1. #1

    Need a 3rd Monitor, only one video card.

    So I've got two monitors currently connected to my video card, but thats the limitation of it. I'd like to get a third monitor up and runnnig just for basic internet browsing. I've been hearing bad things about USB Adapters refresh rates, so I was wondering what your suggestions are.

    I'm not sure if it exists, but some sort of adapter that you can connect 2 monitors to that transforms into one cable to plug into my video card would be ideal. My buddy at work says he has one with 3 monitor plug ins but he payed 299 for his and I'm not looking to spend nearly that much. (Essentially a splitter)

    Any ideas on this?
    Last edited by Alcsaar; 2012-12-20 at 02:22 AM.

  2. #2
    I am Murloc! Cyanotical's Avatar
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    the 3 monitor plug he is talking about is the triplehead2go, it creates a single logical monitor, for surround setups

    USB devices are more of a temporary thing, and the cheap ones generally dont work well or end up crapping out after a few months, i would suggest you either upgrade your GPU to a modern one capable of driving 3+ screens, or add a second one

  3. #3
    The GPU is a 460 GTX, but no means is it not "modern". It still only supports two monitor plug ins.

  4. #4
    Assuming your motherboard has a spare PCI or PCIe x1 slot, an extra graphics card would cost you around $10-$25 and solve the problem perfectly fine.

  5. #5
    The 460GTX became available for purchase April 2010.

    2 1/2 years gives your graphics card some gray hairs.

    You can purchase an incredibly cheap graphics card from newegg that would do the trick or you could purchase a comparable ATI card with Eyefinity that will run 3+ with display port adapters.

  6. #6
    Quote Originally Posted by Progar View Post
    The 460GTX became available for purchase April 2010.

    2 1/2 years gives your graphics card some gray hairs.

    You can purchase an incredibly cheap graphics card from newegg that would do the trick or you could purchase a comparable ATI card with Eyefinity that will run 3+ with display port adapters.
    The last thing I want is to stuff another video card into my tower. Additionally, I'm not going to use an ATI card. Ever.

  7. #7
    I am Murloc! Cyanotical's Avatar
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    600 series nvidia cards also run 3-4 screens

    however, if its possible to add a second gpu, like a simple 9800gt will run fine

  8. #8
    Quote Originally Posted by Alcsaar View Post
    The last thing I want is to stuff another video card into my tower.
    Why? It would be quite harmless and absolutely the easiest and cheapest way to solve your problem...

  9. #9
    Second video card or a newer video card.

    The other options are USB-to-DVI / VGA adapters, but the performance video-wise is terrible and they can be pricey (~80-100.) The other option is a Matrox TripleHead2Go, but this is a rather expensive option (300 ish?) and it is restrictive on the resolutions you use, ie, all 3 monitors have to have the same resolution, and it may not support 1080P unless they updated it recently.

  10. #10
    Do you have a Clarkdale/Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge based setup and a Z## or H## chipset?
    In that case, you should be able to plug it into the motherboards' display-out ports!
     

  11. #11
    Legendary! llDemonll's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Alcsaar View Post
    The last thing I want is to stuff another video card into my tower. Additionally, I'm not going to use an ATI card. Ever.
    The get a USB adapter. You've just proved to yourself that's the only option.
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  12. #12
    Quote Originally Posted by tetrisGOAT View Post
    Do you have a Clarkdale/Sandy Bridge/Ivy Bridge based setup and a Z## or H## chipset?
    In that case, you should be able to plug it into the motherboards' display-out ports!
    I'm using a Z68P-DS3 motherboard with an i5 2500k. Does that fit such criteria? Sounds like it does.

  13. #13
    Quote Originally Posted by Alcsaar View Post
    I'm using a Z68P-DS3 motherboard with an i5 2500k. Does that fit such criteria? Sounds like it does.
    Yes, that should be sufficient. Either through HDMI->monitor or HDMI->DVI->monitor.
    You might have to (re)activate the integrated graphics in the BIOS if you disabled it.

     

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