Re: Dual Monitor on P4S800-MX
- From: nospam@xxxxxxxxxx (Paul)
- Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 20:39:20 GMT
In article <1137176279.679058.55480@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Sebastian Wain" <sebastian.wain@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Hi Paul,
>
> Thank you very much for your fast response.
>
> In this case this computer is mainly for work (2D), is there any
> possibility to add some 'common' video card to a PCI slot, and use it
> together with the SiS Real256E instead of buying a new card with dual
> video?
>
>
> Thank you,
> Sebastian Wain
> --
> http://www.nektra.com
OK. I'll quickly review the options.
Onboard graphics may or may not be operable at the same time as
the AGP slot. If the BIOS contains the word "Auto" as an option
for the built-in graphics, that means the build-in graphics are
disabled as soon as an AGP card is plugged in. Your BIOS has
"enable" and "disable", which means there is a possibility that
built-in and AGP can be used at the same time. That being said:
1) Disable onboard, use dual connector AGP card.
Benefit - Doesn't matter what BIOS option is, as all video
will be coming from the new video card. Using AGP bus gives
best performance.
2) Enable onboard, use single connector (older) AGP card.
Subject to the vagaries of the BIOS. Fine as an experiment
if you already own the AGP card, but risky if you are
buying an AGP card for the purpose. Your BIOS suggests the
onboard and an AGP video card can work at the same time,
but there are no guarantees. I couldn't find info in Google
for this combo.
3) Disable onboard, use dual connector PCI card.
Or enable onboard, use single connector (older) PCI card.
Either of these options will have blasts of traffic on the
PCI bus, whenever the image on the monitor is updated.
This can potentially slow down other PCI peripherals, or in
the case of a PCI sound card, might cause it to "crackle".
I would not expect a BIOS related issue.
In my original answer to you, I picked option (1) as it appeared
the most foolproof and it also gives the best performance.
Option 2 can be a real crapshoot. Especially with older
motherboards. There is seldom detailed documentation on
the BIOS option, which is why it is a gamble.
Option 3 with the PCI card is fine, if the computer you are
building is a punishment for someone :-)
To save maximum dollars, you might look around for surplus
computing suppliers, recyclers, Ebay, and so on. The cheapest
cards on Newegg are around $25, and some of them (the Jetway
ones) are real dogs (small batch runs of non-standard chips
used to build cards - customers struggle to get them working).
At least if you shop locally, you save on shipping costs.
Paul
.
- References:
- Dual Monitor on P4S800-MX
- From: Sebastian Wain
- Re: Dual Monitor on P4S800-MX
- From: Paul
- Re: Dual Monitor on P4S800-MX
- From: Sebastian Wain
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