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05.26.2007 at 04:17AM PDT, ID: 22596216
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Can my PC (Think Center) support dual monitors? What graphic card will fit?

Hi,

I have recently bought a A55 Think Center with “Intel® 946GZ chipset”  At the time I did not realise that that the 946GZ only supports “clone” dual display (with an DVI-I PCI-e Video Monitor Connector installed. See http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-60292 )

I only have the following two slots:
•      One PCI Express x 1 (half length)
•      One PCI adapter slot (half length)
Is there a graphic card on the market that will fit (keeping in mind it is half length) so that I can work with dual monitors. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks
Wayne
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Question Stats
Zone: Computer Hardware
Question Asked By: gb225450
Solution Provided By: Cro0707
Participating Experts: 2
Solution Grade: A
Views: 49
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05.26.2007 at 04:37AM PDT, ID: 19161661

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05.26.2007 at 04:42AM PDT, ID: 19161669

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05.26.2007 at 05:39AM PDT, ID: 19161760

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05.26.2007 at 05:46AM PDT, ID: 19161772

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05.26.2007 at 05:49AM PDT, ID: 19161778

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05.26.2007 at 09:07AM PDT, ID: 19162141

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05.26.2007 at 09:44AM PDT, ID: 19162224

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05.26.2007 at 10:18AM PDT, ID: 19162302

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05.26.2007 at 11:53AM PDT, ID: 19162437

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05.26.2007 at 12:11PM PDT, ID: 19162464

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05.26.2007 at 12:41PM PDT, ID: 19162524

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05.26.2007 at 12:45PM PDT, ID: 19162529

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05.26.2007 at 01:25PM PDT, ID: 19162602

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05.26.2007 at 01:44PM PDT, ID: 19162644

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05.26.2007 at 04:37AM PDT, ID: 19161661
Yes, you must buy and PCI-e low profile VGA card with two video outs (in most cases, you will have VGA and DVI). But if you will connect two LCD's, then is better to buy one with two DVI connectors.

Also, you can buy a aditional PCI card, they will work together.

Look at those images, just for informations...
Dual DVI card (low profile):
http://www.focusnz.co.nz/products/images/ma_P650_LP.jpg
Dual DVI card (full size):
http://www.windowsdevcenter.com/windows/2004/10/12/graphics/blockedDVIconnectors.jpg
 
05.26.2007 at 04:42AM PDT, ID: 19161669
I am not sure, do you need normal VGA or low profile VGA? If you give me this information, I will be able to specified which VGA card do you need...

LowProfile?
http://www.hardwarezone.com/img/data/articles/2004/1238/powercolor_low-profile.jpg
Normal?
http://www.icalledshotgun.com/CRArticles/DVI-VGA%20Dual%20card.jpg
 
05.26.2007 at 05:39AM PDT, ID: 19161760
Hi,
Thanks for the quick response. I require a low profile VGA as far I am aware as the standard PCI card’s back plate seems to be to long. Will this card fit in the PCI slot? As the PCI-E slot has pretty unique connecters and will only fit a card with connectors similar to this card http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?sitestyle=lenovo&lndocid=MIGR-60292

Thanks again for the help.
Wayne
 
05.26.2007 at 05:46AM PDT, ID: 19161772
PCI-e (PCI express) is a new slot for VGA cards (and other cards). Before PCI-e there were AGP slot for VGA only.

So I recommended that you buy a PCI-e card because it's better in performances, something like this:
http://www5.pc.ibm.com/europe/products.nsf/$wwwPartNumLookup/_41u4813?OpenDocument

But, you can go to any local store (better one) and ask for any ATI or nVIDIA based car that is low profile and supports dual monitors, and has PCI-e slot. There are many of manufactures, but all of them are bassed on ATI or nVIDIA video chip.
 
05.26.2007 at 05:49AM PDT, ID: 19161778
And (this is important), when you will buy a card, taka a cheap one if you use monitors only for 2D. If you run some 3D's (like games and 3D modeling) then you will need some with better 3D chip. Generaly, more money - better 3D chip.
Accepted Solution
 
05.26.2007 at 09:07AM PDT, ID: 19162141
Hi,

The PCI-e is a x1 slot and so I don’t think card your suggesting (at least on the one in the photo) will fit.  See below photos. The green card is the current card in the machine which does not have an actual graphic chip but instead uses the onboard graphics (which is Intel® 946GZ and so only supports clone dual display.) The blue card is a full sized card from another desktop.

http://www.anniqueuk.co.uk/HPIM1776.jpg
http://www.anniqueuk.co.uk/HPIM1777.jpg
http://www.anniqueuk.co.uk/HPIM1778.jpg
http://www.anniqueuk.co.uk/HPIM1779.jpg
http://www.anniqueuk.co.uk/HPIM1780.jpg


Note* my pervious comment was incorrect. The back plate is full length but the card is low profile and half length.

I am only planning on using the pc for web browsing and spread sheets etc. (No gaming)

Thanks
 
05.26.2007 at 09:44AM PDT, ID: 19162224
This is some IBM inovation again :)

You will need to conntact IBM support and ask them is there a any solution to your problem or install aditional PCI card, and use that VGA output for second monitor. You can use any PCI (not PCI-e) VGA card, but problem is they are old and maybe you will have problem finding some. But in any better IT store you will find some.
 
05.26.2007 at 10:18AM PDT, ID: 19162302

Rank: Master

<<< I am only planning on using the pc for web browsing and spread sheets etc. (No gaming) >>> it is simple, why you need upgrade? what is issue which the video you have now?
 
05.26.2007 at 11:53AM PDT, ID: 19162437
Hi,
Thanks. Had a look around and there are a few on eBay, however most is full size not low profile.(eg. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=130118045813&fromMakeTrack=true&ssPageName=VIP:watchlink:top:uk ) Is there any difference other that the size of the card between low profile & full size? Basically there should be room considering I will be removing the card in the PCI-e x1 slot?

Thanks for all the help so far.
Wayne
 
05.26.2007 at 12:11PM PDT, ID: 19162464
Punky,
the on board graphics (946GZ) only supports “clone” dual display and I would like to use “independent” dual display. If that makes sense?
 
05.26.2007 at 12:41PM PDT, ID: 19162524

Rank: Master

Then you might need a dual display video card (normally it has 2 DVI outputs) nowaday. A onboard video might not work with other PCI or AGP video card add on. In fact, 2 PCIs or 1 PCI and AGP. Have you check in Newegg for low profile PCIe video card yet?

Also, please review the link below:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/learnmore/northrup_multimon.mspx
 
05.26.2007 at 12:45PM PDT, ID: 19162529
 
05.26.2007 at 01:25PM PDT, ID: 19162602
Thanks Punky,
I am still not 100% sure I need a “Low profile” card. IBM describes the slots as:

One PCI Express x 1 or one ADD 2-R slot (half length)
One PCI adapter slot (half length)

I am not sure if half length is the same as low profile? I can fit a normal PCI wireless card in the PCI slot and the “DVI-I Connection PCI-e card” currently in the PCI-e x1 slot is the same height as a standard graphics card (well , at least the back plate is).

See: http://www.anniqueuk.co.uk/HPIM1780.jpg

The card on the left is the “DVI-I Connection PCI-e card” currently in the PC and the card on the right is a “NVIDIA GeForce MX4000”

The back plate for the card at newegg seems to be too short?

Thanks for the help so far.
Wayne
 
05.26.2007 at 01:44PM PDT, ID: 19162644

Rank: Master

First, the PCIe in newegg link is x1 as IBM required. Yes, you can place the GeForce MX4000 PCI video card into any avaliable PCI slot (and get ready video driver for it). Moreover, if space permits, then you dont need low profile card at all.
Assisted Solution
 
 
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