[SOLVED] Budget graphics card for 2 monitors

[rubez]

I need a cheap graphics card that has two HDMIs for 2 monitors. I want to duplicate the desktop not extend them like one big monitor.

I have 8 GB ram in the PC I don't know if that is enough or relevant.

I wont be playing games so it doesn't need to be powerful but I want something that is hassle free on windows 10.

Any recommendations or advice?

The motherboard is Gigabyte Z97 MX.

 

[Mariusglock]

So what is your budget? For one person it can be 50$ for another 500. Be more specific what you want to spend

 

[--SID--]

Connect them to your motherboard. One with HDMI>HDMI and the second with DVI>HDMI.

 

[rubez]

Connect them to your motherboard. One with HDMI>HDMI and the second with DVI>HDMI.

I tried that before I can't remember exactly what happened but it is a major hassle.

I want to spend £50 maybe more or less. All it needs to do is run windows desktop.

 

[--SID--]

Your monitors only have HDMI?

 

[Mariusglock]

two HDMIs for 2 monitors.

you can also buy hdmi splitter.

I guess you want a second hand card, check your local marketplace for cards like Gtx 650ti, Gtx 750ti, r7 260, or just any other card in that price range.

 

[rubez]

No but only extend was available as an option not duplicate I think.

I think I forced it somehow after an hour of messing around but I ended up with 3 monitors on the display settings somehow and it never worked properly. Just a major headache..... this was years ago. if I can get away with just buying a cable that will do but I want it to work.

Is it only gaming cards that have 2 HDMIs?

 

[InvalidError]

Is it only gaming cards that have 2 HDMIs?

The most common configuration on modern cards is 3xDP + 1xHDMI.

If you were able to extend using adapters, then mirror should work fine too. The reason Windows won't let you mirror is probably because your second monitor does not support your primary monitor's current resolution.

 

[rubez]

I will try another DVI cable.

Any reason why duplicate wouldn't work if they are both coming from the motherboard?

motherboard HDMI to HDMI monitor
motherboard DVI to HDMI monitor

 

[InvalidError]

Any reason why duplicate wouldn't work if they are both coming from the motherboard?

Intel's IGPs have supported dual monitors since the days when the IGP was integrated in the chipset instead of the CPU, it shouldn't be an issue with anything from the last 10 years.

Since you wrote that you could extend, I would just do that and verify that it works. If it does, your problem has absolutely nothing to do with cables or ports.

 

[geofelt]

Once you connect both monitors, right click on the desktop and select display settings.
There, you will have the option to duplicate the displays, or more commonly extend them.
You should be able to use the integrated graphics adapter that comes with your cpu and motherboard.
Connect one display directly with hdmi cable.
On the other, use a dvi-d to hdmi adapter or cable like this:

https://www.amazon.com/BENFEI-Directional-Compatible-Raspberry-Graphics/dp/B07ZF442QH/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3sqsqLDT7wIViYTICh3w6QhIEAAYASAAEgLfMvD_BwE&hvadid=174291498649&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9011560&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=2257119343200625824&hvtargid=kwd-6856083461&hydadcr=24656_9648981&keywords=dvi-d+to+hdmi+cable&qid=1616947910&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzUU1HRFg5T0JVOVdGJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODE2NjgyM0UwNFhDRTZJVllFMyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjYxMzQzMjJYMVdSTkdBNVk3WSZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

If you want sound out of the monitor, it will come from the direct hdmi connection. DVI does not transmit sound.