Dual Monitor Poll

[vshah]

How many use dual monitors?
What video cards are they running on?
Do they find it useful?

sorry for the many choices...i wanted to be thorough.

-Vivan

EDIT: Updated with a couple new choices for ppl using two cards

 

[Rankor]

ATI Radeon 9800 Pro AGP
ATI Radeon 7000 PCI

(1) 17" BENQ FP767S Ver. 2
(2) 15" BENQ FP567S

 

[Soulkeeper]

my ti4200 does the trick with my 19" and 17" viewsonics
helps with my job by giving me more workspace

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

at home:
2x Dell 1800FPs
1x 9700Pro AGP (DVI out)
1x 9100 PCI (DVI out)

at work:
2x misc. 21" CRTs
1x 9700Pro AGP (DVI out -> VGA converter, VGA out)


very effective.

 

[Dman877]

Not currently using dual displays but I have used them on a Ti4200 and a 9700 Pro. NView is definitely better for this then hydravision, however, most of what you need is standard in windows anyway. All NView has over standard win support is different wallpapers really. Anyway, I didn't really find either of them that useful, I usually just watched TV on one and surfed the net on the other but I can do that on 1 monitor anyway (I was using samsung 192N and 172N before, currently just using the 172N.)

If I ever get back into mapping for games like quake and ut I'm sure a second monitor would come in handy though, from either manufacturer.

 

[Peter]

I'm using a 17" and a 20" on a Radeon 9200SE. Very useful it is, if only for moving things like TV window, media players, consoles, system monitor/task manager and all that to the small one, so that the big one is uncluttered for the actual work.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

btw, what software are you guys using to control the dual setup? just the video card software? I've been using UltraMon for a while and like it. Anything better out there?

 

[vshah]

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
btw, what software are you guys using to control the dual setup? just the video card software? I've been using UltraMon for a while and like it. Anything better out there?

does it work for nvidia and ati? and is it anything other than a wrapper for their respective dual monitor drivers?


also those of you who are using two video cards is it to get the benefit of dual dvi outputs?

-Vivan

 

[ProviaFan]

I've had dual monitors in the past, for about a week... until the parents complained that they wanted their monitor back.

The ATI Radeon VE was good in its day performance-wise, but mine was an OEM version that had horrible DACs. Dual monitors are awesome, but right now I don't have the money, or the desk space.

 

[dderolph]

My primary video card, in an AGP slot, is a PNY model with a nVidia GeForce 4 MX440 chip. For a second monitor, I took an old ATI Expert 98 card with 8 MB video memory, that was not being used, and installed it in a PCI slot. Works fine.

Regarding UltraMon, which was mentioned in previous posts, I have not used their software but it looks like it has some nice features. For example, it lets you put a separate taskbar on the second monitor for the apps running on that monitor. They also have a forum devoted to multiple monitor setups and a database of possible combinations of video cards for multiple monitor setups. URL is http://www.realtimesoft.com/multimon/search.asp

 

[rbV5]

I use dual "displays" rather than dual monitors. I use a primary CRT, and a digital widescreen for gaming and video. With my setup, ATI is clearly superior with better support for interlaced resolutions, working native modes, and superior YPbPr support. I use an AIW 9700pro and MyHD tuner card (for HD and DVD viewing). Could be more user friendly for the family. Even though ATI is superior with widescreen and interlaced support, it falls far short of being painless.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

Originally posted by: vshah

Originally posted by: GtPrOjEcTX
btw, what software are you guys using to control the dual setup? just the video card software? I've been using UltraMon for a while and like it. Anything better out there?

does it work for nvidia and ati? and is it anything other than a wrapper for their respective dual monitor drivers?


also those of you who are using two video cards is it to get the benefit of dual dvi outputs?

-Vivan

Yes, its a wrapper, but a darn good one and adds a few features not available with just the video card software/drivers (like adding a taskbar to the second monitor, fast disabling for the second monitor, quick wallpaper switching, display profiles, etc.) Yes it works for ATI and Nvidia.

also I use 2 video cards, and yes it is to get 2 DVI outputs

 

[JonnyBlaze]

i steal my sons monitor when im doing alot of work at home. its nice to have acad and inventor on each screen.

someday ill get 2 matching monitors.

JB

 

[Boogak]

Dual 1800FPs on a dual DVI GeForceFX 5600
I find it very useful for juggling all the windows I usually have open
I also use UltraMon - invaluable for multiple monitors!

 

[Peter]

I'm using XFree86 on Linux. Multi-monitor setups just come natural with that. More of those used 20" monitors are underway, I'll soon have 3 of those

 

[Elcs]

Used a Leadtek Ti4400 for my first dual monitor setup... rather OEM 17" and 15" monitors..

Using a Sapphire 9800 Pro on the same monitors

For normal use, both Nvidia and ATI are identical for me. No problems either way.

For games, Nvidia trounces ATI... Span 2048x768 is fun for X2 The Threat.

Nview > Hydravision. (IMO)

 

[yhelothar]

I'm using Radeon 9800Pro and I really miss the features I had with my FX5900.
I no longer could span videos or games across my dual 21" CRTs, which is a big letdown for me.

NVIEW > Hydravision FOR SURE!

I use dual "displays" rather than dual monitors. I use a primary CRT, and a digital widescreen for gaming and video. With my setup, ATI is clearly superior with better support for interlaced resolutions, working native modes, and superior YPbPr support. I use an AIW 9700pro and MyHD tuner card (for HD and DVD viewing). Could be more user friendly for the family. Even though ATI is superior with widescreen and interlaced support, it falls far short of being painless.

I'm guessing you've never used or heard of the custom resolution panel in NVIEW?

 

[essasin]

im running dual 2001fps with a 9800 pro and a pci with dvi out

 

[Spook]

I've used Nvidia, Matrox, and ATI now for dual monitors. The Matrox is great for the 2D apps that you would use, but of course it isn't great 3D performance. The Nvidia was nice as well. My ATI however I have problems with the 2nd screen, its blurry. The 1st card I got was worse than the 2nd one im using now, but the 2nd one is far from perfect either. I'm using a cheap 9200se, so that might be my problem. the higher end ATI cards may work better than the one I have, but its made me leary about buying another ATI card, Hi end or not... Anyway that's my experience with 2 monitor setups. I've been using dual monitors for the better part of 6 years, back when Win98se came out. Back then it was a Viper550, and PCI Voodoo3 2000 card...

Good Luck
Spook

 

[jdogg707]

Originally posted by: essasin
im running dual 2001fps with a 9800 pro and a pci with dvi out

That makes me jealous...

 

[Thoreau]

Couldn't live without my 9800 + dual 17" CRT's. The added space makes a huge difference when doing photoshop work, programming, you name it. Plus, I don't notice any slowdowns in gmes running on one screen, even while having apps open on the other at the same time.

Also using UltraMon.. it definitely is a must when going dual!

 

[vshah]

got ultramon and enabled the taskbar on the second monitor, but i still use nvidia driver for all switching and stuff

if someone important reads this:
it'd be great to see dual monitor settings within the game profiles...


-Vivan

 

[Corporate Thug]

not using dual display, i have no desire to do so

 

[MDE]

FX5900 driving a 17" Sony CRT and a TV as a quasi-HTPC.

 

[Luthien]

You didnt ask what I use. AGP and PCI card because I got older equipment. Yes, having dual display is very useful. My cousin uses three and is going to get that matrox card for four. He is a day trader and wants lots of windows open for real time charts and stuff.