2 monitor setup on 1 dvi graphics card?

[computernewb]

hi. if my graphics card has 1 dvi, 1 hdmi, 1 display port, can i still hook up 2 monitors to it? do i need to just get a vga to hdmi converter? or do i need a graphics card with atleast 2 dvi ports or 1dvi, 1 vga?

thanks!

 

[ViralKill]

if you got 3 connections then most likely you can connect 2 monitors. post your graphics card to be certain. or google it....

 

[computernewb]

if you got 3 connections then most likely you can connect 2 monitors. post your graphics card to be certain. or google it....

this one. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814161379

 

[danraies]

You can definitely support two monitors, yes. If your only choices for monitor inputs are dvi or vga then you'll need to get an adapter.

 

[computernewb]

You can definitely support two monitors, yes. If your only choices for monitor inputs are dvi or vga then you'll need to get an adapter.

ok great. thanks!

 

[cliffro]

here is one, its a DVI-HDMI cable hook one end to the monitor the other to the video card, "so easy, a caveman could do it".

 

[computernewb]

is there a VGA to DMI cable? cant seem to find one.

 

[cliffro]

Yes but they all have negative reviews mostly, and as I cannot guarantee its success, I will not recommend it.

However I must ask, do either of your monitors support DVI? If so you can grab that cable I linked to and use it for that Monitor, and the DVI-VGA adapter that came with your video card.

IF not, there are some expensive(relatively) HDMI to VGA converters, but they range from $33 and up.

 

[danraies]

I'm pretty sure you're going to lose some quality if you use an adapter to go from HDMI to DVI. I would *definitely* get a Display Port to DVI adapter if you really can't use HDMI.

 

[computernewb]

i have these 2 monitors
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009266

the other one is a older vizio 19 inch monitor/tv.

how can i tell if they support dvi?

also, does HDMI give the best quality? is VGA 2nd best quality?

thanks!

 

[cliffro]

That Acer has DVI and VGA you can use the HDMI-DVI cable I linked to above to connect the Acer and the DVI-VGA adapter that came with the video card for the Vizio.

It will connect something like this

Video Card> HDMI-DVI cable>Acer
Video Card>DVI-VGA Adapter>VGA cable>Vizio

 

[computernewb]

I'm pretty sure you're going to lose some quality if you use an adapter to go from HDMI to DVI. I would *definitely* get a Display Port to DVI adapter if you really can't use HDMI.

does the display port give better quality than the hdmi?

thanks

 

[danraies]

does the display port give better quality than the hdmi?

thanks

HDMI only supports single-link DVI and not dual-link DVI which means you'll lose resolution. Displayport supports dual-link DVI, though.

 

[cliffro]

Single Link DVI supports up to 1920x1200 resolution according to most sites, you will not lose any quality on the monitor you would be using the HDMI-DVI cable on.

 

[danraies]

I've spent way too much time making a case for a certain kind of adapter over another kind of adapter. If it were me I would go with a displayport to DVI adapter but it's just an adapter/cable - if it fits then it's going to work just fine. I don't know what cables and monitors you have at your disposal, but do whatever is cheapest and most convenient.

 

[cliffro]

I'm only recommending the HDMI-DVI thing because of 2 major things and 1 minor.

It's a cable, it's not going to place any undue stress on the output on the video card.
And that there will be no quality loss at all over any other connection used

And the minor thing is Price, it's $7.99.

That said, since I am mostly about price and it being a cable, here is a DP to DVI cable for around $10 http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B002CSUZSU/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new