Multiple Graphics Cards (Dual Monitor + HDTV)

[fwww]

Hello

I am running a computer with the following specs:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 6000+ Dual Core Processor
Gigabyte GA-M52L-S3 Motherboard
4GB RAM
Nvidia Geforce 9500GT 512MB Graphics card (DVI & VGA)
Dual Monitor 20" TFT-screens (One DVI, one VGA)
Windows Vista 64-bit
UltraMon

Now I have bought an HDTV and would like to connect it to my computer with HDMI. The problem is that my graphics card only has two outputs, which are both taken by the two monitors.

To the Questions:
1. Could I buy another graphics card with an HDMI-port and run that parallel to my current graphics card?

2. Would I have to mirror one of the computer monitors to the HDTV or how would it work? Obviously, the TV and the monitors have different resolutions (1920x1080 and 1680x1050).


Thankful for answers
Fredrik

[photolady]

That would work if you can find one where the HDMI doesn't cancel out the DVI. Mine has both but I can't use both at the same time.

I don't think you have to mirror anything. And I think mirroring would defeat your purpose of having three monitors, to use separately.

[Train]

http://www.matrox.com/en/

[fwww]

That would work if you can find one where the HDMI doesn't cancel out the DVI. Mine has both but I can't use both at the same time.

OK, so you mean I should replace my current graphics card with one with DVI, VGA and HDMI? I was wondering if I could buy one to use only for HDMI, parallel to my current one.

I don't think you have to mirror anything. And I think mirroring would defeat your purpose of having three monitors, to use separately.

Yes, but I was thinking of using it for displaying for example video clips, photos and things on my TV, and therefore it would be simpler to just mirror one of the monitors because that would be easier to control with the computer.

[Train]

Check out maxtrox, they have some interestin video/graphic stuff.

[photolady]

First off, your motherboard only has other PCI slots, and only one PCI-e 16x so you couldn't use another PCI-e video card. And though you could use a regular PCI video, I've never seen one with HDMI attached.

I would check out what Train posted. Though what I have seen of those cards, they are rather pricey.

[fwww]

Yes, Matrox seems a little pricey. I was looking for a cheaper solution.

I've looked at some PCI cards, and as you say none of them have HDMI, but they do have DVI. If I buy one of them, and use a DVI → HDMI adapter, would that work? Would I in that case have to buy one of the same brand as my current one or would anything work?

Would it have to have good specs or would any low-end graphics card work? I would like to be able to use it to watch high quality movies on my TV, and don't want any lagging and such. Would the cheap ones produce an equally good image as the pricey ones?

Would any of these work? (Preferably one of the cheap ones ):

Cheap ones:
Club 3D GeForce 6200 256MB
PowerColor Radeon HD2400Pro 256MB
Club 3D Radeon HD2400Pro 256MB

Mid price:
Sparkle GeForce 9400GT LP Passive 512MB
Inno3D GeForce FX 5200 128MB
ATI FireMV 2200 Dual-DVI 64MB

High price:
Matrox Parhelia Dual-DVI 256MB
Matrox QID Low-profile 128MB
Matrox QID Pro 256MB

[photolady]

Adapters rarely give you the quality you want. Most times they also cause problems.
Don't mix Radeon cards with Nvidia cards. Drivers will conflict and cause problems.

Here is a list of pci cards at newegg.com that have VGA and DVI and an S-Video port. You can use the S-Video to connect the tv if the tv has an S-Video port (most newer ones do). But with S-Video you would need an audio cable to go to your tv and computer sound card for sound. S-Video doesn't supply sound.

[fwww]

Okay, thank you so much for your help.

So I can't mix brands, but can I for example use the "GeForce 6200 256MB" one, since it is also Nvidia? Having two GeForce graphics cards will work?

I'd prefer to use DVI or HDMI, to get the best picture possible.

[photolady]

Yes, you can use any two Geforce/Nvidia cards.

What I would do, is buy a new PCI-e 16x video card, one with HDMI, then buy one PCI Nvidia card with VGA and DVI. Though these won't be as fast or as good as a PCI-e video card. And quality may suffer for your computer viewing.

[fwww]

OK. I shall look into it further.
Thank you good sir/madam.

[photolady]

You are quite welcome!

[Train]

AVOID the GeForce FX 5200 video cards at all costs. Guaranteed to make you pull your hair out.