs along with your PCI_E x 16 graphics card (as I understand it).

Also understand the $$$$$.

I have seen it reported that Vista requires identical chipsets on every graphics card for multiple monitors

That source is not exactly right. Vista prefers (not requires) all the graphics devices use the same driver model (not chipset). Vista is designed to natively support multimonitor setups. So, you can have a PCI graphics card, AGP card, and a PCIe card installed at the same time (if the motherboard supports all 3 buses) and Vista can use all three cards, and all the monitors (up to 6 if your cards each have 2 ports). You may have some convincing to do to get Vista to use 3 different drivers (it will want to use the Standard VGA on the secondary monitors - or may even disable the secondary cards) but it can be done. Then all the cards and monitors will work (and look) as they did with XP.

The problem is Aero - and the Windows Vista Display Driver Model (WDDM). It does not support "heterogeneous multi-adapter" mode - 2 or more cards from different makers using different drivers. In order to take advantage of Vista's enhanced GUI, Aero, in multimonitor mode, all the cards must use the same WDDM driver. Fortunately, for a couple years now, both AMD (ATI) and NVIDIA have used a single WDDM driver across all their WDDM capable cards. This lets you mix and match (within the same family of cards). I agree that an identical card would probably be best, but you can use a PCIe and a PCI card, as long as both use the same WDDM driver.

As Jephree noted, often the on-board graphics is disabled when a graphics card is sensed. This is to automatically free up resources (RAM) dedicated to graphics. But that "feature" can often be disabled in the BIOS so you can use on-board graphics too. However, I would advise against that because on-board graphics snatches a chunk (usually 64 - 128Mb) of system RAM - and that will affect just about every aspect of your computing experience. So again, I would recommend a second card.

Do note that a second card may increase your cooling demands, and certainly, you MUST ensure your PSU is capable of the added demands, noting top graphics cards eat more power than the latest CPUs.

Use the eXtreme PSU Calculator Lite to determine your power supply unit (PSU) requirements. Plug in all the hardware you think you might have in 2 or 3 years (extra drives, bigger or 2nd video card, more RAM, etc.). Be sure to read and heed the notes at the bottom. I recommend you set Capacitor Aging to 30%, and if you participate in distributive computing projects (e.g. BOINC or Folding@Home), I recommend setting TDP to 100%. Research your video card and pay particular attention to the power supply requirements listed on your video card maker's website for your card. Then look for power supply brands listed under the "Good" column of PC Mechanic's PSU Reference List. Ensure the supplied amperage on the +12V rails of your chosen PSU meets the requirements of your video card. Don't try to save a few dollars by getting a cheap supply. Digital electronics, including CPUs, RAM, and today's advanced graphics cards, need clean, stable power. A good, well chosen supply will provide years of service and upgrade wiggle room. I strongly recommend you pick a supply with an efficiency rating equal to, or greater than 80%.



Horse's Mouth: MultiMonitor Support and Windows Vista

You read my mind on this card

FMV 2400 PCI Express

Seeing 4 dvi output from ONE card like that really caught my eye!

I saw it originally on google and wondered if this might a good alternative for me,

I actually now have 4 - 24 inch monitors on my desk, 2 for one computer 2 for another right next to it, but I would LOVE to incorporate all 4 into one machine...

Yes I am a bit nuts I guess (so my wife tells me) but I sure do use the dual monitors often adding a 3rd or 4th will really be awesome down the road.

Since 99% of what I do is photoshop, office, web, email stuff i don't see much need for anything super fancy or high end for gaming etc, just want that 4 monitor support...

My computer is an HP m7760n and I am using the pci express 16 slot for an msi geforce nvidea 8600 GT dual head card currently.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/g...reg_R1002_USEN

But since I don't have a pci express 1 type slot I am assuming i would have to go with their standard pci slot version correct?

http://www.naplestech.com/shopcart/f..._100505130.asp


Bill

This being the pci (not pci express 1 version) would be the one I would want right?

http://fxvideocards.com/ATI-FireMV-2...Box--p-64.html

I do have 2 open pci slots in my computer btw, and the pci express 16 slot if i remove the current card in there.

I know description wise it says the pci express 1 is "faster" but for what I do (no gaming) mostly photoshop and such, would I notice it being slower or something?

I do occasionally watch a dvd video or two on one of the monitors.

I am really thinking of going for this, anything else i need to confirm specs wise before ordering it and trying to hook 4 monitors up thru this one pc here?

Bill

I am not sure how that ATI and Nvidia mix will get along.

Perhaps Digerati could tell you better.

Awfully expensive little card!

I cannot tell if that is an independent device or runs along with a graphics card.

Also your motherboard may need to support ATI Fire.