Dual Monitors

Vapor

Distinguished
Jun 11, 2001
2,206
0
19,780
I don't typically do this, but below is a ramble post...reply to what you want, no need to care about it all--so long as all the questions get answered eventually.

I'm thinking of upgrading my monitors and want to know if on my current Ti4400 or either the 9800Pro or the 5900nu (might be getting one of the two, this thread is not really about which I might get but input will be appreciated--I'm also considering the Parhelia [which does support dual 2048x1536x32], but I would still like to play the occasional game]) supports high resolution on the second monitor (Mitsubishi/NEC 22" CRTs are what I am looking at) so that I could run synchronous high resolutions and hopefully horizontal spanning (which is part of the reason why the 5900nu is in consideration).

Also note on the card that some of the things I want are VIVO (Asus makes a 5900nu with VIVO, Parhelia has no VIVO, no 9800Pro <$300 USD has it either--I do not want an AIW), good OCing ability, and simplicity and stability of upgrade (because of parents, I can't reinstall Windows, potentially eliminating the 9800Pro and the Parhelia [might be able to reinstall Windows for the Parhelia under the premise of it's lack of gaming ability] because I currently have an nVidia).

I don't care about warranty either as I will be putting a Zalman HP80C and RAMsinks on whatever I get (unless I do spring for the Asus 9800Pro with VIVO, as it does have pretty nice cooling already). As of now I am leaning toward the Asus 5900nu with VIVO ($267 at <A HREF="http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=14-121-162&depa=1" target="_new">newegg.com</A>) because of the simplicity of upgrade, VIVO, great OCing ability, blue PCB (as little as it will be seen), lower price than the Asus 9800Pro VIVO, the good enough performance in games (in all reality neither is tremendously better than my Ti4400, but its RAM is finally crapping out--time to replace, IMHO), and the horizontal spanning...as well as the overall satisfaction I've had with nView. As said above, the Asus 9800Pro VIVO is a viable option--especially if it supports a second hi-res monitor with the DVI->VGA adapter. ATi cards also have better performance in the skinning proggies I use.

Overall, I mainly want answered whether or not any of the aformentioned cards support a 2nd hi-res monitor (greater than or equal to 1920x1440x32). Any input between my Beloved Matrox or the two other more prominent contenders, the ASUS 5900nu VIVO or the ASUS 9800Pro VIVO will also be appreciated :smile: .

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.
 
Get a 9800 class Radeon card...dont even Fck around with anything else if you've got the money, and also, you wont get any ramsink's underneath the Zalman, if you find some that fit, they'll be so short that they wont do anything.

<A HREF="http://rmitz.org/AYB3.swf" target="_new">All your base are belong to us.</A>
<A HREF="http://service.futuremark.com/compare?2k3=2216718" target="_new"><b>3DMark03</b></A>
 
Alright, I've sort of been leaning to the 9800Pro...wouldn't put the Zalman on it though since the cooling is great already. Wouldn't need RAMsinks with stock cooling anyway.

Any idea on the max resolution on the second adapter?

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.
 
Spanning is possible, but a little trickier on the R9800. You need to use 3rd party software, as it's not supported in the Catalysts. I'll do a little more research and let you know exactly what if I can find it (hopefully not proprietary to guys like Colorgraphic). I do know Rivatuner and a-tuner have some very basic support for multi-monitor in addition to Hydravision and nView.

Max res on the ATI DVI at 32bit colour will be 1920x1280, but that is a Very Good TMDS (165+mhz not the typical 161mhz). You average card (ATI or nV) will be 16x12x32 out of the DVI connector. Matrox has dual channel TMDS, which allow higher resolution than nV and ATI. But remember that the 3rd RAMDAC is 165mhz, and therefore running super high res and colour depth on that third monitor will crap it out very quick, even in 2D, so that will be you biggest limiting factor there.

I would recommend the R9800PRo as a generally great card, but specifically what more are you looking for. If you are considering the Parhelia, then hopefully it's more than a fanboi think (seriously I forced myself to break ties, you can too :wink: ). If you have a serious need for the Parhelia then there are things it does GREAT. But otherwise, it's a whole lot of money for a very applications specific card.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK :evil:
 
Alright, thanks for the help...just gotta decide what I want more, amazing 2D or amazing 3D...I'll take my time, decision doesn't have to be made now, fortunately. My problem is that the monitors look SO nice at 1920x1440x2 and 2048x1536x2 (and since I want them to be symmetrical), 16x12x2 is kind of a let down, especially for the price of the monitors.

Too bad S939 isn't out yet...I could potentially have an AGP Parhelia on one boot and a R423/NV40PCX on another (the monitors have dual inputs :smile: ), but that would definitely cost too much, too. Ahhhhhh, the possibilities--just gotta calm down and think.

Thanks again, GGA.

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.
 
Too bad S939 isn't out yet...I could potentially have an AGP Parhelia on one boot and a R423/NV40PCX on another (the monitors have dual inputs), but that would definitely cost too much, too. Ahhhhhh, the possibilities--just gotta calm down and think.
<font color=purple>"Man, I dunno what the FVÇK you just said, little kid. But you're special. You reached out, and touched a brother's heart."</font color=purple> -- Tracy Morgan, <i>Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back</i>

Seriously, you're the only other person I know of who's been looking forward to the potential possible configurations of PCI-EX mobos/cards in the future, even if they don't pan out.

Funny thing is we've all said that there is no support for DUAL PCI-EX, but in fact there IS support for that possibility, and there is even the support for that with AGP, however there is just not the motiviation to actually plop 2 slots on a board. But imagine that. 2 PCI-EXG-16 slots. <A HREF="http://sounds.wavcentral.com/movies/matrix/wehoa.mp3" target="_new">Whoa!</A>

I just hope it will be possible to get a good AGP +PCI-EXG 939 MOBO. Now that would be sweet, and ease the wait for the PCI-EX cards.


- You need a licence to buy a gun, but they'll sell anyone a stamp <i>(or internet account)</i> ! - <font color=green>RED </font color=green> <font color=red> GREEN</font color=red> GA to SK :evil:
 
I just hope it will be possible to get a good AGP +PCI-EXG 939 MOBO. Now that would be sweet, and ease the wait for the PCI-EX cards.
Exactly what I was referring to (or at least trying). I'd use both slots, having dual boot, one using the gaming (and likely PCI-EX) card and the other boot using a Parhelia (or Pitou...if/when it ever comes out and is worthwhile).

Maxtor disgraces the six letters that make Matrox.