best value card for "Dual" monitors

[fmonte]

Please recommend the least expensive graphics card to handle two monitors. I only use the computer for work and the reason for the two monitors is so I can drag a page that I am working on and move it over to the other monitor so I can refer to it while I work on a second document. My computer is an Acer Aspire T180 and I think it has a pci expansion port and pci express expansion port. I appreciate your help. Frank

 

[Massios]

Just buy a video card with 2 video outputs. I need more specs on your computer to find the best card. The PCI-E slot is good news though.

 

[fmonte]

Thank you. Does this tell you what you need to know:

Specifications


Product
Aspire T180
Language
English
Model
Aspire T180 Specifications
Specifications
Processor

AMD AM2 Athlon 64 x 2 or Athlon 64 or Sempron (940 pin)


Cache

depending on the CPU


Memory

256MB DDR2 533/667/800 SDRAM expandable to 4GB


BIOS

Flash BIOS


Supported Protocols

ACPI 2.0, APM 1.2, SMBIOS 2.3, WFM 2.0, ASD 1.03, PXE boot ROM, PCI 2.3, DMI 2.0, WOL, Bootable CD-ROM 1.0, USB 1.1~USB 2.0, E-IDE (up to PIO mode-4), ANSI ATA 3.0, ATAPI


System Chipset

nVidia MCP61S + MCP61P


I/O Controller Hub

ITE8726


Expansion Slots

1 PCI-Express x16 slot
2 PCI v2.3 slots


Audio

Integrated nVidia MCP61 with AC97, ALC888 codec supporting 16 bit PCM format for 7.1 Channel High Definition Audio codecs with UAA (Universal Audio Architecture)


Speakers

Optional on selected models


Video

Integrated nVidia MCP61
PCI Express x16 Add-on card (selected models)


Storage

3.5" 1.44MB Floppy Disk Drive (selected models)
CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD/CD-RW Combo, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD Dual, DVD SupermultiPlus (varies by models)
Up to 400GB Hard Disk Drive SATA (varies by models)
9 in 1 Card Reader (selected models)


Modem

Optional on selected models


Networking

Integrated Marvell 88E8056 Gigabit (RJ-45 LAN connector)


Ports

Rear: 1 PS2 Keyboard port, 1 PS2 Mouse port, 1 Serial port, 1 Parallel port, 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 VGA port, 1 IEEE 1394 port, Audio line in, line out, headphone out, Microphone in
Front: 2 USB 2.0 ports, 1 headphone out, and 1 Microphone in


Environmental



Temperature:

Operating: +5oC ~+35oC
Non-operating: -10oC ~ +60oC


Relative Humidity:

Operating: 15% - 80% RH Non-condensing
Non-Operating Storage: 10% - 90% RH, Non-condensing at 40° C


Maximum Vibration:

Operating: 5 ~ 16.2Hz: 0.38mm (peak to peak) 16.2 ~ 250Hz; 0.2G
Non-Operating Storage: 5 ~ 27.1Hz: 0.6G 27.1 ~ 50Hz; 0.4mm (peak to peak) 50 ~ 500Hz: 2G


Chassis

Desktop, 7.2" (183mm) W x 17.9" (445mm) D x 14.6" (370mm) H


Power Supply

Industry Standard 250 Watt


Operating System

Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2
Windows XP Home Edition with Service Pack 2
Windows XP Media Center Edition
Linpus Linux console version
(varies by model)

 

[Motoxrdude]

Yes, you have a pci-e slot. If all you are doing is work, then any video card with dual outputs will work for dual monitors.
Here is one that will work for you: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102710
O and if you are using linux, here is an nVidia card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814121080
Nvidia cards have better drivers in linux, but both cards will work in both windows and linux just fine.

 

[fmonte]

Thanks, that is right in my price range. One question, the ad says it is 128mb. I have seen 256 and 512. Im curious, what is that all about and would you know what my existing card is? Not that it matters on the existing because the way I understand it, I am suppose to disable it after I install the new one.

 

[Motoxrdude]

I am guessing it is right around 64mb, but it is not the megabytes that make the card, its the gpu (graphic processing unit). Those cards i listed will also give you an all around better performance because currently you have integrated graphics which borrows memory from the ram.
In short, both those cards listed are better then your current one.

 

[fmonte]

Thanks for the help. Have a good night.

 

[Massios]

I am guessing it is right around 64mb, but it is not the megabytes that make the card, its the gpu (graphic processing unit). Those cards i listed will also give you an all around better performance because currently you have integrated graphics which borrows memory from the ram.
In short, both those cards listed are better then your current one.

Thanks for taking care of it. Specs made me wonder what card exactly

 

[epidemik]

Start-->Run
Type dxdiag
Click display ( i think) and it will tell you what your current card is.

 

[Motoxrdude]

Start-->Run
Type dxdiag
Click display ( i think) and it will tell you what your current card is.

Whats the point? He already listed it.